For many students, having a job after school or on weekends is as important as going to school. Yet other students think working takes valuable time away from what's really important. What are the pros and cons of getting an after-school job?
The pros to getting an after school job
You'll get work experience. Face it, you have to start somewhere. In a world where nearly every employer wants experience, the sooner you jump in, the easier it'll be for you to obtain future employment.
You'll earn money. More than having extra cash for a better pair of shoes, you will learn about taxes, balancing a checkbook, and making your money last from paycheck to paycheck. You will also learn the value of a dollar (and maybe those expensive shoes won't mean as much to you when it's your money to spend rather than your parents'.)
You'll learn responsibility. From the duties you'll perform at your job to getting there on time, working teaches you responsibility.
You'll meet people. You might make new friends or develop a client base or other professional connections. And don't forget that you'll have a boss that can be a reference for college and future job applications.
You'll understand more about the world around you. Even if your first job is in a fast-food restaurant, you may be surprised to discover that the work is more difficult than you anticipated. Learning how to deal with customers and coworkers is a skill that you can transfer to other areas of your life. And you'll gain a new appreciation for those serving you, which — besides making you a more compassionate person — can be invaluable later in your career.
The cons to getting an after-school job
You'll get money. What is your motivation for wanting an income? Are you saving for college, or are you working just to afford expensive things that your wealthier friends are buying? If your answer is the latter, you might find yourself in a struggle of "never having enough" that changes your financial outlook for years to come.
You'll have less time for studying. It's critical, as a student with a job, that you quickly learn to budget your time between study and work. Having a part-time job can look great on college applications — unless your grades suffer as a result.
You'll have less time for extracurriculars. If, in addition to working, you want to quarterback the football team, star in the school play, and participate on the debate team — all while being president of the student body — something's got to give. You need to rest sometime.
The bottom line
What's right for one student isn't always what's best for the next. If your post-graduation goals include getting accepted to Stanford, you might want to focus on your classes and SAT scores. If you'd be happier managing a boutique store, getting valuable experience (your foot in the door early) can make your career more attainable.
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