Work experience

Far from being lazy, teenagers have very full schedules. In addition to school, homework, and extracurricular activities, many teens want or need to work, for a number of different reasons, including to buy clothes and pay for outings and activities, to develop their sense of responsibility, and to gain more independence and work experience.

Under the right circumstances, working while in school is associated with several benefits, such as:

• improved organizational skills;
• better self-awareness and insight into their professional interests;
• improved self-esteem;
• acquisition of new knowledge and skills;
• enhanced sense of self-worth and recognition.

Conversely, the lack of balance between work and school can have negative consequences, as can an unsuitable workplace. Negative effects usually arise once the teen starts working more than 15 hours per week. The more hours per week a teenager spends working, the higher their risk of dropping out of school. Mental health problems such as anxiety and depression are also possible negative effects. A working teen may also:

• lack time and energy for their schoolwork;
• feel less motivated about school;
• experience repeated failures, which can affect their self-esteem;
• experience conflicts that are difficult for a person of their age to manage (hostility or abuse of power coming from a superior, co-workers, or customers);
• be asked to perform difficult, stressful, or dangerous tasks that are beyond their abilities and stage of development.

Having a job can be a very positive experience for high school students, but it is important to make sure the workplace is healthy, and their tasks are appropriate. However, having a job is not essential to a teenager’s development. It is entirely possible to get the same benefits from other types of activities (community involvement, sports, recreational activities, volunteering, etc.). The main priorities should always be the teen’s health, well-being, and academic success.

• Work plays an important role in a teenager’s life, especially toward the end of high school;
• While there are several benefits associated with having a job, working long hours can also have negative effects on a teen’s health and motivation to stay in school;
• Even though working can be a highly rewarding experience for a teenager, they need to make school their top priority.