Although having a job can take a toll on students, many students are able to manage their schoolwork while also working. The Urban Institute conducted a study that answers the question, “Is work by teenagers associated with negative school-related outcomes, …show more content…
During my last two years of high school, I worked at Hot Dog on a Stick, at the local mall. Making nine dollars an hour made me appreciate the value of money. I now know what it takes to make one dollar in this country. This job also helped transform me into a social man, from the shy, timid, teenager I once was. I was forced to interact with customers and cooperate with my team members. In his essay, Working at McDonald’s, Amitai Etzioni argues that fast food restaurants, like McDonald’s, do not provide teenagers with opportunities for self-discipline or self-supervision. Based on my work experience, I disagree with his statement. At Hot Dog on a Stick, I worked countless shifts by myself, which means I had to be responsible and efficient so that I could serve many customers. In addition, I disagree with Etzioni’s argument that fast food jobs undermine students’ school attendance and involvement. While working a part time, I also managed to maintain a 4.0 grade point average, play on the school’s basketball team, and serve as the secretary of the Red Cross club. Everyday, a student has the decision of waking up and going to school. If a working teenager is motivated to earn an education while having a job, then they will always make sure to take his/her studies