After a hard, tiring day at school, many high school students retreat home where they do nothing except eat junk food, watch TV, and maybe do a little homework. Imagine the difference in a student's routine when he finds a job. Instead of going home and crashing, he is expected to go to work and do his deeds diligently as well as responsibly until it is time for him to leave. This student suddenly wants a job to help him earn money or become successful. Maybe he will use the money to buy a car, go to college, or merely to spoil himself. Whatever the reason for it, a job is a new responsibility.
According to a recent survey of high school students at Greenwood Christian School, many ninth grade students are not even searching for a job. The survey showed that tenth and eleventh grade students have more jobs than ninth graders. Even if they do not have a job currently, they are looking for one. It was also seen that they work more hours and have had more jobs than ninth graders. While a ninth grader with a job might be working 1-5 hours weekly, the eleventh graders with jobs might be working 10-15 hours weekly. The survey showed the definite difference between the ages of students and their job experience.
“It’s hard to find a job because the unemployment rate is up. Adults are fighting for the same jobs that teenagers want, jobs that would normally be given to teens,” was the answer to a question on the survey by a tenth grader. Many students gave the same types of answers. Some said it was because of the economy, the population, or the age of an individual. Mrs. Reese, the mother of a 9th grader at GCS and a middle school teacher, said that the reason it is so hard for teens to find a job is because of the bad economy. She said that it has caused everyone to work to make extra money. “Our daughter, Hannah cannot work because she is only 15,” said Reese.
Mrs. Reese said that the multiple reasons of letting teenagers have a job are so that they can learn responsibility, earn gas money, or money for cell phone bills. According to the survey, most teens want to work to earn money. Some want it to help them become experienced and successful. A few were even thinking of earning money from their job to build a house or save for college. “That is why we let our oldest daughter work,” said Mrs. Reese.
The survey showed how many high school students have jobs or are looking for them. Many students that have jobs are dealing with a growing responsibility that comes with having a job. Some do not even realize the importance of a job. They think that it is all about the money.
Out of the eighty-three students that participated in the survey, twenty-two have jobs, sixty do not, and thirty-nine students are looking for a job. Forty students said that they wanted a job to make money.
A job is a big stepping stone in the high school world. There are always pros and cons. Jobs can give teens many different experiences. Some jobs are better than others, but they are all useful in the future. Jobs provide money for college, a car, and for spoiling. They also help the irresponsible become responsible. Many students should take in the consideration of finding a good job as soon as they are able to.