Part-time jobs: Only the strong will survive

“Would you like fries with that?”

Though these words please the ears of any fried potato lover, this question is also the epitome of the stereotype that accompanies a part-time job.

Whether it was working in the fields, stomping grapes, or fanning Pharaohs, children have been in the business of hard work since the beginning of time.

So, of course, most teens are somewhat expected to have a part-time job sometime throughout their high school career.

It builds stamina, character, and experience.

Or does it?

Students might like the idea of having an additional source of income, but many times, they forget about the blood, sweat, and tears (many, many tears) that come with a job.

The typical part-time employee starts off working about 20 hours a week. With school during the day, the only time left to work is during the weekends or at night.

Then come the piles of homework that teachers give out like candy. Unfortunately, when 10 o’clock rolls around, and students finally get home from work, they are exhausted and do not want to do their homework. However, they know that they have to write that research paper, finish their Calculus, and then write an article for the school newspaper.

It is exhausting (This is coming from experience, people).

So, students stay up all night to work on homework, but then school comes bright, early, and decaffeinated.

This vicious cycle never ends. It just goes on and on, my friend.

Working a part-time job might pay well, but is it worth the cost?

Part-time jobs are not for the faint of heart. Every job requires responsibility and perseverance. When it comes down to it, success in a part-time job requires time management skills. Working students need to be able to balance school, work, and social activities.

One way to attain time management is by changing the hours of availability in order to suit personal needs. Moreover, minors need to make sure that they are not working more than the permitted number of hours.

According to the Tennessee Child Labor Act, children who are 14 or 15 are not allowed to work past 7 on a school night, and children who are 16 or 17 are not allowed to work past 10 on a school night (without parental consent). Even with consent though, minors who are 16 or 17 cannot work past 10 o’clock more than three days in a week.

Also, if a minor works six hours or more, employers are required to provide a 30-minute break, which could be the perfect time to study or work on homework.

Although part-time jobs can have the tendency to swallow hours of sleep, they can also be beneficial in the long run.

Employers respect those who have worked a job during high school, mainly because they acknowledge hard work and dedication. Teen jobs add up to quite an impressive resume when looking for jobs during college and even after college.

Jobs also provide money that can be spent on cars, college, and of course, frivolous junk that will never be used again.

Basically, it comes down to the student’s responsibility and willingness to juggle a social and academic lifestyle. Part-time jobs are a win-lose situation no matter what angle they’re looked at.

Anyways, pull around to the next window.