Once a student turns 16 years old, the inevitable happens: one is allowed to apply for a part-time job without being told they are “too young.” In Green Hope High School, seven out of 11 students have a part-time job. Six out of the 11 have had more than one. Working a job leads to getting paid, but the question is, how do these teens spend the money they earn?
Initially, many high school students choose to enter the workforce early for the opportunity to gain financial independence and real-world experience. The types of jobs teenagers take can include retail to food service, typically because these businesses often offer flexible hours that accommodate school schedules. The most common part-time jobs among students include working at McDonald’s, Chick-Fil-A, T.J. Maxx and Five Below. Other starter options may include babysitting or small businesses.
After working the job and earning their first paycheck, how do teens spend their newly earned money? Some students may spend money on clothing pieces and jewelry in stores such as Pacsun or Hollister. Junior student Varunika Gaddampally (‘27), who has a part-time job as a party associate for kids’ birthday parties, stated, “Out of my earnings, I spend around $100 in clothing or small things for myself like jewelry and toys.” Setting aside money for clothes shopping can be a common way for teens to make use of their income.
Cesia Ortiz Murillo (‘27), another junior, who works at Shake Shack, practices saving her money for future use, rather than spending on food or clothing. Murillo reported, “If I don’t use my money on necessities such as food or gas, then the majority of my money goes into savings.” Other ways students put their money to use include not spending at all, but instead stashing it for later use.
With multiple students expressing their ways of spending money as savings, clothing or utilities, this shows the variety of ways one can spend income from working a part-time job. As students, receiving hard-earned money becomes a big part of reaching independence and a sense of accomplishment. The way Green Hope students spend their money can be reflected as a reward for balancing academics and working a part-time job well.
