Imagine this: A Loyola student wakes up early in the morning to go to school. He pays attention during his classes and is mentally drained when school is over. He now has to hurry to his shift and work for the next few hours. When he gets home, he has to complete all his school-related work and any extracurricular activities. Despite all this, he is still expected to go to sleep on time and repeat the same thing the next day. This is the reality for many Loyola students. Students working part-time jobs are currently the highest since 2009. Many students who work part-time jobs struggle to balance work with school and other activities. This raises the question, why would students take on such a significant responsibility?
Andrew Kozman ‘28 explains, “I got a job because I wanted the freedom of buying stuff with my own money. My parents pay for my basic necessities, so I just save all the money I earn to buy the stuff that I want.” Most Loyola students simply appreciate the freedom of having their own money. Many high school students save money to buy things they want, or save for long-term goals such as college tuition or a new car. In recent years, there has been a strong job market for students because employers have been more willing to hire teens due to worker shortages.
Andrew Sweeney ‘27 narrates, “Having a job has taught me about responsibility. It’s a valuable experience that you can’t get in a classroom because your employer is paying you to be there as opposed to school, where you are the one paying to be there.” In addition to financial gain, part-time jobs supply high school students with valuable real-world experiences. It gives them something to put on their resume and can teach valuable lessons about responsibility. Many believe that although balancing work with school is difficult, those who manage it will be left with important skills for the future.
In the past, many high school students have had to work in order to support their family. Although fortunately this is rarely the case at Loyola, some teens work in order to afford basic necessities. With rising prices, work becomes more appealing and sometimes necessary. Many high school students spend their income on needs such as gas, clothes, and food. As more Loyola students take on part-time jobs, their experiences reflect a broader trend seen across the country. While students have different reasons for working, ranging from financial independence to work experience, the challenge of balancing work with school remains consistent. As teen employment continues to rise, it remains a significant part of student life both on and off campus.
