After-school jobs

High school for most teens is associated with long school hours. Achoo activities take a
lot of their time and energy. Even with these tight schedules, most teens still find themselves
juggling school work and after school jobs. Most teens prefer these jobs because they earn
money that they can use to meet some of their needs. Some teens even help their parents save for
their college fees. College fees have risen in recent times, and teens who dream of joining
college consider helping their parents raise some of the money needed. The idea of work after
school among teenagers does not sit well with some people who feel that the youngsters are
burdened at a young age. Some are of the view that these jobs lack educational value and thus
should not be an option. Although an after-school job interferes with schoolwork and activities, it
provides students with life-long skills.
After-school job offers teens with money management skills which they can rely on even
after joining their profession of choice. Financial skills are necessary for one’s life, more so as an
adult. With the support of their ‘boss’ in the after-school job, teens have an opportunity to get a
paycheck. This is an opportunity for them to effectively learn how to manage their finances.
Teens learn from a young age how to handle their finances, work within a budget and even live
within one means. They can put the money into different uses. For instance, Etzioni states, “some

Surname 2
use it to support themselves, especially among the poor” ( Etzioni). These are invaluable skills
that are necessary for life.
Balancing an after-school job and a school schedule enhances a teens time management
skills. A teen who is able to handle a job, requiring them to work up to twenty-five hours per
week, as Etzioni states, and still handle schoolwork must be able to manage their time well
(Etzioni). When this goes on for a long time, then the individual eventually becomes good at
managing time. It becomes easy to balance between school assignments, job tasks as well as rest
time. These are great skills that are necessary for today’s job market.
An opportunity to work while still in school allows one to acquire strong communication
skills. Jobs such as in restaurants, food joints and as receptionists require that the teen
communicates with clients. These opportunities foster confidence in communication. They learn
how to be self-reliant and speak for themselves (Etzioni ). The teen acquires people skills, knows
how to be assertive when necessary and generally how to communicate with different kinds of
people with different personalities. By the time these teens are done with school, they already
have strong communication skills and can thrive in employment.
Overall, deciding to take a job as a teen is not a decision to be taken lightly. It has its
challenges as it takes a considerable amount of a learner’s time that should otherwise be spent in
school. However, an after-school job is beneficial in several ways. A teen gets an opportunity to
acquire skills that will be useful in their adult jobs. They learn how to be better time and money
managers, and these are valuable skills in life. They acquire communication skills and learn how
to communicate confidently and assertively.

Surname 3

Work Cited

Etzioni, Amitai. “Working at McDonald’s.” Reading Critically. Writing Well: A Reader and
Guide. 3rd ed. Eds (2007).
Outline
I. Introduction
II. Thesis: Although an after-school job interferes with schoolwork and activities, it provides
students with life-long skills.
III. Money management skills
IV. Time management skills
V. Strong communication skills
VI. Conclusion.