Many high school students participate in sports or other extracurricular activities, and many also have part-time jobs. If you stop by the local grocery stores, the restaurants, or any other place in town after 4 pm you will most likely see at least one high school student working. Jobs are a good thing to have in high school, they teach you hard work and dedication along with how to talk to people respectfully. Over half of the student body got a job between the ages of 14 and 15 and 69% of them work during the school year and the summer.  

Nikki Haller, a sophomore, started her job at 14 years old. She works during both the school year and summer and said, “With practice, I can’t really babysit during the weekdays just during the weekends and all summer.” Babysitting is a job that many high schoolers do because it fits schedules easily.

A 17 year old junior, Collin Schrawyer, got a job at 17. He said, “Working during the school year causes conflicts with sports because a lawn mower is loud and most families try to settle down around seven and if practice ends at 6-6:30, that does not give me enough time.”

According to 16 year old sophomore, Jaxon Preble, he only works during the summer. He was asked if working during the year interfered with school or sports and he said, “ Yes, because if you have practice after school and work after school you will have to miss one.”

There are some high school students who just focus on having a job.  When asked if having a job interfered with school, 16 year old junior Mya Johnson replied, “no because I don’t play sports.”

The other 30.2% of high schoolers do not have jobs. Some high schools want to focus on sports and school like Bradyn Palmer, a 17 year old junior. Sophomores, Billi Alvarado and Brantz Halouska, also just focus on school and sports.

Jobs are something you have your entire life so focusing on school and sports is just fine. Some students who have jobs like to have extra cash, others have bills to pay or they help their families out. Both are good choices for high schoolers.