There are lots and lots of ways to make money as a teenager. From the traditional ‘reliables’ such as babysitting and getting a summer job, to utilising the power of the internet, to some very creative means that will find favour with any future employer. Consider the following ideas for the two months ahead that you could continue in a smaller way when you go back to school and/or pick up again when you go to college. However, you will definitely learn and glean some skills that you will use and benefit from right throughout your life.

Here are five to get you started;

(a)  Learn a new skill and offer this as a service in your local area

You can upskill in blogging, social media, coding or a variety of other techniques that companies need and want today, but many business owners don’t have the time to learn and implement these ideas. You can use web sites e.g. www.lynda.com to access high quality training from the comfort of your own home and then take the sales and marketing courses there too to start a small service business.

(b)  Take on freelance jobs

There is a plethora of web sites where people and businesses post jobs they would like to outsources and then individuals can bid for the work. If you like to write content, interact with people on Facebook, develop mobile apps or design graphics for teenagers, register on these sites, like www.elance.com, to see what’s on offer and then put your own ideas forward.

(c)  Star in a movie

It takes people of every age to make a film and producers are always looking for teenagers as extras or small parts. If you would like to be part of “lights, camera, action!” and make money while doing so, check out organisations such as www.movieextras.ie, where 82 percent of people on their books last year received paid work on the set of Red Rock, Fair City and many more.

(d)  Set up an online shop

In the UK, up to a third of clothing, furniture and household appliances are bought online. You can collect things that other people don’t want and set up a shop to sell these goods online on portals including www.donedeal.ie, www.buyandsell.ie and www.ebay.ie .You can also make crafts, handmade cards, jewellery etc and sell them on www.etsy.com  Learn how to position your product well, market it to an audience and step on the learning curve!

(e)  Apply for funding to learn from European counterparts

There is a range of finance mechanisms aimed at young people and getting started in business including www.erasmusforyoungentrepreneurs.eu for older teenagers. This initiative pays for you to work in another entrepreneur’s company in another EU country for between one and six months so that you can gain experience. Also, the www.leargas.ie office in Dublin specialises in signposting people towards European funding for all ages including young people through the Erasmus+ programme.

For more articles and ideas, check out www.savvyteenacademy.com/blog; the free resource for young people with a focus on careers, communication and confidence.