Pros and cons of having a job in high school.

[Sarah Obrzut]

Junior year in high school is probably the time when most students think about getting a job. We are all of legal age to work, and most of us are driving and need the money for gas or insurance, but is it really worth the stress and lack of free time?

Before I could get my license my parents told me I had to have a job first, in order to pay for my insurance, or else I couldnt drive their cars. That is the only thing that motivated me to get a job. I ended up getting hired at a movie theater, and realized having a job does have its positives. I feel like it makes you more independent. You are making your own money, instead of earning it from your parents, and you are in charge of how you are going to budget it. It really makes you think before you spend your money, because now you actually had to work hard for it! Also, it teaches you how to be responsable and you learn to work with other people. Plus, you end up meeting alot of new people, having friends at work always makes the job more fun.

But having a job also comes with alot of stress. Instead of hanging out with your friends all the time like you use to, you have to work instead. and if you are someone who has alot of homework after school, having a job gives you less time to get that done, and may interfere with your grades. I learned that with a job, you have to put that before everything. For example, over break I had to work on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day.  Sure, I made extra money because it was the holidays, but was it really worth not being able to spend time with my family and friends during the holidays?

What do you guys think? Is it really worth it to have a job in high school? or would you rather just enjoy your last two years without the extra stress?

 

 For another point of view on this topic, check out this student's editorial

[megan majewski]

i have a job after school, from 2:30 to 6 and its really not that bad. yes it cuts into my homework and friend time, but its really teaching me some good life lessons. like making and spending my own money. being to work on time and little things like that. i think its important for teens to have jobs cause it teaches them alot about the world and stuff they need for the near future.

[Ashlyn Jensen]

I think that having a job a over the summer and not having a job during the school year is the best way to go. I mean I really want a job, and I know im sick of having to ask my parents for money, but like you said i think i would miss hanging out with my friends to much and, plus i think i would get way to stressed out. Maybe im a little biased cause i dont have to pay for my gas or insurance, but i dont know thats just how i feel.)

[Nick Fallico]

I definitely think that having a job in high school is the best thing ever.  I have a job and if I didn't I couldn't pay for gas which means I could never see my friends anyways.  I'd just be sitting at home.  Yes when I'm working I can't see my friends but at least I'm making money to go see my friends another day.  If you can balance your job with everything else then it is a great thing to have.

[Patrick Norman]

I'm in the process of looking for a job because my parents don't pay for anything any more. I think that people who show motivation to get a job and keep their grades up are the ones who are going to be the future leaders because they will know how to balance work, school, and play.

[Deena Bishop]

Megan, you have a good point. But you know, if you're not willing to risk some things, then you'll never have the reward! :) and I don't know what your parents are like, but when your mom never gives you cash for going out, (like mine lol) having a job really comes in handy. :)

[Meghan Byrne]

I love not having a job in high school. It gives me more time to spend with my friends and that is something I value a lot. I haven't had a job during school and I really don't want one. School would be harder because I wouldn't have as much time to spend on homework or studying and my grades would most likely drop. On the other hand though, I do wish i had more money to spend.

[Connor Bieda]

Throughout High school I have had a total of zero jobs, and I love it.  My friends can't hang out sometimes because they have to work, I would much rather have a more relaxed and less stressful high School career, because dealing with school and baseball is enough for me.

[Deena Bishop]

I had three jobs over the summer. And I LOVED it!!! I was a shampoo girl on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays; I was a coach on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays; and I was a nanny on Saturdays and Sundays. It wasn't really that bad to be honest. But now that I quit my job at the salon, got laid off as a coach, and stopped babysitting, it's been pretty different. Jobs are fun no matter what anyone tells you! :)

[Nora Geissler]

I wish i had a job, but everyone I talk to tries to convince me otherwise! Arn't the benefits with the work? But as a student when we give up 7 hours of our day purely to education, I think balancing a job would be incredibly difficult. Koutos to you, multi-taskers.

[Jared Niec]

Everyone wants a job, but finding time between after school activities and school is hard. I fortunately found one and its been hard juggling soccer, school and work but it all works out. The best part about having a job is obviously earning money. Also i believe it helps teach responsibility and makes you plan ahead for when you need to do your homework. The negative side of it is that it could possibly create unwanted stress because it consumers a lot of time that could be done doing homework or studying for finals