5 Benefits of Working During High School
Many of our students are navigating the tumultuous world of High School, or have kids that are. Surviving high school is tough enough on its own, but add dating, extracurricular activities, college hunting, and job hunting to the mix, it gets even more challenging.
Students are probably aware of how difficult it can be to find an appropriate job during this phase of life. Many places don’t want to hire minors because of scheduling restrictions, and then you will have to balance your school schedule with your employment, which can get a bit chaotic. However, if you are able to find a job, you will find that it can be one of the most rewarding experiences that an adolescent can have. Here are just a few of the many benefits that early employment can provide:
1. Learn Responsibility
You may take on the task of helping your parents with a few living expenses. Of course, you will probably not be expected to pay for the electricity or the mortgage, but you can take up some of the slack for your personal non-essentials, like paid music and movie apps, or even your cell bill. Want new shoes, but your parents are on a budget? You will have the ability to save up and pay for them all by yourself.
2. Develop Time Management Skills
If you happen to have a term paper due on a Monday, but you are scheduled to flip burgers all weekend, how are you going to be able to pull both off without incident? The only way it can go smoothly is through the magic of adequate time management. Good time managing skills mean developing a concrete schedule and having the dedication to stick with it no matter what.
Just remember that while college students have the ability to drop classes if they feel overwhelmed, you, as a high school student, do not have that luxury; so plan accordingly. After all, while it may seem important at the time, your job should always take a back seat to your studies if you find you are falling behind.
3. Build your Resume
Having prior work experience, no matter how unskilled or inconsequential, is a crucial step to gaining more meaningful employment. It shows that you are a responsible person and a team player. Plus, you are sure to earn bonus points for being able to hold down any type of job while you are still in school. Another advantage is the fact that you are networking and gaining valuable connections that you can use as references. Plus, in learning how to create a viable resume, you learn how to punch through ATS software in the future.
4. Work with Different Types of People
Both customers and co-workers come with different temperaments and personal baggage. Learning how to deal with these differences in character at a young age can better prepare you for life in the real world.
While it can be a shock dealing with how some people will treat you, taking the kid gloves off will open your eyes and teach you some valuable real-life social skills. That is not to say that the majority of people you will be faced with fall into this negative category, but it is good to be prepared for the worse and expect the best. And, being able to work effectively under stress will make you an asset to any future employer.
5. Develop a Good Work Ethic
Maintaining a work ethic throughout life is crucial to success. This is the belief that working hard is a reward unto itself and that dedication to your job, no matter how simplistic, is central to leading a life worth living. In essence, having a strong work ethic guarantees that you will prioritize your commitment to your employer, and this is something that many adults pride themselves on.
You notice that many of these benefits are the same benefits derived from martial arts study. We believe these life lessons to be critical to a rewarding, successful life in the future. That's why we want to reinforce these lessons by supporting our students in their school, work, and martial arts efforts. Working a part-time job throughout high school during the evening, on the weekends, or over the summer will provide you with many of the coping skills that you will need to become a mature and successful adult. You will gain self-esteem, confidence, and pride in a way that only hard work can provide.
