To the working teens,

Many people our age are just now applying for their first jobs and are finally beginning to realize how much work it truly takes to transition into adulthood. We, on the other hand, have been working two jobs since the day it was legal, and sometimes even before. In my own family, my brother got a job on a farm at 15 years old and I worked two jobs all through high school. I am now a manager at one of those jobs and all my work still feels as if it's not enough.

I've developed a sort of need to be busy all the time... I've become a workaholic.

My parents had me at a young age and hadn't quite made a name for themselves yet either. No, I didn't always get the nicest things and yes, I wore hand-me-downs. But they did instill in me a few things about money that I'm glad I learned at a young age.

Mom, you taught me that if you want something, you have to go and get it yourself.

Waiting for someone to do it for you will never get you anywhere worth going. You also taught me how to be wise with my money. You taught me that it IS OKAY to spend money on things that make you happy and enhance your life, as long as you're being smart about it and saving for the necessities too. You helped me to understand that having the experiences I've gained through traveling are so much more important and worth it than having a house full of nice things.

And my father, well, he taught both my mom and I that we don't need a man to take care of us.

He taught us that anything is possible and that women can, in fact, make a name for themselves and provide a great life for their children - I mean, I seem to have turned out okay right?

For as long as I can remember, people have been saying to me "I don't know how you do it," and, "I could never have a job and be in school at the same time."

Well, okay? Good for you. If I had a choice, I wouldn't be doing it either. But this is what I have to do to keep myself going and make a name for myself. This is what I have to do for my future.

And that's okay. Some people don't need to push themselves that hard. But if anything, those of us that do have to spread ourselves a little thinner than most shouldn't be looked down upon for working at such a young age.

People treat me as if my having to work is some sort of burden... But it's not.

While you can hardly contain your life after going to school and hanging with friends, I've now learned how to juggle being a manager of a job, being an active sorority sister, writing for the Odyssey, volunteering on a weekly basis, my busy family, friends, traveling. And yet, I still have time for my college academics and social life. Oh, and I have time to eat and sleep (but not all day) too.

I get it, it's not fair that some of us have to work for every penny to our name. I know some people my age that will never work a day in their life, and that's okay. But for me, I'm glad I've been given this opportunity to build myself up into whoever I want to be. It means so much more to me knowing that I've done all of this work for myself and that the money wasn't simply handed to me.

What makes it even harder to find a good-paying job as a teenager though, is the fact that everyone expects us to have experience already... When in reality, all we have to offer is our best effort to learn. On top of it being hard to find a job in the first place, our low pay grade often results in us pushing ourselves to work longer hours and test our ability to balance a full-time job (or two part-time ones in my case) along with everything else going on in our lives.

So I get it, I really do.

I know what it's like to have to turn down invitations from your friends all the time because you had to pick up some extra shifts.

I know how it feels to have to plan ahead what each of your paychecks will be used for and how to prioritize what needs to be dealt with first. Then, that's when you can figure out how much money you have to do other things like get a tattoo or eat out with your friends. It sucks, yeah, but I wouldn't have changed a thing. This "burden" contributed to my maturity at such a young age and has helped to guide me in life by giving me all these experiences to learn from I never would've had otherwise.

Someone recently gave me a compliment and said, "Beauty isn't just about looks. Although, you're very good looking too. You have an incredible personality and you have this burning passion for the things you care about. You are never satisfied with just okay, you work for what you want." This really hit me because I thought - wow, I really do work hard. And I sort of gave myself a mental pat on the back because, for the first time in a while, I was truly proud of myself and all that I have accomplished on my own. I was happy for me and thankful for my determination.

In the end, I'd rather be completely exhausted from the hard times that result in success, than be well rested from achieving nothing.

So, keep working. It will pay off someday, trust me. Give yourself a pat on the back or a smile in the mirror and tell yourself, "I'm doing just fine." It's a relief and a huge weight off your shoulders to know that you're finally getting somewhere and continuing to go higher. You have to fight to reach your dream. You have to sacrifice and work hard for it.

Keep it up.

Sincerely,

A Hardworking 19-Year-Old