Teens, Can't Find a Summer Job? Be Your Own Boss!

June 21, 2010 — -- Teens looking for a summer job and facing stiff competition from adults for seasonal roles may find their best option is entrepreneurship. And as a parent, you may be the best asset to your teen's success.

WHAT CAN I SELL? Most entrepreneurs begin with a skill, talent or passion of their own. Talk to your son or daughter about what he or she can do best or enjoys most.

To help make the connection between a particular skill or talent and how to make money from it, connect your teen with successful business owners who can share their early-day experiences.

CampCEO is a one-day summer program at Southern Illinois University that connects teens with a wide range of local businesses started by entrepreneurs. The kids have a chance to ask how the entrepreneurs got going and what it takes to make money. Parents can easily create a similar experience for their kids locally.

Robyn Laur Russell, host of CampCEO, suggests that young people ask, "When did you know you wanted to be an entrepreneur and how did you prepare yourself for this big step?" and "Who inspired you to explore owning your own business?"

Once they see an entrepreneur else in action, teen can determine what they can emulate, says Russell.

After years in school musicals, Minnesota teen Courtney Paaverud knew she could sing. As she prepares to enter her senior year of high school, she decided that it was time to turn her talent into some cash.

She reached out to choral directors and other singers – entrepreneurs in her field – for advice on how to find work.

It paid off. She's volunteering her time and talent in church performances for experience and exposure, and she's lining up gigs singing at weddings, parties and other events where she'll ask for $50 to $100 per performance.

Bonus tip: Teens can take a cue from Courtney and use social media to spread the word. Courtney created a Facebook fan page and Twitter profile for her work.