Do you know why starting a business now can help your teen develop 12 key transferable skills?

Apr 11, 2023
4 min read

Updated: Jul 22

It can be tricky for teens to get work experience, especially students seeking part-time work to fit around their studies. However, for teenagers with an entrepreneurial flair, starting a small business from home can help them gain experience and perhaps even make money in the process. If your teen has the enthusiasm and ability, starting their own business needn’t be costly and could give them an edge over others when it comes to interviews. This doesn’t mean full-time commitment; it’s something they could fit around studies or focus on only during school holidays. If things go really well, they may even have the beginnings of a career working for themselves.

Why starting a business offers an edge in developing transferable skills

We often mention transferable skills, and that’s because they’re desirable. Whether for further education opportunities or to fill job roles, interviewers are trying to make sure they take on someone who is the right fit. There may be a minimum standard of qualifications needed, but they’ll also be looking for personality and skillset. They need to identify the best candidate to benefit from the opportunity on offer, as well as someone who can contribute to the growth and success of their department.

There are key characteristics that indicate how well someone will fit within an organisation, in terms of how they work and how they get on with other people. Academic qualifications give an indication of how well someone can process facts and recall them; personality indicates whether their values are aligned with those of the organisation (such as loyalty, reliability and honesty); and skillset marks out those who already possess experience of the key qualities needed to build a successful business.

Transferable skills are vital in every business, whatever the industry. Is your child a great communicator, well-organised, able to work on their own initiative, responsive and innovative? Can they prove it? Starting their own business gives your child first-hand experience that teaches them many skills they wouldn’t hone so quickly (or at all) through academic study alone. It lets them see the big picture of what they’re trying to achieve and the different steps needed to reach their goal. It demonstrates they can apply their learning and character in real-life situations, and gives them a vehicle to prove their capabilities.

Why starting a business offers an edge in developing transferable skills

What transferable skills can your teen develop when starting a business?

While schooling and co-curricular activities (such as clubs, sports and public speaking) can help develop and demonstrate some of the skills below, setting up a business provides evidence of how a student applies themselves in a commercial setting rather than their own peer group. Here are 12 of the most sought-after skills interviewers are looking for:

Initiative: having good ideas and acting on them.
Demonstrable experience: working on real-life projects, not just theoretical scenarios.
Ability to communicate: probably the most important; running their own business shows they can communicate well with clients and people they don’t know, both verbally and in writing.
Ability to meet deadlines: producing high-quality work within limited timeframes.
Leadership: inspiring and motivating others (by getting clients or followers).
Commitment and reliability: even growing a small business requires dedication over time.
Consistency: delivering high quality on a regular basis.
Time management and balance: crucial in successfully maintaining a business alongside their studies.
Problem solving: recognising challenges and finding solutions.
Listening: being responsive to others’ needs.
Teamwork: collaborating with others to achieve positive outcomes.
Digital technology: expanding and improving their knowledge of software and online systems.

What transferable skills can your teen develop when starting a business?

Great business ideas for teens to try

Your child will have the best chance of success if they start a business based on the things they enjoy and are good at. If they’re active, they’ll probably prefer work that involves physical activity, while more studious teens will prefer opportunities that require lots of thinking and mental challenge. Possibilities include:

Technology and IT

Technology is second nature to most young people, having grown up in a world where being online is as natural as breathing. Their computer skills often far surpass those of older generations, so what’s straightforward to them could be something others struggle with and look to outsource. Web design, graphic design and creating online resources are ways your teen might help small businesses who can’t afford professional companies but don’t have the skills to do the job themselves. Offering these services for a small fee, or even voluntarily, gives them first-hand experience in a genuine role, and teaches them to express someone else’s vision while developing their own technical skills.

Personality and developing a passion

If your teen is keen on videoing, vlogging or photography, there’s money to be made in setting up a website, channel or podcast and sharing their thoughts on their specialist interest. This requires long-term commitment, as viewers typically expect regular posts. It’s a good way to express how they feel and improve how they communicate. They can talk about products they like, issues that matter to them, or hobbies.

Practical skills

There are lots of avenues to sell online, so if they’re good at making things (such as crafts, cakes or personalised drawings), they could try selling their creations. This could begin among family and friends, then extend beyond. Babysitting, car washing, running errands, tutoring younger students or weeding gardens are all possibilities too.

Summary

Starting their own business can be a good way for teens to develop their passion, learn valuable transferable skills and stand out from others. It’s a way to discover how it feels to work for themselves without the risk of losing their home or livelihood. If things don’t go the way they’d hoped, they’ll have learned a lot about how to do things differently, and many valuable lessons about themselves in the process. If their business takes off, they could be well on the way to further success.

Inspiring ways for your teen to stand out

If you’d like to know other ways your child can stand out and improve their chances at interviews, read our suggestions in The Parents’ Guide to Developing Skills and Character. It includes sections on: