A screeching alarm goes off at 6:15 in the morning and you have a long day ahead of you, a full eight hours of school work, staying after for help, plus a few more hours for your after school job. You’ve spent the whole day on your feet and get home around 8pm just to start another four hours awake catching up on homework, studying, practicing for extracurricular, and — not to mention — you still have to eat. Hopefully you can spare a few minutes to talk to friends and family today, but it’s not likely. Once the day is finally over you jump into bed and start it all over after just a few short hours of sleep.
This may seem long and exhausting to some, but this is the reality of being a high-schooler for many students. Many people find themselves in the workforce along with after school clubs, sports, and so much more. Finding the balance between everything life has to offer as a teen is a common struggle that often includes going to work.
“Life would be so different if I didn’t have a job because I couldn’t go anywhere without money for gas and couldn’t spend money on things I want,” junior Ashley Fogarty, who works at St. Louis Bread Company, said.
With a job, there is more money for fun activities, but less time for school and clubs. Without a job, there is more time to get everything done but less money for those social things. With work every day after school, students often struggle to finish homework, which can lead to excess of stress and sleep deprivation.
“I definitely have more time for homework, sports, and sleeping, which I’m so happy about because everyone else stresses,” junior Natalie Francesconi, who does not have a job, said.
Each person has a different financial situation that leads them to have different needs. While some rely on parents and family members for daily activities, others are more independent.
“I’m terrible with money, so literally I don’t think I would be able to do anything because I pay for everything myself,” junior Hannah Briggs, who works two jobs, said. “I wouldn’t have a car or a phone or half my clothes if I didn’t have a job,”
Most teens work in what are considered ‘starter jobs,’ such as being a hostess, car washer, and cashier. Being an employee in high school is almost like having two full time jobs: school and work. Each person has different priorities. From an employer’s point of view, coming to work is often the number one priority, but to a student attending school, studying could be more important. Not all employers are accommodating to the demands of school, but many of these ‘starter jobs’ are extremely understanding.
“I mostly get everything done,” Fogarty said. “If I have a test I can leave early from work or go in later.”
Not all people have as easy of a situation though. For example, Briggs, who works at Imo’s and Waterway, does not get home until late at night and works a total of about 30 hours a week. She earns around 350 dollars.
Having a job offers a new perspective on everyday situations and a new outlook as a responsible person. Despite the struggles of balancing school and work, some may argue that it makes them better off in the long run.
“I think it makes me a more rounded person because I have responsibility,” Fogarty said. “After high school it will be easier for me to get a job because I have experience,”
Not only does having a job provide an ample amount of opportunities in the future, it also creates a new sense of understanding and respect towards other workers.
“Now I always give a good tip and in tip jars because now I know it sucks when at the end of the night you walk out with only a dollar,” Briggs said. “As a customer I am more patient with the people serving me because they just work there, they are not experts,”