Hard work has rewards for talented teen
WHAT do your teenagers spend their pocket money on?
Emily Cook has already saved enough money for two holidays to Asia – and she’s only 14.
She won’t be 15 until February, but the Pittsworth teenager has been working since she turned 13 last year.
In Queensland, 13-year-olds can work up to 12 hours a week, provided they have the permission of their parents.
Emily’s mother Alison said her daughter was so keen to start working, she took up a cafe job just two days after her 13th birthday.
“She started with a cafe in Millmerran when she was 13. We transported her to Millmerran two days a week so she could work at Pud’s Place,” she said.
“We are eternally grateful to the owner Shane Lacey for giving her a start at the cafe.”
Emily then took a job at the Pittsworth IGA, where she saved up enough money to book a holiday for herself and her mum to Hong Kong in September.
“She did the research and found the flights and accommodation for us for five nights,” Alison said.
“She paid for that and then she went over with $500-$1000 in spending money.”
Emily said the experience of travelling was made even more special because she organised the trip.
“It was an amazing experience, doing all the different activities,” she said.
“It was much rewarding on my behalf – it wasn’t just another holiday, it was mine.”
Emily has already booked another holiday for the pair to Bali, something she never would’ve been able to do if she hadn’t started work so early.
“I wanted to buy my own things and if I saw something I wanted to buy it, so I thought I’m going to start working,” Emily said.
“The experience was great – I do customer service and I learnt strategies to deal with difficult people and how to work in a team.”
Emily’s friends were initially jealous of her ability to buy her own holidays, but have now realised the potential of working a casual job.
“A lot of the juniors I train (at IGA) are my friends,” she said.
Emily also has some advice for other teenagers looking to join the workforce before they turn 14.
“If they do want to get a
It wasn’t just another holiday, it was mine.
— Emily Cook
job, just print off a heap of resumes and hit the streets,” she said.
“Don’t go to a big company brands – go to your local butcher or at the grocers.
“It will set you up well for the future.”