6 Valuable Lessons From Working Part-Time in High School
two words. disposable income
Teenagers are constantly lectured to be well-rounded. With athletics, clubs, and honor societies, part-time jobs are increasingly being pushed aside. However, part-time jobs offer unique and valuable experiences. If done right, a part-time job could be super beneficial (and look great on college applications too).
Last week, we did an episode of the podcast about having a job in high school. These are our big takeaways:
A recommendation from a friend is a win-win-win situation.
Having both recommended people for the jobs that we work at currently, we agree nothing else makes your interview stand out more. You seem more reliable, less like a stranger, and less sketch overall(win). It also takes more stress off of the employer (win), and your friend looks good for recommending a good employee (win). Just know that your bad actions can and will be blamed on the recommender for a few months. Don’t make your friend look bad!
For your parents and GPA’s sake, please work reasonable hours.
Make sure you communicate in the interview that you are in high school and do have limited hours (keeping it under 10–12hr/wk is a good place to start). Sure, working the night shift may seem like a way to make bank fast, but it’ll get old really fast. Ask about how many hours you will be expected to work before the interview is over.
Disposable income is a magical word
You work hard for that money and you’re young. Have fun with your newfound income, order bacon on your burger, order an appetizer and dessert, buy those festival tickets. But saving or helping your parents out with college never hurt anyone (or your brownie points).
Know the salary going in
Many high school jobs start above minimum wage these days. Depending on where you are, this may be more common. For instance, grocery stores in Texas for instance tend to start at $12–13/hr. Ask your parents…for a first job that is pretty generous. A great example is also Kumon, Mathnasium, or tutoring. These places usually start above minimum wage and don’t require more tedious tasks like fast food jobs. Some jobs in good and service can legally pay below minimum wage if you receive tips. Those few dollars will add up in the long run.
If you’re not working in the summer, you’re taking a a huge ‘L’.
Money for gas, food, college, music festivals…enough said.
Co-Workers will make or break your shifts
When you walk in for your interview, scope out the place. See who works there, what they’re like, do they look happy. Talk to someone from school who works there or feel free to bring this up in your interview. Are your co-workers going to be mostly teenagers(like in lifeguarding or tutoring) or a mix of ages (like in grocery stores or fast food)? Does that matter to you?
Getting a job could exposes you to a whole new friend group. Plus, you’re going to need someone to judgingly glance at (like Jim from The Office) when a co-worker/manager/customer does something stupid.
ps. if you think your working friends are gossiping about you to their co-workers, you’re right. It’s a perk of the job.
Listen to the full episode here and anywhere you get podcasts.
