• From the time your child is in grade school, talk with him or her about the kinds of jobs people do and what your child might like to do.
  • Offer opportunities for your child to "sample" different jobs by doing chores around the house, visiting friends or family members at their workplaces, interviewing friends or family members about the jobs they do, or volunteering.
  • Encourage your child to think about ideas for a small business. Some ideas might include giving computer lessons to adults, creating and selling greeting cards, or doing translations, if bilingual. Help him or her think through business decisions such as what to charge, how to market the business, and what the costs will be. Consider a small loan to launch the business so the child learns money management skills as the loan is repaid. If extra training is required (such as taking a Red Cross class on baby-sitting), help your child enroll in the appropriate class or program.
  • Teach your child the necessary social skills to succeed in a job environment (for example, dressing appropriately, having good attendance, being on time, and following instructions).
  • Encourage teens to find part-time work while in high school to gain experience.
  • Identify what additional skills or training your child requires to perform a desired job, and arrange for him or her to complete it.
  • Teach your child how to use public transportation so that he or she will be able to get to and from a job.
  • Coach your child on how to look for a job, how to fill out an application, and what to expect in the interview (consider role playing to allow the child to practice).
  • If your child receives government benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicare, or Medicaid, earning more than a certain amount of money may mean he or she could lose those benefits. However, your child may be able to participate in a savings program called Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS), which allows him or her to save money for a work goal, once the plan is approved. To learn the rules, call the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213, or visit their Web site at www.ssa.gov.