As you head into school, you’re absolutely drained. 

Between schoolwork keeping you up into the early hours of the morning, and your job taking up time after school, you’ve been having a hard time maintaining a normal sleep schedule.

However, it’s worth it.

Recommended Fields for a First Job

Usually, when navigating resumes and qualifications, at the center of it is the kind of job you’re trying to apply for. As high schoolers, we are limited in what we can do. But, there are quite a few options we can still choose from, without having to worry about qualifications we might not have even thought of.

Working in retail is a top choice. While at school you have multiple opportunities to enhance your communication skills, usually with your teachers and/or your peers, retail work opens you to the general public, where you can’t always gauge reactions or how conversations will go. You’re restricted to certain age groups in school, meanwhile you’ll see people of any age while out in the open. 

Alongside retail, working in fast food restaurants is also an option. This exposes you to a more fast-paced environment. It’ll help you become more efficient at working quickly under pressure, especially since while a majority of people have patience, and are willing to accept any potential mistakes, there are just as many who will not.

In regard to that, customer service is a skill you can learn. It is essential for any job you might want to apply for. So for people who are socially awkward and don’t like talking to people they don’t know, if you plan on getting a job during or after high school, you’ll have to find ways to help yourself feel more comfortable talking to the many different people you encounter.

In addition, you should always apply to more than one place at a time. You can’t always rely on how fast an employer may respond to your application, so it’s good to apply to your other available choices. You don’t want to wait too long for one reply, it’s better to try and apply to as many places as you can, and see where you get accepted. 

Student Jobs

Most students in high school are eligible to apply for jobs, and a majority do. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “In July 2024, 54.5 percent of young people (those ages 16 to 24) were employed, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. This measure was little changed from 55.0 percent in July 2023.” This is likely influenced due to students having more freedom while on summer break, since there is a considerable amount of time between school years, but this doesn’t excuse the fact there are many students not only in Missouri, but across all of America that have entered the workforce by their own volition, and before graduation.

There are many yet limited options for students, with the most common choices being a retail worker, barista, tutor, a fast-food worker/busser, and potentially a delivery driver–which is limited to those with drivers’ licenses.

In fact, the most common choice among students is either working in retail at places like Wal-mart and Target, or working fast food, at places like Culver’s, McDonald’s, Dairy Queen, and more. 

Junior Sam Parks decided to work retail.

How long have you been at your job, and how would you describe it?

“I’ve been working as an FOS–Front of Store–team member at Target for about eight months now. There’s lots of work to be done, but it’s enjoyable, and doesn’t have as many stressors as school does.”

Besides math, do you apply any school knowledge to your job?

“I honestly don’t use much math there, and even then, there’s not a whole lot of school knowledge I apply.”

Is it easy to balance school and work?

“It’s definitely easy to balance, because the managers are aware I’m also in school and are willing to work with my schedule.”

Would you recommend this as a good first job?

“Definitely, the environment is amazing. Customers and co-workers alike are really nice, alongside the managers, who will go out of their way sometimes to get their employees things, for example cooling vests for when we’re working Drive Up in the summer that cost $100 each. Pay is realistically a little above minimum wage, but that doesn’t take away from it being one of the best experiences as a first job.”

The Class Act Coffee Experience

You may have heard about it before, but Oak Park does offer a chance to work at the Class Act Coffee Shop, run by students. Senior Kam Sneegas just so happens to be one of those students.

How long have you been at your job, and how would you describe it?

“I’ve been there for about two months. It’s a lot of fun and really chill, until it feels like a hundred people just walked in, then it turns very stressful.”

Besides math, do you apply any school knowledge to your job?

“English I guess, for communication, and obviously math.”

Is it easy to balance school and work?

“Somewhat, since it’s built into the school day–usually half of a school day. I’m able to study there too, sometimes.”

Would you recommend working in this field?

“Absolutely. It’s like a fast pass out of school, and it’s really fun to run a business, because you have a say in how everything functions, and ideas for products and such. You get more control over the situation rather than anticipating what might happen.”

*If you would like to sign up for Class Act Coffee, please see the flyer.

Double the Work

For most people, working one job is the perfect fit for them. Whether because it pays good, or maybe they’ve found a way to enjoy it. For others, they may have to work two or more jobs, either of their own volition or to help make ends meet.

Physics teacher Chris Goll runs a lawn care company called “2 Daughters 1 Dad.” If you happen to be in his class, you’ve likely heard the stories he tells his students about situations he’s had with his clients.

How did you start your company?

“One day, my daughter wanted to start a lemonade stand. And I said to her, ‘you want to make money? Let’s make money.’ We sold lemonade, and mowed lawns. Because of that, I started buying better equipment, which ultimately led to the decision to start a company. It circles back to the original idea, because Chris the lawn guy is bringing more monetary gain than Mr. Goll is.”

Do you apply your knowledge as a teacher to lawn care?

“Yes. Primarily communication, because you have to tell the what and the why. I go by the saying, “Your Lawn, Your Money,” which can both apply to education, because you want to do the best possible for all parties involved, to put everyone in the best situation. It helps everyone to communicate about concerns, requests, or questions.”

How long have you been in lawn care/a teacher, and is it easy to balance both jobs?

“Well, it’s my sixth year with the company, and my 26th year teaching. Balancing the two is hard, especially when the school year is starting and ending, because I’m either getting out of summer or going into it, since that’s crunch time. Due to that, I haven’t really had a day off for a while. Either way, it helps to have a personal relationship with clients, and students too, so I can effectively communicate availability when need be.”