Tackling high school is not only incredibly demanding but a daunting task that many students struggle with. Students who pursue their academics and a job feel intense pressure. From jobs at the mall, to late night positions at the ice cream shop, jobs take up a significant portion of time. A job, for some however, is the best way to be independent. It can help them pay for a car, social events, and much needed items.

Balancing jobs and school takes an extraordinary amount of work. Padua sophomore, Julianna Cann, says, “There are times when I get home from work and just go to sleep. I just don’t have time for it.” Sometimes there is no way to manage jobs and school. Work piles up at both places, and becomes a struggle. Sophomore, Juliana Testa, states, “It’s so hard balancing school and a job. Making it work is super challenging.”

Students have jobs for various reasons. Junior, Sarah Tomlinson, had her job because she “needed to pay for school books and [her] Italian class trip to Italy. Everything is just so expensive. [She] learned a lot of responsibilities through work, though. Everyone had to rely on everyone.” Many students are bogged down with school books, car payments, and just trying to afford clothes.

Teens who have a job can sometimes be some of the most responsible students. They are forced to balance as many tasks as possible to attain what they want. Author, Beth Kobliner, of the Huffington Post states, “Kids should be more engaged in the real world, and focus on what really matters outside of their narrow interests and desires.” There are many challenges to working, but it is most definitely beneficial when it works.