It is common for many high school students to have a part-time job. This is a wonderful way to earn some life experience and some cash. Learning new skills and challenging yourself is a great way to grow as an individual. Some people get a job for financial reasons and others simply want to work. Take the following advice below into consideration to help you balance both school and work responsibilities.
Think Ahead
Before you apply for work, determine how you will balance your studies with your new work shifts. Consider the hours and the travel to and from work as well as the job itself. Speak with a parent, counselor, or teacher to discover the best ways to achieve balance. Figure out what type of job will best suit your needs and what you hope to gain from working by asking the following questions:
- How will I best manage my time to make sure combining school and a new job is successful?
- What kind of job will suit my personality, my skills and my schedule?
Taking some time to evaluate what you are hoping to accomplish and which kinds of jobs will help you achieve your goals can save you a lot of time and energy.
Success Tips
After you have obtained a part-time job, use these strategies to achieve success:
- Share your schedule with your loved ones. It will be much easier to balance work and school if you have the support of your family and friends.
- Try a gradual start and avoid committing to a ton of hours right away. Give yourself time to undergo training and the patience of a learning curve.
- Plan your work schedule and your class obligations as far in advance as you can to avoid potential time conflicts.
- Be efficient with your time. If your job includes downtime and your boss is okay with it, take that time to read or study for school when possible.
How Your Job Can Work for You
Many people find their first job helps them to become more mature and confident. It is easy to go into a situation thinking you already know everything or perhaps, carry a bad attitude. Having to work alongside other people, solve problems and offer customer service can help you understand there is always more to learn and helps us to evolve. Working with people helps us learn more about ourselves and how to interact with all different personalities.
Other job benefits include learning more about:
- Time management skills
- Responsibility
- Commitment
- Handling money
- Punctuality
- Being professional, courteous, and kind
