I was one of those kids who went out and found a job the minute I turned 16. Working hard and being able to make some of my own money to help support myself, has always been something I strived for. And even now, as a full-time college student, having a job has been important to my personal development.

Here are five reasons I think every college student should have a job:

1. Balance

Most students say they “don’t have time for a job” or they “want to focus on school work,” but I believe that having a job in college actually teaches you how to balance all these things. In the real world, your job won’t be your only responsibility. You will still have – and need – a social life, and still become involved in different activities. Learning how to balance all these things, sooner rather than later, will make that transition into adulthood much easier. Sure, school would be much easier if that were the only thing on my plate, but learning to balance a job, school and my passions has taught me skills that I will need in the “real world.” If you have time to go out drinking several nights a week and to binge-watch your favorite Netflix shows, you have time to take on a job.

2. Responsibility

Another aspect of growing up is taking on responsibility. How to set up payroll, direct deposit and manage your money are skills you can only learn from having a job. I never truly understood the value of a dollar until I was earning it myself. Going out to sushi once a week seemed easy, until that $15 meal was paid for by almost two hours of work. Being on time, leaving on time and doing what you’re told is another aspect of responsibilities learned. Classes in school don’t enforce the rules of being on time and teachers often are lenient on assignment deadlines. Jobs teach you that you need to do what you’re assigned – correctly and on time.

3. Involvement

Having a job gives you the ability to meet and bond with people who you might have never met before. Whether it's cleaning the floors of Pita Pit in high school or meeting deadlines for freelance writing assignments in college, I have been able to connect and bond with people I never would have known. Jobs allow you to engage with another group of people and to expand your social circle. Not only do you have your school friends and your extra-curricular friends, but you now have your work friends. And sometimes you have more in common than you realize: drive, dedication and hard work.

4. Experiences for future careers

No matter the difficulty of the job you hold in college, it will prepare you for your future career. Internships are able to give you experience with real-life situations within your career path. You have the ability to shadow others in your desired field and learn how to use different materials and tools that are needed. But non-internship-type jobs are also supplemental to future careers. Having a job teaches you a new set of social skills. How to handle a boss and how to settle disagreements in the work place are much different than any other social interaction. Prospective employers also often ask for letters of recommendation from past employers. A college job is essential for this reinforcement. College jobs are also assets to resumes by showing that you are hardworking and dedicated.

5. Money

The most obvious of all, is the ability to earn money. All our lives we have been dependent upon our parents for all our money needs. We are getting to an age where we need to start taking responsibility and take some of the load off their shoulders. Going to the movies, concerts and other fun activities should not be coming out of our parents’ funds. Being able to have some extra spending money for those fun things from your own hard work gives you a certain type of gratification.