High school students tend to carry a lot of weight by looking for various extracurriculars to get involved in. While sports and clubs are the more popular and well-known activities to practice one’s interests and meet new people, many also explore the option of part-time jobs.

Part-time jobs are a great way to be exposed at a younger age to real responsibilities  that come with having a job. Based on my personal experience working in a restaurant where I interact and collaborate with people who are older than me, I have been able to learn punctuality, patience, and I have built confidence in speaking with strangers. Learning these skills are crucial in the long run for a full-time job, and can help students with similar adult responsibilities.

Students may be skeptical about getting a job due to the stress it can place on an already-heavy school workload and schedule. However, the difficulty of balancing the two depends on the job, what type of classes you are taking, and how well you can handle the workload. If you are working 3-5 hour shifts, it may be more manageable to work after school, especially on a Friday night. If you do have longer shifts, there is always the option to work on the weekends. Additionally, you must find the amount of shifts that work for you; I work twice a week, and I feel I can handle the workload. To ensure that I am not stressed with work, I try to do as much homework as possible the day before. 

While exploring jobs and part-time internships are a great way to explore your interests, the main benefit is getting money while doing it. Beyond just getting paid, having a job has taught me the value of saving my money. Students should learn this crucial skill for the future, because it is always important to have extra money saved whether it is for college, housing, or food. Of course, we all deserve to splurge and treat ourselves.  

Overall, getting involved in a part-time job depends on if it is convenient for you, but I believe it is definitely worth exploring. When looking for jobs, I recommend applying to places near school or near your house as it will be more convenient. Additionally, sophomore year is a valuable time to get a job, as you have a smaller workload and can gain work experience early, along with having the ability to build stronger relationships with your boss and co-workers (we all need someone to cover for us sometimes). •