Second Shift
Brenna Dupries | March 4, 2020 | Student Life
After sitting through four rigorous and lengthy classes at Stanton College Preparatory School, senior Kristen Norton leaves to go to work as a lifeguard for several more hours before finally beginning her homework. In addition to her extracurriculars and working a five hour shift at the Winston Family YMCA as a lifeguard, Norton is challenged by having to balance this with her seven hours spent at school. This is not an uncommon reality, as many students take on the daunting task of fulfilling their job responsibilities while also keeping up with their studies.
Thousands of minors across America work, some because they need to pay bills, others because they want to have a little extra spending money. While there are some jobs that are commonly held by students, there are a variety of employment fields to explore. From city pools to sushi cafes, a large portion of Stanton students work in vastly different sectors of the job market.
Although their basic needs are met by their parents, a majority are still expected to pay additional expenses on their own. For students who drive, extra food and gas may have to be paid out of their pocket thus making employment necessary.
“I coach figure skating about twice a week for two hours each time. Balancing school and work is challenging during the week, but I have to pay for things like gas and food so working is a necessity,” said junior Sarah Copeland, who has worked for four years at the Jacksonville Ice & Sportsplex. “By working, I am making money to pay for the things I need to, [and] coaching figure skating helps me stay involved with something that I enjoyed participating in for a long time.”
Like Copeland, some students need to work to pay for everyday expenses, but this responsibility does not have to be a grueling task. The challenging aspect for working students is not solely their jobs, but maintaining a balance with their academic life inside and outside of Stanton. Students who wish to work and do well in school have to manage their time to avoid slipping in either task.
“My shifts are from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., meaning that I leave to go to work as soon as school is out and I do not get home until 9:30 p.m. I try to work three times a week but with soccer, sometimes I work fewer shifts,” said senior Kristen Norton, who has worked as a lifeguard at the Winston Family YMCA in Riverside since August. “My mom does not help me pay for gas so it is up to me to work enough to cover the expense.”
For the students who are able to maintain employment and complete school work at the same time, they use their hard earned money in different ways. Students like Norton and Copeland may use their earnings for things like gas and food, while others find different things that need to be paid for.
“I work at Sushi Cafe as a hostess and waitress year round and manage to take care of siblings, pets, and my homework,” said junior Shanna Lin, who has worked at Sushi Cafe for two years. “I need to pay for things such as club dues, clothes, and other basic luxuries. Working on weekends and five days a week in the summer helps me pay for those things.”
Students working to pay for everyday items may also find it enjoyable and a good way to keep busy. Over the long summer break some students can find temporary jobs to earn a little spending money while staying off the couch.
“I was a lifeguard at Adventure Landing this summer. I wanted to gain some experience in the work force and stay productive over the extended summer break,” said junior Trisha Mutha. “I didn't really need the job to pay for things so once school started I quit in order to focus on my grades.”
For some students like Mutha, jobs are not a necessity but they do offer a way to pass time productively. Over the extended summer break students find themselves lacking stimulation, summer jobs can be a temporary source of revenue without getting in the way of one’s GPA.
Employment can be a positive way for students to earn money to pay for the things they desire in everyday life. When comparing these individuals, the jobs they occupy, their motives for seeking employment, and the things they spend their money on, all vary. Despite the possible complications involved with maintaining a job and school, many students still seek employment throughout their high school years.