Students work, whether they’re in high school or college. Many find a way to fit work into their busy schedules.
Studies show that many kids work to save for college. From April to July 2015, employed youth aged of 16-24 increased by 2.1 million to 20.3 million according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Four out of five students (high school, community college, online college, traditional college/university) work while in school. According to marketwatch.com, many students in college work 19 hours a week.
There are many ways to pay for tuition. 41% of college students get financial aid. Financial aid is any grant or scholarship, loan, or paid employment offered to help a student meet his/her college expenses. 22% of students parents pay, and 18% pay on their own, which means they’re taking financial responsibility and will most likely take their education more seriously. 16% of students get scholarships.
According to collegeboard.com, you should question yourself before finding a job. Ask things like, am I flexible and willing to make sacrifices? Am I open to cutting down on on some of the things I like to do to fulfill my school work commitments? How does my family feel about me working? Do I make effective use of my time? Can I fit in work, maintain my grades and still get enough sleep? If I work, will I have enough time to spend with my friends and family? Will the job be flexible around study and exam commitments?
Studies also show that high school kids who do work have a greater chance of improving their time management than kids who aren’t employed. Working teaches responsibility. In order to survive in this world you need to work. Starting young gives you the opportunity to be in the shoes of adults who work for a living. On the other hand, studies show students who work more than 15 to 20 hours a week often decrease their grades in school because of the time spent at work. If that’s the case, talking to a manager or supervisor to reduce your hours might be beneficial.
When surveying Northeast students, the majority of younger students worked at fast food restaurants, while the upperclassmen worked at clothing stores, construction sites, and restaurants such as Village Inn and Cracker Barrel. When surveying 39 students, 11 of the students had jobs, and the others did not.
Working is for adults, but starting young, might help you be successful in the future.