Before the fall of my senior year, I never had a job. Most students I know have had some job during their high school career, whether it was during the summer at the pool or the local fast food joint. Of course, that’s not to say I had never applied for a job, but I never landed or held a job I wanted before fall 2024.

In the fall of 2024, one of my friends recommended a job at a local elementary school. I had always considered having a job while school was in session. Still, it seemed that being employed during the academic year would strain my ability to complete my homework and participate in clubs. Usually, when I would come home from school at around 4 p.m., I would immediately fall asleep. After waking up at 7 or 8 p.m., I would feel too tired and not motivated to do anything. Naturally, I thought having a job would make this worse as I would be much more exhausted after coming home from work.

I work Monday through Friday from 3:45-6 p.m., and upon completing my first few shifts, I realized that I would come home and not feel the need to nap. I can now come home at 6 p.m. feeling motivated to do anything I put my mind to; this is a sign that my job helps me get through the 3-6 p.m. slump I used to experience. By occupying my time with something productive and fun, I am distracted from the fact that I am tired and would like to take a nap, and before I know it, my shift is over. Along with this, I feel that working a job has had virtually no impact on my ability to do well in school because I didn’t spend 3:45-6 p.m. studying anyway.

Besides escaping the afternoon slump by doing something productive, work has taught me the value of a dollar. Before I got a job, I used to think $200 was a lot of money, but now I can barely make $200 last two weeks after getting my paycheck. Although this may be more indicative of my poor spending habits than the lessons a job can teach you, I am more mindful when I buy something after understanding how much work has to be put in for a mere $50. Speaking personally, I prefer quality over quantity, so when I buy makeup, clothes, shoes and even food, I spend more to get the quality I want. That being said, having a job has allowed me to have more freedom over my lifestyle choices. Before having my source of income, I spent my parents’ money on things I wanted, always feeling guilty, but now having my own money to spend I can buy things of the quality I want, knowing that I’ll get paid again the following week. Even though I still need to work on my spending habits, having a job has taught me a lot about money management and value.

I also believe that in the future I will thank myself for getting my first job in high school. I have been exposed to a work environment, how to file tax forms and how to prepare and execute an interview in an environment that I would consider low-stakes in comparison to the more serious job market. Because I had my first job before adulthood, I feel I am all the more prepared to enter the “real world,” not to mention the fact I will have work experience on my resume, which is of the utmost importance to many employers.

In my case, I have to add, that I enjoy my job. I know of many students who don’t enjoy their jobs at restaurants and retail stores, but I feel that the job I have right now is a great fit for me. I love kids and getting to spend time with them after school helps clear my mind. Work feels like an escape for me, as I don’t think about anything but the smiling and laughing children I’m with, which makes my day better. Many people find their escape in a club or a sport, and although I have experienced that before, I believe the job I currently have has served as a great way for me to take a break from the real world, not to mention I’m getting paid to do so. Although I understand that not everyone can be as lucky as me and land a job that is meaningful to them, I think when you do so it opens a whole new perspective on life beyond high school.

I have no regrets about getting a job, and I think that learning how to hold a job, especially while you’re in school, teaches important life lessons. While I know students have sports and clubs after school, which make it hard to get a job, almost all students have free time during the summer and on weekends. Working a job as a teenager is not just about the money but also the experience, so if you have free time after school, get a job and you might be positively surprised by your experience.