With summer rapidly approaching, many teenagers find themselves seeking summer jobs or adding numerous hours to their already busy work schedules. For ten months of the year, many students take on the very challenging task of balancing school, sports and work, and by the end of the school year, they are ready to embrace the summer months and relax. However, more and more parents are pressuring their children to find summer jobs to keep them busy during the summer and school year.
While many students try to avoid working, Junior Jaclyn Tramonte enjoys her summer job.
“Sure I would definitely like to have more time to relax, but having a job keeps me busy and teaches me responsibility. I like not having to rely on my parents for money all the time, and the extra cash is nice, too. The life lessons and independence you get from having a job in high school are really important,” she said.
It used to be that teens who work are the responsible ones and the ones who don’t are considered lazy. It was said that teens that have jobs are less likely to get in trouble outside of school. However, it is evident here at Woburn Memorial High School that those who do not have jobs have more than enough activities and sports to occupy their time, even during the summer.
In contrast to Tramonte, freshman Joseph Santullo does not believe that teenagers should be pressured into getting summer jobs, and he plans on keeping his focus this year on school and athletics, which he plays all throughout the summer as well as during the school year.
“There’s no need for students to have jobs and play varsity sports and go to school. It’s too much,” said Santullo. “School and sports alone are a job, and for parents and teachers to encourage students to get jobs is dumb.”
Junior Mike Booker, who doesn’t play sports at WMHS, disagrees.
“Having a summer job doesn’t affect me too much. It helps me buy what I want when I want, which is good. I need to get that cash flow up,” Booker said.
When working is a novelty, as it is when you’re a teen, the whole idea of a paycheck is relatively cool. You can go out and buy your own clothes, shoes, or food when it’s convenient.
However, what teens don’t realize is they will be working for many, many years after high school and college. Why not wait and focus on education during the school year and take a break during the summer? Once you’re out of school, you don’t get a chance to go back and be on the soccer team, dance on the dance team, or participate in the school band. It would be a shame to see a student drop out of an activity or not have enough time to study to work in a drive through for minimum wage.
In saying this, it is important for students to realize their limits like junior Cassandra Connolly does.
“During the school year, I try my best to focus on school and sports. Hockey is a big part of my life and so is school so I wouldn’t want a job to affect that. But during the summer, I work at an ice cream shop and the extra money definitely helps and teaches me how to manage my money,” said Connolly.
While many parents encourage their teens to find jobs, students should realize that employment benefits both the teenager and the community when balanced with their schedules. Skills acquired from jobs give kids the experience the real world, which will help them later in life. The teenage years are a time when people learn about themselves and what they like. Jobs provide this chance, and also help the community. They keep kids doing productive things when managed correctly. However, it is important that every student receives some sort of break or vacation from their long months of school and stress put on by teachers and bosses.
All in all, while it is good to make some extra cash, don’t forget you only have one time to be a kid.