Young people can begin part-time work at age 14, provided they obtain written permission from a parent or legal guardian at no cost. This guidance comes from Veronica Lukyanova, who heads the youth outreach department at the center for Future Professions. She emphasizes that early work experiences should be approached with care and planning, ensuring that the path into employment aligns with the teenager’s interests and long-term goals.
According to Lukyanova, teens may find opportunities in retail and hospitality, as well as roles like event helpers or courier assistants. These positions offer a practical glimpse into adult responsibilities, help build a beginning of a resume that can support future job applications, and contribute to the development of professional skills that are valuable across many fields. She notes that summer is often the best season to start, allowing students to balance work with studies while still reaping the learning benefits of paid employment.
She stresses that teenagers should not be pressured into work. A willing, enthusiastic choice is far more beneficial than coercion, which can breed resistance and a negative view of work itself. Supportive families can foster a teen’s interest in a part-time job by talking through their ideas, helping them assess options, and guiding them toward a suitable first step toward a later career. Such guidance helps preserve motivation and ensures the experience remains educational rather than purely transactional, laying a foundation for responsible behavior and time management that will serve the teen in all future endeavors.
Formerly the lead at the Career Academy within the MAXIMUM Education network, Daria Satikova argues that starting early in a career is a chance to explore engaging fields, gain real-world experience, and refine both personal and professional capabilities. Her perspective is that early exposure to work can sharpen problem-solving skills, communication, and reliability—traits that schools alone cannot fully develop. The potential benefits extend beyond wage income, offering teens a framework to understand workplace norms, teamwork, and the value of punctuality, which collectively contribute to stronger career trajectories.
Historically, many Russians have pursued part-time jobs during adolescence as a practical pathway to financial independence and skill-building. The experience has been viewed as a bridge between classroom learning and the responsibilities of adult life, helping young people cultivate confidence and a clearer sense of their interests. Whether in service roles, customer-facing positions, or behind-the-scenes support tasks, part-time work can provide a tangible context for applying classroom knowledge to real-world situations. It also invites families to engage in constructive conversations about goals, safety, and balance, reinforcing the idea that work is a legitimate and valuable component of growing up.