By: Jordan Hasty, Staff Writer
For several high schoolers, the past year has met them with challenges that have never happened before, reshaping their lives drastically. From lifestyle alterations, to graduation plans, to merely adjusting — it has been a one of a kind experience. As high school students continue to face new realities, they find themselves inclined to search for a job. Stemming from financial uncertainty or pure boredom of living through indistinguishable days, some students are looking to be employed. For those who are interested in taking on a new career during this time, applying is highly beneficial. Teenagers particularly have an advantage making this choice as employment serves as an ideal opportunity to encourage productivity in your day, allow for independence, and learn valuable new skills. However, this year the coronavirus pandemic has made it so that many traditional jobs may not be an option for high school students. Already, many students who work part-time at restaurants, cafes, small businesses, and other stores have wound up laid off or unable to work due to health guidelines. But, with recent local job openings and internship opportunities, now is the ideal time to seize the set of circumstances, and begin the application process.
Many types of different jobs are available now and can be found online, Indeed for one is a great, quick search engine to use. Simply upload your resume, and let employers find you. Local suitable part-time job options can be found here, including: Chipotle, Starbucks, Mathnasium Tutoring, Panera, and more. The website also provides an internship finder, offering internship options across the Bay Area. Most of the entry-level positions will likely entail working at the register, conversing with customers, bagging groceries, maintaining stock/inventory, store upkeep, or answering the phone. At first glance these tasks may appear frightening, but with training and practice you will find yourself more than capable of completing such duties. Jaelin Aguilera-Balisi (12) commented on her experience working her first job at the clothing store, Hollister. She notes that “Getting the hang of things was surprisingly easy, I got to pick up things fast with the help of my coworkers and working a lot.” Each business has different requirements in terms of their hiring procedures. For the optimal first impression, the first step is to go inside the store and request an application if that possibility is accessible to you. This will allow for them to put a face to your name and get a sense of your character, hopefully increasing your chances of nailing the spot. As a teenager, looking for and nailing your first part-time job can seem like a difficult task. Finding a job is hard to begin with for anyone. When you have not had much, or any experience in a workplace, have never been through an interview, and have no clue where to start with writing your first resume, the task can seem even more daunting. Luckily, Mills offers career services for students who are on the search for a new job. Just head to the Mills website, and under College and Career Counseling, you will find a detailed presentation that includes all Career Center Opportunities, ranging from: work permit sources, internship opportunities, volunteer openings, programs, job hiring spreadsheets and more. Each aspect is an asset to beginning a career. If you, or anyone you know would like to meet virtually with a counselor, you can contact your school counselor, Ms. Murtagh, or Ms. Woolsey who are here to offer support. “Having a career in high school is essential to building developing communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills,” Career Coordinator Nina Woolsey emphasized; “Meet with your school counselor, or reach me for any questions about beginning your career path or to get in touch with an employer today.” Finally, Woolsey suggested “The next time you are out, keep an eye for businesses near you that are looking for new employees, you’ll be surprised at the number of opportunities out there.”
Landing a job that is well-fitting, but that also empowers you is important. Keep an eye out for positions that bring you out of your comfort zone and challenge your abilities, ultimately pushing you to perform your greatest. Consider the environment of the workplace, whether it is predominantly interactive or individual, consider if it would be an atmosphere that will allow you to flourish. Bear in mind that no two jobs are the same, one may be a far better fit than the other. Student Luisa Mindel (11), when entering her first summer job, found herself in a debacle. “The job was a blast,” she emphasized, “I loved it but I had no free time, and I wasn’t getting paid enough.” Despite the favorable circumstances, she felt compelled to quit. Similarly, I myself had a homogeneous experience. Be sure to have a few, if not various options under your belt whilst applying to avoid entering a similar sticky situation. While job hunting can be intimidating, being well-prepared can severely decrease that. Simply, a good habit to develop is practicing answers to common interview questions that one might receive. By learning what employers ask and how you answer them, you can give yourself a better chance at landing the job. “The key tip is to not give up. Even if you get rejected, stick to it and don’t lose confidence.” Balisi explained. Searching for a job requires both patience and persistence, the process is not linear, but it is important to keep trying, with confidence and a positive attitude.
In the event that you do not receive the desired job you were hoping for, do not be discouraged, instead congratulate yourself for the work that you have done thus far. Other opportunities are still out there. Additionally, don’t be too quick to turn down a position — sometimes a job may not be exactly what you are looking for, but it puts you on the right track towards building skills to help you create a brighter future with the knowledge that you gain. Having a job in high school can not only be a great experience in and of itself, it can also set you up to get even better jobs in college and beyond. The most important thing is to remember that having a job is not for every high school student; many teenagers already have jam-packed schedules between school, sports, and clubs. However if you are interested, there are numerous benefits to be gained by having a job, whether it be: earning some money, meeting new people, or gaining some more responsibility; it is a highly insightful experience that you won’t forget.
