Teen Thrives as Social Media Strategist for Rita's

USA Today reported in June that more than 44 percent of teens who want summer jobs, can’t find one.

But for local teen Danie Minor, she doesn’t just have a job—she loves it.

Minor started working at the Rita’s in Crofton a few years ago on her 14th birthday.  Since then, the Crofton resident and a senior at South River High, has turned that job into something she loves doing, even if it means missing out on summer fun.

Unlike most Rita’s employees throughout the region, Minor’s responsibilities aren’t confined to making Rita’s Gelati, cleaning the floor or taking customer orders. Sure Minor, now 17, does those things, but it’s when she’s away from the stand that she gets to do that part of the job that makes her work experience stand apart.

Whether at home, at the mall or just sitting at home, the 17-year-old runs the social media pages for the Crofton Rita’s Twitter and Facebook pages.

“I update it every day or every other day. I just love talking to our customers. I love the interaction,” Minor said. “I have both social media pages on my phone so I check it every day.”

The local teen uses the pages to tell customers about featured flavors, special coupons or just to say hello. After her boss said he needed someone to run the Facebook and Twitter pages, Minor took over and has thoroughly enjoyed her job on a totally new level—even though she already “loved” working at Rita’s.

USA Today’s article showed that employment for 16- to 19-year-olds is falling to its lowest levels since World War II. Minor has kept the same job during her summers for three years, and she sees it as a launching point for her future, she said.

The local teen hopes to pursue a career in merchandising and utilizing business’ social media, so the job helps her gain experience, she said. However, the job does come at a cost.

“Even when I’m ‘not working,’ I’m working,” Minor said. “I’m constantly checking pages, updating statuses, whatever it is. I can miss out on a lot of things because it’s a summer job, but it’s cool.”

The job also helped her earn enough money to pay for “her share” of the 2006 Honda Civic she drives every day.

While a large number of teens struggle to find summer jobs throughout the U.S., Minor said she feels lucky to have a job she truly enjoys.

What are some other unique ways local teens are earning a buck this summer? Tell me in the comments.