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By Lena Pearson

For the Clemmons Courier

For most high school students, the nearly three-month vacation from school is a time spent relaxing with no textbooks or responsibilities in sight. However, many Titans spend their warm summer days differently, by being on the clock rather than outdoors. Whether you apply for a job to save up for the future or simply for the sake of a new experience, having a summer job as a teenager is the perfect opportunity to not only make some cash, but learn valuable life skills in the process.

It has been one year since I began my first ever job at Ketchie Creek Bakery & Cafe in Clemmons. I began in the summertime, allowing me to get into the habit of going to work every other day and routinely interacting with customers from all walks of life. Having even the shortest of conversations with people who were initially strangers allowed for friendly relationships to form and gave me confidence when meeting new faces. Regularly engaging with different people in customer service has proven to be one of the most impactful aspects of my job, because even behind a cash register, I’m able to strengthen the social skills that are crucial in day to day life. 

As well as the social benefits of having a summer job, many Titans note the advantages that it brings on financially. High school is a time of planning for the future, and a job is often the first step towards reaching these goals.

“I like having a source of income to help prepare me for college,” Publix employee Kaitlyn Rogers said. “Working, especially during the summer, has helped me to save so much more.”

Others feel that working during the summer is helpful to staying busy while simultaneously making an income. 

“I really like working during the summer because it gives me a purpose similar to school. Staying busy helps me keep track of time and obviously making money is nice,” Harris Teeter employee Madelyn Woodard said.

Despite the obvious positives of having a summer job and saving up money, there are a few downsides to spending your vacation time in a working environment. Many high schoolers work upwards of 40 hours a week, limiting their free time spent with family and friends. Setting aside time for personal activities is a common obstacle that many teenage employees face during the summer. 

“Working during the summer is a blessing and a curse,” Outback Steakhouse host Gwen Spear said. “I have so much more freedom in what I buy and the activities I get to do with my own funds, but it’s also a pain because there are things outside of work that I can’t do due to me having a job.” 

Although spending a large portion of your summer vacation at work may limit the time spent in your typical social circle, teenage workers often find friendship with their fellow coworkers. 

“Making plans is so hard with my friends when all of us have different work schedules, however, I have become much closer with my coworkers,” Spear said. 

Friendships with coworkers are some of the most special and unique bonds that form from shared experiences.

 “I am very grateful for my summer job. I love how it allows me to stay connected to my friends,” Ketchie Creek employee Kate Najmulski said. 

Having a summer job as a teenager may seem daunting at first, but it is an ultimately rewarding route for high school students that are trying to find their path. Whether it be to earn money, gain social skills, or keep busy, a summer job is one of the best ways to prepare for your upcoming chapters of adolescence.