Many Elmwood Park High School students look for first jobs that will help them earn money and gain experience during their high school years. Having a job prepares high school students for their upcoming careers and can be very beneficial to their lives after high school. Since 2023, the college enrollment rate has decreased from 66.2% to  61.4%. This indicates that many people are not able to depend on a college degree and may need a job early on during high school that will present plenty of opportunities for them later in life.

Some useful advantages to having a job in high school is gaining skills such as communication, time management, and even professionalism. These skills benefit a person greatly in the long run and  prepare them for real life situations.

A poll was sent out to EPHS students, asking them about their current jobs. According to the survey, cashiers, fast food workers, and camp counselors are the most common jobs for students at EPHS, followed by lifeguards and babysitters. Here’s a closer look at the top three jobs EPHS students are pursuing in high school and the unique benefits each job offers.

Top Three Jobs

#1 – Cashier

Being a cashier requires skill and an understanding of hard work. Some examples of skills that are taught throughout the food industry include patience as well as customer service. These workers need to know how to react quickly in unexpected situations. A job as a cashier can also help high school students develop better people skills.

#2 – Fast Food Worker

Fast food workers are taught time management and an understanding of hard work. These are great skills that will prepare teenagers for the real world. Fast food workers also gain valuable experiences and build useful skills, such as  communicating and thinking quickly under pressure. 

#3 – Camp Counselor

Last but not least, a camp counselor requires the skills of leadership as well as problem solving and teamwork. Working with kids is a great way to teach young people how to prepare themselves for unexpected, last-minute situations. There is plenty of responsibility and pressure when it comes to camp counselors. However, this is exactly what is needed to gain the full experience.

As you can see, teenagers’ first jobs are very important. You should weigh your options carefully in order to choose a job that is right for you. For your first job, you should choose one that will help you build a strong work ethic and develop management skills. Overall, these experiences will contribute to your personal growth as well as your professional growth.

Works Cited:

• First Jobs for Teens | ASVAB CEP. (n.d.). ASVAB Career Exploration Program. Retrieved October 29, 2024, from https://www.asvabprogram.com/media-center-article/140
• Why Being a Camp Counselor is the Best Job You’ll Ever Have. (n.d.). Camp Blue Ridge. Retrieved October 29, 2024, from http://blueridgecamp.com/camp-counselor-best-job-youll-ever/
• Dorn, A. (2024, April 29). More high school grads forgoing college, taking chances in job market. NewsNation. Retrieved October 29, 2024, from https://www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/education/high-school-grads-college/
• EPHS  First Jobs, 10, 2024