All About High School Jobs
Whether it be the need for extra cash, a desire to gain experience in the workforce or just an urge to get a taste of independence, many aspects of getting a part-time job are desirable. However, before getting a job at your local ice cream parlor, it’s important to consider what is the right job for you. There are important factors to consider before applying for a job. In this article, I’ll present the positive aspects of getting a job in high school and insight on how to obtain the best opportunity for you.
Money. Many teens find that their parents push them towards being more financially independent as they get older. This means paying for your gas, clothing, and movie nights with friends — or saving some cash for college. Whatever the case, a lot of teens choose to start making their own money. Budgeting a steady bi-weekly paycheck to pay for daily expenses is the perfect way to get better at managing money.
Time Management Skills. A job, even part-time, is time-consuming. Students who get a part-time job will get practice in organizing their week so they can balance school with work; work is a lesson in prioritization.
Increasing Ability to Cope with Rejection. Before beginning a job, you will have to be interviewed by your potential employer. A lot of the times, especially if you are inexperienced, you will be rejected. While it might suck for a bit, rejection gets easier the more it occurs. Also, rejection allows you to learn how to improve for the next time.
Building up a Resume. Whether it is before, during, or after college, everyone gets a job. As you move past your teenage years, employers will be less likely to hire you if you are inexperienced. This is why it is crucial to build a resume early so that you can prove to employers that you have already made your mistakes and are ready to contribute to their business. While it might make you feel less competitive for college if you have to work during the year and or over the summer, colleges actually consider your need to work with respect and understanding. If you babysit for your family, tell your college! Any job you do is important to tell a college about. This also helps them to understand why you didn’t put your time elsewhere, say in extracurriculars like sports.
Gaining Skills. As you experience different jobs, you will pick up new skills. Not just mechanical skills like operating machines, but social skills as well. You will, among other things, become better at interacting with people, especially strangers, problem-solving and being independent. These are all vital as you move up the career ladder and in life.
Putting Time into Something You’re Passionate About. High school is the perfect time to discover what you’re interested in and what you’re passionate about. A job in a field you’re interested in could be a great way to do so. For example, say you’re fascinated by the retail world. A job as a sales associate at say a Nordstrom would give you firsthand experience with establishing good customer service.
So How Do I Decide? In general, if your personal list of pros outweighs the cons, then a job might be just right for you! If you believe hours spent working is something you can manage, or if it is a job in a field you are interested in, then go for it! An alternative to a job that combines creativity and many of the pros of a job is an internship. Internships are great for college, gaining experience in something interesting, and are most often seasonal (meaning they work better with school schedules). The non-profit organization, Peerlift, is an excellent resource for finding top-notch internships or summer programs.
