During LEGACY, instructors have advised students to join the Schoology group designated to assist those looking for a part-time job this summer. Having a part-time job as a teenager can help students grow more financially independent, gain work experience before college, and broaden their customer service skills.
“It’s really important for kids who are interested in summer jobs, especially as high school students, because there are a lot of benefits for those who are able to obtain employment over the summer,” guidance counselor Erica Thomas said.
With the high demand for jobs, openings can be in short supply, and securing a summer position can be a challenge. That is why the Schoology group is used to post job opportunities specifically for students. Finding a job that is enjoyable, offers proper pay, and fits their schedule is another common challenge.
“We see a lot of common jobs posted through our Schoology groups, such as retail positions, lifeguarding, camp counseling, babysitting or pet sitting, sometimes internship opportunities, or even lawn care. We’ve noticed an increase in students’ ability to juggle multiple tasks by managing summer jobs alongside other time commitments,” Thomas said.
Gaining work experience before college is important for developing skills that will help students succeed in their future careers. While balancing extracurriculars and a part-time job can be tough, it is a valuable way to learn time management and commitment.
“I believe that the more experience students have, the better. For many reasons, like budgeting and time management, students can learn the value of a dollar and the value of an hour,” English teacher Sarah Henson said.
Having a part-time job can also boost productivity both in the classroom and at home. Committing to a job helps students build basic time management skills and develop goals for their future.
“These are skills that students will need in real life after high school. There are studies that show extracurriculars and other activities outside of school actually improve academic performance and help teach time management,” Henson said.
For students, funds can often be limited. Having an extra income can make a big difference when saving for important things like education, a vehicle, or even smaller items like clothes, electronics, or furniture.
“Having money from a job can help students learn how to manage their own finances, how to save, how to know how much to spend, and hopefully, start giving some money to causes that are important to them,” Thomas said.
Learning professionalism is a valuable skill that applies to corporate and medical jobs. Through part-time work, students can learn how to handle difficult customers and manage challenging situations.
“If you’re in customer service, you’re dealing with people who are sometimes not so happy, and learning how to put on that professional face even when you don’t feel like it is important. Doing something you don’t want to do, like waking up early for a summer job when you’d rather sleep in, is a valuable experience in itself,” Thomas said.
While having a part-time job can come with challenges like finding the right position or dealing with tough situations, the skills learned through summer employment can be highly beneficial to students in the long run.