It used to make me angry, maybe even a little jealous, when people around me didn’t have to earn their money, and were able to spend whatever their parents deposited into their bank account that month. I thought about all the clothes that I would buy, and all the vacations that I would take if I was spending someone else’s money rather than my own. Well, that’s just the problem. If my parents had simply handed me their money, I wouldn’t have any sitting in my bank account right now. I would not know how to save, budget, or invest. All that I would know how to do is spend – and that seems to be the problem with people my age who take out free loans from their parents.

Growing up, I was irritated when I found out that all my friends received a considerable weekly allowance, while I was stuck working torturous chores around the house for a measly $5.00. Anytime that I wanted money, I was handed a mop, or directed toward the nearest laundry machine, and was instructed to get to work. And I often did just that--performed an unnecessary task for a laughable income. Little did I know that these meaningless tasks would teach me some of the most meaningful lessons in my life.

It started with chores. Eventually, I chose to increase my income by babysitting for local families around the neighborhood. Then, I started to officiate and coach sports teams for an extra $100.00 on the weekend. By the age of 15, I had my received my first real job as a sales associate. I wasn’t satisfied with just one retail job, so I got two. I enjoyed a constant income, but I wanted extra cash, so I went into food and beverage as a hostess. This was decent for a couple years, but I wanted a job that I could be passionate about. So, I applied to be an office assistant at a market research company, and became a brand ambassador. Still, I wanted more. I wanted experience--I wanted an internship. I quickly worked my way up to one, which is where I am currently employed.

Those who do not work do not understand the value of a dollar, or the benefits that come with employment. More than creating an income for myself, I have developed networking skills through constant communication, learned how to set goals and achieve them accordingly, and manage my time to satisfy my own needs, and the needs of my employers. I am undoubtedly more independent, not only financially but emotionally as well. Overall, working has rewarded me with self-pride and irreversible experiences that will impact me for the rest of my life, and I wish for everyone to indulge in the benefits of employment.

There should be little to no excuses for not having, or at least in the process of searching for, a job as an adult. No experience? Start small--your first job doesn’t have to be glamorous, and it hardly ever is for anyone. But, once you have something to put to your resume, the chances of you getting hired at a more desirable job down the road increases substantially. No time? Cut your hours--start working at a high paying job for a manageable amount of time per week. Too much schoolwork? Get a job on campus. It’s close in distance, and they are generally understanding when you clearly state that your education comes first. Don’t need the money? Save it--eventually you will be forced to spend the money that you make, whether it is on something that you want, or something that you need.

Working embodies much more than simply making an income for yourself. Aside from the obvious financial benefits that comes with a job, (such as saving, budgeting, and spending whatever extra money you come by as an employee), I learned that working goes far beyond depositing a paycheck every two weeks. You learn how to manage your own time, make time for your co-workers, and flex your time when your manager asks you to stay late. You create a positive work ethic for yourself, and quickly become more goal and detail oriented. You perfect a healthy balance between independence and collaborating with others. You build communication and networking skills that will hopefully open doors and bring opportunities into your perspective.

Having a job while maintaining a social life, physical exercise, an education, and time for yourself can be overwhelmingly difficult. We all occasionally need help, and this is nothing to be ashamed of. I am no stranger to begging my parents to throw me some money here and there when my monthly spending outweighs the hours that I have put in at work. I also try to be understanding and sensitive to those who are not entirely financially independent by the time that they reach adulthood. Finding work can be challenging, and paying for absolutely everything can seem impossible. However, there are those who do not even attempt to enter the working world until after college, and this is what upsets me. Even if you do not need the money, or feel like you do not need the experience, it's simply not so. Those who do not work do not gain experience, networks, or an income and they are cheating themselves of rewarding opportunities that exist almost everywhere we look.

I am incredibly thankful to have been raised the way I was, and have since proudly chosen to work for everything that I own, even when I don’t have to. I am no longer angry or jealous of those around me who refuse to work for their money. Rather, I feel sorry for them. They are running out of time, and their inexperience with time management will cause them to discover this when it is already too late. They will have a hard time working toward achieving a goal, because they have never worked a day in their life. Their lack of independence will constantly force them to depend on others for countless occasions. Their lack of savings won’t be able to save them from the financial stress ahead of them. My advice: start applying to jobs if you do not already have one, so that you can properly apply yourself in the real world as a true adult.