A simple pie chart shows us that most students don’t work. Graphic courtesy freshman, Aidan Field.

  Many students at San Luis Obispo High School have jobs. Employed students make up a significant portion of all the students at SLOHS. There are many reasons why students decide to get or not to get jobs at SLOHS and every student’s experience is different. Different students spend the money they earn differently, others save for the future. There’s tremendous amounts of variation between students, this reflects our community and our school.

  “I decided to get a job because I wanted to make money and have work experience,“ said senior Jessica King. 

  Among seniors at SLOHS 65 percent of them currently are employed. Another 16 percent of seniors had jobs previously and 3 percent more were planning on getting a job in the near future. 

  Having a job can strongly affect a student’s academic performance. Having a job takes time away from time otherwise spent doing schoolwork or studying. Students who have summer jobs would have less time to take summer classes.

  For many students having a job is a necessity. It’s a luxury to be able to have a true highschool experience without income from work. Money is by far one of the most important factors students consider. 

  “I use it to buy gas and food, that’s about it,” said senior Glenn Owens. 

  Other students choose to save their money for after high-school. 

  “I’m planning to spend the money I make from work towards college expenses,” said senior Emily Pan.

  Students have jobs for a variety of reasons. Jobs provide experience and income, but they also take time away from academics. Jobs and income allow students to learn how to pay their taxes, but for most high school students this means taxation, without representation.

  Hopefully having a job in high school is a personal decision.