Unlimited time — a blessing and a curse during the summer. A valuable way to avoid boredom is getting a summer job. Not only does employment allow a person more “fun money,” but it also teaches important values about growing up.

The teen years provide a transition from dependence to independence. Remaining dependent on one’s parents through middle and high school is expected to a degree. However, many kids earn their own money and establish greater independence in the process.

Senior Adam Vaughn has been working as a life guard during the summer for the past two suumers. He reports gaining more than just a paycheck. “It’s taught me to have self discipline — I don’t want to be watching people swim all day, but I do want money; it’s a fair trade off.”

Time is money, especially in the summer. Having a job requires prioritizing one’s time. The reward is having more “fun money” for the days off. Cassandra Girardi, also a senior, stated, “I can’t always have fun. Sometimes work comes first because I can’t have fun if I don’t have money.”

Most parents are not ecstatic about funding their teenager’s lifestyle, and some even outright refuse to do so. Senior John Slagter expressed, “Having regular income and getting to spend it freely is a nice feeling.”  Freedom to spend is a reward for the responsibility of employment.

In addition, employees learn the value of a dollar. Jackie Ward, ’19, said, “I’ve definitely become a more frugal person now that all the money in my wallet comes from my own paycheck.”

“Now Hiring” signs are everywhere, and now is the perfect time to hop on the bandwagon of responsibility and independence… and fun.