In these increasingly unstable financial times, students seek additional finance to help them out. It is rare that a student does not wish they had more money. To appease this, many students take part-time jobs. Although these jobs can detract from free time, they are worthwhile in the long run due to the benefits that accompany an occupation.

Obviously, part-time jobs provide money. Finance is a major concern for students and many students’ only source of money is often their allowance, which is highly variable and tends toward the low end of what we consider reasonable. This allowance is usually meant for student lunches. When these students aspire to some financial goal, they have to save up from their allowance, cutting corners in regards to their nutrition. The financial security of a job lets students buy food and many other things they might want. Student jobs can also be used to pay for college.

In addition to providing money, jobs help students learn invaluable skills. Many things such as proper work ethics, teamwork, multi-tasking, and speed that are not necessarily taught or communicated in school can be learned through a job. These, combined with the job itself, help prepare students for professional employment. Work experience always looks good on a college application or résumé. Jobs also allow students to explore different fields and interests before they have to commit to them.

Some would have you think that student jobs are detrimental to students’ education and social development. They argue that jobs only detract from students’ free time, which is already infringed upon by school, sports, extracurriculars and social life. This overcrowding can lead to a struggle to get the required amount of sleep, as well as a drop in grades and commitment overall. Clearly, however, this is a problem that solves itself. As long as the student spends a reasonable amount of time working, the process will streamline itself. The student’s time management skills will improve, helping the student to maximize their personal efficiency. This process, which some view as detrimental, is in fact incredibly beneficial, helping students learn a skill that will be very important later in life.

To reiterate, part-time jobs in high school are worthwhile in the long run due to the benefits that accompany them. Despite all of the potential difficulties, these jobs will, quite literally, pay off in the end, in more ways than one.