More students today are getting part-time jobs while still in high school, learning how to balance school, work, and personal life at a young age. Instead of relying only on their parents for money, many students are gaining independence and real-work experience through working.
Students say getting a job is not always as difficult as it seems.
“There was a job opening and a family member recommended it to me,” said Ariana Khan, 11th grade. Like many students, she had to go through an application and interview process before being hired. She said the experience was less stressful than she expected. “Most people are really scared for their interview but my interviewer helped me feel comfortable,” Ariana Khan said.
Preparing for interviews is something many students take seriously.
“I went over basic interview questions and searched up what the environment is like… a lot of people online helped me with it,” Ariana Khan said. Other students focus more on presentation and professionalism. “I made sure I had an appropriate outfit, a haircut, and that I was punctual,” Reyaad Mohamed, 12th grade, said.
Finding a job can happen in different ways depending on the student. “I found my current job through my trade teacher,” Reyaad Mohamed said. While the process many vary, most students go through similar steps, including applying, interviewing and waiting for a response.
Balancing school and work is one of the biggest challenges students face.
“At my job there is a form you can fill out for availability so I mainly work on the weekends,” Ariana Khan said. Some students feel that working helps them stay productive. “I feel like I can get more done… I’m not spending my free time doing nothing,” Ariana Khan said. However, others say it can become stressful. “It has affected my school performance a little in terms of tiredness and stress of meeting deadlines,” Reyaad Mohamed said.
Despite the challenges, many students say working has changed how they view money and responsibilities.
“I learned the real value of money and how much work gets put into earning that,” said Ariana Khan. Similarly, students say earning their money makes them more careful with spending. “It makes you be more considerate about what you spend your money on because you know how hard you worked for your own money,” Reyaad Mohamed said.
Graduates who now work full-time say having a job earlier in life can be helpful. “Working during high school can make it easier to get a job later on because it sets you aside from peers with no working history,” Suresh Salaam, Class of 2025 said. Now working full-time, he says responsibility becomes a major part of daily life. “Ensuring that customer satisfaction always remains my highest priority,” Suresh Salaam said.
Working after high school also brings major lifestyle changes.
“Working after high school has given me a sense of structure in life,” Suresh Salaam said. He also said it has increased his independence. “You need to figure things out on your own… I also manage my own money and make decisions on how I spend and save it,” he continued.
Many who have already graduated say they do not regret working during high school.
“It taught me how to balance work and school life and it gave me a sense of accountability,” Suresh Salaam said. He also said starting early can benefit students in the long run. “Start as early as you can…it teaches you time management, communication skills, and responsibility.”
As more students take on jobs during high school, they continue to gain skills that prepare them for life after graduation, even if balancing can sometimes be challenging.
“Having a job taught me how to be more responsible and think differently about how I spend my time,” said Salaam.
