By: Julia Xia, Staff Writer

With the thought of college plaguing our minds, many students find themselves wondering what they can put on their college applications. Clubs are usually a go-to for most students since you can choose which one you want and be with your friends the entire time, but what about part-time jobs? People may be reluctant to get a job because of the responsibilities they require, so why should students consider applying for jobs? 

There are many reasons why a high schooler would want to find a job, whether it’s for extra cash,  experience or to expand their knowledge. According to Ciara Whipple (senior), who worked as a lifeguard, “I’ve always been a good swimmer, and I wanted a summer job that was fun and was busy so I would have something to do.” Another common reason for students to get jobs is simply that they want some extra cash. Kaliya Williams (senior), a senior who works as a cashier at Target, stated, “ I knew it would look good on my college application, and  I wanted to make some extra money over the summer.” Not only is having a part-time job a great way to earn some extra money for clothes, snacks, or even going out with your friends, it also looks great on your college applications. It shows that you can handle adult responsibilities as well as knowing how to manage your time properly. 

When you’re in high school, having a job can be very stressful;  learning how to balance school life and your job along with any other responsibilities you may have. Many students might think that they can’t handle the responsibilities of a job and shy away from looking for one. That brings us the question, can students handle the responsibilities of a job? “I definitely think a student can handle responsibilities of a job, it just takes a bit more time management to spread things out and set priorities which I think is a good skill to develop now as a student,” answers Stella, a barista at Eggetts. Working and going to school are two completely different things. When you go to school you are only responsible for yourself but when you’re at a job your action affects others and it’s part of your responsibility to make sure everything goes smoothly. This puts more pressure on you because if you don’t do your part, the business as a whole will suffer. Being completely confused about managing your time and balancing school with work is completely normal, especially if it’s your first job.

With jobs comes experience. When you start working at a young age you learn to easily adapt to the new environment. Students have many incentives to work part-time jobs. They can make extra money, gain knowledge of the subject, and have some fun. Having a job in high school gives you the job experience that can help you find success in future endeavors.