Many students are applying for or have already started jobs as the school year has just begun settling in. Balancing academics, sports, and many extracurricular activities is the most common setback for almost all students when deciding whether or not to add a job to the list of responsibilities. Is it really worth it to apply for a job, knowing the risks of the rest of one’s schedule? I can answer this question, as I believe having a job in high school is one of the most valuable learning experiences out there.
Holding a job in high school truly highlights the “real-world” side of education that school can not necessarily teach. It introduces lessons in accountability, proper communication, and time management. While school tests knowledge, work tests more of an individual’s character. It requires punctuality and adaptability, which gives teenagers a firsthand perspective of what professionalism requires.
As someone who works as both an Assistant Manager and Social Media Marketing Manager at Anytime Fitness, I have experienced how deeply a job can shape one’s sense of responsibility. At first, I wanted the job simply because I needed money and had to start paying for my own gas. But as I took on more and more responsibilities, like managing member schedules and assisting clients, I came to find that this job taught me more than I could have imagined.
At first, balancing schoolwork with real-world responsibilities was extremely overwhelming, as I did not have the proper routine in place. Between taking four AP classes, applying to colleges, and having ASB commitments, there have been several moments where I have been stuck in a cycle of stress. However, I learned that organization and prioritizing were more than imperative to my success. McKenzie Reiter (12) describes that “When I first started working, finding the correct schedule that aligned with all of my responsibilities was beyond helpful. It is very important to stay organized and on top of everything.”
One of the most meaningful parts of my job has been learning how to work with people. Every day at the gym, I meet at least one new face who carries a unique story. Signing up multiple new members while simultaneously responding to incoming emails and phone calls has taught me how to communicate with the general public with patience and confidence. From these interactions, I am always offered the chance to work and connect with people on a deeper level. By taking that opportunity and doing it to the best of my ability, I have found that it is one of the biggest takeaways from my time at Anytime Fitness. Holland Hyneman (12) talks about her experience working as a receptionist at a hair salon: “Facing the general public can be scary at times, but over time, I really started to enjoy it. I have met so many amazing people, and being able to make them happy, even over something as small as hair, is so rewarding. In the long run, I think that having this job will really prepare me as I apply for harder jobs in the future.”
Having a job also teaches resilience and discipline. Not every day goes smoothly, and many mistakes have to be made in order to become good at something; however, learning to take responsibility and improve from them is a part of the entire process. Some people will be impolite and even aggressive, yet it is something that can be learned to approach and handle properly. Speaking from experience, facing these conflicts has only made me a better employee and a more dependable student and leader.
For so many, working is the starting point of maturity, where there is a noticeable connection between effort and reward. Simply by showing up on time, staying organized, and treating others with equal respect is the foundation to success in not only the present, but in the future.
