Should teens be punching a clock…20 Dec 2006 01:37 pm
Work-Life 
I wrote an Op-Ed piece for USA Today that looks at the issue of whether teens should be working for a paycheck or only concentrating on academics and extracurricular activities.
Research suggests teens who work part time gain in a bunch of areas, everything from building confidence to understanding the value of a dollar.
What’s your take?
December 20th, 2006 at 2:01 pm
Beyond the very real concept of learning to work for a paycheck at an early age, teens should also be aware that college admissions officers look very favorably on students who have held a part-time job throughout their school years. It demonstrates responsibility, commitment and resourcefulness that the colleges want in a prospective student. My son has worked part-time at a natural foods store since 9th grade and he didn’t do it for his college application but because he felt it was the right thing to do. It’s been a great life lesson for him.
December 20th, 2006 at 3:16 pm
That’s a great point. I didn’t think of that.
December 21st, 2006 at 4:48 pm
You don’t think that a volunteer job shows a certain level of responsibility and commitment? The fact that a student isn’t getting paid shows even more of a commitment to that job or cause. Some students are selfless enough that they will dedicate all of their after-school time to these causes…because they “feel that it is the right thing to do.” High school students already have a sense of insignificance as they are “herded” around from class to class, and a volunteer job for a campaign or nonprofit gives students a chance to feel like that they are actually making a difference in the world, and not just going from school to a job where you clock in and out - doing the same thing day in and day out, folding clothes or “flipping burgers.” Sorry for any typos, i’m on the way out!
December 21st, 2006 at 9:06 pm
I definitely think the volunteer job shows an incredible level of responsibility and commitment, just like everything else Tim is doing. I think if more kids were like him the world would be a better place. My only point is that with so many teens not working these days, they may be missing out on an experience that is unlike anything they’ll ever do. Work is the cornerstone of our society, for better or worse, and it’s also a way to level the field among all the different socio economic groups. You end up working side by side with someone you may never get to know someplace else, like your neighborhood, or volunteering for a political campaign. In those settings you are for the most part with people like you. Not always of course. But at a job, or at least the type of job you can get in your teens, you’ll get to meet people you probably would never have gotten to meet. And also when you volunteer, or at school, you’re usually treated pretty well. In the workplace, a boss who is depending on you for her or his livelihood may not be as nice when you screw up. I just think it’s a different experience..probably no better or worse than volunteering, or academics, just different. I think it might help us be better rounded individuals.
I used Tim as an example because he is the kind of kid everyone wants, the kind of kid that makes parents proud. So it would make it harder for readers to say, “hey, this kid is a slacker. He should be working.”
I hope my kids turn out to be Tims.
January 19th, 2007 at 10:29 am
Whether teens have jobs is not only a socioeconomic issue, it’s a geographic issue. I grew up in California and went to college on the East Coast. EVERYONE I knew in my public high school (which ranged from poor to upper-middle-class) had part-time jobs. Their motivations were different–some did it because their families had little, some because they thought it was fun, and some just wanted more discretionary income–but it was a common activity.
When I got to college, I did perceive that East Coast students were more prepared academically. But they were so clueless about money and the world! I learned a lot from my experiences as a paperboy, donut shop employee and chocolate banana factory employee (I’m not making this up). And I don’t really think it cut into my academic time, it just made me more efficient.
I have a personal bias in favor of teens having paid jobs rather than volunteer positions (although the really together ones do both, along with their studies). When you are paid, you are evaluated and judged, which frankly is something to get used to in life. I also think there’s something eye-opening about working in the service sector. I think that volunteer work can be eye-opening and useful, but there seems to be a voyeuristic element present in the some of the teen volunteer activities I hear about, as well as a misperception that “I’m changing the world in one hour a week.” The most useful output of volunteer work, in my own experience, was seeing how complicated social issues really are and really questioning my own preconceptions and motives.
I went to college in the 80s, so my data might be old. I have heard that (white) teens nowadays won’t work in food, seeing that as something that immigrants, minorities and lower-income people do — they prefer retail. I do think the geographic element is likely still present.
January 19th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
I think you’re right about kids being clueless about money and the world. I seem to be meeting many kids like that these days. I’m not sure working for a paycheck is a cure all but it couldn’t hurt.
February 15th, 2007 at 4:17 am
As telleve said, “I’m not sure working for a paycheck is a cure all”…but, I’m all for a field trip to “the rest of your life.” Nothing prepares you for the world of work like the world of work itself. My take on volunteerism is that there are times when you do things because the experience of doing them is the direct benefit, not the money. But of course, since you will need money to make it through life, doing things for the money is also something you need to experience. People need both knowledge and experience to have true success in life, so I do not support any strategy that would require you to choose one over the other.
February 27th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
I think part time work for teens is invaluable! It provides them with an opportunity to learn responsibility from someone other than their parents, gives them new learning experiences, teaches them the value of money, gives them a diversion from academics as well as seeing some useful application of academics (applied mathmatics for one), and makes much better use of their time than hanging out on the street corner, watching tv, playing endless video games, etc. When kids go to college we want them to have a well rounded education, well working gives teenagers a much more complete, well rounded education in life
I started working when I was 10 yrs old because my family was poor, I wouldn’t trade it for anything! 