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

[Karol Piluk]

I feel like getting a job during high school isn't a bad thing as long as it's during your senior year, because right now during junior year is when high school matters most and there's too much to worry about like tests and keeping your grades up. As much as I want to be able to start making my own money so that I can be more self-dependant, it seems to me like it's better to relax during break and hang out with your friends whenever you want while you still have the chance to because school adds enough stress already.

[Jaci Caras]

Its definitely difficult to have a job in high school. Especially when it's our junior year when we have crazy amounts of school work to prepare us for ACTs and college. It is nice to make your own money, and definitely makes you careful about spending your money. But sometimes it can be so stressful when you have one of those days with a ton of homework, or a paper due, and then you have to go to work for a few hours. Finally, when you get home, there is no way you feel like doing anything besides sleep. It's really difficult to have a job during school.

[Concepcion Ruiz]

I really wouldn't mind having a job. I am looking but I don't work. I think that if you have a job then you should be in a study hall in school or use all or half your lunch time to go to the library and finish your homework before you go home. In all, I don't think I understand what it is like to have a job while going to school, but I am about to find out. :)

[Clayton Cox]

Getting a job can suck, but like you said, there are psoitive sides. A job is a good way to earn money for yourself to be an idividual and for college eventually. Having a job now teaches us how to work in a job and will prepare for us to have jobs in college, and eventually in our career.

[Carly Sutherland]

The lazy side of me says that I don't want to get a job right now.  I mean, with school work, volunteer work, ACT tutoring, and making time to see my extended family, I barely have any free time to just hang out with my friends. But the reality is that I need to get a job so that I can have extra spending money in college.  I guess sooner or later we all have to get a job, and students who learn to deal with the stress and time management issues that accompany a job early on, will be better off for it in the long run.