Dec 21, 2023 3 min read

Q. I want to get a part time job. I never have any money to spend. I can’t even buy Christmas gifts. My mom says she wants me to focus on school. She says she worked in high school, and she didn’t get to do any sports or have fun. I told her we’re different people. I want to give working a try. What do you think? My mom respects you. – 17-year-old

Q. My parents are on me about getting a job. I take all the AP courses my high school offers, I maintain an above 4.0 grade point average, I’m president of two clubs and I play sports. I don’t see how I can fit a job into my schedule. My parents say a job builds character. I think I have a lot of responsibility in my life already. What do you think? – 17-year-old

Mary Jo’s Response: I put your questions together because you both asked my opinion on a similar issue. One of you wants to work; the other hopes to avoid employment.

Research shows working a job has positive developmental effects on the life of a teen. There’s a catch, however: too much work is not good, and too little work doesn’t show positive results. Moderate, steady work proves the most beneficial route for teens who do work.

Here are some pros and cons of working while in high school:

Advantages:

Earning money can lead to financial independence.

Learn responsibility.

Learn to interact with coworkers.

Exposed to teamwork: learn the importance of sharing tasks.

Learning the importance of paying taxes.

Exposure to cultural diversity.

Develop confidence.

Disadvantages:

Working may interfere with a school schedule.

Working may cut into extracurricular time.

Working may take away sleep time.

Grades may be lower due to limited study time.

You both asked my opinion. I think the pluses of working outweigh the minuses for most people, but each of us is unique. Work may not fit into one person’s schedule yet may be exactly what another person needs. The key for you both is communication. Be transparent with your parents. Explain your concerns honestly. You can always give working a part time job a try – if it doesn’t prove helpful to your life, after a reasonable time frame, you may quit. Discuss this in advance.

I had a part-time job at 16 at G.C. Murphy Co. in the record department. That sentence ages me quickly – I worked in a store that no longer exists in a department selling items that are now considered vintage. I was able to work a light schedule and maintain my after-school activities as well as my grades. My job taught me many things – self-confidence, courage, and responsibility to my boss and my co-workers. Working helped me mature.

You are each people of worth. Make choices based on your individual needs. Good luck.

Have a question? Send it to Dr. Mary Jo Podgurski’s email podmj@healthyteens.com.