Bruins rake, serve, and clean their way to a paycheck.

Being a teenager in high school already includes the struggles of finals and homework, but many students also juggle a job along with their academic responsibilities.

“It gets harder to keep your grades,” said Brooke Smith, a senior and a worker at the local grocery store, Holiday Market. “You have to get better time management, and you have to work harder to keep your grades where you want them.”

Taylor Borges, a junior and co-worker at The Nest, a furniture and clothing store in Auburn, agreed with Smith and explained how working affects her school work.

“It takes time away from homework,” she said.

Students learn a lot about people skills and how to balance their schedule between work and school.  

Smith discussed the connections she makes through her job.

“I got to meet a lot of new people,” she said. “It’s kind of a break from school , I don’t have to think about school while I am (at my job) … and being able to get money … I have to pay for my own gas and insurance.”

Making money is a definite need for high school students as they come into the early stages of adult finances but, before taking a job, students must be prepared for the time management demand it holds with it.

“I have learn(ed)  how to be more patient with rude customers…, how to manage school and work at the same time…, to better communicate with other adults, ‘cause all of my co-workers, most of them aren’t teenagers,” Smith said. “It is a really big commitment to get a job.”

It can be extremely time consuming to have a job, go to school, and participate in sports.

Senior Alyssa Pulkinghorn, a former employee at Kmart, talked about her experience working and participating in athletics.

“I juggled school and basketball at the same time,” she said, “If you are in a sport, I would strongly suggest to wait until your season is over to get a job.”

Having a job as a teen teaches a lot of life skills to students and can provide them with proper training for their future career.

Counselor Cindy Henry-Grimm advises students looking for a job.

“Be realistic, but be honest with your employer about what hours you can and can’t work so you’re not over stressing yourself,” she stated.