Every weekend, junior Semhar Tesfamicael leaves her house at around 2 p.m. and does not return home until 10 p.m. at the latest. As school is for most, Tesfamicael’s main priority and focus is on her education. She created her schedule around instructional days so that she is able to take care of her schoolwork throughout the school week.

         

“I used to struggle a lot throughout the week when I used to work [from] Monday to Friday. I lowered it down to just weekends so that I can have Monday to Friday off, so I can focus on school,” Tesfamicael said.

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

According to the California Labor Code, teenagers are allowed to work up to four hours outside of school on a day of instruction and up to eight hours on a non instructional day. The maximum teenagers can work a week is up to 48 hours.

 

Tesfamicael believes that she benefits from working a lot. She explained how she had gained so much from working overall. She has gained many qualities and a great learning experience while working during high school. Tesfamicael has learned how to reponsible, understand the deeper meaning to money, and encountered many helpful experiences.

         

“I can pay for my own stuff. I don’t have to keep asking my parents to buy me things I can easily get myself. It also taught me how to commit to something. Ownership as well, having my own responsibilities and items that I know I paid for. Learning how to deal with money. It gives me good experiences and skills that I’ll need for the future,” Tesfamicael said.

         

Junior Kaos Lowe also works a part time job while attending high school. He also finds earning money for getting to experience what the real world is like is an amazing opportunity. Lowe has gained many qualities as well.

         

“Working in high school really does help me. It’s made me more independent, in a lot of ways I’ve learned how to be a better person. It’s kind of made a way for me to get experience in the working field. Working with others is a lot harder than it looks, you learn to cope with others,” Lowe said.

         

However, there are challenges for students who choose to work in high school. For Tesfamicael, it creates a time crunch for her. Having to fit in loads of school work and work shifts on the weekend can be a struggle.

         

“Depending on how much I work and the time I work. Sometimes when I work early it’s a little bit better because then I can come home earlier and get some rest. When I close or when I work late the next morning I feel really lazy and at a loss of energy. I feel like I don’t want to get up and go to school,” Tesfamicael said.

         

Junior Paulina Rubios’s mother does not allow her to work in high school. Rubios’s mother believes it is best if Rubio focuses completely on her studies and minimizes almost all, if any, distractions. Rubios’s mother wants her to be engaged with her learning. “My mother doesn’t allow me to work in high school, I simply do not have permission  to. She’d rather me gain all group working experience with in my school environment and stay focused on my studies,” Rubio said.

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another challenge for students who work during high school is getting work hours. Lowe feels like this is one main problem of working in high school. He believes it can make work life more complicated because you do not receive enough hours.

         

“Managing my work and my school with in a long shift is challenging. Sometimes I don’t even receive work hours,” Lowe said.

         

In spite of the challenges of working in high school, there are so many beneficial factors. Lowe believes that he made the correct choice of wanting to work in high school. He also believes that the type of student that would be successful at working and attending school is someone who is dedicated and wants the work experience.

         

“If you keep pushing forward and don’t give up, you would be a great candidate for a youth worker. I’m sure anyone who aspires to gain skills and be good at group work would fit swell in the work field,” Lowe said. •