Student jobs compete with studies, social life

She gets up at 6 a.m., goes to school for six hours, goes to work for three, gets home to spend three hours on homework, and then collapses into bed at midnight – only to do it all again the next day.

This is the life for a large portion of high school students. The question then becomes why, and what is it all worth?

First, here are some facts. Approximately one-third of high school students (ages 15-18) work. Up to 50 percent of teens who work are employed in retail operations, including fast-food restaurants, grocery stores, and other stores. Another 25 percent of teen labor is in service industry settings such as nursing homes, hospitals and churches.

So, why are so many high school students working? The biggest factor is the money. Juna Cornforth, an 18-year-old senior at John Bapst Memorial High School, says of her two jobs: “I have to work to pay for my car and I have to have a car to get to and from school. My homework goes undone quite often so I can have the money that tends to be a priority in this society. The cost of living is outrageous.” Cornforth works an incredible 40 hours a week. Her weekends are taken over by 10-hour shifts.

However, there is the other end of the spectrum. “I don’t work during the school year because school is work in and of itself,” says Lucia Fenney, a 17-year-old senior. “School provides students the opportunity to reach higher levels of learning and, in turn, it readies us for the work force.”

Tim Lavigne, 17, says jobs can conflict with clubs and sports, which is the livelihood of many high school students. “To have a job during any sporting season would be very difficult. Being a part of a team with your best friends means more to most teenagers than working.”

A survey was conducted at John Bapst Memorial High School, in which 40 high school students were asked a series of questions. Some interesting conclusions can be drawn from the results.

First of all, there was a slight difference between females and males. Males, for instance, worked an average of 11 hours a week and enjoyed their jobs. Females worked 15 hours a week and did not enjoy their jobs.

Both sexes claimed their jobs did not hold priority over such things as homework, social life and family. However, this does not mean the job didn’t conflict with these things. The average number of jobs held by these teenagers was two.

Parents sometimes hold the power as to whether or not their child will have a job. Some parents don’t let their teenagers have jobs during school: “My parents have wanted me to focus on school so they provide a monthly allowance, and it works out fairly well,” says Lavigne.

However, other parents consider jobs a priority for their child’s summer. “My parents strongly encourage me to work so I have money to spend to enjoy my free time,” says Tom Rudnicki, a senior.

Jobs may conflict with many teenage activities, but while teenagers are getting paid, they will be working. Not only do high school students need money, but they want it, and jobs are the outlet.

Student Union is written by students at Hampden Academy, Brewer High School, John Bapst Memorial High School, Old Town High School, MDI High School, Ashland Community High School and Schenck High School in East Millinocket. The weekly column is a joint effort among the schools, the Bangor Daily News and Acadia Hospital. This week’s column was written by a John Bapst Memorial High School student. Adviser is Lynn Nelson Manion.