If there is one thing any teenager needs, it’s money. Here in Weedsport, the best way to do that is getting a job. School takes up a lot of time, so summer break is a great opportunity to earn some cash. Summer jobs can take place almost anywhere, be it working on a farm, in a restaurant, or babysitting.

However, getting a job may not be as simple as you would think. At the age most students look for a job, they require things like working papers, and filling out an application. Certain jobs may also need certain qualifications that not all student have. In Weedsport, most jobs are in a store or restaurant. These types of jobs are accessible to all kinds of students as most of the tasks will be stocking shelves, sweeping floors, bussing tables and assisting customers.

Some other essential things for jobs may be a certain level of people skills. Being able to control your emotions and stay polite while dealing with customers is a very important quality many employers look for when hiring. So people with a short temper or anger issues might want to consider jobs with very little people interaction.

There are many pros and cons of getting a summer job. Students here at Weedsport have some very different feelings about working during vacation.

Bradon Dietsche, a senior at Weedsport says “I hate my summer job; most people our age do. But it gets me money and that’s all I care about.”

While on the other hand junior, Katie Partlow thinks, “A summer job is a great way to get out of the house and stay busy over break.”

The benefits of a job are the money you earn but also the valuable job experience for the future. The job will also keep a teen busy during the summer, but maybe too busy. This time consumption can also be a negative aspect. It takes away free time and if you play a summer sport, it will be a challenge to try to fit everything in.

Summer jobs are also a source of freedom for teenagers because with a car, license and some money in their pocket, teens feel pretty invincible.  They can hold a job that is further away, and having access to a source of money and a car, they can go out on a trip or to the movies and other activities.

You are free to spend your money on whatever you want. Depending on the person it could be  new clothes, parts to fix up an old car,  or musical equipment.  Another good choice is to put your earnings into a bank account and save for expenses in the future such as college tuition or renting an apartment.

  Many teenagers (as well as their parents) would say that a summer job, or even just a job in general is an important part of any growing teen’s life and most of the positives outweigh the negative aspects of having a job during summer vacation.