Whether it’s scooping ice cream, mowing lawns, or watching crowded pools, Bulldogs are now getting their first taste of the work force in a wide array of jobs while learning a lot in the process.
By working throughout the community, students gain not only money but experience and connections with adults or people who are not their age. Although balancing both schoolwork and a job can seem overwhelming at times, students largely believe that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
“I would definitely recommend my job,” junior Nathan Ward said, who works as a lifeguard for Crystal Aquatics. “It’s a great opportunity to have fun and have something to do. I have developed better people skills because I’m constantly interacting with patrons of the pool and learning.”
There are many learning experiences that can come out of a job, but one of the most universal amongst students seems to be the people skills learned. Skills like empathy, problem solving, and effective communication are hard to teach in a school environment and having a job can fill in those gaps.
“One of my friends recommended applying [to Bruster’s], and said she had a lot of fun working there,” sophomore Ella Pendleton said. “So, I applied. My favorite thing about working is probably getting to talk with customers who I have never met. I would recommend working at Bruster’s because it’s a lot of fun to get to know new people and it’s not too hard of a skillset.”
Students’ jobs have also opened opportunities to work with their friends giving them a productive, fun thing to do after the stressful hours of school.
“After a long stressful day of school, I look forward to getting to work a fun shift with my friends,” senior Kate McCarthy said. “I’ve been working at Ashby Ponds for a year and the friendships I made make the job so much fun. It is so great getting to hangout with my friends and make money simultaneously.”
While some students’ have more common jobs, there are some Bulldogs who have taken their interests and turned them into a side hustle to make money.
“My dad started making me mow the lawn, “senior Liam Fullerton said.“I thought it was kind of fun, so I decided to start a business off of it to make some money over the summer. I would totally recommend lawn mowing, if anyone is interested I would offer them a position. It’s great to work outside, and I enjoy it more than working at a pool where I am in a chair all day.”
No matter what kind of interest students around the school have, there are many who have found jobs that showcase their talents and have helped them grow and learn. There are also many fellow Bulldogs who are willing to give job recommendations and discuss openings in the community.
“Throughout high school I’ve worked three jobs,” senior Margaret Dashiell said. “I enjoy working because it gives me independence and a way to make money. My work experience has taught me to be responsible with time management, especially during the school year. I would encourage high school students to get a job because it gives them an opportunity to have responsibilities other than school and is a great way to prepare for life after high school!”
