The Do's and Don'ts of First Jobs

Summary

Podcast Summary: "The Do's and Don'ts of First Jobs"

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Podcast Information:

• Title: Dr. Laura Call of the Day
• Host: Dr. Laura Schlessinger
• Platform: SiriusXM Triumph 111
• Episode: The Do's and Don'ts of First Jobs
• Release Date: June 8, 2025

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Introduction

In the June 8, 2025 episode of Dr. Laura Call of the Day, Dr. Laura Schlessinger delves into the essential guidelines for teenagers embarking on their first jobs. The episode is tailored to help young listeners navigate the balance between work and personal life, emphasizing the importance of ethics, accountability, and personal responsibility—hallmarks of Dr. Laura's advice.

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Caller Introduction and Birthday Celebration

The episode begins with a warm and personal touch as Dr. Laura welcomes her young caller, Jason, who is celebrating his 14th birthday. Dr. Laura engages with Jason and his mother, making the interaction heartfelt:

• Dr. Laura [00:22]: "Thanks for listening to my Call of the Day podcast."
• Dr. Laura [00:48]: "Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Jason, Happy, happy birthday to you."

This birthday acknowledgment sets a friendly and supportive tone for the ensuing discussion.

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Balancing Work and Social Life

Jason reaches out seeking advice on managing his first summer job alongside his social activities. He expresses concern about finding a healthy balance between work hours and time spent with friends.

• Jason [01:14]: "So I've been listening to you for a while and you give out really good advice. And I was wondering if you could help me with figuring out for my first year, my first summer of working, how much time to spend at work and how much time to spend with my friends to have a good work and balance."

Dr. Laura begins by understanding the nature of Jason's job and his social activities to provide tailored advice.

• Dr. Laura [01:33]: "Okay, two things I have to ask. First one, what kind of a job are we talking about?"

Jason explains his role in property management, which includes tasks like mowing lawns and maintaining trees.

• Jason [01:47]: "Yeah, I, you know, go around with my dad mowing lawns, caretaking people's trees. Lawns. Just doing maintenance and stuff."

Dr. Laura inquires about his social activities to gauge his time commitments outside of work.

• Dr. Laura [02:08]: "And when you hang with your friends, what do you do? Do you do sports? Do you play chess? What do you do?"

Jason describes engaging in active, screen-free activities such as visiting skate parks, getting ice cream, swimming, and sports.

• Jason [02:18]: "Sometimes we go out to the skate park, get some ice cream, do some swimming sometimes."

Key Insights and Guidance:

Dr. Laura appreciates Jason's active social life, emphasizing the benefits of engaging in non-screen activities for mental and physical well-being.

• Dr. Laura [02:27]: "Sounds good. I like that it's active and doesn't have anything to do with the screen. I'm very against that because that just makes it turns your brain to toothpaste. That's not useful because you'll need your brain in the future."

She then assesses Jason's work schedule, noting that a Tuesday through Friday schedule with 9 to 5 hours provides a reasonable balance.

• Dr. Laura [02:48]: "So you have three days off. Okay. That's when you see your friends. Saturday, Sunday, Monday, or you sleep through Sunday because you're exhausted. Either which way, you have four days to work, three days to play. Sounds like a good."

Jason concurs, indicating comfort with this arrangement.

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Employment and Compensation Advice

A pivotal part of the discussion revolves around Jason's compensation for his work. Initially set at $20 per hour, with potential to increase to $23 based on performance, Dr. Laura encourages Jason to negotiate for a higher wage.

• Dr. Laura [06:03]: "Tell them it's 25. No, seriously, tell him it's 25. You need to sell. You need to come into this world being strong."

She advises him to assertively request a $25 hourly rate to demonstrate maturity and assertiveness.

• Dr. Laura [06:06]: "Your dad's going to want to see you act like a man, not like a little boy. Daddy, can I have the two more dollars? Don't do that."

Jason is shown consideration by Dr. Laura to discuss this negotiation privately with his mother.

• Dr. Laura [06:40]: "Okay, Mom. You keep that quiet. You don't snitch, all right?"

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Financial Responsibility and Future Planning

Dr. Laura emphasizes the importance of financial responsibility that comes with earning one's own money. She encourages Jason to think ahead about saving and the future implications of his earnings.

• Dr. Laura [05:23]: "Get you ready for things like advanced education. Maybe because you have to think about the work way before the friendships. Thinking about someday when you get married and have to take care of a family. You know, all that comes before the social. Yeah, it's good practice."

This advice underscores the significance of prioritizing long-term goals and responsibilities over immediate social gratifications.

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Closing Remarks and Personal Connection

As the conversation concludes, Dr. Laura expresses her appreciation for Jason and his mother's participation. She offers to send Jason a token of appreciation, reinforcing her commitment to her listeners.

• Dr. Laura [07:09]: "Well, let me put you on hold, Jason. I'd like to send you some Dr. Laura Goody's baseball hat kind of thing. Let's send him some stuff."

She also invites listeners to engage with her on social media, fostering a sense of community.

• Dr. Laura [07:09]: "You can find me at facebook.com/drlaura and instagram.com/DrLauraProgram."

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Conclusion

In this episode, Dr. Laura Schlessinger provides comprehensive and practical advice for teenagers like Jason entering the workforce for the first time. She addresses critical aspects such as balancing work with personal life, negotiating fair compensation, and instilling a sense of financial responsibility. Through empathetic communication and actionable guidance, Dr. Laura equips young listeners with the tools needed to navigate their initial job experiences successfully.

Notable Quotes:

• Dr. Laura [02:27]: "I'm very against [screen time] because that just makes it turns your brain to toothpaste. That's not useful because you'll need your brain in the future."
• Dr. Laura [06:03]: "Tell them it's 25. No, seriously, tell him it's 25. You need to sell."
• Dr. Laura [05:23]: "Get you ready for things like advanced education... all that comes before the social. Yeah, it's good practice."

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Additional Information

Listeners interested in more insights or wishing to engage with Dr. Laura can visit her social media platforms:

• Facebook: facebook.com/drlaura
• Instagram: instagram.com/DrLauraProgram

For further support or to become a Family member, visit DrLaura.com.

Transcript

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[Dr. Laura]

Thanks for listening to my Call of the Day podcast. You can hear my live radio program Monday through Friday from 2 to 5pm Eastern Time on SiriusX XM Triumph 111. Mom and Jason, welcome to the program.

[Jason]

Hi.

[Dr. Laura]

Hi, Mom. Hi, Jason.

[Jason]

Hello. My name is.

[Dr. Laura]

How old are.

[Jason]

I'm just turning 14 today.

[Dr. Laura]

Oh, okay. Here I have to embarrass myself. You ready? Happy birthday to you Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Jason Happy, happy birthday to you.

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Yay.

[Dr. Laura]

Okay, what are you calling for? How can I help?

[Jason]

First of all, thank you for that. That was really nice.

[Dr. Laura]

You're welcome. You're welcome.

[Jason]

So I've been listening to you for a while and you give out really good advice. And I was wondering if you could help me with figuring out for my first year, my first summer of working, how much time to spend at work and how much time to spend with my friends to have a good work and balance.

[Dr. Laura]

Okay, two things I have to ask. First one, what kind of a job are we talking about?

[Jason]

Property management. Just mowing lawns and doing. Digging holes and stuff.

[Dr. Laura]

So what does that mean? You do you fix things and help people with their apartments or something? What does that mean?

[Jason]

Yeah, I, you know, go around with my dad mowing lawns, caretaking people's trees. Lawns. Just doing maintenance and stuff.

[Dr. Laura]

Got it. Second thing is, when you hang with your friends, what do you do? Do you do sports? Do you play chess? What do you do?

[Jason]

Sometimes we go out to the skate park, get some ice cream, do some swimming sometimes.

[Dr. Laura]

Mm, sounds good. I like that it's active and doesn't have anything to do with the screen. I'm very against that because that just makes it turns your brain to toothpaste. That's not useful because you'll need your brain in the future. Okay, so what hours has your dad said you'd be working during the week?

[Jason]

9 to 5.

[Dr. Laura]

9 to 5? Is that Monday through Friday?

[Jason]

Tuesday through Friday?

[Dr. Laura]

Tuesday through Friday. So you have three days off. Okay. That's when you see your friends. Saturday, Sunday, Monday, or you sleep through Sunday because you're exhausted. Either which way, you have four days to work, three days to play. Sounds like a good. That Sounds good.

[Jason]

Uh huh.

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[Jason]

Of course.

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[Dr. Laura]

Get you ready for things like advanced education. Maybe because you have to think about the work way before the friendships. Thinking about someday when you get married and have to take care of a family. You know, all that comes before the social. Yeah, it's good practice.

[Jason]

Okay.

[Dr. Laura]

And what are you getting paid an hour?

[Jason]

20 an hour is what my dad's starting me at if I'm working good with him.

[Dr. Laura]

So what did you say the maximum might be?

[Jason]

23 is the maximum.

[Dr. Laura]

Tell them it's 25. No, seriously, tell him it's 25. You need to sell. You need to come into this world being strong. Okay, so you tell him 20 is fine to start. When I show you my stuff, it'll be 25. Okay, dad. And you say that with authority. And I bet he'll go for it. Your dad's going to want to see you act like a man, not like a little boy. Daddy, can I have the two more dollars? Don't do that.

[Jason]

Okay?

[Dr. Laura]

Okay, Mom. You keep that quiet. You don't snitch, all right?

[Mom]

I won't. Okay, Great.

[Dr. Laura]

All right, Jason. Anything else you want to ask, Jason?

[Jason]

No, not really.

[Mom]

Thank you so much for taking his call. He chooses to listen to you every day after school while we're driving, so you've made his birthday special. Thank you so much.

[Dr. Laura]

Well, let me put you on hold, Jason. I'd like to send you some Dr. Laura Goody's baseball hat kind of thing. Let's send him some stuff. Okay, Dan, let's send him stuff. My number, 1-800-375-2872. Check out my social media on Facebook and Instagram. I post stories, photos and videos seven days a week and feature some of what you sent me, too. There's always something interesting going on there. You can find me at facebook.com drlaura and instagram.com DrLauraProgram.

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