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Teen Years
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There are many 3-word phrases that stir a teenager's emotions: "I love you," "Do your homework," "Clean your room." But none strikes deeper and creates a greater sense of loathing than, "Get a job." For the average teenager, earning that extra dollar to supplement an allowance or ease the pressure on parents' pocketbooks can really put a kink in those after-school and weekend plans. It really plays havoc in summertime, when teens work more than any other time of the year. It seems inevitable that on the night of the biggest summer party, you're stuck at Sloppy Joe's, scrubbing toilets in biohazard bathrooms. Yet before grudgingly spreading today's "may-I-help-you" smile, consider this almost unknown perspective: Getting a job will help you get into college. Besides the grades, varsity sports and publication classes, admissions officers like to see that you've ventured out into the real world. They like to see that you've taken on some adult responsibilities, handled mature situations and have some understanding of how the world operates outside of the school setting. Admissions officers want to know you have a grasp on this concept. To that end, nearly every application has a blank, if not several, for you to list your employment undertakings during your high school career, along with the number of hours worked per week and the duration of your employment. For those of you fortunate enough to not have to work, this does not mean that you should immediately drop everything and enlist yourself at the local Quikimart. You have a number of choices. Summer jobs are your best option. They don't interfere with school and they keep you productive. However, even with all your free time during the summer, I do not recommend a full-time position. Summer is still a time for fun and friends, but also for participating in special programs or wrapping up required courses. During my summers, I played in our school basketball summer league, took summer school for health, driver's education and history of the motion picture (for my fine-arts requirement). I also participated in a 2-week journalism program, completed a 150-hour internship and (regrettably) took some SAT prep courses. For a job, I worked at a research facility part-time, either early in the morning or late in the afternoon, which gave me the ability to fit everything into my schedule. This brings me to my next point: Don't feel like the only jobs you can apply for are the ones with drive-thrus. You have other, more exciting and more rewarding options, so don't settle for taking orders when you can be helping find a cure for cancer. Talk with your school counselor, your parents and even your other friends to find out what opportunities might fit. Teenage employment can definitely be tough, but at least now you know there's a silver lining. Rajiv Bhuta is a senior at Troy High School in Fullerton. |
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