Pros, Cons of Working Part Time

I’ve been noticing a trend among my students that is most likely a reflection of the economics of the ‘90s: More of them are taking part-time jobs.

In my high school years, working was largely a matter of choice. The money my peers and I earned usually was spent on extras, such as cars, clothes or ski trips.

Not today. Working is a necessity for many students, and the money is buying basics.

Some parents have asked me whether part-time work is healthy for teen-agers who already must contend with increased academic competition.

There are a few disadvantages to working part-time, but I think the benefits outweigh them.

First, the benefits.

Money tops the list, of course. It’s nearly everyone’s main reason and reward for working. In fact, for some kids, money from part-time work can make the difference between college and no college, because student loans and other forms of financial aid are becoming harder to obtain.

Part-time employment can also give students some entry-level skills that can lead to better jobs later.

I’ve noticed that some of my students have unrealistic notions about the work world, and a part-time job can help bring them back down to earth.

A lot of kids, for example, think that they’ll start near the top of the career ladder, make a fortune and retire early. But after a couple of weeks at a job, they’ve generally learned that it’s not so easy, and that there will be dues to pay for a long time.

A little work experience can also help students narrow their career interests and choose elective classes accordingly.

Outside jobs tend to help teen-agers develop social skills too. After all, their income depends on learning to get along with customers, colleagues and bosses, some of whom may be very different--and some of whom may be just plain unlikable.

Time management is a problem for a lot of students, but I’ve noticed that kids with jobs are often better at it than those without. They’re the ones who carry pocket calendars and record due dates. They also designate blocks of time for their homework and make the most of it.

Self-esteem can also be nurtured through employment; responsibility and a paycheck help kids feel both useful and successful.

Bear in mind, however, that there are some disadvantages to working.

For one, teen-agers may not find wages as high as in past years. Tough times mean that many of the jobs that used to fetch $5 or $6 an hour are now paying minimum wage ($4.25 an hour).

Kids may also have to accept jobs that they have traditionally avoided, such as child care (it carries low pay) and fast-food service (it carries a stigma in some circles).

But the biggest potential disadvantage to working part-time is that it takes time away from schoolwork. If a student’s work schedule is too demanding, he or she just won’t have the time to succeed in school.

To reduce conflicts with school, the state Department of Industrial Relations imposes strict limits on employment of anyone under 18.

Twelve- and 13-year-olds can work only on non-school days, and only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Fourteen- and 15-year-olds may work after school and on non-school days, but only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. during the school year.

Sixteen- and 17-year olds cannot work more than four hours on a school day. Their work hours are confined to 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., or until 12:30 a.m. if there is no school the next day.

Students ages 12 through 17 may work only if they attend school full time or have a high school degree. They must have work permits if they are not high school graduates. In the end, though, I think that only the parent and child can reasonably determine whether a job would be a plus--or too much to handle.