Editorial

4 — Wednesday, May 4, 2022 — North Pointe EDITORIAL

By Katie Madigan & Jami Townsend STAFF REPORTERS

Summer jobs can help build a student’s resume. Students with working experience can have a high quality resume, which can look good on a college application. A summer job can also provide necessary experience in a working environment, as experience is crucial for future jobs. Jobs can also supply a teenager with money that can be used for future education, a car, vacations and spending money. Aside from this, having a job can keep up a student’s productivity while they aren’t in school. According to Common Sense Media teenagers spend up to nine hours on an electronic device throughout the day. Instead of students laying in their bed or scrolling on their phone all day, they can stay on task and do something throughout the day to benefit themselves and others.

Oftentimes jobs require early shifts, which will keep a student’s sleep schedule on track throughout the summer. The recommended amount of sleep for an adult is seven to nine hours a night, according to Sleep.org. But, because students will be spending most of their day working, they will have more responsibility when planning their sleep schedule. Because of this, the transition into the school year will be easier since students have already been waking up early, so there won’t be a drastic change in their sleep schedule.

Summer jobs overwork young workers. When applying for a job, most places of employment ask that you provide your availability during the week, weekend, and holidays. A lot of the time if you aren’t able to agree to the terms of working full shifts during the week, jobs won’t hire you. This practice causes lots of teenage workers to be pressured into working up to 40 hours a week and sometimes asking them to work illegal overtime. With recent rates of anxiety and poor mental health rising among young people, it is hard to find a balance between life in and out of the workplace.

Summer jobs also tend to underpay young workers. The state minimum wage in Michigan is $9.87. While recent movements in the US are pushing for higher pay for all workers, many young people are not educated enough on the practice of negotiating. Taking a job without an equitable pay is very dangerous since sometimes a business’ success is held on the backs of young peoe during the summer. Many jobs posted by smaller businesses pay weekly and under the table with the incentive of tips that are almost never equivalent to an actual paycheck, and an untaxed income. This practice takes advantage of young workers and instills the mindset that because you are inexperienced and young, you don’t deserve to have a wage that is supportive of your age and financial situation.

By Gabby Miller STAFF REPORTER

“The value of a summer job is to gain experience and earn money.”

“I think having a summer job keeps you busy in the summer and it is a good way for you to make money.””

SIMS: “I feel like it is a good opportunity to try new things while making money.”

“Summer jobs are an opportunity to do something you wouldn’t normally do because they tend to be short term.”

BELLA YOAKAM

When filling out their Common App activities list, students often strive to fill every section with a different club, and may also exaggerate achievements in said clubs. These extracurricular activities are essential to the college application process, as colleges look for well rounded and involved students, but some students will join clubs simply for the benefit of adding a line to their resume. Many students say on paper that they are part of a club or organization, but in reality, a large handful of students do not participate in said group.

Students may claim that they are part of a club, but rarely attend meetings, whilst a dedicated student who is active in the club and attends every meeting, can put the same club on their college application. Most times, colleges cannot differentiate between which student participated more, and they receive the same amount of recognition when a college is reviewing their application. While doing this may be an easy way to make your application look better to colleges, it hurts students who actually are involved and passionate about certain organizations.

For example, when a student joins a club, students who lead the club, such as the president, can receive a false sense of relief by thinking they will have more help than they actually do. This can cause issues when planning events or organizing a fundraiser. Members who are truly devoted will be affected, as they may have to pick up a heavier workload than they originally expected.

Participating in these clubs with only half dedication often gives the impression that these students can continue on to do this throughout their life. Students who pick up these habits of laziness may not be equipped with the right skillset to succeed in their future workplace. In a professional setting, this subpar effort will not be tolerated, and these students may struggle with the dedication necessary to hold a job.

There is definitely an appeal for joining clubs and organizations just to add it to your college applications. However, sometimes it is important to think about others and the long term effects of your actions, rather than continuing to seek the easy way for your own benefit.