Although an after-school job seems like a time-honored heritage, the number of teens who work has fallen in modern years. The decline in the teenage workforce may be partly due to the difficulty, so many teens have finding work. Other teens may be opting out of working while in high school because they are timetabled are already overflowing. Between the practice of sports and long hours studying, there might not be enough time left over to get a part-time job.
While there are some possible perks to working while in high school, there are also some drawbacks. An after-school job is not going to work for all teens. If you are thinking of letting your teen start the job, you should consider the possible risks and benefits.
Pros of After School Job:
An after-school job can be good for teens. Here are some of the biggest advantages your teen might gain:
Financial Skills:
With your help, a paycheck can be an opportunity for your teen to learn how to manage finances effectively. Teach them to establish a budget to practice saving for big-ticket items. One of the biggest reasons teens usually want to work and after school is to make some extra money. It is especially true if they are driving already. A job provides them a reward they can use to have fun with their friends, buy all those things they want, and more importantly they can express some personal independence, also contribute to the family budget.
Your teen's willingness to earn money signals a shift away from the financial responsibilities is solely yours. Of course, you will still pay for most of your child's larger expenses since most after-school jobs don't pay more than minimum wage. However, a part-time job is a great way to teach your teen how to make money and spend it responsibly.
Gain Work Experience:
Real-life experience can't be taught in school. Yet, getting work experience is the most difficult part of starting your career. A good job can give a teen valuable insight into what they may want to do after high school. They may discover and enjoys working with people or might decide that they want to own a business. If nothing else, a part-time job gives them valuable work experience to list on future job applications.
Saving Goals:
However, having a job after school teaches them how to earn money instantly; it will also teach them how to save it. You can boost them to set financial goals for themselves. As a result, they can start saving a portion of their salaries to achieve their goals. Some teens work after school to start their college savings while others save for cars or other dreams. Being able to save money is a very important skill of life that gives benefit to everyone. Teaching your child these skills and their advantages will make it easier for them to adopt healthy financial habits later.
Build confidence:
If a teen goes straight from school to the job, it shortens the amount of leaser time and engages in risky behaviors. They will not be bored when a job keeps them busy. The job can also help to instill confidence and independence in teens. If they work with customers, it can teach them how to handle critical situations and improve their communication skills. Additionally, it will also help them gain work skills like completing a job application, doing well in an interview, and working as a supervisor.
The Cons of After School Job:
There are some risks teens can face when they start a job after school. Here are some of the biggest disadvantages of working after school.
Conflicting School Schedules:
One of the biggest disadvantages to teens having after-school jobs is that it can mostly interfere with school activities. After school jobs, they may not be able to work and keep up with everything they want to do. Keep in mind that many extracurricular activities of school look great on a college application. They also help the teen become better-rounded and engaged with peers.
Fall Behind the Educational Priorities:
When a teen spends many hours at a job after school, they might also start to grapple with their school work. Also, they could fall behind, homework, group projects, and other educational priorities. It is very important to find a balance between both the school and job.
Always in Stressed:
Working too many hours could cause teens to become stressed out. The job's main purpose is to give the child a little freedom by earning their own money. If they never have time to spend that money having fun with friends, what is the point?
Bottom-line:
After school job is a great way for teenagers to gain experience, they will also make connections with people and learn what the working world is all about. But, it is not the correct fit for every teen. Because the teen is an active participant in extracurricular events, a job might not be the best fit.
