Students who have to balance their school life with a work life have to deal with the benefits and struggles that come with it.
Many teenagers get their first job while in high school. That first job experience while still balancing schoolwork is an experience Kenwood High students know well. Though it may feel a bit overwhelming at times, Kenwood’s work based learning coordinator Ms. Boyd adds, “Students who gain employment prior to graduation are prepared for the current work force and have a better understanding of what management is expecting for success in the workplace.”
As the world moves and changes with each generation, there’s the ongoing question of whether teenagers should pursue jobs in high school but maybe more so how much they should work while still in school. One side of the argument says getting a job around 16 before students are finished with school gives them valuable experience for their future that they can’t get in a classroom; whereas, the other side of the debate argues that schoolwork needs to be the priority and students have their whole lives to work and should enjoy being a kid.
The Learning Network says, “Kids today are already under too much pressure, they argued, and their time is better spent studying, doing the extracurricular activities they enjoy, and being with friends and family.”
Ms. Glenn though who’s taught older teens for two decades now doesn’t see the harm in students working during their teens year. “I worked as a teen, played sports, had an active social life, and kept my grades up and I don’t feel like I missed out on anything having a job and it taught me how to manage my time efficiently. I encourage my own teens now in high school to get work experience before they graduate high school.”
Though some worry about the struggle to manage both a job and school, Kenwood’s work based learning (WBL) is great program to give students support they need within the building to succeed in a job outside the building. Senior Cameron T has found the WBL program valuable. “Not only has the job I’ve done through the program given me the opportunity to explore something I may be interested in doing later in life but it’s also allowed me to build professional relationships and connections to benefit my future.”
“Kenwood work based learning program is a great program for students who may not be motivated to work to introduce them to the work world with guidance and support from a work based learning coordinator. The coordinator supports them applying for jobs, preparing them for interviews and once they get hired do quarterly check-ins with them. This can be a proactive approach for them entering the workforce,” adds Ms. Boyd. Students can take college and career research development (CCRD) their junior year at Kenwood and then be a part of the work based learning program their senior year of high school.
One of the biggest benefits to working as a student is the incentive of earning their own money. “I wanted to get a job to provide for myself and make my own money to save for college,” shared a KHS junior.
Students can find support in and out of school when deciding if they want to take that next step to get a job. It is still a personal decision as it requires one to analyze their personal schedule and if a job will bring more benefits into their lives as a full time student but many find it to be worth their time.
