High School students that don't work

Paying for College
1

<p>It's that time of year when this forum is full of financial aid questions.</p>

<p>I'm just wondering if anyone else is surprised when a high school student is lamenting their EFC, and goes on to say that they have no income or assets for 2008. I'm trying to figure this out and wondering if anyone else has any comments.</p>

<p>Back when I was in school, everyone I knew in high school typically got their first job the summer before their Junior year of high school. It seemed like everyone was working at McDonalds, ice cream shops, supermarkets and department stores. </p>

<p>We live in a middle class to upper middle class area, and my son has worked since he was 15. He is now a freshman in college, but for the past three years he has earned 4-5K per year in a minimum wage job. He was a high school athlete with above average (but not stellar) stats who also found time to participate in community service and other EC's.</p>

<p>I understand when kids say they live in a rural area with no job opportunities, but it seems like it's not just those kids who aren't working. Are high school students so involved in developing college applications filled with amazing EC's that they are forgoing jobs? </p>

<p>I also seem to notice that the children of many of the parents who provide the answers to many of the questions on this forum do have kids that are working. I often see replies that include a recommendation for "summer earnings".</p>

<p>Is it me?? or do you think fewer kids are getting jobs in high school?</p>

2

<p>My son never worked in high school because he was away all summer long at music festivals or camps. He got his first job the year after he graduated from high school with a very nice and flexible employer who didn't mind giving him FIVE weeks off in the middle of the summer. He worked with this same employer for four years on vacations and in summers.</p>

<p>DD worked a small job at her school in the mornings and had a summer job every year beginning the year after 11th grade. </p>

<p>Both work at least 10 hours a week while in college as well.</p>

<p>I will say...back when the dinos roamed (when I was in high school) I did not ever have a job. My mom absolutely refused to let me work (other than babysitting). My job was school. I got my first job the summer after I graduated from high school also.</p>

<p>But the difference is...I never complained about money and my kids don't complain about money.</p>

3

<p>I also told my son that his schoolwork was his job in high school. He did get a job this year at college because he wanted to. Both my husband and I worked during high school and it was hard and stressful. I am a big believer in letting kids be kids during school.</p>

4

<p>I also wanted to say that where I live in mid Michigan that jobs for teenagers are harder and harder to find. I know of college students who want to work that can't find part time work.</p>

5

<p>I'm a senior in high school, and almost no one has a job. I wish I could have a job, but I can't afford to buy a car and live in the middle of nowhere. My mom owns a store so she cannot drive me anywhere.</p>

<p>A lot of people volunteer a lot. My friends and I do several volunteer camps for Girl Scouts throughout the year. One week during spring break, and then four weeks during the summer. They drive me there. Then I have another series of camps that I volunteer for for our local Montessori school which is another two weeks, and the director of the camp picks me up or drives me home most days.
I also volunteer on weekends at Personal Ponies during warm months and either walk or the director (same person who runs the Montessori school) picks me up.</p>

<p>Everyone in my school is also preoccupied with sports, Senior Projects (which are required if you take APES at my school), AP classes, and NHS. I know that most of my friends don't get home until after seven and then have several hours of homework to do. Many people are doing projects until midnight or later, and then we get up at about five just to do it again.</p>

<p>While we don't have jobs because of our EC's, we honestly don't just do our EC's just because it'll look good on college apps. Well, the majority of us. I only do EC's that I'm interested in and they still take up all of my time combined with my schoolwork. Even if I did have a car, I doubt I'd be able to work enough to earn enough to actually contribute to college. I do plan on working in college, though.</p>

6

<p>Both my boys started working year round part-time jobs (grocery store) the day they turned sixteen. We told them each that they did not have to work their freshman year of college in order to ge acclimated to college demands. S2 is a college freshman this yr. so is not working. </p>

<p>S1 worked during all holidays freshman yr. and resumed his yr. round job (same company let him transfer) in his college town the summer after fresh. year of college and is still working there today (senior). By the time he graduates in May, he will have been working for the same company for six years.</p>

7

<p>there were very few summer jobs around here last summer and both my husband and I work very hard and long hours-we expect our kids' job to be good students and good citizens first. Despite not working at paid jobs, I think they have great work ethic, a strong sense of responsibility and an appreciation for those less fortunate.</p>

8

<p>My daughter was in band and swimming at the same time which made working (eating, sleeping, relaxing) impossible - though that was before she turned 16 so probably could not have worked anyway. She worked the summer after her soph year. Then she was at a residential math/science school her jun/senior years so working was not possible during the school year. Summer after her junior year she was gone too much to be able to get a job. Since she graduated HS she has pretty much worked all the time either full time in the summer or part time during school.</p>

<p>Son pretty much had a job most of the time once he turned 16.</p>

<p>Really it depends on each individual's circumstances and other commitments.</p>

9

<p>I am a senior in HS right now and most people I know who are going to college (including me) have jobs. My hometown is pretty unique though and there are a lot of local shops that rely on high school students. I work at least 10 hours a week and don't really have trouble keeping up with school work.</p>

10

<p>Our system is summer work only after turning 16. During the high school year, it must be dedication to class requirements and other activities.</p>

11

<p>My oldest worked from the age of 15. Although she had a strong academic classload, she only played one sport during HS so she was able to work part-time outside of that sport's season (flexible work schedule helped). She wasn't overly involved in HS clubs, although she had activities/volunteering outside of school, but mostly on weekends.</p>

<p>My middle child could only fit in a few hours of tutoring during the school week, as he was away at summer programs (like Governor's School) for 3 summers while in HS. But tutoring, he got paid $25/hr so he got along fine. Senior year, he had 6 APs, several clubs he was heavily involved in, weekly volunteering, and Saturdays spent taking college classes. He just didn't have time for a job. As the academic demands got heavier throughout the years, he had to drop sports and ECs along the way. Tough choices but we let HIM decide how he preferred to spend his time. Luckily, his summer activites were "free" or by scholarhsips, so loss of income wasn't that big of a deal. He was forced to live cheaply. Now in college, he works as does my oldest and they earn all their own spend $ and contribute toward college expenses.</p>

<p>My youngest, a HS soph, is hoping to get a job this summer but she won't be able to work during the school year. She plays Varsity and club sports all throughout the year along with taking a tough academic schedule. This leaves her little free time. She leaves for school at 7 am and on game days, returns at 9 or10 pm - then she has to do homework. It's rare day when she doesn't have practice or a game, and when that happens, I actually like her to have those days to sleep in, or just chill with her friends or have a sleepover. Kids need some unstructured time to just sit and think. She was excited to have time over break to read just for fun.</p>

<p>In our area, there is a ton of difference between top academic class requirements (hours upon hours of homework/papers/projects). In lower levels, students may not even have homework. Some kids only take 4 academic classes or even leave school early to go to jobs, whereas the more academic kids are taking 8 classes. </p>

<p>So, it depends on the student. Some have more opportunity to work because they have lighter schedules. Or some students choose to work or MUST work, and therefore they have to give up HS sports/activities/demanding academic classes.</p>

<p>No right or wrong. It's all a tradeoff.</p>

12

<p>D1 didn't work until her senior year of HS. She was super busy with EC's sports etc and was a straight A student. I always thought school should be the priority and her grades. We were driving one day and she said "mom, my friends and I would just die if we had to work, pay for gas, insurance, college, like you did when you were younger". My car came to a screeching halt at the first help wanted sign that I saw driving by and I told her to go in and apply. I must have had that crazed look because she said nothing and just went in and applied. She started a job the next day and guess what? she didn't die. She stayed just as busy with everything else, kept straight A's and learned she definately wanted to do well in college and not be stuck at a lousy job. </p>

<p>DS2, got a job the summer he turned 16 and has worked there part time 2 days a week while he does just as many ECs, sports and also gets straight A's. They both save every penny they make. It teaches them to manage their time and appreciate what they earn and spend. When they're working, they're not spending. I pay for college, they pay for books and personal expenses. If something happens and I can't pay for it, they'll have money to fall back on. I am all for working at least a few hours a week. Admissions counselors and financial aid counselors have to view it as positive also.</p>

13

<p>
[quote]
My car came to a screeching halt at the first help wanted sign that I saw driving by and I told her to go in and apply. I must have had that crazed look because she said nothing and just went in and applied

[/quote]
That is funny. I would like to have been a fly on the window to see the look on her face.</p>

14

<p>We laugh about it now and she's also very careful with her words.</p>

15

<p>I agree with jerzgrlmom. No right, no wrong, just different kids, different families, different circumstances, different opportunities. My son works a few hours a week (work-study) at college for spending money. Both my kids though, while high school age, only worked summers. They also don't ask for money, don't get an allowance, and spend almost nothing. It's up to them if they want to work or not, I mean if they want the money they have to earn it, but I am not displeased with the other productive, creative, athletic, but non-income generating things they do with their time.</p>

16

<p>I only have a few friends who have part-time jobs, but it's because of family connections. The rest of my friends that are searching for part-time jobs have to be on a 6 month call-back list.</p>

17

<p>My oldest started working the second half of senior year. At the point, her classes were all online because of dual enrollment. She was also finished with her sports.</p>

<p>My middle DD started working junior year, but luckily her boss sheduled her around her sports and EC's. Not all bosses are willing to do that and still promote you to assistant manager, so she was really fortunate. </p>

<p>My youngest is in 11th grade and not working a "real" job. However, she has regular babysitting jobs that are scheduled around her EC's and sports.</p>

18

<p>i live on a farm and i have worked for four summers on it (fruit farm) i began the summer before freshman year and work is from 7-5 w/ an hour lunch 5 days a week, Saturdays are optional (7-12), except for cherry season, when I was shoveling ice at 5:30 (yes, in the morning) until 5; and it is a real baseline to get you to go to college and get a good, air-conditioned job; plus, by the end of the summer, school was looking good (7:52-2:50 seems easy when it's air-conditioned)
plus this experience gives me something interesting to write about on apps. and sets me apart while i've saved aobut nine thousand bucks in my savings account!</p>

19

<p>i'm a high school sophmore but i'm graduating next year.. i have never worked or gotten a job, i have experience because of my father yet i have not income on my name. I'm trying to find a job right now because i need show commitment on the college app</p>

20

<p>I'm currently a senior in HS and I've been working since I turned 15 at the same place. During the summer I average around 35 hours a week and during the school year right around 20. Although its been difficult to maintain straight a's and play varsity sports, I wouldn't trade my experience for anything. I have learned how to compromise, work with others and convince them to see my side of the issue. My parents' friends always tell my parents that they can tell a difference between me and my non-working friends. While I definitely understand how it can be difficult to get a job now of all times, but I would highly encourage every person who can to go out and look.</p>

<p>Plus, studies have shown that students who work 10-15 hours a week are more organized, more confident, and more prepared for the working world. So if you're iffy on the issue, I would suggest just trying it.</p>