OC High asks: Should teens hold a job during the school year? : OC HIGH / STUDENT NEWS & VIEWS
Responses gathered by Christine Monette, Rosary; Catherine Rickard, Kennedy; Tricia Michels, Fountain Valley; Cherie Chan, Marina; Mona Hanouni, Loara; Lezza Duong, Santiago; Priscilla Leite, Saddleback; Josline Gemsch, Capistrano Valley; Koreen Kalie, Westminster; Michelle Pham, Trabuco Hills; Judy Tsai, Huntington Beach; Jennifer Tobkin, Villa Park; Jenny Yee, Canyon; Dana Lenetz, Foothill; Laurel Gorman, Mission Viejo; Mike Moore, Saddleback; Kai Wang, Anaheim; Tori Clive, Cypress; Linda Dao, Los Amigos; Alison Koodrich, Ocean View, and Kiran Jain, El Dorado.
“Of course! Because if they didn’t, who would serve us our greasy Big Macs?”
Amanda Hofstetter, 17
junior, Loara
“No, because having a job is really stressful, and the money isn’t worth it.”
Frank Alvarez, 18
senior, Santiago
“Yeah, they’re practicing for leadership.”
Dung Ha
freshman, Saddleback
“No, unless you’re a senior who’s slacking.”
Matt Reisdorf, 17
senior, Mission Viejo
“Learning doesn’t come only from the classroom. If a job doesn’t interfere with schoolwork and grades, it is a good experience. I’m a bank teller and student, but it’s not for everyone.”
Elizabeth Monette, 18
senior, Rosary
“I don’t think the question is should teens hold a job; I believe many students feel it is a necessity to have a job.”
Kelly Gallagher, 16
junior, Capistrano Valley
“No, they shouldn’t, because it messes up your grades.”
David Lindberg, 17
junior, Trabuco Hills
“I think it teaches responsibility. You don’t have to mooch off your parents or friends for money.”
Craig Harrell, 16
sophomore, Cypress
“School should always be your first priority, but if you can keep up with both, then go for it. In the future you have to balance a career and a family, so this will give you an advantage because you already have some experience. Also, when you’re out of high school and looking for a new job, you already have a lot of work experience. Your application will be more impressive
than someone who has never worked. I think as long as it doesn’t affect your grades, you should do it.”
Silvia Serna, 16
junior, Anaheim
“It depends. I think kids should get involved with school activities, but if their family needs the money, I guess they don’t have a choice.”
Tiffany Alvis, 18
senior, Kennedy
“No. Teens should maintain a high academic level. Only weekend jobs would be acceptable, or possibly summer jobs.”
Justin Paras, 16
junior, Huntington Beach
“They should if they want to and need the money, but they shouldn’t be forced to unless money is an issue.”
Sara Newkirk, 16
junior, Villa Park
“If they can keep up the responsibilities that they have in the process, then I think that getting a job is a good choice.”
Jumi Pak, 16
sophomore, Los Amigos
“Yes, we need money. Why shouldn’t we keep a job?”
Anna Tolen, 16
junior, Westminster
“Yes, if they can work it into their schedule without interfering with their classes. School is definitely more important, because it will lead to more permanent jobs than anything you could have now.”
Carrie Cammack, 16
sophomore, Fountain Valley
“Yes, because you get to meet new and exciting people.”
Adele Aguirre, 18
senior, Canyon
“Depends on the situation. Some can handle it, but others may not be able to. Their grades can drop. It is a good way to teach students responsibility.”
Jeanie Lee, 16
junior, Marina
“I don’t think teens should because it takes up too much time.”
Katherine Held
freshman, Saddleback
“Having a job is a big responsibility, and if you believe you can handle it, then you should. School should always be the No. 1 priority though.”
John Doan, 17
senior, Ocean View
“I don’t think teens should hold a job while in school. High school is an important time in your life to concentrate on your studies.”
Jennifer Joag, 17
junior, El Dorado
“Yes, because real-world lessons are taught.”
Lam Nguyen, 18
senior, Saddleback
“Yes, if they want or need the money. But it should not be a job that takes too much time or is so demanding that they can’t keep up in school.”
Breanna Poston, 16
junior, Foothill
“In my case, having a job keeps me busy; it helps to prevent me from acquiring the ‘couch-potato syndrome.’ Having a job also teaches me how to budget my time. It is also important to have money in your pocket for those emergencies, when you’re bored out of your mind and want to do something other than staring into the air.”
Paul Barbieri, 17
senior, Anaheim
“Students should have the opportunity to work during the school year. If a person has the need to work to better themselves, more power to them, but they’re going to have to reorganize and prioritize work, school and social life. A person should always have an option to do so, but why rush it if you have the rest of your life to work?”
Mina Vasquez, 17
junior, Rosary
“Some can; some can’t. It’s a matter of how well they handle daily tasks.”
Nina Mar, 14
freshman, Loara
“Some teens, like me, are trying to earn money for college. As long as my grades don’t fall, there’s no harm.”
Tina Nguyen, 17
junior, Santiago
“If they are capable of it, then more power to them. But their education should be put first.”
Mary Lou Soto, 16
junior, El Modena
“Yeah, some people have to because of financial reasons.”
Ai-Tien Chau, 16
junior, Westminster
“I think that a job shows a sense of responsibility. It also allows you to earn your own money and not have to depend on your parents and makes you more independent. I only wish I had the time for an after-school job.”
Suzanne Kendall, 15
sophomore, Fountain Valley
