School, sports, homework, and now a job?? Why should students have jobs?

In addition to the obvious huge benefit of making money, it also provides kids with independence, training, and experience. Having teenage work experience is linked to personal growth. Having a job can give young students confidence in their communication skills and ability to problem solve while building responsibility and providing a sense of accountability with things like showing up on time, following directions and completing assigned tasks. Starting a smaller job and gaining experience can lead to a successful future in school and a career. While having a job can come with all of these great benefits, it can also be hard for a lot of students to focus on school work, sports, and maintain a social life on top of having a job.

It is common for kids around the age of 14-16 to get their first job. First jobs are typically in retail, restaurants, or other service jobs. Or, it could be more casual like babysitting, pet sitting, or lawn care. Many students at NAI have jobs, so let’s see what they do!

Addyson Wolff

What job do you have? –  I work at the Child Watch at Baierl YMCA. I watch kids while their parents work out and get other things done. 

How many hours a week do you work? – I work 10 hours a week.

Why do you have this job and why do you like it? –  My friend Emily Pavilk works there so I decided to work there too. It is nice to interact with kids and make connections with them.

Do you find it hard to balance school, your job, sports, and other things in your life? –

No, since I start working early in the afternoon, I get home in time to do all my homework. Study hall also helps me get everything done. It is a little harder though to find time to work during my lacrosse season with practice and games almost every time.

How much money do you make in an hour? – I make $10.80 an hour.

Gracie Lynch

What job do you have? – I work at Brusters ice cream.

How many hours a week do you work? –

I work anywhere from 7-22 hours a week. I usually work more in the summer and less in the winter and during the school year. 

Why do you have this job and why do you like it? – I like working here because it’s not super demanding in terms of work. The environment is fun and it’s a good way to develop good social skills.

Do you find it hard to balance school, your job, sports, and other things in your life? –

Sometimes it is difficult to balance my busy lacrosse schedule and work schedule on top of trying to find time to finish all of my homework. But I enjoy staying busy and always having something to do.

How much money do you make in an hour? – I make $8.50 an hour.

 Krista Wheeler 

What job do you have? – I babysit 3 girls after school and help them with their homework, get them ready for after school activities, and get them dinner.

How many hours a week do you work? – I work 2 days a week for 2 ½ hours each day. So in total I work 5 hours a week.

Why do you have this job and why do you like it? – I have this job to make money and keep busy, and I love to spend time and work with kids.

Do you find it hard to balance school, your job, sports, and other things in your life? –

It is hard for me to balance everything but days that I have lacrosse I don’t have babysitting so that works out.

How much money do you make in an hour? – I get paid $15.oo an hour.

Caroline Eberle 

What job do you have? – I work at Dots and Doodles art studio. I assist with kids birthday parties, help walk-in customers with art projects, and run camps for kids during the summer.

How many hours a week do you work? – In the summer I work 10 hours a week and during school 4-5 hours.

Why do you have this job and why do you like it? – I love doing art, being around kids, and I am able to make money. It is fun being able to do something I love all day while helping others. I also enjoy being around my co-workers and the nice customers.

Do you find it hard to balance school, your job, sports, and other things in your life? – It’s not too hard for me to balance everything because I usually don’t work on days I have school but sometimes other events like volleyball tournaments cause me to not be able to work as much.

How much money do you make in an hour? – I make $9.00 an hour plus tips.