Should kids have jobs in high school?
When I was in high school, I wanted to get a job very badly.
My father wouldn’t let me, and, in retrospect this was probably a good idea because I was involved in a lot of activities. But, his primary reason was that, my job was to “be a student”.
But, I went to school with kids who worked a lot, or, who were always looking for ways to make money, often at the expense of participating in normal high school activities.
I did eventually get a job that was only a couple of Saturdays a month working in the warehouse of the department store he managed, but, the 6am start time pretty much cured me of wanting to work much more.
My daughter isn’t in high school yet, but, she works some as a soccer referee. She likes the money, but, is already experiencing work ethic challenges when she’s got to work, and, something she wants to do more, like go to the movies with a friend, crops up.
Working can be educational, and, rewarding, but, it can also be tough. In addition to having to make some sacrifices, it may affect school work, and, grades. Even part-time work has effects both ways.
There are pros and cons to kids working, and, it may even factor into college admission.
What is/was your experience with high schoolers working? Is high school a time to learn to work for a living, or, is it a time to be a student?
Like many a Nashville teenager in the 1980s, I worked at Opryland. That worked well of course because–since they depended so much on high school kids–they were very forgiving of a high schooler’s schedule, at least in my case.
Did I learn much about money? Not really.
Did I learn much about working? Kind of.
Did it help me on a college application? Doubtful.
So why did I do it? What else is a high schooler going to do in the summer? My friends worked there, so I did too.
My parents had much the same feeling yours did, Elizabeth. Being a student and a teenager came first. But from the time I was 12, I worked part-time at my dad’s store. Sometimes were much more part-time than others, depending on my activities. I was involved in everything there was while I was in school, so some years I barely worked. Summers I actually worked less because I was always off at camp or something. But, I learned a lot from working at my dad’s store….I suspect part of that was from the opportunity to work with him and to be a part of what he took so much pride in. I really learned a lot about work ethic.
In a different environment, I’m not sure teenagers would get that from a part-time job.
I think it depends on the situation. In 9th grade I helped work at the concession stand at my old elementary/junior high mainly because my best friend’s mother was the school secretary there. In high school I worked in the summers helping do clerical/office work at my dad’s office in high school. I also had one nightmarish summer job at Wendy’s, which I would love to forget. But I think working part time in the summer can teach valuable lessons that carry over into college and real life, such as the importance of saving money. I’m not so sure it’s a good idea to work during the school year unless it is very part time, like your daughter.
I started working at “real” jobs, that is non-babysitting jobs, at age 15. For me, if I wanted to be able to do a lot of the things that my friends did, I had to fund it myself. My parents simply didn’t have the extra cash to pay for my mall trips, my extra-curricular school purchases, my flaky taste in music, etc. I wasn’t trying to pay for a car, I wasn’t trying to save for college, they didn’t need me to help with bills. My jobs and hours were always “teenager friendly” (restaurant and retail work, mostly).
As long as I didn’t let it interfere with schoolwork and church, my parents encouraged my working. I don’t remember my jobs every interfering with school related activities but I also often worked with friends from school…so what we may have missed out on a Saturday night, we made up for in silly antics “on the job”.
It is a tough call. I worked in high school because my mom didn;t have any disposable income to fund my social life (her words) and many of my friends worked. I don’t remember missing out on anything because of work. My 14 year old has been talking about making $$ this summer, but for her that is babysitting. Both of my kids stay so busy all the time, I can;t see how they would work anything but “very part time”. Of course, I don;t have any disposable income to fund their social lives, either, so…
I don’t have any problem with summer jobs. My daughter is looking for a job for summer now. However, to manage a job during the school year, she’d have to give up activities and risk lowering her grades, both of which we’re counting on to help her get scholarships and other financial aid for college. When I was in high school, I worked two evenings a week after school. I knew I wasn’t going to college, though, until I’d worked a couple of years and earned some money for myself. Since my daughter will be going immediately after high school, I just see a job during the school year, as detrimental to her right now.
I think that kids should get a job while in High School. I did a speech, and I think that it is important because it helps them learn how to be individuals and raise money. I have been working since I was 14 and I am 18 now, I have learned that having your own money over the summer is nice so you aren’t always asking your parents. I love my job!!!
I am a college student and had a “part time job” for the past year and three months at a fast food/customer service type of place. It was my first job, and I enjoyed having a steady source of income, but the job took its toll on my well-being. They didn’t seem to understand that students need time to study and have a life, so even though I quit recently, I still have a lot of resentment because of that. At times, I was working 30+ hours per week. I intend on getting a job again soon, but will not be able to work more than two days per week. Make sure you set up with your manager a maximum amount of days and hours you are available per week, and get it in writing.
I think that it’s important for high school kids to work. I started babysitting once a week when i was 14 years old. Then when I turned 16 I started working at the Stater Bros by my house. It has seriously been the best thing for me. I’ve worked there now for a year and 3 months and I love it. My managers work with me on my schedules, they don’t schedule me for more than 4 hours during the week and they’re really good about giving me time off when I ask for it. I’ve been able to work and keep up my grades and still have an amazing social life. I think it’s taught me a lot of responsibility and I don’t think I’ve really missed out on any aspects of being a teenager.
I did not work in high school, but would advocate it for most of today’s teens. Learning about the real world will actually protect young adults in the long run. I think that getting a job is very important because it not only keeps teens, busy, it improves self-esteem, provides an idea of cooperation/teamwork, and gives them a sense of the worth of a dollar. As a college student, I feel that when I make my own money, I am able to better spend it. I think that young people always have ways of making free time, so parents shouldnt try to infantilize them.
I detassel over the summer, and I feal that I do learn a lot about work and having to stick with it. Most of the time I was tired and hot, but the things I learned were mainly about responsibility. I also had to work with kids my own age that were disrespectful and rude, and I learned how to avoid conflict. I also learned how to deal with issues in a mature way. I think that even summer jobs can bennifit high schoolers. I think it has prepared me as I go look for a “real job”, now that the school year is about to start.
I think part-time jobs are an amazing learning experience. All through high school I had the opportunity to work as a gymnastics coach. It was and is the best job I have ever had. Although this job was obviously one which could teach me a lot, I think any job a student has will teach them something. If I wasn’t organized, I didn’t have time to hang out with my friends, and my school work would suffer. Working 20 hours per week basically forced me to stay on top of all my school work, and I graduated with honours (which I don’t think would have happened had I not been so busy). So, if students actually want a job and are willing to make the commitment, I think they are the best thing for high school students!
I think part-time jobs are very valuable because they teach me that working hard in my field is very important. But in my country most of kids don’t get part-time job. They can only study and study especially in high-shool students. To tell the truth, I didt take my part-time job for kids. I’m college student in South Korea. So… I just get the part-time job.
I have had a job since i was 13 and i have made ok grades i think that i would have started out better if i hadn’t had a job. This year i have bad grades in important classes and i am a senior, i have 3 jobs and i quit 1 of them and i have been doing a little bit better.
I think most kids should have an after school job.. I am a senior in High School i have been working as a waitress for four years. Before that i babysat after school till eleven. I love to work.. And i love having the money to buy and do whatever i want.. I buy everything for myself.. Its fun to work and meet new people.
i got told my my duty i cant go back to school till my mum gose and see him so now i am lookin for a job. i am in yr 7 i am 12 and half i love babysitting and horse stuff i need a job. go for it high schoolers get a job olny if you want to. it think evryone sould beavble to get a job i now it for real go job if u are up to it………. but part-time jobs are the best!!!!!!!!!
Im 13 in year 9. I work and i think its great! I get money and im not as shy anymore. I have also become better at maths because i had to give change. My school work is still fine and im not tired!
i really like my job!
School sucks. and jobs sucks
school sucks but
Jobs are asoume
I think school should burn to the ground but jobs are good i get 14$ a game from reffing and i just sit there
I need to get experience hours to apply to physician assistant school and I would like to do this working with special needs kids.