Okay, this is a weird idea that just occurred to me, and I was wondering if anyone knew of any good suggestions for it or had any experience.

I'll be turning 18 soon. I've only had a few part-time jobs before, and those were all yard-work related. I've done a lot of volunteer work as well, but obviously that doesn't earn any money. I have a pretty good knack for writing and analysis, and still have another year of highschool before I graduate. I'm not desperate for money, but I'd love to have a part time job that gave me some idea of employment and making money.

I haven't had my driver's license long at all, and am quite an anxious individual in many regards, so I'm not really considering working at a restaurant, or even locally. I would be willing to work locallly if I had to, of course, but I'd quite like to write for online journals, say movie reviews. I have a passion for theatre, and have been in several plays, enjoy watching movies, and especially analyzing them.

Does anyone think this is a job I could pull down? Maybe writing articles once a week or so for a film journal or some other kind of on-line journal? Is it possible to get payed for this? It doesn't have to be very much. Does anyone know of any good journals, even if they're not directly film/drama related, that might employ someone as young as me?

I'd like to do this becuase I wouldn't have to leave the house, and could work on my school stuff and work stuff from the same computer. This probably sounds improbable, but if anyone has any experience with this or other suggestions, I'd love to hear. Thanks.

Yep

It's related to the internet.

Write a bunch of reviews, but never let them see the light of day beyond showing a few people who can give you good criticism. Then, once you're comfortable with a review style, look for some websites that do reviews and ask i they need a reviewer.

As for other jobs, in terms of part-time work, manual labour will probably give you the most job satisfaction unless you are REALLY good at creative things. I've often thought that i'd probably enjoy working on a building site far more than being a white-collar office worker.

I'd recommend against doing something like webdesign though, especially as a freelancer. The lack of structured hours and basically being free to do whatever you want means that whilst you can get some good money you aren't actually getting any experience of what it's like to have a proper job.

Thanks, those are some good suggestions. I might write a review or two and post it on here. I'm interested in web sites that aren't necessarily reviews of all current movies, but have classics or even older recent movies as well.

And manual labor can be satisfying. It was tiring, but satisfying when I did it last summer. I was using a pick axe to make steps out of the dirt for a neighbor, and ran into a hundred pound rock almost every few strikes. The money was good and it was enjoyable in a certain sense, but I wouldn't want to do that all the time.

I'd like to think I am really good at creative things, or at least, I have a lot of creative ideas and impulses. I write poetry, short stories, design levels for JK, have made a few student films, a couple of rather meh websites (1 of which you helped me with greatly), as well as sing and act. I do well at school, and definately prefer writing, literature, the arts, etc. to mathematics and science.

And I completely agree with what you said about websites. I seriously considered doing some of that for a while, but the business is far too large and far too competetive for someone of my limited expertise, software, and skill level. I might still do it as a hobby, but I think something that combines the best of writing and technology would be appropriate for me at the moment.

I'd still like to know if anyone knows any good websites that PAY, or are employing. I've found a few interesting sites, but it's not clear whether they will pay, even if only a smidgeon.

It may be a scam, but this is exactly the type of thing you're describing.

http://www.usavoice.org/

Yep, it's a scam:

http://www.klaasdevriesjr.nl/k-files/talentrock/usa_voice_usavoice_org.htm

http://www.mediabistro.com/bbs/cache/t27432_1.asp

There are a loooooooooooooooot of people who want to be movie reviewers out there. Hell I'm one of them

Only a very elite few get professionally paid for their opinion. See the problem is that journalism is an ultra-competitive field. Everybody wants to be a movie reviewer or sports writer etc, so there is a lot of competition for any sort of a paying position in these areas.

There are a ton of websites around that offer aspiring writers publication and exposure, but they dont pay you for it. Basically the idea is that you get your name out there in the hope that one day, once you've got qualifications, you'll also have a little experience.

Also, not that you're aiming there are the moment, but movie reviewers (and travel writers, for that matter) for major publications are usually either related to and / or sleeping with the chief editor.

UPS.

Learn your sort.

Scan envelopes.

I don't know anything about you, but I would recommend going to college and first trying to get on at a college paper. Then try to get on at a small paper in your city and just work your way up.

There's only a really small chance you could possibly land a job like that. You might as well just accept that you won't be able to land a job like this yet and shoot for something like busboy or salesman.