In Trinity High School, there are many teenagers that work at jobs after the school day. At their jobs, teens usually spend their shifts taking orders, delivering food, stocking shelves or working as cashiers. Being able to balance school life and work life is important to maintaining one’s well-being.
Many teenagers work at jobs during the summer or during the school year after school. The usual amount of time that teenagers work during the school year is three-five days a week. In Pennsylvania, teenagers under the age of eighteen require a work permit from their school to actually get a job, and the hours teenagers can can work each week are limited. Additionally, if a teen works five or more hours in a day, they need a 30 minute break.
Some people pick jobs that are convenient and that are not far from their house; for example, Junior Elijah Clark chose convenience and works at a local fast food restaurant, Chick-fil-a.
Clark explained he works for “the social interaction. Not being in your house all the time. It gives you something to do.”
The most common job for teenagers is working at a fast food restaurant. Some people have said that they enjoy working at fast food due to the interaction with other people and the fact that they are on their feet moving around. However, there are negatives like complaints about orders being wrong, the quality of the food and the customer service.
Students need to make sure their their place of employment abides by Pennsylvania’s Child Labor laws so they can balance work and school. Work can be fun and enjoyable if teenagers can find the right job.
