High school is typically seen as a time to enjoy youth and focus on academics, but for many students the pressures of starting to work take priority. While some work to help out their parents and others focus on being taught the responsibilities of the workplace, working during high school comes with its own set of challenges.

A possible downside of working during high school is not having enough time to spend with friends. Weekend shifts can make it difficult to attend social hangouts and have time to relax. Having a job can also take students away from participating in sports, clubs and many other extracurricular activities. Generally, working students may feel like they are missing out on the key experiences of high school because of their extra responsibilities. Additionally, the academic pressures of late assignments and being too tired can have a negative impact.

“Many of my friends have jobs at Publix or Starbucks so that’s most likely where I plan on working. I see them balancing work and school well and I am confident that I will be able to balance it the same way they do,” said sophomore Vittorio Buttice.

While there’s a lot of challenges to face while working and being a student in high school, it is usually worth it. The good side is getting a lot of workplace experience and learning how to balance your life.

“I think that having a job during high school is good because you get the experience and you can have your own money to spend on things you enjoy,” shared sophomore Victoria Caicedo.