Why can't teens work to make soem money??

I wish I could get a job, cause one everyone tells me to get one, and two I NEED CASH!!! I was once at the apple store on a mac pro w/ the 30" screen (and I was in Heaven) and an employ caome with soe people and starts showing then the mac pro (for the womens son who were apperently in college). When the guy was gone I helped them by explaining some additional details and making a few suggestions. The women then said I should work there and when I told her I was 13 she was like WOW! Yet I asked an employ there and they said I had to be 18!

The point is I want to work w/ computers but everywhere I go it is 18+ Why can't we teens work with like 3/4 minimum wage? I don't really care how much cash I get, as long as I'm getting something that I could live off of (based on a 14 yr old's needs).

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Permalink Reply by EEngineer on March 25, 2009 at 8:42pm: Not to say this applies to everyone but, there are many young teens who are too immature to be in a work environment. You however, sound like one of the rare teens that would do quite well working, especially in an Apple store. :^); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Cookenstein on March 25, 2009 at 8:57pm: I agree with "E" here, you spend your time on sites like this. A place like the Apple store might be a good solution for you. I am sure there are plenty whom want to work for Apple, but you really got to get out there and apply to several places daily. Get into some of these professional networking, job placement sites and get yourself out there.

It is hard when you are young and don't have a trade to apply right away. But even people two+ times your age are experiencing the same problems. You are far from alone. Best of luck.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by jas on March 25, 2009 at 9:01pm: thanx. I mainly want to work for apple cause....well I really like Apple, but thats just me, I still got a while to think of what I'll do for a living, I just need soem cash like now!
but again thanx means a lot; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Bradley Bradwell on March 25, 2009 at 8:43pm: Hey,
I just wrote a blog post about young people and their inability to get jobs on Lockergnome. I think it's just because of the difference in realities from when older people were young compared to how it is now. However, it's important to have the maturity level which you may think you have but really don't. No I don't mean how you act, but how you handle extremely stressful situations.
There's plenty more into getting a job other than "knowing stuff".; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by jas on March 25, 2009 at 8:49pm: true true. Yah maturity is helpful, and being able to take on the stress.....yah thats a different story.As long as I don't have a book report do, I don't have much stress. lol. But yah I am pretty mature (when I want to be)cause to me all work and no play makes for a boring day, thats my motto and thats what I live by. I would say if anyone hired a teen they should test their maturity, people skills, and how well they can handle stress. But other then for those reasons I don't se why teens cannot work; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by EEngineer on March 25, 2009 at 8:57pm: Yes, you sound pretty mature for your age. Keep up that mindset (but not all of the time, it's good to enjoy your childhood too!) and you will go far.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by ivudiduf on March 25, 2009 at 9:03pm: Wow !!! Is these because of the law? I didn't know that. Here in bulgaria is very easy. I mean that for some jobs the age doesn't matter so much. when I was 15 I worked in hotel in sunny beach as a waiter and the most of the personnel in the hotel was under 18. and all of them were there illegal. to be legal u need only a document from the parents (that they are agree) to be checked at the "Bureau of Labor" and is legal.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by jas on March 25, 2009 at 9:11pm: hey I don't do politics, and I dont care about politics
the only thing I care about is 1.) what is the tax rate.
2.) who is the governer
3.)who is the president; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by SassySweetBren on March 25, 2009 at 9:20pm: Honey, you are a bit young and there are laws that govern the age.

However, you stay sharp and learn all that you can and when you get to a good age to work, someone will snap you up in a heart beat.

I know you would love to work so why don't you think about doing work for friends and their friends. Hey, it will make you some money and once your reputation is known, you will have more to do that you might want to.

I know a young man about your age who does just that after school and on weekends.
Good luck sweetie.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by ivudiduf on March 25, 2009 at 9:23pm: wow! who is mentioning politics, I am just surprised that people under 18 can't find job. because they are cheap and they (most) don't know/fight for their rights.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Christian on March 26, 2009 at 8:12am: One of the reasons some places only hire 18+ is because of labor laws, which business must abide by or they get fined. Like I worked at Target a couple years ago and I had to take a lunch every 4 hours (apposed to 6 hours for adults) and couldn't work more than 8 hours a day.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Shawn J. Houtsinger on March 25, 2009 at 9:31pm: I can never offer sage words to the youthful, as it may fall upon deaf ears.
Now, do not take that as an offensive thing I just said.
I say this as a person who used to be 13 and just like you.

However, if you are truly asking for advice, or just looking for some soothing words to coat down the salty pill, here is what I offer:

1. Do not worry about your future job or what you will do as a profession. What you think you may do is going to be completely opposite of what you actually do. But, it is combination of all the failures,mishaps,success, and trial that will lead to your eventual outcome.

2. We all need money. It isn't easier to get this resource at the age of 32 than at 13. We have something in common. The only difference is I would gladly give you it if I could be 13 again, and worrying about money and...

3. You'll have plenty of time to work hard at a job, 9-5, and find yourself wishing you had the time to think about what to do with your life. Then you'll realize this time was during your younger years.

4. Start at the bottom. You say you want to work for Apple in one of their stores, right? Great! Well, start asking any of your cousins, uncles,etc if they need any help on their computer. The external knowledge and level of advancement a younger person (child) begins with is what we learned at our 20's. Just imagine where you will be when you are 32.

For what its worth...

Shawn J. Houtsinger
www.techgeeknews.net; ▶ Reply to This