Life as a teenager is no easy task; physical and hormonal changes, mood swings, attitude towards school, added family responsibility, struggling for peer acceptance, and the desire for independence often make this phase of life a perplexing one. It is a transitional period of life. As an educational administrator by profession, my aim is to guide and further assist with the development of carefree children into mature, productive, responsible members of the community.

Going to school and working part-time is difficult, but many students choose to do it. Statistics Canada’s latest online figures have 31<>percentage<> of high school students (ages 15 to 17) in 2004-2005 working part-time jobs during the school year. A central question when considering this is whether a part-time job is worthwhile. There are many reasons to attempt working part-time while studying, but in order to experience a truly beneficial result, personal as well as family boundaries must be set and respected. Reasons to work while in school range from wanting some extra cash to having sufficient money to cover college and university fees. Whatever the case may be; benefits exist.

Earning and having your own pocket money definitely allows for more financial independence. It clearly assists with various personal choices like living expenses, lifestyle directions, and contributes to meeting any future higher education costs. In addition, returns run much deeper and are often priceless.

Hard-earned money comes with a sense of pride and is often more appreciated than simply being given money by parents, etc. Also, being employed requires students to develop effective time management skills. It drives them to focus on priorities instead of wasting time. Juggling school, a job, and a social life assists with learning how to manage a schedule and multi-task productively.

Working encourages social interaction. It exposes you to different types of people. This helps build strong social interpersonal skills, which are invaluable for everyday situations and relationships. It also puts you in contact with new people at different levels. Personal networks begin to grow, and future opportunities may present themselves. The experience you get from holding down a job is priceless. It provides a hands-on learning environment from which to grow. Finally, when preparing a résumé (CV), future employers gain a sense of who their candidates are by the type of education they have received, as well as job experiences obtained.

Employers tend to be flexible with serious and determined adolescents interested in part-time positions while in school. Some even offer bursaries or benefits to their employees in support of their future endeavors. Regardless of additional perks that may be offered, the drive a teenager needs in order to be successful must be intrinsic. To pursue and attain desired goals takes lifelong learning and growth. Start early… life as a teenager may not be easy, but every experience creates the future community member you will become.