After school options for a teen at Berkeley High
My daughter just started her junior year at Berkeley High and is looking for things to do after school (she is not at all interested sports). She is thinking about looking for a very part-time job, maybe in one of the used book stores downtown. Have any parents had teens do this and, if so, do you have any advice? She would also be interested in finding out about meaningful volunteer opportunities nearby. She does a lot of art on her own but has never taken a formal class, so she'd love recommendations for that as well. She needs to go somewhere that is an easy bus ride (or walk) from BHS. Thanks in advance for your help!
Aug 17, 2021
Parent Replies
We had this issue too. No sports so what to do after school. My daughter took art classes at Liv and Chiu and also at the Walt Disney Museum in San Francisco (your child wouldn't make it to that one on time if she can't get a ride.) I wouldn't recommend a job in downtown, but only because you have a lot of mentally unstable folks to deal with (I know this from experience). Maybe she can find a job like somewhere on Solano Ave which she could take the bus to. Not sure they'll do it this year but employment through the city program Youth Works is also great. My daughter worked at the Kala Art Institute for 8 weeks one year through that program.
The Berkeley Public Library has volunteer opportunities and sometimes paid jobs for teens--see https://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/teens/jobs-and-volunteering
Hi, I suggest your daughter apply to work in the afterschool programs at one of the elementary schools in Berkeley. We need and value our young playground and activity supervisors.
What about working at Trader Joe's, just a few blocks from BHS? I just heard from a friend that her daughter, an Oakland high school student, got a part time job at the TJs in Oakland. Not sure if they are hiring at the one in Berkeley but it seems like it could be a positive, educational work experience.