Teens Getting that J-O-B

by Hadley Freshour

Are you bored and in need of something to keep you busy, while it also helps you out in a lot of

ways? Having or getting a job just might be the right answer for you. Working as a teenager

helps you in many different ways, such as showing a growth in maturity, gaining experience and

receiving money for the work you put in.

In Parkersburg, Erin Riesbeck, Junior at Parkersburg South High School is one of many teenagers in Parkersburg who work. Erin works at Logans Roadhouse in Vienna, WV, and was recently interviewed about the positive and/or negative benefits from working as a teenager. There are many positive impacts and benefits you get from working while in school. “One of the reasons why I like working is because when I get paychecks it makes me feel

accomplished. Also, during the holidays or birthdays I can buy my friends and family nice gifts." Riesbeck stated. Money you receive because of working helps you learn how to spend and save your money responsibly. Earning your own money gives you independence. Erin says, “I always doubled on Sundays during soccer season because that was my only free day during the week. I would make about $100 per week just from doubling on Sundays.” Most teenagers are always in need of money, for food or other activities, such as school sporting games. If you have your own job and earn your own money, you wouldn’t be in need of money. There are also fun moments with working, Erin explains, “I have met a lot of new people and made new friends working at Logan’s and I recently got my best friend since birth to work there with me.” Working helps with experience, and gets you used to a job before the real world, while having a good time. Having a job while young also can help interacting with other individuals if one would struggle with that. Erin Riesbeck also talks about how she's developed a close friendship with her manager, “My managers are very supportive, and helpful with me and my schedule. My manager Jeff has came to several of my soccer games for South and would always help me with my schedule so I wouldn’t have to miss any soccer during the season.”

Working doesn’t mean you have to miss your extracurricular activities, your schedule can meet your needs. Working builds responsibilities, you are seen as a worker and a young adult, not an irresponsible kid. Like said it helps with interacting, it helps you work with other people on a physical type basis. Erin said she was very glad she works there, and shes not going to be looking for a new job anytime soon. “I started working because I was upset and going through a rough time and I had a lot of free time. My sister works there too so she tricked me into an interview.’’ There are many benefits from working as a teenager, and many places are always looking for new employees.