It can be a chore to constantly beg your parents for money. An easy fix to this problem is to get a job. Generally jobs are reserved or teens 16 and older, but fortunately for freshman and sophomores there are various places that will hire 15-year-olds.

A job can be good for those who have a lot of free time. Employers offer adult supervision giving teens a productive activity that goes beyond their school work. When teens are busy, it could be a way to keep them out of trouble during the afternoon and weekends.

Some people may think 15 is too young to work but there are protections in place as child labor laws, limit 15-year-olds from working more than 18 hours in a school week. For the most part, different companies will have different standards for minors. At Spring Creek Barbeque, I’m only allowed to come in on Saturdays and Sundays for seven hours each day.

We may not realize this, but college is approaching faster than expected and it is very expensive. With a job teens are able to contribute to their own college fund. It’s okay to spend your earned money on yourself, however putting a part of your earnings aside can help take a load off your parents and avoid student loans later on.

There are many other benefits to getting a job as a teenager such as learning responsibility and money management skills as well as a sense of newfound independence. It can also help students transition into adulthood, as they are able to practice self reliance.

This can be a good thing however, as it can be difficult to balance school, extracurriculars and a job. Nonetheless, most jobs provide a flexible work schedule and the strain of balancing school and work can have students explore how they will stabilize their commitments as an adult. Studies have even shown that teens working 10 to 15 hours a week during the school year earn higher grades than those who don’t work at all.

At times it can be strenuous to work, study and have time for friends and family. However the benefits of having a job outweigh the cons as it can teach a person how to manage their time better and become less reliant on their parents.

Sincerely,

Sydney