HIGH LIFE : Can a Part-Time Job and School Work Together?

High school students find themselves in search of a part-time job for reasons as varied as the jobs they fill. Obviously, longer hours at the workplace mean less hours on school work.

Most students at Servite High School believe that a part-time job is more beneficial than harmful, as long as it does not severely infringe on a student’s normal study habits. A part-time job can also be seen as an introduction to the world of work that awaits the high school and college graduate. It also gives students experience with the workplace.

Part-time jobs for teen-agers cannot be simply labeled harmful or beneficial; rather they should be judged on a case-by-case basis.

--Anthony DeFalco, Servite

Here are some responses to this week’s hot topic: “Do part-time jobs help or hinder full-time high school students?”

“During the week, it would hurt me to work because of sports and social events; however, I enjoy working during the weekend. It’s a way to get some extra cash and prepare for the ‘real world.’ ”

--A. Endert, 16, junior,

Bethel Baptist

“They help you learn what the world is really like while you’re still in high school.”

--Christen Oliver, 15,

freshman, Connelly

“They help more than they hinder, because they give students a sense of responsibility, make them independent and also help them learn how to deal with stress.”

--David Johnston, 18, senior,

Cypress

“They hinder the education process, but they help the social process of high school students.”

--Tracy Matsuo, 18, senior,

Cypress

“Jobs leave less time for study, but other viable things are learned in working and taking that kind of responsibility.”

--Amy Watt, 17, junior, Dana Hills

“A part-time job helps a person to show his or her true potential.”

--Mark Plettinck, 16, junior, Loara

“A part-time job helps a full-time high-school student by creating an escape from the pressures of school.”

--Jennifer Bailey, 16, junior, Loara

“A part-time job helps the student financially, but academically and socially it hinders the student because school in itself can easily be a full-time occupation.”

--Kelley Dunn, 17, senior,

Whittier Christian

Next Week’s Hot Topic: “What is the ‘ultimate’ status symbol among students at your high school?”

Hot Topic responses gathered by Roxane Dyrud (Bethel Baptist), Nikki Boramanand (Connelly), Lynda Kim (Cypress), Chris Bergerud (Dana Hills), Jane Kim (Loara) and Laura Voloshin (Whittier Christian).