STAFF EDITORIAL: Splitting the bill
22.5% of high school students had a job in October 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. For some students, a job allows them to afford new shoes or the newest iPhone. For others, it means having a roof over their head or affording food and basic necessities. In those instances, students are pressured to prioritize their job over education.
According to the National Library of Medicine, the reality of employers needing employees who can work more than 20 hours a week leads to missing assignments, increased absences and burnout. In places like Athens, a busier college town, employers may expect more effort from their high school employees. This ultimately affects their respective school’s graduation rates by lowering academic performance.
However, work itself isn’t always harmful. It teaches students accountability, how to manage responsibilities, and real-life skills that schools don’t teach. One of the biggest challenges often lies within the balance of school and work, leaving students to choose their own priorities without much guidance.
What should students prioritize first? Telling students to only focus on school ignores the fact that some need jobs for additional financial support. Additionally, some students don’t see value in their education, making work their main priority.
This responsibility shouldn’t just fall on students to make difficult choices. Clarke County School District (CCSD) offers multiple opportunities to help students handle their education while earning a paycheck.
CCSD has partnered with local government departments and nonprofit organizations to offer students work-based learning (WBL), a program that helps students connect to a job where they can earn money and learn essential job skills.
The Classic Center offers a WBL opportunity called Bread for Life, a work/study program for Athens area students ages 16-21. Students learn about opportunities in sports and entertainment management, hospitality marketing, event planning and sales.
Some students also search for retail or service jobs for the steady and consistent pay. Minors ages 14-15 in Georgia are limited to three hours of work on school days, only legally working between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekends with an extension to 9 P.M. in the summer. As students grow older, there are no hourly limits for minors ages 16-17, so students should be cautious about their responsibilities so they don’t get locked into jobs with higher expectations than they can fulfill.
Students should look for jobs that can provide them with flexible schedules to keep academics a top priority. Students should ask questions during the job interview or research beforehand what the workplace is like to help recognize what the workload, hours or work environment may look like. Students should also be honest and communicate with employers about their needs. If a student’s workplace will not benefit them in the long run or they need a constant stream of income, they should apply to and explore other jobs before quitting their current one.
These considerations are not necessarily something that students must perform on their own. Cedar Shoals has an advisement period nearly every week, and this would be a great time to discuss what to look for in employers. Students could also be informed on how to write strong job applications or resumes or be advised about what jobs might work best for them.
If students need more financial support than working hours can provide, there are also organizations that can help provide resources like food and basic necessities as well as financial assistance including the Athens Area Homeless Shelter, The Ark, Bigger Vision of Athens and the Food Bank of N.E. Georgia.
Ultimately, balancing two important priorities doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. Managing these priorities can be tough, but strong time management, following a routine and finding a job that cooperates with availability can make it much easier. Time management and following a good routine keeps school and work from constantly overlapping which can prevent students from having to choose between school and work. A cooperative employer that works with student employees and their schedules also eases the burden of added responsibilities for students.
With all of this in mind, there are multiple opportunities for high school students to earn a paycheck while learning. The struggle of choosing between the priorities of school and work while managing their responsibilities is a hard task. However, with the proper communication, time management, and job that fits your routine, it can be easier. Students should look for jobs with flexible hours and expectations, as well as an employer that understands and is willing to work with your schedule. If school responsibilities become too demanding, a better option for students would be to have a summer job so that they do not have to choose one priority over the other.
