As teenagers, we all seem to face the same, irrevocable problem. We need money.

Whether you are saving up for a new pair of Roshes, scavenging for enough cash to order “B Dubs” during smart lunch, or simply trying to put enough gas in your car to get to school, there just never seems to be enough. The only solution to this problem is to get a job, and Cedar Rapids is a city with numerous opportunities to do so.

There are hundreds of options to choose from when looking for a job, and each and every one of them has unique benefits, wages, and available positions.

Some of the most popular options for teens include Hy-Vee, Fareway, Jimmy Johns, and other grocery store and food chain organizations. Other students are taking on some less common jobs. From assisting at day care centers, to unloading UPS trucks, Kennedy has a wide variety of unique students with equally unique jobs.

Despite the fact that there are several possibilities, it can be hard to find a job that suits your personal preference, has great benefits, and offers enough to pay for all of your food, gas, and entertainment needs.

Many seniors have already found what works for them, and their unique jobs will become available to underclassmen as they move on to new things after graduation.

Name: DaVonte Franklin, sr.

Job title: Package Handler

Company: UPS

Starting wage: $10.00

Requirements: Must be at least 17 years old, able to lift packages up to 150lbs, and have daytime availability (typically 5-9p.m.)

How to apply: online application (https://www.jobs-ups.com), over the phone, or in-person interviews

Most interesting thing about working for UPS: “Just seeing some of the things that come through. Some packages that I’ve seen have been on the ridiculous side, having pictures of people taking funny selfies on snapchat taped to the outside of the package.”

Favorite part about working there: “I love to lift weights and workout in general. Being a package handler I pretty much get to work out for an average of three and a half hours a night Monday through Friday lifting boxes ranging from 1 pound to 150 pounds.”

Job Description: “As a package handler I unload all of the truck and semi-truck trailers that come through my work place. I also help out with sorting through the smaller packages (1-10 pounds), and place those in bags to be loaded onto outgoing semi-trailers.”

Benefits: “I get a discount on the items sold in the UPS catalog. Things like snowboards, mugs, and coats.”     

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Name: Katelyn Baethke, sr.

Job Title: Kennel Staff

Name of Company: Park Towne Animal Hospital

Starting wage: $7.25

Requirements: Must be at least a freshman

How to apply: written application, in-person interview

Most interesting things about working for Park Towne: “Working with animals, helping with random little medical tasks while they’re examining animals.”

Favorite part about working there: “Most of the animals are really nice and fun to play with. All of the staff and my boss are really nice. There are also usually snacks for people to eat in our main lab area.

Job Description: Set up/clean kennels and cages for the animals, give them their medication, help vets with some animal care, and keep the labs/offices clean

Benefits: “There is always food.”

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Name: Maddie Wood, sr.

Job Title: Daycare Provider

Name of Company: Saint James Daycare

Starting wage: $8.50

Requirements: vaccines, first aid certification, CPR certification

How to apply: written application, in-person interview

Most interesting things about working for St. James’ Daycare: “Being around kids. They do really weird/funny stuff all the time.”

Favorite part about working there: “Getting to work with kids is pretty easy, and we go on cool field trips in the summer. We also don’t have to work weekends.”

Job Description: “During the school year we pick the kids up from school, then we just take them back to the daycare, feed them snacks, and play with them.”

Benefits: “We don’t have to work on the weekends.”

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Name: Caitie Langguth, sr.

Job Title: Waitress

Name of Company: Osaka Japanese Sushi House and Bar

Starting wage: $4.75

Requirements: ability to handle large parties, adequate social skills

How to apply: written application

Most interesting things about working for Osaka: “The atmosphere, since the chefs cook in front of the tables, it’s formal but fun too. And the food’s amazing.”

Favorite part about working there: “My coworkers and how we all work together as a team.”

Job Description: “I wait on the customers, take orders, give them their bills, serve soups, salads, and sushi, and make sure everything runs smoothly.”

Benefits:

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Name: Chloe Pflughaupt, sr.

Job Title: Produce Worker

Name of Company: Fareway

Starting wage: $7.75

Requirements: Must be 14 for courtesy position, 16 for any other position

How to apply: written application

Most interesting things about working for Fareway: “Seeing everyone come in and learning about what people buy more of during different parts of the year.”

Favorite part about working there: “Meeting all of the fun people I work with and becoming friends with them.”

Job Description: “I take fruits and vegetables and fill them in on the shelf, and I make sure that none of the produce goes bad.”

Benefits: “We don’t have to work Sundays.”

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Name: Shawn Shaft, sr.

Job Title: Barista

Name of Company: Starbucks

Starting wage: $8.00

Requirements: must be 16

How to apply: online application

Most interesting things about working for Starbucks: “Definitely our regulars, who come in every day. They make my job super fun.”

Favorite part about working there: “My barista family and our regulars.”

Job Description: “Making coffee beverages, lattes, teas, refreshers, etc.”

Benefits: “Health benefits, 401k, free bachelors program through ASU, cup fund, free premium Spotify, 30% discount (essentially unlimited), free drinks and one food item every shift.”

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Name: Jessica Bond-Jensen, sr.

Job Title: Front end leader (cashier supervisor)

Name of Company: Bed, Bath, & Beyond

Starting wage: $9.00

Requirements: must be 16

How to apply: written application

Most interesting things about working for Starbucks: “Learning about all the new things we have in the store, and just seeing everything we have.”

Favorite part about working there: “The people I work with. We’re honestly like one big family, even though that sounds cliché.”

Job Description: “Making sure that everything gets closed up front and also in the office. Making sure customers find everything they need.”

Benefits: “Twenty percent off everything you buy. Also employee incentives.”

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Name: Jordan Teale, sr.

Job Title: Sellebrity

Name of Company: Old Navy

Starting wage: $10.00

Requirements: must be 16

How to apply: online application

Most interesting things about working for Old Navy: “It never gets boring and you get to see new styles come in every week.”

Favorite part about working there: “The people that work there because they are super fun to work with.”

Job Description: “Cashier, working the sales floor, monitoring the fitting rooms.”

Benefits: “25% off the entire store.”

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Name: Tai Cheung, sr.

Job Title: Food Server

Name of Company: Hy-Vee Chinese Express

Starting wage: $9.00

Requirements: must be 16

How to apply: online application

Most interesting things about working for Hyvee: “The people that I work with”

Favorite part about working there: “Closing”

Job Description: “Think of what a cafeteria lady does and you get the idea.”

Benefits: “Free food if you’re sneaky.”