My story
I knew what I wanted to do. I just needed somewhere to start.
I decided I wanted to become a doctor in grade 9. Everyone I asked gave me the same advice: volunteer, get real experience, start building your resume early. So I got to work.
I wrote to a hospital, two clinics, a seniors’ residence and a summer camp. I followed up when I didn’t hear back. Most of them still didn’t answer, and the ones that did said I was too young, or to try again next year, or that their student program was already full.
That was frustrating, because I knew I had something to offer. I love science, and I’m good at breaking hard ideas down so younger kids actually get them. I’ve played piano for years and I enjoy teaching it even more than performing. What I was missing wasn’t skill or motivation. It was a way in.
Then I noticed something
A neighbour mentioned she had spent months looking for someone to help her son with grade 7 science. A few houses down, another family wanted piano lessons for their daughter and couldn’t find anyone who would come to the house.
The people who needed exactly what I could do lived on my street. Nobody had connected us. So I offered, and within a few weeks I was tutoring science and teaching piano right in my own neighbourhood.
If it worked for me, it could work for a lot of other teens. That’s why I built TeenHireHive.
What I’m building
TeenHireHive connects Ottawa teens who are ready to contribute with the people and organizations nearby who need them. Teens show what they can actually do. Families and clients find help they can trust. Parents stay in the loop the whole way.
I’m building it one neighbourhood at a time, and I’m learning a lot along the way about listening to people, solving real problems and following through. If you’re a teen looking for your first real experience, or someone who could use a hand, I’d love for you to be part of it.
Thanks for reading. See you in the hive.
Daniel Gad
Founder, TeenHireHive