I have a job. 

I’m 16, I’m a junior with a car and I have a part-time job.  That doesn’t sound so ridiculously unbelievable.

Let’s face it – most teenagers’ claim they hate work or at least dislike it. A job isn’t fun to think about when we drudge through endless hours of homework and school daily.  But, at the same time, it doesn’t make sense for young ‘adults’ with a car who are perfectly capable of a part-time job to not have one.  Most juniors and seniors can drive themselves places, so it makes sense for them to have the capability of paying for various expenses, rather than their parents.

The main argument that most teens have against working is the fact that they don’t have enough time for schoolwork and work. But it’s time to face the facts – you think balancing work and college life won’t be difficult? Teenagers need to establish a working foundation before they get out of high school. It’s better to get a jump-start and find your rhythm now while you still have the chance to.  You aren’t always going to have life handed to you on a silver platter.

When you graduate, think about how your life is going to be different. Typically, you’ll want to move out of the house, go to college or a trade school and essentially begin your life.  Maybe some of you will skip that process entirely and head straight into the workforce.  How are you going to do that without a job or job history?  Steps that you take throughout high school affect your life after.

I’m not saying that students need to strain themselves and start failing classes to work lots of hours every day.  School should always come first, but to transition into adulthood, there are steps you need to take and I believe that getting a job and working is something that every teen needs to experience.