Schoolchildren from Yugra share how they earned up to 40,000 rubles
At 16, it«s easy to fall in love, but finding a job is hard. Firstly, you need to somehow combine it with studies; secondly, the range of vacancies is limited not only by the labor market but also by law. But young people really need money, and they look for part-time opportunities. Five schoolchildren from Yugra told an 86.RU correspondent how they managed to earn their first money.
Who can help find work if you«re under 18
The most reliable way is through employment centers. The employment centers of Yugra organize temporary employment for light types of work: assistant counselor or clerk, landscaper, courier, or promoter.
In Surgut, there is also the youth institution «Our Time», which specializes in employing teenagers.
In Khanty-Mansiysk, you can contact the Inter-school Training Combine, which forms employment lists monthly. For example, document acceptance for February 2026 was in mid-January.
Important employment rules:
Officially, you can work from age 14;
Until age 16, consent from one parent is required;
Working hours are limited to 24–35 hours per week;
Night shifts and work involving alcohol or tobacco are prohibited.
Earned 12,000 rubles
Adelina Lebedeva, an 8th-grade student, worked part-time as an SMM specialist in the fall. She created posts for a charitable center.
«I was subscribed to its director on social media. She once posted an ad that there was a vacancy. I needed to write posts for Telegram, sometimes edit videos and create graphics. I had these skills because I run my own channel, but not at a professional level. A friend advised me, saying, »Give it a try,«» Adelina recalls.
She did try, responded to the vacancy, and sent some of her best work. In the end, she was hired for a salary of 12,000 rubles (about $120 at current rates) per month.
«I was more than satisfied. I took the job not so much for the money but for the experience, because in the future I want to become a journalist. And I think this will help me,» Adelina suggests.
Cleaned up the yard
Ivan Kovalevsky studies at School No. 5. When he learned that schoolchildren could get jobs through the employment center, he immediately set himself the goal to do it. The boy cleaned up areas around buildings.
«I turned 14 at the end of July, so I didn»t manage to submit documents for employment in August. Waiting until the next summer, I got a job for two months right away. The work wasn«t hard, it was fun; labor brings people together, we guys hung out together after shifts. I wanted to help nature, so passersby would enjoy seeing a clean yard, not one littered with wrappers, cigarette butts, and other trash,» Ivan said.
He earned 28,000 rubles (about $280) over two months and bought himself a smartphone.
A caregiver«s labor
Anastasia Zvonareva cared for a bedridden grandmother for money. She entertained her with chatter, measured her blood pressure, gave massages, and helped with washing.
«I was invited to the job by a colleague of my dad. Her mother had a stroke and couldn»t take care of herself. At first, I wasn«t very pleased to perform my duties, but I quickly grew fond of the grandmother. I felt sorry for her. Later, she became more active, started walking, and could do everything on her own; I only had to keep her company so she wouldn»t be lonely while her daughter was at work. In spring, apparently, the grandmother had a flare-up. She suddenly grabbed me by the hair, I got scared and stopped going. Besides, my help wasn«t as needed anymore,» Nastya says.
She earned 100 rubles per hour. Mostly, it came out to 400–500 rubles a day, but sometimes more—700–800 rubles. Anastasia worked as a caregiver for two years. At first, she spent the money on entertainment and sweets, but then she started managing it more consciously. That way, she managed to save up for a coat.
Did manicures at home
Darya Mironova studies at the A.S. Pushkin Lyceum. She is 15. She likes to take care of herself and do cosmetic procedures; to save money, she started doing her own manicures, and later began earning from it.
«My first clients, so to speak, were my friends. Of course, I did their manicures for free, but their acquaintances often asked who the manicurist was because the nails looked really cool. That»s how other people found out about me. At first, I was afraid to take them, in case they might not like my work, but I decided to try. It was awkward to take money. I«m not a professional. I charged 200–300 rubles, and when I got the hang of it, I realized I needed to raise my prices,» Darya shared.
She didn«t book many clients, only those who really wanted it. Dasha also didn»t keep exact calculations of monthly earnings, but periodically saved money for a ring. It cost 20,000 rubles (about $200). And after two months of saving, she could afford it.
Record earnings
Yekaterina Lazurina is 17. A classmate invited her to work as a sales assistant in a clothing store. She worked there for over six months and was quickly promoted to administrator.
«Even at 17, you want to be able to manage money independently, and I always strived to work,» Yekaterina says.
Assistants had to steam clothes, neatly fold them back in place, return items from fitting rooms, and ensure they were hung in the right order. Yekaterina was an active and responsible employee, so after a couple of months, she was promoted to sales consultant. There was one month left before leaving for university, but she managed to work in the new position. The result of her efforts was a substantial sum for a teenager—40,000 rubles (about $400).
«It was very timely. I updated my wardrobe before starting university, and with a corporate discount too. It was great,» Yekaterina rejoices.
