As teenagers, it is normal for us all to transition from things we enjoyed as kids to wanting to make money and get our first job. CHS is in the market to help students find those jobs.  

According to Mrs. Smyth, a new job board is located right outside the main entrance to the high school. Students can go here looking for local job opportunities. 

It’s often thought that teenagers only work jobs such as flipping burgers or babysitting, but that’s not always true.

Sophomore Coy Searcy has worked on the farm with his family ever since he was little. Searcy works multiple hours per week on top of school. “Each week I work a different number of hours. During planting and harvest I may put in 50 hours a week on top of school but in the middle of winter I may only work 5 or 10 hours a week,” said Searcy. 

Managing a job and school can be difficult, especially for students who are also in extracurricular activities.

“I am able to manage my school and job by making sure that I get all of my homework done during my study hall so I don’t have any homework in the evening.” Coy wasn’t interested in his job for the money. He enjoys his job because he is able to work with his family. “I have been going to work with my dad ever since I was a baby and that’s all I ever wanted to do. I started helping out on the farm when I was 10 and have worked there ever since. But I did not get paid up until about a year ago. It has never been about the money. I would do it for free.” says Coy. 

Most people think that teenagers usually don’t make enough money for the amount of time and effort they put in, but when it comes to Coy, he doesn’t have any complaints. “Since I make my own hours and I love my job, I think I am compensated fairly.”

Another student with a different type of job is junior Mariah Richardson, who works at the Plainfield Rec and Aquatic Center. 

Richardson started at “The Rec” by working in the concession stand and has worked her way up to working at the front desk. She works lots of hours on top of her busy schedule, but loves it.

“I usually work somewhere between 25 to 28 hour per week. That is all that I have time for when balancing being a full time student in Ben Davis and Cascade and participating in multiple extracurriculars like Mock Trial and SkillsUSA State competition.” 

Richardson has grown up going to the rec, therefore she felt like working there would be a great fit for her. She discussed how other jobs do have a higher pay grade, but that doesn’t bother her because the environment is amazing. 

  Sophomore Dane Hendricks works as a host/busser at Charlie Brown’s Pancake and Steakhouse. He says that he could work up to 18 hours per week. Hendricks has a lot of responsibilities between sports, school, and his job, so he must choose wisely.

“I only work on the weekends and I took a study hall so I can get extra time for my homework,” he says. 

Hendricks does work a job that is considered a normal job for teenagers but feels like he is paid  a fair wage.  “I needed money. I also wanted to see what the real world is like and how having a job could change my life,” he says. 

Next time you think about teenagers with jobs, don’t just assume that all we are good for is fast food.  Teens are capable of doing anything and could be an amazing asset to a company.