Why Summer Jobs and Work Experience Matter When High School Students Apply to College

By Silvia Terzian

With the increasing demands of high school and extracurricular activities, many parents wonder, should my teen get a job? There are many reasons why high school students work. Some work to contribute to their family’s finances. Others work to save up for college or to fund other personal expenses. Many get jobs to gain valuable work experience. However, given all of the activities that vie for a busy high school student’s time, is work the best option?

According to an article in the Atlantic Magazine, “Teenagers Have Stopped Getting Summer Jobs—Why?” teen employment rates have plummeted in the last several decades. In the summer of 1978, 60 percent of teens were working or looking for work. In 2016, just 35 percent were.  Many wonder if this is because teens are getting lazy. 

But delving into the data reveals that, instead of idling away their time, teenagers are spending more time on education.  More students are in schools both during the school year and in the summertime.  I would add to that the increasing commitment students are putting into sports, music, arts and other extracurricular activities that did not seem to require as much time when we were growing up.

So, is work a worthwhile endeavor? Absolutely.

 

Work builds structure and sense of responsibility.

Jobs teach important skills including time management (building structure around their day and setting priorities), following directions, and taking responsibility for their work.  These are important real life skills that will help them not just in future jobs, but also at school and at home.  As a bonus, they will also learn about finances and money management.

Work builds social awareness and empathy.

In today's digital age, teenagers spend so much time on digital media, and so much communication is conducted over texts and emails that we need to show them the value of human interaction and connection. Jobs teach them to work with others, listen, show empathy, and practice patience.

Work gives teens valuable experience being in a professional environment.  

Teens who hold a job have the opportunity to develop communication and interpersonal skills specific to being part of a professional community. They learn to communicate with bosses/managers about work responsibilities, deliverables, scheduling, and other concerns. They will learn to receive performance feedback, negotiate work requirements, and advocate for themselves.

Working teens gain important work experience in specific fields.

Whether your teenager works at a restaurant, law office, or does IT work for local families, the opportunity to explore career paths and pursue an area of interest is invaluable for their growth and development.  Additionally, concrete skills in building a resume early on can be beneficial over the long-term. Teens who’ve already had one job are more likely to win out over their less experienced peers when looking for a subsequent job. Furthermore, they will get a good sense for what work life is like, and how much they have at stake, and how much harder they need to study to get a better job in the future.

Work experience will differentiate students when they are applying to colleges.

Colleges are looking for applicants that are mature, responsible, and motivated with a demonstrated track record of following their interests in chosen fields and activities.  Holding down a job over a period of time demonstrates those qualities.  Work provides opportunities to show their interests, and unlike typical extracurricular activities, students can pursue unique opportunities that will differentiate them – Teens who like to code can develop apps and programs for local businesses, artists can work for unique art supply stores or design products or websites, and of course, students that want to pursue business can choose from a plethora of companies/businesses that can provide solid experiences. In light of the fact that fewer students are working now, a job experience on a resume will be even more of a differentiator.

Questions to consider prior to discussing work options with your high school student:

1. Does my child manage time well and thrive when challenged with multiple commitments?
2. Does my child have good communication skills and is he or she able to advocate for him or herself in a mature way?
3. Does my child make good financial choices?
4. Can my child juggle academics with other extracurricular activities?
5. Does my child have enough time to add another commitment without impacting existing activities and pursuits?

 

 See Silvia's profile here.

 

If you are interested in speaking with Silvia, or one of our other Advisors, you can start with a free introductory consultation here.

 

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