High school presents a lot of opportunities for students. One opportunity that is available is the chance to work while being able to go to school.
The ability to earn money helps give students a sense of freedom and responsibility which helps them prepare for adulthood. “I don’t have to rely on my parents for food and gas all the time now. If I want to go out and do something I can just go out and do it,” Landon Foster (12) said. “I’m more self-reliant now that I have my own stream of income.”
The jobs that high schoolers can get help open up the opportunity to gain valuable skills that can be used outside of their jobs. “I learned how to work under pressure, especially on tests. I’ve become a better test taker, working through rushes at work, when things get really, really stressful,” Shaena Vigil (12) said. “I’ve learned to calm down during rushes, and they are less panicky for me. I can apply that to the test because now I can just calm down before a test, and I tend to do better.”
In addition to practical skills, students also gain social skills that help them in many aspects of life. Learning how to interact with others professionally early on can help students prepare for their future careers. “I think of time management and communication, being able to talk to adults, and that kind of stuff has really helped,” Foster said.
While there are many advantages to having a part-time job while in school, there are also many disadvantages students might face. “It can be stressful, as sometimes there are moments where I’m kind of like, ‘oh, geez, man. That is harsh or even hard to do, because I work at the pool, and that can be a really stressful job on some occasions, ” Jameson Cunningham (12) said. “Even if it wasn’t a super busy day, if it was a stressful one, when I get home, I feel too tired to do any homework or anything like that. So it can impact school work.”
One important skill that having a job while in high school can teach you is how to balance both your work and social life. “On the nights that I have off, I try to focus on school work before I focus on my friends,” Vigil said. “Sometimes it doesn’t always happen, but for the most part, I can keep my grades good while still working, because I prioritize my schoolwork when I’m not working.”
Students with jobs also learn the importance of planning ahead.“I just try to do the work before it’s due, you know, not procrastinating and doing it the night before. Instead, I do it before I have to work so that way I’m getting stuff in on time,” Foster said.
Despite the challenges that come with having a job, many students find it to be rewarding. “Find one that’s decent—whether it’s minimum wage or higher—just find a job that you’re comfortable with,” Cunningham said. “If you don’t like it after a few weeks, don’t be afraid to move on.”
In addition, students should take into account finding a job with flexibility. “Find a job in which your boss is going to be flexible with your schedule, so that way, you are still able to have a social life and be a teenager and do that kind of stuff but also have a job and your own stream of income,” Foster said.
Working in high school can provide students with independence, life skills and an introduction to money management. While working in school does come with its own challenges, like responsibilities and time management struggles, students often find it as a beneficial learning experience. By learning how to balance their personal lives and work lives, students gain important experiences that will help prepare them for life.
