In today’s society students find themselves in situations where they may have to work. According to Statisa.com, in 2021 around 19.4 percent of teenagers between ages 16 and 19 were employees while enrolled at school in the United States.

Senior Kasey Reid works at Dick’s Sporting Goods in the apparel department, although she is cross trained in several other departments. Reid works two four-hour shifts a week but picks up more hours during the busy seasons. 

“I fold clothes, do returns, put new clothes out and do fitting rooms. I can also do almost all the other jobs like cashier, footwear, team sport, fitness, and I have done most of them,” Reid said. 

Reid chose to work at Dick’s Sporting Goods because she is an athlete and spends a lot of time and money at the store. Reid enjoys the discount she receives as an employee. Reid has had a job since she was 15 years old. She uses the money she earns for gas, food, clothes and saving for college. 

“I do love the discount, but I love the people I work with. I feel very accomplished to have a job and do it well,” Reid said 

Reid has to juggle school, work and other activities after school. 

“Sometimes it is hard. I could have something after school then rush to work to be just on time,” Reid said. 

Junior Emma Kianka works at Weis. She works six to seven hours on the weekends and four hours on Tuesdays and Wednesday. Kianka already knew someone working at Weis and thought it would be easier for Kianka to get a job at Weis and to make friends 

“I love being able to help people if they need it and socialize with other people I don’t see often,” Kianka said. 

In March, Kianka will have been at Weis for a year. Kianka works as a cashier, a monitor where she watches and helps people who are in self checkouts, and she does Ishop, which is online orders. 

“Both of my parents had me get a job for college and to show me responsibility, but I wanted a job because I knew I had to get out of the house especially after quarantine. I knew I needed the money to help with college and to show me what a job would be like for the future,” Kianka said. 

Getting a job has impacted her life.

“Even though I get super tired now, it still feels like a reward after knowing you are getting something in return for doing it,” Kianka said. 

Kianka has good relationships with all her coworkers.

“The environment is very friendly. You have some bad days, and you learn to work around those,” Kianka said. “The worst days are dealing with rude customers and the best days are whenever there aren’t a lot of people and it isn’t overwhelming but also isn’t dead.”

Senior Marin Cooney works at Michaels craft store. Cooney works every Saturday and Sunday for about four to five hour shifts. Cooney’s sisters both had jobs in high school, and she felt that she needed to follow in their footsteps. Cooney has worked there for about a year and a half.

“I work every Saturday and Sunday, and an additional one or two days during the week. However, scheduling is a mess and hours get cut left and right, but typically, I work about 17 hours a week,” Cooney said. 

Cooney chose to work at Michaels because it deals with things that interest her like painting. Also working at Michaels craft store she gets a discount on all things in the store.

“I don’t really like my job, but I do like my coworkers. I’ve had a lot of great conversations with coworkers, and we all get along pretty well, and that shows through helping each other, covering shifts, and bringing in desserts and things for everyone to share,” Cooney said. 

Having a job has taught Cooney responsibility, earning money and given her the opportunity to budget and save. 

“Every Sunday we do an in-store crafting event I get to be in charge of. I set up a table and get all the supplies out for anyone to come do, and I make up these bags for a craft people can take home. Whenever this happens, I also get to make the craft which can be painting, jewelry making  or slime, which makes for an easy and fun day,” Cooney said.