Working for the Year: Having a Job in High School
Photo of a Starbucks employee from Job Description Wiki.
Audrey Davies
Choosing whether or not to have a job in high school is a hard choice for many. Students may be hesitant because they assume it will be stressful, but there are so many benefits to consider. Having a high school job can put you on track for a more successful adulthood.
Most teens want a job to make some extra spending money, and this is one of the main reasons why it is beneficial for a high schooler to have a job. Many parents begin expecting their children to pay for their own things once they are in high school. Whether it be on clothes, technology, or food, teenagers can spend lots of money. Having a job can take some financial burden off of parents because teens can spend their own hard-earned money. Along with that, most kids get their license when they are 16. A car brings lots of new expenses, such as the car itself, gas, and insurance. These add up quickly, so it is nice to have some money to help pay for these things.
Besides having money to pay for things, getting paid teaches money skills at a young age. Teens will have access to money in their accounts that they will need to manage on their own. They will have to weigh the pros and cons of spending vs. saving. Since many jobs use direct deposit, they will gain exposure to digital banking, which is essential as an adult. High schoolers will also have to figure out how to budget for fun and necessity.
Getting a job in high school is a great way for you to prepare and build skills for the job you acquire after high school. According to Rasmussen University, some of the top skills employers look for are communication, time management, critical thinking, teamwork, emotional intelligence, and initiative. Here are some examples of how a job in high school will teach you these skills:
Communication: Jobs give out schedules, so teens learn how to communicate to their boss about when they need a day off. This will teach them how to communicate with their superiors.
Time management: Juggling a part-time job with being a full-time student can be strenuous. Teens will learn how to manage their time between work and school, which will ultimately allow them to balance their work and personal life when they are older.
Critical thinking: Critical thinking is how we problem solve. In a job, high schoolers will learn to deal with problems quickly, such as when customers are being difficult and cause a problem that needs to be averted.
Teamwork: Most jobs teach you to work with others. Teens can learn how to divide and conquer tasks at work to make things more efficient. Then, they will know the payoffs of teamwork when they get a job out of high school.
Emotional intelligence: Many jobs involve dealing with difficult customers. A job will teach how to navigate both your emotions and the emotions of customers you may deal with.
Initiative: By getting a job, you are already taking initiative by simply showing that you want to work! Another way to take initiative is at work, where you can go above and beyond, which your future employers will definitely appreciate.
Overall, having a job in high school is extremely advantageous. Teens will not only make money, but learn to manage it. They will also work on some of the most important job skills that employers look for which puts them ahead of their competition. High schoolers should strongly consider joining the 30% of teens who have a job in high school.
Sources:
7 Skills Employers Look For Regardless of the Job | Rasmussen University (skills)
Should Students Hold Jobs While in High School? | Walden University (30% statistic)
