Last Updated on December 6, 2017
This post was previously published on eCampustours.com. The information provided is subject to change over time.
After completing your homework each day, do you find yourself wasting the rest of your evening watching TV or texting with your friends? If you find yourself with copious free time after completing studies and other after-school activities, you may want to consider obtaining a part-time job. Check out these benefits of working a part-time job in high school.
You Will Learn How to Handle Responsibility
Being a good student takes a lot of responsibility but if you learn how to balance school studies/activities and a part-time job, you will learn the true meaning of responsibility. As you grow older, your amount of responsibilities will only increase so learning how to multitask at an early age will better prepare you for the future.
You Will Show College Admissions Officers that you are Motivated to Succeed
Most college admissions officers like seeing work experience on a student’s high school resume. To them, working a part-time job shows maturity and conscientiousness, which are qualities that are very important in a successful college student. Furthermore, if your part-time job is related to your intended major, then college admissions officers will see that you are a student who takes initiative and is focused on pursuing a successful career.
You Will Discover How to Manage Your Time More Efficiently
With the decrease in free time that comes along with a part-time job, you will inevitably improve your time management skills. You will learn how to use your time more effectively, such as completing reading assignments during your bus ride home. You will also learn the importance of becoming more organized and using a daily planner or an app on your smartphone to schedule your study time, extracurricular activities, work hours, etc.
You Can Explore Career Options Before Choosing a College Major
By working different part-time jobs during your years in high school, you will more fully discern the type of career path you want to follow. If you find that you love working in a clothing store, maybe you would want to pursue a career in fashion. If you discover that you don’t enjoy working part-time at your dad’s office, perhaps you should consider a career path that focuses on outdoor activities. By working various part-time jobs, you will learn what you are looking for and what you aren’t looking for in a career.
You Will Learn the Importance of Money Management
When you start earning your own money, you will gain a better understanding of how to handle it. Working hard for your money will help you appreciate important personal finance lessons such as the benefits of budgeting and the importance of saving and being frugal.
While there are many benefits of having a part-time job in high school, not all students are capable of handling it during the school year. If your grades begin to suffer or you aren’t getting enough sleep, you should cut back on your work hours (maximum of 10-15 hours per week) or only work during the summer.
