In 2008, 24 percent of high school students age 16 and older were employed, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. An after-school job can provide a way to save for college, but may also interfere with high school studies. Whether the impact of working after school is positive or negative depends on each student's circumstances, and the pros and cons of an after-school job should be carefully weighed by the student and his family.
Earning Money
Most students want an after-school job so they can earn money. Many students will save most or part of their earnings for college or some other post-secondary education. Some will save for a vehicle and the gas and insurance expenses that accompany that purchase. Some want spending money for activities with friends, clothing or games. An after-school job often gives high school students their first taste of financial independence.
Gaining Experience
An after-school job is invaluable in providing students experience in the working world beyond home and school. With a job, they can learn responsibility, dependability and how to work with others, all skills that transfer to other areas of life, according to Cliffs Notes. Many students find after-school jobs in the service industry where they also must learn to deal with the public as well as with a boss and coworkers. A 1998 study from the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine found that students who were able to balance school and work learned time-management skills that allowed them to work when they went to college.
Making Connections
Working after school helps students make connections with adults who can help them later. Supervisors can provide references for future jobs or recommendations for scholarships. Stephanie Binder, college counselor at The Beacon School in New York, says connections with coworkers can foster the development of interpersonal skills on a different level than the friendships they share with fellow students.
Interference with School
On the con side, after-school jobs can greatly curtail the amount of time spent on schoolwork. A 2007 study by Kusum Singh, professor of Educational Research and Evaluation at Virginia Tech, found that working more than 15 hours a week had a detrimental effect on academics. A previous study by Singh, in 2000, found that having a part-time job affected which courses a student chose to take. Students with a heavier work schedule may need to take less strenuous classes to keep their grades up.
Less Personal Time
In addition to having less time to spend on schoolwork, working students also have less personal time. They will have less time to spend with friends and less time for leisure pursuits. Extracurricular activities at school may conflict with the work schedule. Students may also find themselves functioning on fewer hours of sleep, either because they work late or must stay up late to finish homework.
Member Comments