Anabelle Mangan ‘27, Contributing Writer
By the time high school rolls around, life can get expensive. Going places after school, taking overnight trips, paying for gas, being a responsible individual…these are all things that munch on students’ shrinking bank accounts. In some ways, high school may be the beginning of an economic struggle that will last decades.
Since the legal working age is 14 in the U.S., most students can start working at some point during their freshman year. Still, it can be difficult to find jobs with so few resources: no car, no experience, and limited time are just some of the setbacks students may face.
The National Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that about 22.5 percent of high school students work during the school year, a major decrease from the number of students in previous decades. In South Lyon, students have found jobs that fit a variety of their needs, and depending on which resources they do and do not have determines where they apply to work.
For those that do not have a driver’s license or a readily available car, location is critical when it comes to where they apply. Jobs that are located close to home or school—or, better yet, both—are much more convenient and often the deciding factor for students. Workplaces near home decrease time spent on the road, which allows students to spend more time doing homework than sitting in a car.
Flexibility is also crucial for students, especially during the school year. School itself, extracurriculars, sports, time for homework, and a personal life take up a lot of time, and there is a small window to work for those involved students. The best jobs are those that have flexible hours and scheduling that can be used to accommodate individual needs. It is important for employers to understand that students’ first priorities are to their school work, and having a boss that understands this will make working much easier.
Of course, even though working with friends is supposedly not a priority, it is nice to see a familiar face, especially at a first job. Students enjoy and loathe many aspects of working, but sophomore Leah Bosworth said one of her favorite parts was “getting to work with [her] friends.” Coworkers are an important part of any job, and many high school students agree that working with friends—or at least likeable people—is crucial. Most students’ favorite part of school is their favorite part of work: the people.
Not only is it important to have a great employer, but it is also important to be a top-notch employee. At work, arriving every day with a good attitude is essential to success, as cheesy as it may sound. Being an enthusiastic employee makes each shift easier and it is greatly appreciated by employers. The interview, the first day, and every day after that deserve a good attitude, and it makes a job easier: teachers are not lying when they say that a positive viewpoint creates a more positive outcome.
One of the most difficult parts of getting a job, especially as a first-time worker, is finding a job that caters to one’s personal skills and interests. Without much experience, or a flexible schedule, “dream jobs” are not often a possibility for high school students. If finding a job that utilizes a familiar skill set is too difficult, it is best to try working on other abilities. Those can be customer service or basic problem-solving skills, but they can be improved while working in many of the most common jobs for students, and this can lead to later success.
All of these factors are critical when considering job options in South Lyon, and maybe even in Brighton or Novi as transportation becomes more available. Having a part-time student job will help pay for those sports trips and after-school smoothies, making life as a student more exciting and enjoyable.
Lyon Life 