Since Carmel is one of the most affluent cities in Indiana, it is no surprise that people stereotype students here as being spoiled or pampered.

In essence, the stereotype is true. Many students in Carmel have wealthy parents who pay for their cars, clothes, phones and other luxuries, but this might not be a benefit. Dependence on parents is not necessarily negative but it should be the job of the students to at least pay for some of their expenses.

Part-time jobs are the natural solution to this problem. Though it’s important for students to not overload themselves in school, having a part-time job can be a positive experience. It can prepare students for later when they embark on their careers by giving them work experience. Furthermore, having a job in high school sets students apart when applying for college, as colleges like to see students participating in a multitude of activities in high school, besides studying.

Arguably, the biggest advantage of having a part-time job in high school is the work ethic the student will have at the end of high school. Juggling a job and studying at the same time at an academically challenging school, such as Carmel, is no mean feat. Students who manage both will acquire great time management skills as well as the ability to do quality work. These skills pay off in college. It’s easy to differentiate students who worked hard in high school and those who didn’t when they are in college. Beyond college, those who took on part-time jobs during their high school careers can handle multiple responsibilities in “the real world” better.

When students have to manage their money in high school, they learn how to keep a budget. Learning how to control investments at such a young age can be a real eye-opener and can be a valuable life lesson. On the other hand, students who are not responsible for keeping track of their money may never learn to limit their spending. Regardless of what they use their money for, students can gain crucial experience controlling their spending and be ahead of their peers.

Furthermore, with part-time jobs, teens can gain useful, marketable skills. They can work on improving their communication, learning how to handle people, developing interview skills and filling out job applications. As more and more people become exposed to excellent education systems, people skills are sometimes the deciding factor in entrance to certain colleges. Even after college, employers like to see cooperation with colleagues and communication skills rather than high I.Q.

It’s not all about experience, though. A 2008 study by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that students who work between one and 20 hours a week get better grades than students who do not work at all. Though common logic would lead one to believe that less time working means more time to complete schoolwork, in most cases more free time means more time to do things other than homework. Employment gives teens less time to engage in risky behaviors.

All in all, students should have a part-time job in high school because it teaches them the value of their education and makes them more mature. Although paying for their own expenses can take a lot of time and energy, students can learn many life lessons that will help in the future. High school is not too early to start learning these valuable skills.

Rushi Patel is a reporter for the HiLite. The views in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff. Reach him at [email protected].