The Double Life
“We interviewed 7 working CSH seniors who actually had to go out of their way to find more long term opportunities outside in the real world in order to provide for their family. We came across two categories that these students embody: the ones who embody the struggle, and the ones who embody the good side of it all.”
You’ve heard of college students having to work jobs to pay for their tuition. Now imagine not having the responsibility to pay for tuition but still having to work while in high school. 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. As students we come home exhausted from a long school day, but we never think about those students who have other real and big responsibilities outside of school. Whether they are working to help their families pay bills or just working to no longer burden their parents with things they want to purchase. Many of us are lucky enough to not have to work a job while in high school because our parents provide for us financially, but unfortunately this isn’t the case for everyone.
Comp Sci High offers a wide selection of internships to students of all grades. This is an amazing opportunity that not many NYC high schools offer. When the school was originally created, internships were a critical part of the education for students. That isn't always the case in schools. However, there are times when students find that the stipends that come with those internships aren’t enough to help support themselves and their families. When this happens, students have to go out on their own to find jobs that will provide them with better hourly wages. Getting a job as a teen is not easy. Whether you are “too young,” “underqualified,” or just don't make the cut; it's hard to get a job in many places and it's even harder to maintain it while also balancing school.
We interviewed 7 working CSH seniors who actually had to go out of their way to find more long term opportunities outside in the real world in order to provide for their family. We came across two categories that these students embody: the ones who embody the struggle, and the ones who embody the good side of it all.
The Struggle:
“It made me very depressed.”
“I lost 10 pounds"
"They will take my break away."
"It was stressful.”
A fellow senior shared this experience with me while working at Popeyes from 5 - 11; she went on to explain that whenever she was late they would take her break away leaving her no time to eat or even take a break to do school.
Another senior, Sebastian Davis, told me that sometimes he will also get no breaks due to being understaffed, getting home late, and feeling like everything was stressful while being a part of the Five Below team. There seems like a common route going on where students are feeling stressed and overwhelmed which leads them to be discouraged and doubt the stuff they are doing. These students all share in common not having a schedule that allows them to take time from themselves when it comes to mental health, physical health, and school.
“The work environment can be stressful,” Izaih told me. He went on to talk about the unrealistic standards put on him by his coworkers, and how it's not always easy to get along with everyone.
“The first time I did overnight, I worked 14 hours straight.” Izaih told me about how this shift burned him out both physically and mentally. Not only are there struggles within the work environment but also outside of it. Traveling is a major issue that Izaih faces, as he works night shifts and oftentimes by the time he is out, the buses are no longer running.
Even someone like David, who has been working from the age of 10, still faces conflicts at work. Transitioning into the work environment as a teen isn’t easy. It can quickly become very overwhelming and a lot to manage, especially as someone who is still attending school and can't dedicate 100% of themselves to their job.
Because of this many employed students can start to fall behind on their studies as they begin adjusting to their work lives. David C. shared that “when we had Saturday prep I wasn’t able to attend, which resulted in my grade dropping drastically.” Missing out on mandatory Saturday prep caused him, along with others, to fall behind on content.
The Good Side:
But don't let these experiences discourage you. They are not always the case for everyone.
“It was never a struggle for me,” Adrian Gonazales told me. Not everyone has bad experiences.
“I started at 16 wanting to make my own money, and I was supported by my parents,” he said.
Adrian enjoys his job as he does it as a side hustle to earn spending money. He has an easy flexible schedule so he doesn't worry about not having enough time to spend with the people he loves or not having enough time to do the activities he enjoys. Both Izaih and David told me about being able to save the money they earn and use it to invest or simply save for future personal purchases.
Having their own money, they have learned to manage it properly and have learned the value it truly holds. “You create bonds that go outside of work,” Izaih said. At work you come across many new people and create relationships with those people and they can often result in a long term friendship. Izaih mentioned how his friendship with Sebastian grew after working together at Five Below. Sebastian would drive Izaih home after late night shifts. Another positive thing about the workforce is that you can pursue a career from it. David began working in an HVAC company because of his dad, and he is now pursuing a career in construction because he fell in love with the work and it is something he truly enjoys.
Of course more things came to light, and after two and a half months at Five Below, Seb was offered a manager position and his work became smoother. He hit a 100 hour mark in 2 weeks, which was never done before as a part-timer. Pretty impressive, right? With these achievements he was able to get a car and with that he was able to get to work quicker and most importantly make connections. Another fellow senior shared with us that she was the only person to pass the test given to them which led her to getting hired on the day of the interview! She shared some words from experience that “going into work with a negative mindset is way different from going into work with a positive mindset.’’ She followed up, saying: “The mindset you start with is the energy you will receive.”
Some students also shared some words of advice to those who are wanting to go out and get a job. Izaih said:“I think it’s good for people to experience being independent and how things are in the real world.” Being able to provide for yourself at a young age is something to be proud of. “Having someone to guide you and support you mentally is fundamental,” David told me. He talked about how working can be fun and if you are determined enough, go for it.
It’s never too early to start, if you want to begin making your own money there are many opportunities out there waiting for you.