As someone who started working at 15 years old, I am a firm believer in the importance of having a job. I have worked as a lifeguard, a camp counselor, an afterschool teacher, and a nanny in the past few years.

I have learned valuable lessons from working and have been able to recognize why it is so important for teenagers to have jobs.

Here are a couple of the most important things I have taken away from having a job:

1. You earn your own money

Having your own money and learning the balance of spending and saving is a skill that you will need for your entire life, and learning it early is extremely beneficial.

2. You are exposed to all different types of people

Especially working with children each day you are faced with different issues, different parenting styles, and people with all different attitudes. Being exposed to this variety at a younger age helps prepare you for what you will see in the real world, and makes you aware that not everyone is like you.

3. You make friends with coworkers

The best part of working is the people you work with. They make the time go by quickly and give you someone to be entertained by and relate to throughout the day. Your coworkers are often people you wouldn’t find if it weren’t for your job, which makes them even more special in your circle of friends.

4. You gain empathy for other people in the workforce

As a worker each day you watch as people do inconsiderate things that make more work for you. Once you see these behaviors you make a note to never do these things in another person's place of work.

5. Your people skills improve

Interacting with people on a daily basis helps your communication skills and your ability to deal with people.These daily encounters help young people develop skills that they will need their entire life.