College and Career Center » Employment Opportunities

Employment Opportunities

Getting Started: Working in High School

Employment 1
 

Age-Based Work Rules for High School Students

Age Group Hours Allowed Late/Night Work Type of Work Allowed Work Permit Required?
Ages 14–15 Very limited hours, especially on school days ❌ No late evening work Non-hazardous jobs only (retail, food service, tutoring, office help) ✅ Yes
Ages 16–17 More flexible hours than ages 14–15 ⚠️ Some limits may apply on school nights Non-hazardous jobs only ✅ Yes (while enrolled in school)
Age 18+ No hour limits ✅ No restrictions All jobs allowed (with proper training) ❌ No

 


Important Reminders for All Students

  • 📌 School always comes first—grades and attendance matter.

  • 📌 Work permits are issued to one employer only.

  • 📌 If you change jobs, you must apply for a new work permit.

  • 📌 Employers must follow youth labor laws, even if you agree to work more hours.

 

Types of Jobs for High School Students

Common job opportunities include:

  • On-campus jobs: Tutoring, library aide, office assistant

  • Local businesses: Retail stores, restaurants, grocery stores

  • Seasonal jobs: Summer camps, lifeguarding, holiday retail

  • Entry-level roles: Cashier, barista, stocker

  • Volunteer-to-paid opportunities: Volunteering that may lead to paid employment

 

💡 Student Tip:
You do not need prior work experience for most entry-level jobs. Employers often provide on-the-job training.

 

How to Find a Job

Ways to Search for Jobs

Ask In Person

  • Visit nearby businesses (retail stores, restaurants, cafés) and ask if they are hiring.

  • Bring a printed copy of your résumé or be ready to fill out an application on the spot.

 

School & District Postings

  • Check job boards or announcements from your school or counseling office.

  • Districts sometimes list openings on official hiring platforms like EdJoin (common for school-related jobs) swhittier.k12.ca.us

Community & Youth Programs

  • Visit local community centers or youth programs — they often have part-time or seasonal jobs, volunteer opportunities that lead to paid positions, or connections to local employers.

 

Networking

  • Tell friends, family, teachers, and counselors that you’re looking for work.

  • Many part-time jobs are filled through word of mouth and recommendations.

💬 Student Reminder:

 

Let people know you are looking for a job — many employers hire through recommendations and personal connections.


Helpful Sites for Students to Find Jobs

Here are websites designed for student and entry-level job searches:


Career Centers
  • LA County America’s Job Center of California – job search support and resources
  • America’s Job Center of California (AJCC) – job search assistance nearby - AJCC Whittier
(Tip: Employment agencies and career centers help job seekers find positions, prepare résumés, and practice interviewing.)

Job Opportunities in Whittier 

Here are job or work-related roles that have recently been listed or are commonly available in the Whittier area:
  • High Dosage Tutor – Work with younger students, helping with reading and math (part-time, after school) LinkedIn
  • After School Instructor – Teach hands-on STEM or enrichment classes in Whittier atsclub.org
  • Group Leader (Boys & Girls Club of Whittier) – Supervise and lead activities after school whittier.uloop.com
  • Food Service Worker (Whittier City School District) – School food service positions whittier.uloop.com
 
(Note: Availability changes frequently — students should check sites like Indeed, Snagajob, and local school district postings for the most current job listings.)

Example Job Application Questions

Students are often asked questions like these:

  • What is your full legal name?

  • What is your phone number and email address?

  • Are you legally allowed to work?

  • What days and hours are you available to work?

  • Do you have reliable transportation?

  • Are you currently enrolled in school?

  • Do you have any previous work or volunteer experience?

  • Can you provide references? (teacher, coach, counselor, or supervisor)

 

📌 Student Tip:
If you do not have work experience yet, list volunteer work, school activities, clubs, or sports.


How to Follow Up After Applying

Following up shows responsibility and interest.

In-Person Follow-Up Script

Hello, my name is ____. I recently applied for the ____ position and wanted to follow up to see if you are still hiring. Thank you for your time.

Phone Follow-Up Script

Hello, my name is ____. I applied for the ____ position last week and wanted to check on the status of my application. Thank you.

Email Follow-Up Script

Subject: Follow-Up on Job Application

Hello,

My name is ____. I recently submitted an application for the ____ position and wanted to follow up. I am very interested in the opportunity and would appreciate any updates.

Thank you for your time,


📌 When to Follow Up:
Wait 5–7 days after applying before following up.