The pressure to find a first job can feel overwhelming, especially for teens with anxiety. A job can mean new social situations, new people and an unfamiliar routine. These can trigger a teen’s worries about “what ifs” and rejection and make the whole idea seem impossible. A part-time job could be a key to helping the many teens living with an anxiety disorder discover a sense of accomplishment and help soothe away some anxieties. For a teenager living with anxiety, it can feel like they’re always on high alert. Social situations can send the heart racing. The thought of new experiences can be paralyzing. However, a job can become a safe space. It can become a stepping stone toward managing anxiety and discovering hidden talents. 

Jobs that may be a good fit for teens with anxiety 

While these job recommendations may be a good fit for teens with anxiety, it’s important for your teen to understand their anxiety level and current limitations. By understanding these, it can help them choose the best type of job for them depending on what they can handle. The jobs below are grouped by level of interaction — low social interaction, moderate social interaction and social interaction in supportive environments — so they can potentially be a good fit for teens with varying degrees of anxiety. 

Low social interaction jobs that can be enjoyable for teens with anxiety include:

• Pet care — These jobs include dog walker, pet sitter and kennel assistant. A kennel assistant may require some social interaction with pet owners but will be mainly focused on the animals. 
• Online tutor — Teens who excel academically can work as an online tutor to teach subjects to students remotely. This can minimize in-person interactions. 
• Restaurant staff — The term “restaurant staff” may immediately make you think of working directly with customers, but positions like bussers, dishwashers or preppers require minimal to no social interaction and are more focused on specific tasks. 
• Stocker — A stocker helps organize and maintain inventory in retail stores or warehouses. This job may involve some social interaction with colleagues or maybe a potential customer, but a teen will mostly be focused on task completion. 

Moderate social interaction jobs that may be enjoyable for teens with anxiety who can handle some social interaction include:

• Baker — If a teen loves to bake and decorate cakes, pastries, etc., working for a bakery or creating their own business for custom orders may be ideal. There may be frequent social interaction with customers, but the focus will be on the creative process.
• Librarian assistant — A librarian assistant helps librarians with shelving, organizing materials and helping patrons find resources. This role can involve lower-key social interactions than traditional customer service roles. 
• Bookseller assistant — If a teen is a bookworm, they may enjoy working in a bookstore. They may find the confidence in social interactions being combined with their love of reading to speak with customers by recommending books. 
• Social media manager — Teens can have a better grasp on social media platforms than some adults. If there are friends or family members who own a small business, teens can offer to post on their social media accounts or even answer questions or messages as a part-time job. This could lead them to a career as a social media manager in the future. 

Jobs with social interaction in supportive environments that can be good for more confident teens with anxiety include:

• Camp counselor — A teen who works as a camp counselor works with kids in a structured camp setting. This setting allows for social interaction but has a predictable framework. 
• Animal shelter worker — While they will mainly be caring for animals in the shelter, it also requires teens to have some social interaction. 
• Child care assistant — Working in a day care or a preschool setting will require teens to have social interactions with caregivers but will be mainly focused on nurturing young children. 

Benefits of a job for a teen with anxiety

A job can be a teen’s powerful tool against anxiety. A job can benefit teens living with anxiety by:

• Boosting confidence — Earning their own money can be a powerful motivator for teens. Seeing a paycheck for their hard work can be a big boost to their self-esteem. 
• Building skills — Every job can teach valuable skills. These skills can range from communication and teamwork to responsibility and time management. These skills can look great on future résumés and help teens navigate social situations with more confidence. 
• Confronting fears — A job can be a safe space for teens to gradually face their fears of social interactions. Some interactions may still be awkward, but teens can gain confidence with each successful interaction. 
• Building relationships — The workplace can be a surprising place to make new friends. Working with people who have similar interests can help teens make new connections and develop a sense of belonging. 
• Offering structured routines — A regular work schedule can help teens manage their anxiety by providing them with a sense of structure and predictability. 

Lightfully Teen can help your teen manage their anxiety and build their confidence

At Lightfully Teen, we understand the unique challenges teens with anxiety can face. While a part-time job can offer valuable social exposure and a sense of accomplishment, working with a licensed clinical therapist can be the most beneficial way to help teens overcome anxiety in the long run. Our unique approach to whole-person-centered care can help address the root causes of your teen’s anxiety, and we can equip them with coping mechanisms and social skills to navigate the workplace and all aspects of their life with greater ease. With the right support and guidance, a part-time job, combined with professional therapy, can be a powerful approach to help your teen build confidence and unlock their full potential on their journey to overcoming anxiety. 

Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step, contact us. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of you.