Many teenagers growing up have seen on TV how characters can transition from job to job without the stress of finding a new one. One example of this is Trish De la Rosa from Austin & Ally, where every episode she is featured with a new high school job, ranging from a hostess to a retail clerk. But the truth is that this is not the reality of high school jobs; nowadays, the job market is at an all-time low. This is why many teenagers have to get creative in the ways they can acquire a salary.
Junior Kenzie Gallagher does not just have one job—she actually manages three. One of her ways of income is babysitting, a job many high schoolers take on, but for Kenzie, this job has been anything but ordinary. What was supposed to be a fun night out with the kids turned into any babysitter’s nightmare.
“This mom wanted me to babysit her kid to go to the arcade on a rainy day,” Kenzie said. “I was driving home, and I accidentally got into a car accident. She still asks me to come babysit.”
In recent months, Kenzie has submitted an application to apply to be a receptionist at a local hair salon. This holds significance to her, as she is hoping to become a cosmetologist in the future. In addition, she is a gymnastics coach at R-Athletics. Although babysitting and being a gymnastics coach are fun side jobs, Kenzie views this receptionist position as a stepping stone into a future career.
“My plan right now is to go to cosmetology school,” Kenzie said. “I think being a receptionist will help me get a feel of the environment and almost work up clientele, too. Just being in that environment and people from that salon knowing me [could help me] potentially be hired there in the future.”
Sophomore Lexi Nims takes a different approach to how she earns money. She chose to work as a referee for youth soccer. Since she already plays both basketball and soccer, she figured it made sense to take on a job that pays well and fits naturally within her skills and experience.
“I usually referee little kids because you have to referee kids younger than you,” Lexi said. “So normally I ref [the age group ’12 and under’], and I normally get paid quite a bit, usually if [someone] center refs they can get up to $70, I think, per game. Usually, I am the AR, which is the assistant ref. So I just hold the flags and point in what direction the ball goes.”
Playing sports while holding a job can be both challenging and time-consuming, which is why finding work that fits smoothly into Lexi’s busy schedule was essential. Between practices, games, and working, she decided to find a job that offered flexibility without adding extra stress.
“[Reffing] is nice because you can choose when you want to ref,” Lexi said. “So [US soccer refereeing] will give me assignments, and then if I have time to do it, I just click ‘accept,’ and then otherwise I can just click ‘decline.’”
For high schoolers, there are a variety of ways that one can make money, and for junior Sydney Greemann, she especially resonates with that. She works at a local pizza restaurant, JT’s Pizza & Spirits (JT’s), but her favorite job has been creating her very own small business, incorporating everyday objects with her artistic ability.
“[One day] I painted my calculator cover just because I saw it on Pinterest, and then a girl in my math class asked me if I could paint hers,” Sydney said. “I was like ‘Oh, wait, this would be a really fun side hustle,’ So I started asking other friends if they wanted theirs painted, and it has just kind of become a routine for me.”
Even though painting calculator covers is a creative side job, solo work in Sydney’s eyes will never compare to the friendships and community she has made at her part-time job. Balancing all aspects of life can be challenging, but blending the things she loves with boring responsibilities helps her maintain happiness and stability.
“I originally started JT’s last August, and I started because I needed to save up for a car,” Sydney said. “I love JT’s, but it can definitely be a lot with pretty much having two jobs and school, then also extracurriculars and homework. But I wouldn’t quit my job even if I was able to become a full-time calculator painter, just because I have really made a community at JT’s, and I love my job.”
