Maintaining a job throughout high school brings newfound stress and responsibility. Your parents are no longer your only “bosses.” You are beginning the process of building a strong work ethic and a reliable image. Whether you seek a job as a lower classman or an upper classman, you gain a sense of independence. I, myself, applied to Smoothie King during the beginning of my junior year. It’s a rather easy job but still requires a dedicated effort. Through my personal experience I have discovered several pros and several cons to keeping a job in high school.

One’s social life always happens to be the first life aspect that is affected by a job, especially with high schoolers. Spontaneous trips disappear due to our schedules. Friends without jobs expect you to always be free. Hanging out with your fellow employed friends is a task that requires planning ahead. My jobless friends stare in confusion when I state that I will need to “Request off” or “Find someone to cover my shift.” Staying out all night is not an option when I work at 6 am. I hardly feel like interacting with others after I clock out of an 8 hour shift. There shines a clear difference of my social life before and after I gained a job.

Problems arise during the school year between juggling a job, homework, a social life, and other activities. I managed college level school work, working almost every day, dancing 2-3 hours a night, and social action. Because I homeschooled, I was able to work in the mornings and afternoons which gave me time before dance to finish homework or run errands. Time management became a necessity. I felt completely independent (expect for the fact that I still lived at home). Handling it all brought some chaos but the shimmer of responsibility pulled me through.

In the time I’ve worked at Smoothie King two owners, six managers, and countless coworkers have buzzed by. Needless to say, I’ve seen just about every type of manager there is: the “always busy” manager, the best friend manager, the ditzy manager, the super strict manager, the responsible manager, and the laid back manager. Through observation I’ve learned what to do and what not to do as a coworker. There will always be good workers and bad workers. Surprisingly, even with an easy job it is possible to display a poor work ethic. The lack of effort baffles me considering they are paid to perform simple tasks. Slackers only thrive at shining admiration on true hard workers. Because of my early employment I have already experienced the difficulties of dealing with incompetent coworkers and reflecting superb work habits to my authority.

Earning my own money enlightened me on how the real world works. Unlike many of my peers, I no longer rely on my parents for money. Saving and spending money is well monitored. I reap the benefits of receiving raises and bonuses. Sometimes it irks me when my friends are easily handed money for eating out, shopping and extra activities but it brings me a sense of self dependency and appreciation. There is definitely a difference from spending my own money and my parents money. When I use my money I try to be smart because I know how much time I spent earning it. When my parents give me money I have a new gratitude because they seldom do so and I also realize the time they put into earning it. Since I started obtaining my own money I’ve processed how to smartly save and also learned that money does not grow on trees.

My favorite part of a high school job comes from the memories and friends that I’ve experienced throughout my time. I’ve witnessed dramatic scenes and fights. I’ve dealt with committed customers, cranky customers and crude customers. I’ve bonded with my managers and coworkers during special parties and late night meetings/ working sessions. I’ve made many unique friends from spending long hours with the same people over and over. I am grateful for the friends I have found solely because of my workplace. My coworkers and I create memorable times whether we’re working hard or goofing off. Everyone I’ve worked with has made my job worth my while. Before my favorite manager moved away he hugged me and told me, “Working with you all of those mornings made the whole six years worth it.” I would not trade a moment of work because it was spent producing some of my favorite memories with some of my favorite people.

A high school job is certainly difficult but pays off in the end. Looking back now I can’t imagine spending my time any other way. All of the stress, annoyances and conflicts fade to the background while the best times remain. I feel like I helped equip myself for future jobs and experiences. I highly suggest high schoolers take on some type of job, whether during the school year or summer, to provide them with new opportunities and understanding.