Labor Laws
You and your employee have to follow the law when searching for a job.  There are several laws that protect employed teens like you across the United States.  If you are not working on a farm, you have to be fourteen years old.  There are also a few more restrictions that apply. You may want to do a little research in the state you live in to ensure that you get the latest laws and regulations.

If you are between the ages 14 and 15, then you are only permitted to work three hours per day, and eighteen hours a week.  Depending on whether or not you want to, during school holiday and summer breaks, you may work eight hours per day, 40 hours per week.  However, work is limited to up to 7 o’clock p.m. within school days and 9 o’clock p.m. during summer breaks at this age.

Employment Documents
In most states, if you are not eighteen years old, you are required to obtain a Certificate of Employment or Age document to be allowed to work legally.  Schools and the Department of Labor are good places for you to get these papers.  It’s always a good idea to look through the certification list for Age or Employment to find out which rules apply to you.  The Guidance Office at your school can be the best assistance in helping you to get this information.  If you are referred to the Department of Labor, your local state office will help you. Particular states, such as New York, have special web site sections on Youth Jobs, which will give you the information and documents you need.

Dream Jobs
To begin searching for your dream job, you will want to make sure you take a job that will keep your interest.  After-school programs and working with kids are great jobs to take into consideration when looking for something of interest.  Working part time on the beach, entertaining amenities, zoos and other locations such as these are all great choices. The important thing is that you choose a job that you like and can complete with the best of your abilities. It is also very essential that you do your best in your job and pick one you will truly enjoy, because your understanding of a job plays a big role in determining the potential of your future job.

The Hunt for Work
Most high school counselors will be able to help you with finding part-time jobs that’s fitting for you.  Besides having sources among local businesses, counselors may also help you get jobs you will enjoy and do extremely well at.

It is also a good idea to tell everyone you know that you are looking for a job. Don’t take your contacts lightly, because they will be the very ones to help you gain more contacts who may just be the ones who are able to help you get that job!

Regardless of how uneasy you feel about talking to your parents about smoking you should do so anyway.  Despite what your friends say, smoking is not something most parents permit and you doing so will have more of an impact on them than you think. According to one study, teens who think that their parents disagree with smoking were less than half as likely to smoke as those who thought their parents wouldn’t care. Your parents shouldn’t smoke inside the house, in the car, or right in front of you. They also shouldn’t forget to keep the cigarettes from your inquisitive hands. If your parents smoke, they should try to quit. Quitting may be hard if you start and it will sometimes make you feel miserable during the process of trying to quit. Smoking is not attractive and it can bring damaging and unpleasant results such as bad breath, smelly hair, and yellow teeth. Smoking is an unclean and foul habit, and can also leave you with a constant cough and less energy for sports and other activities you may have once enjoyed doing.

Another issue is the cost. Smoking is pricey; so calculate your weekly, monthly, or yearly cost of one-pack-a-day smoking routine. Consider what other things you can purchase instead.  Consider buying practical devices, clothes, and other important things you may need instead of cigarettes.

I know you are exposed to peer pressure. Your friends who smoke can become very persuasive. You should possess the courage you need to reject smoking. One essential that should be practiced is “Saying No in a Nice Manner.”

You may think that you can quit smoking anytime you want. But sadly, you become just as addicted to nicotine as adults, often rapidly and at quite low doses of nicotine. And once captivated, it will be harder for you to quit. Due to lack of experience, you also tend to believe that bad things only happen to others. But the long term costs of you smoking are things such as cancer, stroke, and heart attacks.  These are all serious things that may be “too real” for you when you grow a bit older.