By Karen Phan, Staff Writer
Having a job while juggling school may be tough, but regardless, high school students can gain valuable experience from working in the long run.
The most obvious benefit of working is money. Most teens have jobs that don’t require professional experience or a college degree, so it’s no surprise students are typically paid minimum wage. But, it’s money nonetheless and will accumulate into a couple hundred bucks each month after the weekly shifts you work.
Many students apply for jobs solely to earn money, but the skills acquired from working can be considered more valuable than the cash itself. Time management is a necessary skill students have yet to master, but working forces you to plan your daily schedule accordingly and make room for school and other commitments on top of your job.
Competent employees know how to clearly communicate with their colleagues and customers as well. Most jobs require interaction with others, so working helps develop social skills that are also applicable in situations that demand teamwork.
Working also builds discipline and independence. Your discipline increases because the workfield is a competitive environment where you’re not babied and don’t always get second chances. Employees must be dutiful, responsible and confident in their abilities at all times to succeed. Independence becomes more important when we have more responsibilities, so it’s better to prepare yourself for the demands of adulthood now.
Money management is another important skill working students learn; those who know how to budget, save, spend and invest their money properly are at an advantage. Rather than spending your paychecks in one go, it’s more beneficial to set realistic goals and create a budget plan that works for you. Good money management ensures you’ll make smart spending choices and have emergency funds.
Beyond having good skills and money management, those who have work experience are also likely to have a leg up compared to their competitors when applying for future jobs. Having a job builds strong work ethic, such as punctuality and preciseness, and can strengthen a resume. Prior work experience helps you avoid rookie mistakes and makes you a capable employee.
Having a job in high school has many benefits that prepare teenagers for adulthood. However, not all students can balance work, school and extracurriculars, therefore it’s important to thoroughly think about the sacrifices that must be made when working.
