This is a reasonable, simple inquiry. However, because the world of employment is very complex, there is no simple solution or response to your questions. This program was created to provide you with some background and helpful ideas for finding employment that will benefit you next summer, or even year round.
While you are in this program you will travel to a bunch of different places to find interesting and useful information about the world of employment and how you can become a citizen of that world.

Long ago, in fact, during the last century, an old Jamaican wise man said to me: “Young man, you have asked me how to find employment. You are only 13 and still have much to learn, for what you seek is like searching for treasure. At any age, it is a long and difficult journey that could take you in many different directions. Having the right tools and a map, or plan to go by, can save you a lot of time and disappointment.”

In your search you will discover many things:

Gold Nuggets-important words and meanings.

Pearls-

How to find out what you might enjoy and be good at.
How education can pay big money when you are an adult.
Why it is so difficult to find a job, especially at 13.
Gems-
What kinds of jobs you are allowed to do, by state law.
How to get a Work Permit.
How and where to look for job openings.
How you can start your own business.
How to create advertisements for your skills and talents.
How to gain work experience by Volunteering.

JOURNEY MAP

Signpost 1 …and the Wise Man said: “Knowledge is power!”
Travel Log-click on travelog and print copy for your folder.
Gold Nuggets -click on goldnuggets and print copy for your folder; partner up and use brainstorming and a dictionary to create your own definition of these important employment terms.
Travel Log-Enter your log comments for Signpost 1.

Signpost 2...the Wise Man continued: “Know thy self!”
Interests and abilities- click on
http://science.education.nih.gov/LifeWorks.nsf/feature/index.htm
follow the directions, print copy and put in your folder.
Travel Log-enter your log comments for Signpost 2.

Signpost 3...then the Wise Man advised: “Know the law!”
State laws on employment of minors-click on
http://dwd.state.wi.us/er/labor_standards_bureau/child_labor_laws.htm
read the information on work hours, prohibited employment and work permits. Copy information for your folder or ask your counselor for the state brochure.
Brainstorm-in addition to legal barriers, can you think of any other obstacles you might encounter? Talk about it with a partner and list your ideas.
Travel Log-enter your log comments for Signpost 3.

Signpost 4...the Wise Man gestured to the world around us: “Know where to look!”
Networking-Your best bet (easiest and fastest way) to
find out if there are any jobs around that are right for you, is to ask peers, and friends/relatives and neighbors with kids your age who are already working somewhere. This is called “networking”.
Pounding the pavement-while you are walking or riding around, look for signs in windows of businesses, especially fast food places (sometimes they hire kids your age). Go in, ask for an application and follow through. A quicker, easier way is to “let your fingers do the walking” through telephone book listings. Try food places, golf courses and community newspapers for starters. B
Job Listings-click http://www.dwd.state.wi.us/jobnet/mapwi.htm
Click on the map where it says “SE”;
Click on “Milwaukee”;
Scroll to “Part-time and Temporary” and click;
Click on any category that interests you;
Scroll down the listing and click on any job;
Pay Attention-to such details as “work site”, “public transportation”, “hours per week”, “shift/workdays”, and “minimum requirements”.
Do you see any barriers that would keep you from getting the job?
Other Places-The Sunday paper classified section; look under “Part time” and “Temporary”.
Travel Log-enter your comments for Signpost 4.

Sign Post 5...and the Wise Man said: “Believe in yourself! If it doesn’t work, try something else!”
Click on: http://www.volunteermilwaukee.org/welcome.php
Read the “News” box.
Look on the left side under Site Navigation:
Click on: “About Us“; note the address and phone #.
Click on: “Find a Volunteer Opportunity” and check out any that interest you. Notice if there are any restrictions or barriers that apply to you.
Call their office: and tell them you are interested in volunteering. Ask if they ever have opportunities for kids your age (sometimes they do).
Travel Log; enter your comments for Signpost 5.

Sign Post 6...now the Wise Man turned, raised his hand and said, “The Force is with you! You have the power to create your own job”
Click on: http://www.sldirectory.com/studf/cool.html#teens.
Scroll down to Sites for Teens and click on The Business of Babysitting. Explore the information included in each button. These ideas don’t just apply to babysitting (Dude, quit squirming! Guys can be babysitters too!) They apply to other businesses such as lawn-mowing, snow shoveling,
pet care, garage cleanup and so-on.
Browse the site: as long as your there, take a look around. There are a lot of fun things on this site.
Travel Log: enter your comments for Signpost 6.

Sign Post 7...then the Griot said, “Hear me, Grasshopper…the key to success is in the power of self-discipline, which is the foundation of all endeavor such as knowledge, planning, flexibility and perseverance! Yes, even making money!”
Review: your log and the printouts in your folder.
What are some good things you have found out?
What are some obstacles or barriers in your way?
Are there any of these you can change?
Are there any beyond your control?
Click on: http://www.nahfe.org/income_vs__education.htm.
Read the information at this site. Pay particular attention to the chart that compares income (money) to leach level of education. Discuss this with your partner. What does the chart suggest?
Travel Log: Enter your log comments for Signpost 7.

Signpost 8...the last thing the Wise Man told me was, “The most terrible thing I could wish on my worst enemy is to get stuck in a never-ending situation that he hates. There are always choices. When all else fails, look for ways to improve yourself. Your education is one thing that can never be taken away! It is now time for us to part company. FARE THEE WELL!

Multiply: 40 X 50 X 40 on a separate sheet of paper.
That is about how many hours the average career person spends working in their lifetime.

Answer these questions: How do you define success? What would you like to be doing for a living for those 80,000 hours? Would you rather work those hours for $6.00 an hour (minimum wage-about what the average school dropout earns) or would you prefer to average around $40 per hour (about what today’s college grads can expect to average during their careers)? Do the math before decide.

Explore these sites: for programs that can help you get ahead in school, or help you catch up if you have fallen behind: http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/trio; http://www.marquette.edu/eop/ub/; http://www.msoe.edu/st_life/trio.

We have now. come to the end of our journey. Hopefully, you have been able to gather lots of treasure in the form of gold nuggets, pearls and gems that you can use now and in the future. I would like for you to take a few minutes to evaluate this program. Please answer the following questions as thoughtfully and honestly as you can on a separate sheet of paper:

What are three things you felt were the most helpful?

What are three things you felt should be changed?

Are there any other nuggets, pearls or gems that you think should be added?

If any of your friends or relatives had any of the same questions or concerns that you had when you started this, would you consider recommending the program to them?