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sourjello73 t1_iwwn4x0 wrote

If you want to get into the trades, some people will hire you as a laborer (sweep the floors, set up my tools, etc.) My brother worked in a body shop during summers when he was your age. I worked on a private farm as a teen, and I did maintenance at a summer camp. As far as work for after school? Try a restaurant or fast food. But put your education first, no matter what.

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nodumbunny t1_iwzsb6q wrote

This is such good advice given how the trades are really struggling with staff shortages, and there are so many well-compensated jobs, too. But you're right, this is more of a summer gig - by the time kids get out of school, job sites are shutting down for the day.

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sourjello73 t1_ixarwtf wrote

As a blue collar worker myself, we are struggling to find decent help, especially in entry-level positions. There's a lot of money to be made in the trades, and a lot of your education is hands-on. But yeah, summer, or OP could pick up some Saturdays sweeping the floor at somebody's shop. Couldn't hurt. Heck, if it's a field they're interested in, why not get their foot into the door at a shop, so they have an "in" when they're ready to start their career path. You'd be surprised how much people admire "oh yeah, I helped at so-and-so's shop on the weekends in high school!"

It's automatically assumed you learned a thing or two in your time there, which they most likely would. Some of the best shops I've worked at had an apprentice organize all the materials from orders on a Saturday. You go in on Monday, and it's refreshing as hell to see all your supplies laid out, and tagged by job name. Just handling materials, and learning their names is a huge step in learning a trade.

Rambling, sorry

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