By Raima Saha, Co-Managing Editor
“Why should I get a job? I’m busy enough already as it is.”
These are the words I uttered to my parents countless times over the course of the past year, insisting that I didn’t need a job. After finally caving in and finding a position as a cashier at my local Rite Aid, I admit that I am thankful for heeding my parents’ advice. There are just some things part-time jobs can teach that other extracurriculars cannot.
Most obviously, a part-time job provided me with a source of income. Not only was it convenient to have extra cash on hand, but having my own money also provided many learning opportunities. I vividly remember going with my parents to Bank of America to set up my checking and savings account and learning the difference between a W-2 and W-4, which provided me a glimpse of adult life.
Having money in my bank account made me feel like I could take over the world. With the power to make purchases at my discretion, I learned the true value of money and to spend it with care. Frequent purchases I often used to make with my parents’ money now seemed extravagant and unnecessary. I also never would have considered asking for the 150-count set of Prismacolor colored pencils, retailing for up to $180, from my parents, but with my money, I fulfilled a dream that I had for 7 years.
Additionally, part-time jobs are chock-full of lessons for skills needed as to gain independence. According to a study conducted by professors Dr. Christopher Ruhm and Dr. Charles Baum from the University of Virginia and Middle Tennessee State University respectively, high school seniors who worked part time experienced numerous career benefits. such as higher wages, increased earnings and less time unemployed. It is easy to see why — customer service, responsibility and organization are just a few out of many skills that any job requires.
Some may argue that holding a part-time job might not be feasible for high schoolers. With jam-packed schedules, it’s hard to find room to fit yet another commitment. Additionally, the added pressure of being in the real world means facing real-world issues, such as a condescending customer or impatient children.
While some of these concerns may be true, many fail to consider the plethora of jobs that are flexible in nature such as babysitting or dog walking. During the school year, I work one evening per week at Rite Aid to accommodate my busy schedule.
Additionally, stressful experiences are a part of the messiness of life. By getting a job, I was able to get a head start on developing conflict resolution skills and learning how to handle various types of people. Personally, I can say that while I have experienced a condescending comment or two, varying from criticizing my ability to count to “Why is the transaction taking so long?” I barely recall those experiences. What I do remember are the positive moments. From the time I helped a group of middle school boys find Mentos so they could explode some Coke bottles to the time a kid who was two dollars short ran back home and paid me back in four quarters and 100 pennies, I will always remember these experiences more than the negative ones.
Part-time jobs provide more benefits than you may initially think. While they may not be the most glamorous extracurricular, they are a treasure trove of learning opportunities, so consider adding “get a job” to your New Year’s resolutions this year. You won’t regret it.
Raima Saha can be reached at [email protected].
