Welcome back to unpopular PARENT, the podcast where we help parents focus on what really matters and let go of the rest. In today’s episode, we tackle a question many families face: Should teens get a job while they’re still in school?
Scout joins us to share how her first job transformed her from a slightly anxious kid into a bold, confident young adult. She talks about how working pushed her out of her comfort zone, helped her overcome her anxiety, and gave her the confidence to tackle new challenges—both at work and in life.
We also dive into the practical side of balancing work, school, and social life. Plus, you won’t want to miss Scout’s most eyebrow-raising moment on the job—and how she handled it. So whether you’re a parent wondering if a job is the right move for your teen or a teen considering taking that step, this episode is for you.
00:00 - introduction
00:54 - job #1 | saving lives
03:51 - intrinsic motivation and confidence
06:33 - independence
08:32 - change and purpose
09:37 - quitting well
13:09 - job #2 | gen pop
18:55 - knowing yourself and what’s right for you
19:33 - spidey sense is a valuable skill
22:54 - why all teens should have a job
24:44 - buy-in and ownership and knowing yourself better
27:32 - i don’t have time
28:35 - biggest takeaway and biggest self-discovery
29:58 - next week’s topic
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