Free Time?  
Here's Tips (Page 1 of 2)	
Free Time?  Here's Tips	
Are you sometimes bored when school is not in session because you have 
too much time on your hands?  Did you know that free time can be useful 
to 
your work world future?  Free time allows you to explore things you are 
too 
busy to do when you attend school.  Free time offers you four opportunities:  
You can get work experience — You can learn a skill —  You can make new 
friends — You can exercise and get stronger.  Here are tips for things to do 
during your free time when you do not need to attend school:
GET A  JOB
According to labor laws in most states, you may work 8 hours per day on 
a day that you are not required to 
attend school.  Most employers require job seekers be 16 years of age be
cause of their insurance company’s 
rules.  A few employers will hire job seekers as young as 14 years old.  Look aro
und your city to discover 
where you would like to work. Visit this company's website to learn about the company and find out how to 
apply for a job.  Or, do a "cold call" (visit in person without an appointment):  a) Dres
s like a worker at this 
company.  b) Walk into the company (alone).  c) Ask to speak to the manager or assistant manager.  d) Say, 
"I am interested in working for ________ (use the company's name).  Ho
w do I apply for a part-time job?"  
In addition, CareerOneStop Centers helps job seekers find part-time employment.   To find a CareerOneStop 
Center near you:  a) Visit the website: careeronestop.org.  b) Click on "Find Local Help."  c) Enter your zip 
code.  You may also use job search websites such as:  snagajob.com and indeed.co
m.  You need to enter a 
job title (such as cashier) and your zip code.  Make sure you get a pa
rent's permission before you apply for 
any job you find on the internet.
TAKE JOB TRAINING CLASS or ADULT SCHOOL CLASS
When you have extra time, explore a job training class in areas such as 
Police Science, Fire Fighting, 
Computer Applications,  Nurse’s Aide,  Dental Assistant, Animal  Health,  Construction, Auto  Mechanics, 
Auto Body Repair, Retail Sales, or Emergency Medical Technician.  Check with your counselor or career 
center to find the job training classes near you.  If you complete a job training class, you will receive a 
Certificate of Completion to use on your future job applications and resumes.   Also, you will meet 
supervisors who may allow you to use their names as references on your f
uture job 
applications and resumes.  Most classes offer unpaid work experience.  And, Auto 
Mechanics and Auto Body Repair classes may save you money because you may 
work on your own car.  
TAKE A COMMUNITY COLLEGE or COLLEGE CLASS
Most community colleges encourage high school students to take one of th
e many 
classes offered.  High school students may need to have a 2.0 (C) grade point 
average, and need an approval form signed by their principal or counselo
r to give to 
the college.  To apply to a college and get a list of classes offered, visit the college 
website or call the college Counseling Office.  When you take a college class, be sure 
to list this class on your future job applications and resumes.

Permission to use with usworkworld.com subscription.  	Free Time? Here's Tips  
(Page 2 of 2)	
QUICK CHECK:
1.  List 4 opportunities summer vacation offers.
2.  a) During vacations, how many hours per day 
may you work?  b) Why may an employer 
  require job seekers be 16 years of age?
3.  a) What is a "cold call"?  b) List the 4 steps to 
make a cold call to a business you like.
4.  a)  List 3 steps to find a CareerOneStop Center 
near you.  b)  List 2 other job search websites.
5.  a) List 3 job training classes that are interesting 
to you.  b) If you complete a job training class, 
what do you received?  c) You may meet 
  supervisors who may allow you to do what?  
6.  Name 2 things that high school students need to  enroll in a college for summer session.
7.  When you take the class, where do you list it?
8.  a) List 4 things volunteer work shows an 
  employer about you.  b) What is the caution 
about volunteer work?  c) List 3 places you may 
do volunteer work.
9.  a) List 4 skills you learn from playing sports.  
  b) How do managers view themselves?
10.  List one hobby you may enjoy learning to do.
11.  Design a sample card for a business that a high 
school student can start this summer.
12.  a) What activity might you enjoy doing this 
summer?  b) What skill will this activity teach 
you?
VOLUNTEER IN YOUR COMMUNITY
Volunteer work is respected by employers because it shows that you are mo
tivated, thoughtful, caring, and 
dependable.  You may list volunteer work on you future job applications and resumes.  
One word of 
caution:  When you volunteer, you must be interested in that activity, or it will 
not be a fun and successful experience.  Here are some ideas about where
 you 
can volunteer — hospital, city recreation department, city library fo
r children’s 
story hours, law enforcement Explorer programs, helper in church groups;
 and 
volunteer at animal shelters.
JOIN SPORTS TEAMS
Participating in a sports program builds leadership qualities that can l
ead to 
success in the work world.  When playing sports, you learn new skills:  1) You learn to support the team — 
in the future, support the company.  2) You learn to show a united and positive "face" to the other team no
 
matter how you feel inside.  3) You learn to "read" the other team so that you understand how they 
think.  
4) You practice respect for the official — in the future, support the supervisor — so that you do not get 
thrown out of the game — or in the future, fired.  Participating in a sports program is a fun way to learn 
skills and attitudes that will help you succeed in jobs.  Managers view 
themselves as leaders of a "team."
LEARN HOBBY SKILLS Hobbies help you learn skills.  Are you interested in art?  Take a crafts class at a craft 
store.  Are you  mechanical?  Learn how to build and race remote control (RC) 
cars or 
planes.  Are you interested in animals?  Raise animals for 4H Club, or to create 
interesting, cute videos for YouTube.  Like music?  Buy a musical instrument and take 
lessons.  Skills a hobby develops in you, can lead to a fun and high pay
ing job.
START A  BUSINESS
Maybe you would like to start a vacation business to help seniors or wor
king parents 
in your community.  Create a business card to give to neighbors and friends to let 
them know that you are looking for jobs in yard service, child care, car
 detailing, or housekeeping.