Most Saturday afternoons, my friends find me uncontactable. Instead of studying with them at the library or binge-watching a new TV show, I’m working my first job, as a barista at a cafe in Cupertino. After being hired in August, I’ve quickly adapted to the balance that working and studying requires.
I usually work 12 to 18 hours every week, spread out over three or four days in the afternoon and evening (a similar time commitment to playing a sport). Despite the long hours, I’ve seen countless benefits to having the job. Most obviously, I’m finally making my own money; each paycheck brings me a newfound sense of appreciation for every dollar I spend. And while I still tend to use my parents’ money for larger purchases, knowing that I’ll be more self-sufficient in college makes me proud.
But besides the monetary benefits, I’ve gotten to know tons of people, which I love. Whether it’s my coworkers, many of whom are almost a decade older, or the cafe regulars I’m becoming familiar with, working has made me rediscover my love for meeting new people and making new friends. Having conversations with adults and being able to receive advice and training from coworkers is incredibly valuable to me — and it’s something I wouldn’t have otherwise tried to do if I wasn’t working.
Having a job also forces you to communicate actively and constantly; as someone who’s often scared to ask for schoolwork extensions, asking my coworkers to cover a shift at first seemed terrifying. However, I’ve learned that people are often more than content to help out, especially with a genuine reason.
And while others complain about the time commitment and the difficulty of balancing work and studying, I find value in learning how to manage my time. Previously, as a color guard captain until the start of senior year, I was already balancing 14 to 20 hours of guard a week. However, working around a new schedule was a bigger adjustment; it requires me to account for days that I need to possibly cover someone else’s shift. Working late on Fridays or awkward timings on the weekends means less availability to spend time with my friends and family — and generally, better time management.
With less time to do my homework and study for tests, I’ve become much more efficient and productive. I can’t afford to spend my free time doomscrolling, and I’m more inclined to start studying since I know I’ll be working the days before a test.
Finding a job may feel initially difficult, especially for high school students at a pressure-packed school like SHS, but take it from me, it’s entirely doable: Start by searching on Indeed and scour local businesses in-person for signs that they might be hiring. Once you land that job, I hope you’ll be as lucky as I have been to enjoy my first real work experience — free drinks included.
