Helping Your Teen Thrive Through Summer Jobs and Internships

Summer is here and while we all need a break, many parents are wondering how to keep just enough structure in place to help their teen grow, explore, and prepare for life beyond the school year. At We Thrive Learning, we believe summer should be a time for both fun and freedom and meaningful experiences that build confidence, responsibility, and real-life skills. One powerful way to strike that balance? Summer jobs and internships.

Whether your teen is scooping ice cream or shadowing someone in a career they’re curious about, these experiences can be some of the most formative of their lives. They teach responsibility, build executive function skills, and create those memorable summer moments we all look back on with nostalgia.

Why Summer Jobs Are So Valuable

Jobs and internships aren’t just about a paycheck. They’re about growing into independence. Here’s what teens gain from working:

• Life skills: From budgeting and time management to handling feedback and navigating social situations, teens develop real-world competencies.

• Executive function development: Managing a schedule, staying organized, and following through with responsibilities are all EF wins.

• Confidence: There's something powerful about earning your own money, navigating your own challenges, and contributing in a meaningful way.

• Social growth: Jobs push teens outside their social bubbles—encouraging communication, empathy, and teamwork with people of all ages and backgrounds.

• Career exploration: A summer job can be the first step in figuring out what lights them up—or what doesn’t.

• 
  

Supporting Your Teen in the Job Hunt

Some teens are eager to jump into the workforce. Others? Not so much. That’s okay. Start by inviting them into the process, not pushing. Talk about what they’re hoping for this summer: Do they want gas money? Freedom to go out with friends? A way to explore a possible future career?

Once there’s buy-in, get practical:

• Logistics: How will they get to and from work? Can they walk, bike, or will they need a ride?

• Job types: Help them brainstorm jobs that align with their interests—pet stores for animal lovers, coffee shops for those who love fast-paced environments, retail for the fashion-minded, etc.

• Tools and prep: Encourage them to build a resume (Google Docs has free templates), and offer to help review it if they want your input.

If your teen is unsure where to begin, career interest quizzes can be a great starting point. They might also consider job shadowing—a low-pressure way to dip their toes into a new field without a formal internship.

Managing Rejection and Building Resilience

One of the hardest parts of the job search? The inevitable rejections. Remind your teen that not every job will say yes—and that’s normal. Normalize it. Share your own stories of rejection and how persistence paid off. Frame it as a learning opportunity: What can we try differently next time? What did you learn from the process?

The goal here is to help them develop grit, not shame. Rejection isn’t personal—it’s part of the process.

Preparing for Interviews

Interviews can be nerve-wracking—especially the first one. Practicing together can help calm those nerves. Rehearse common questions, role-play tricky scenarios, and talk through how to share strengths in a clear, confident way. Emphasize that showing up prepared can make a big difference and help them leave a strong impression.

Setting Expectations for Success

Before their first day, have a heart-to-heart about the soft skills that matter most:

• Punctuality: Being on time shows respect and reliability.

• Emotional regulation: How to pause and respond instead of react—especially during frustrating moments.

• Communication: Encouraging your teen to ask questions, advocate for themselves, and listen respectfully.

• Adaptability: Remind them that sometimes we all have to do things we don’t love—like collecting grocery carts or cleaning up spills—but a positive attitude goes a long way.

Helping your teen reframe these moments as opportunities to grow builds resilience and a healthy mindset toward work.

When a Job Becomes a Memory

Some of our most vivid memories are of summer jobs—friends made, lessons learned, growth experienced. When teens find jobs that fit their personality and interests, work doesn’t just build skills—it builds stories. And those stories stay with them long after summer ends.

Final Thoughts

A job or internship isn’t just a checkbox for a college app—it’s a meaningful way for your teen to explore who they are and who they want to become. As a parent, your role isn’t to manage the process for them, but to walk with them—offering support, encouragement, and guidance when they ask for it.

And if your child has ADHD or struggles with executive function skills, this kind of real-world learning can be even more impactful. It offers a natural, hands-on way to practice all the skills we work on in coaching—but in an organic, empowering setting.

If you’re looking for more individualized support this summer, we’d love to talk with you. At We Thrive Learning, we offer one-on-one coaching for students to build executive function skills, confidence, and self-awareness. Visit us at WeThriveLearning.com to learn more or schedule a free consultation.