Should students have jobs during the school year?

Rosa Palumbo '25

Adults encourage younger people, more specifically students, to get a job to start getting real-world experience. Students have other priorities to attend to, such as sports and clubs, but most importantly school. This is where the question arises: “Should students have jobs during the school year?”

Students are constantly bombarded with endless amounts of homework. Some students juggle all those countless hours of homework, with a job during the school year.

I interviewed three current students at Fontbonne Hall Academy and asked them a few of the same questions revolving around the balance of school and having a job. Emily McCartney’25 and Cristal Vega’25, both worked summer jobs this past summer.

During the summer, Emily worked at basketball camps and was babysitting for people in her neighborhood. Cristal worked with a state-funded program called SYEP. She and many other students would earn money by having ideas to promote environmental justice. They both plan to continue these jobs next summer.

“I didn’t have to balance school and work. That is why I love summer jobs.” Cristal makes a very good point and speaks for most students when they say they love summer jobs. Emily also worked a summer job and did, like all of us, have summer break homework. “I work in the mornings so I still have the rest of the day to do my work.” Emily used her time wisely and didn’t really have an issue completing her homework during the summer.

Cristal and Emily both agreed that students should decide to get a job during the school year, including the summer. “Yes, because it gives you money to spend when you go to hangout with friends after school at Baya and Starbucks.” Emily is of course referring to us Fontbonne students who favor our local Baya Bar and Starbucks.

Most importantly jobs should give students responsibility, and the opportunity to experience real-world situations, including preparing them for how to handle money, and multitasking.

Unlike Cristal Vega and Emily McCartney, Grace Murphy ’25 currently has a job during the school year. Grace babysits for a family who lives down the block from her, which makes it very convenient for her.

“I really try to manage my time carefully: when I have available resource periods I usually try to get my homework done in that time. If I don't have time during school, I will do my homework as soon as I get home so I can get it out of the way and have time before I start my work.” Grace has a very efficient way of balancing school and her job. She has very good time management which is a must when it comes to balancing these things.

Grace also recommends having a job during the school year. “Yes, because it gives you some spending money and savings for the future.”

I’m so happy I got the opportunity to interview Grace, Cristal, and Emily about their experiences with having jobs.