Open-ended Responses to High School Work Behaviors By Recently Graduated College-Bound Students

Richard L. Hannah, Ph.D.
Professor of Economics, MTSU
rlhannah@mtsu.edu

The following 112 comments were given by incoming MTSU freshmen during
orientation in the summer of 1999.  These were open-ended comments
solicited as part of a survey of all incoming freshmen.  The objective of
the survey was to gather information about the work patterns of recently
graduated, college bound high school graduates.  This document is a
supplement to the papers being developed from data analysis.  Comments
have only been crudely edited.  

478:
I worked only the 2nd semester, usually, b/c of band. The late part of summer 
and the fall were usually full of guard rehearsals. When I did work, the
money I earned was mine to do w/ as I pleased, and the only reason I would 
save was to pay for prom stuff.

470:
I think that if you need a job or want to work, that you should. I, 
personally, had no need for a job. I looked for one in places that I would
have enjoyed working in, but since it was unnecessary, I didn't worry
about it when there were no openings.

569:
I tried to minimize my working, because after coming home from work, I
didn't feel like doing school work.

560:
Working in high school provides students with opportunities of professional 
growth and an increased level of responsibility, which they carry over
into the classroom. As long as work is not abused then it is worthwhile. 

547:
I would have like very much to work during high school but my parents were 
afraid of my grades suffering because of extra-curricular activities I was
involved in such as band.

539:
I think it depends on what time of day you work and how the hours are spread
throughout the work. Also, it depends on what kind of job you have - Overall,
I think for the most part - jobs have no general effect on one's grades.

534:
Working in school helped me realize the responsibility & expenses of being
on my own.

535:
You should only work if you can handle it. No one should be required or
made to work.

603:
I am going to try to work. Maybe 20-25 hours per week while in school, 
but allow time for academics.

604:
My senior year, I kept score for the local parks department basketball games. 
About a month after the season was over, I applied and received a job at
Lowes.

605:
At time I would have to rush to get to work on time after school, but overall I
enjoyed it.

606:
Working during H.S. was a valuable learning experience. Taught me how to plan 
my time for school, work, and friends.

598:
I think its fine if the student can handle it. I don't parents should make
students work.  If grades are suffering then the student should be able to
quit without upsetting the parent.



679:
I think that working during H.S. gave me an edge on all other students. I 
received skills you can't learn in the classroom.  It build
responsibility, team work, and problem solving skills.

659:
Working during high school had no affect on my grades. However, jobs need to
understand that they must allow time for study. I could not work very much 
because of high school sports and school involvement.

648:
Working during high school helped me with time management. Skills that I will 
use later on in life, particular college. 

642:
If you want your own money or some things that your parents don't approve
of, work.  It's your money and you do what your want with it.  It also
keeps money in your parents pockets and teaches responsibility.

700:
During High School, I was in xxxxx TV and Theater Department.  We signed a
contract promising that we wouldn't work because the department was our
work .  I kept hours from about 5am-12am.  I barely had time for sleeping
and homework.  I learned a lot and had some fun times and would not trade
my experience for anything.

790:
If students are not involved in extracurricular activities, sports, then it 
is a good idea for the students to get a job - it keeps them held
accountable, focused, responsible, and develops social  & economic skills. 
(As long as they don

791:
During high school many students are involved in extracurricular activities 
which occupies a lot of the students time. In addition to after school
activities, many teenagers work around the house which interferes with time 
allowed for homework. School life and social life intervenes with the
opportunity to get a job.

787:
Working during high school helped me manage my time better. I found that 
even though some times there was chaos, I didn't waste my time.

767:
Working during high school gave me things to put on my resume pertaining to comp
sci.

745:
Working while in school builds independence, time management, and character. 
But sadly, it comes at a great cost due to lost social & academic time. 

814:
I personally believe that working during high school is unnecessary, because it
reduces time for studying and extracurricular activities. Working during the 
summer, however, is beneficial to save money and gain experience of having a 
job. 

838:
Work just sucks in general!

880:
It is good for those who are responsible for the upkeeping of a vehicle. It 
should not interfere with grades.

860:
If you get a job while in high school, it helps you manage your money and time.
If you are undecided about what career you would like to persue, you can get 
jobs anywhere to help you decide. I worked in a pharmacy my senior year. I
was weak in chemistry & math and my boss helped me out. I did some homework 
at work. He gave me an interest in maybe working in a lab some day.
Working in high school can have a good effect on your grades and developing
your individual well-being.

857:
With my particular job, working during school & over the summer has given 
me the connections I need to start a career in Criminal Justice after I 
receive my degree. That has been a big plus due to the difficulty of
making a career in this field. 

922:
I believe that working in high school is a great idea. I feel it teaches the
individual valuable skills such as time management and responsibility. In my
experience I believe that time management was most valuable because you could 
work out your times and not risk serious damage to your future. 

944:
I enjoyed working during high school. I worked late and on Fri-Mon. It was a 
good experience. I met a lot of people. It had no influence on my school
work, because I study as much as I study. 

937:
I felt working in High School reduced my grades and held me back from being 
involved in things that interested me. It took time away from studying and
I was always tired. This is why I do not plan to work my first year of college. 

930:
I feel that working during high school gives teenagers a little taste of what 
the real world is going to be like. 

926: 
I feel that working while in high school gave me the opportunity to learn
responsibility. From this, I have learned both time and money management 
which I have found useful in everyday life. 

969:
Personally, I did not have enough time to get good grades in an honors program,
perform well at extracurricular activities and work at the same time.
When I did work, I felt like I was spreading myself too thin and my schoolwork 
did not get as much attention as it needed.

970:
I began working after graduation and have worked now for almost two months. My
monthly pay averages around $650. I would like to work 20 hours a week while in
school, but my schedule can be lenient. 

967:
Working while in high school, made me feel like I could defend for myself by 
facing up to some of my financial responsibilities.

1007:
I think working during high school gives you responsibility and helps you to 
learn how to manage money.

1009:
Working kept me from partying all the time and keep me out of trouble. 

1102:
I had an excellent job which providded me with unlimited opportunity to
gain valuable experience. I have worked for 2 years as a legal secretary in 
a large law firm. I believe working builds character, challenges you &
prepares you for life. 

1051:
While working in itself was a positive thing, work soon conflicted heavily 
with my extracurriculars. They were more important. 

1086:
I think that working during the school year should be avoided if the 
individual is involved in an appropriate number of extra-curricular 
activities. However, it is a good thing to do if the student is not very
extra-curricularly involved. Summer work is very important in any case. 

1149:
Working is okay on weekends but not during week.

1142:
Working during high school readily taught me a sense of independence and a 
taste of the real world. It taught me discipline, reliability, responsibility, 
and pride for what I worked so hard to earn. 

1201:
If I could I wouldn't do it again.  Working was a well taught experience
in responsibility but I stayed tired all of the time now because of health
problems and it can get kind of hectic. 

1157:
At my high school we had a wonderful co-op program offered for students who had
taken 2 or more marketing classes. Our teacher would find businesses willing 
to hire a co-op student; then posted them on a wall so we could find a
job. All of the employers were flexible with our schooling and after school 
activities. This was a great experience for me. It gave me confidence,
responsibility, and my own spending money. I believe every school should have 
a marketing/ co-op program like our school. 

1117:
Making my own money in high school and having to pay for my things help me 
not take things for granted. Students that don't work and have everything
bought for them are usually unappreciative.  But students should not have
to work so much that they don't have time for going out and having fun.
 
1179:
It was fun and gave me a chance to have more money. Also, I got a chance to 
meet new people. 

125:
I feel that there is plenty of time in life to be in the work force, so if 
you can afford it, don't make students have employment in high school.

130:
My job sucks and I plan to leave early due to lack of wages. 

157:
Working during high school helped me to learn some responsibility and helped 
me to see how it would be to fend for myself in some ways. 

138:
I think it helps people to learn responsibility.

137:
It was a very good experience. 

145:
Working in high school is a great experience because it prepares you for when 
you have to work.

200:
I learned a lot about responsibility and priorities.

276:
My perspective of working while in high school was that it keep me very busy. 
It kept me from going out and partying. 

271:
It makes you sleep through class. 

254:
One can work during high school if he sees fit for his lifestyle and needs.

246:
I didn't work my senior year because I worked my junior year and the 99
summer.  So took time to just cool off and chill.

247:
I think that as long as your job does not affect your grades than it is a 
good way to learn responsibility and time management. 

248:
Working during high school is a great way for students to learn responsibility 
and how to manage  money. It is also an excellent way to interact with other 
people. 

236:
Working is good but I believe school should come first, if possible I'm
not going to let work interfere with my grades.

224:
I really enjoyed working. 

296:
I think everyone should work at least a little, because it gives you 
responsibility & experience in life. 

280:
I noticed that most of my fellow students had to work because they had things 
like babies, new cars, and other things to take care of. 

383: 
It was GRRREAT !!!!!!!!

380:
Working during high school is okay if you're NOT playing sports.

379:
Working during the week led me to schedule my time better. However, working on
weekends took me away from doing school projects on the weekend. 

370:
Having a part-time job gave me myself a form of responsibility and a taste of
independence. I was able to pay for things with the money I earned. Working also
taught me how to manage money when I live on my own. I have experience on how to
manage my money.  

342:
Working while in high school gave me a sense of freedom. It also prepared me for
managing money in future times. I think it had a positive effect on my life. 

318:
I worked in a daycare. The hours were perfect for a high-school student. It 
would close at 6:00 pm everyday and wasn't open on the weekends.  I would
recommend this job for anyone who likes children.

320:
I  thought it was good for me to work during high school but it was stressful, 
but it helps me out getting use to what the real world is like. 

464:
Working during high school provides wonderful opportunities to gain knowledge 
and money. 

459:
Is necessary to teach children responsibility and help them to understand the
importance of an education and that like isn't a joke.

439:
I worked weekends only so my grades didn't hurt.

427:
Working while in high school helps to get the worker to become more 
independent and helps to prepare the person for the college experience. It 
also helps to teach the value of a dollar to the person. As long as the 
student keeps his or her priorities with work and grades in the right place, 
work can be a beneficial experience to a student in high school.

12:
Working for a low wage, makes you realize why it is so important to succeed in
school and beyond. 

68:
Working while in high school taught time management. This was very important
especially in the fall when band left little time to study and do other
things. Working also helped me learn how to prioritize different aspects of 
my life. 

43:
Working while I was in high school helped me develop people skills. I met a 
lot of people from work and it helped me pay all my bills. 

40:
Working in high school is a good experience however, your education should come
first. It does take away study time.

32:
The way I see it, you will have to spend over 40 years of life working. Why 
should you destroy the excitement of your youth for a piece of green paper 
with the picture of a deceased historical figure on it. I believed in the idea 
of doing an odd job here or there as long as there is a dollar in your
pocket you can survive the day. Plus, the excitement of spontaneous living 
creates awesome memories.

30:
Working in high school was a good experience. It has helped me to get on a 
budget and hopefully help me in the future.

89:
Working is an all around good experience. 

84:
It was a good way to develop independence. 

1222:
The only negative effect working had was I couldn't play as many sports my
senior year.  Other than that my grades stayed the same.  I still had time
to study and have a social life. 

1216:
I really enjoyed working during high school because it gave me the chance to 
see what I would be doing for the rest of my life if I didn't attend
college.  Having a job also helped me to be more balanced and taught me to
use my time off more efficiently.  Working also gave me the opportunity to
deal with the public and be in a work setting.

1214:
Working during high school would be impossible for me because I had too much
homework. 

1269:
Working in high school gets students prepared for what they will face after 
college.

1264:
Working while in high school is a good experience if the workload is not too 
heavy.

1229:
Enjoyed getting to know my other employees.   Fun for my first job.

1246:
In high school the primary concern of the student should be his/her studies. A
summer job, however, seems tolerable and beneficial.

1310:
Working in high school is a good tool to help plow the garden of reality. It 
gives young men and women a head start in society and learning its
responsibilities. It is important still, to proportion your work and study 
time to successfully achieve your goals.

1327:
Working during high gave me a sense of responsibility as well as 
independence. During my sophomore year, I had 2 jobs at once - that was hard, 
but I had to put my priorities in order. Now I have a totally different
job and I love it because it is helping me to have better people skills & 
knowledge of career opportunities. ( I work in a pharmacy)

1332:
Working while in high school tends to make you not be able to enjoy stuff.

1337:
Working as a high school student is a good way to learn responsibility, time
management. However, if do not have to work, I would not. I think you should 
live off your parents & have fun as long as you can.

1357:
Working in high school helped myself as well as my parents. It provided the 
extra cash needed for gas and things I did not need. My job at the vets also 
influenced my decision NOT to be a vet. 

1359:
Working during high school sucks sometimes because you have to out back on 
your time with friends. 

1452:
I plan to find on campus employment near my living area. 

1443:
Show me the money. 

1483:
My senior year was extremely chaotic, and working would have only made it 
worse. 

1482:
I liked working because I got free videos.

1514:
When I first got a job it made me feel more responsible. I began to pay 
attention more in class, but after the job stopped seeming like fun and
started seeming like work. I lost the sense of accomplishment I thought I had 
gained. I eventually just went back to the routine I had before I had a
job as far as school goes. I also feel that working doesn't have much to
do with how you do in school.  You have to have a sense of priority and
a teacher that interests you and makes you want to learn. 

1517:
I didn't mind working while I was in the 11th grade.  When I became a
senior I just decided to take the year off to concentrate on my schoolwork
more.  Now I see that I need to work too pay for school and other
things. I have flexible hours that can be arranged around my classes.

1519:
I liked having the independence that working gave me. It also helped by 
making new friends. 

1527:
I didn't have a real job.  I only baby sat on the weekends and not at
schedule times either.  Only when thay called.

1532:
Working in high school helped teach responsibility and time management skills. 

1545:
Working while in high school gave me confidence in my skills for any future
employment and was a way for me to be independent and responsible. 

1546:
I believe that as long as you can work and maintain good grades then there 
should be no problem. If you start to see a decrease in your work, you
should either get less hours, or quit. But be sure that your grades never
fall.

1547:
Working in high school was tough but it made me who I am today. I learned
responsibility and how to deal with all varieties of people.

1551:
It gave me stress and towards the end I started hating my job and longing for 
free time. 

1572:
If you are not involved in extracurricular activities at school. I think you 
should try a part-time job.  I have experienced both activities  and
nothing is like your own money. 

1594:
Most students must work during high school. So much goes on and parents
only have so much money. My senior year alone I spent well over 700 dollars o
n "senior stuff."

1611:
Some students should not do it, but for most I think it provides experience &
responsibility.