by CHARLOTTE WINKELMANN
Like many families these days, high school students may need or want to work part-time. A great thing about this experience is that it not only will earn extra money but also will challenge your student and teach them new things about themselves. Whether they work because they need to or because they want to, there are several tips below that will allow them to be successful at both school and working.
Working can help you explore career directions, so plan ahead
Before getting a job, students need to think about how you will handle juggling your work and your schoolwork. Students can also talk to a counselor or teacher about working to help then figure out how to balance these two activities. Examples of what to think about:
How can I manage my time to make school and a job work for me? What time will I get off work?
What type of job will work best with my schedule, sports, hobbies, skills and personality?
Tips for Success
Once you have a part-time job, consider these strategies for making it work:
Talk about your schedule with your family. Balancing school and work is easier with their support. Use a planner or calendar to ensure you have all your school work, tests and deadlines scheduled. Avoid time conflicts by planning your class and work schedules as far ahead as possible.
Start slowly, if possible; don’t commit to working a lot of hours immediately.
Use your time efficiently. For example, if your job has a lot of downtime and your boss has no objection, use slow periods to do schoolwork.
How Your Job Can Work for You
A job can also benefit you by teaching you about:
• Maturity
• Commitment
• Time management
• Responsibility
• Handling and saving money
Working can help students explore career directions and reach their goals. As long as a student keeps up with grades and assignments without additional stress, a job is a pleasant experience. It also looks good on a resume, scholarship or college application. If your student wants to discuss it with another adult, they are invited to meet with their school counselor.
