We all know that  a part of being an adult is having a job. But when’s the appropriate time to have a job? Why do teenagers want jobs? What do the parents say? Having a job as a teenager is a very common topic of discussion, and a lot of questions go unanswered. It’s our job as teenagers to figure out what’s best.

 According to Statista, 20% of teenagers secure jobs between the ages of 15 and 17 while still enrolled in high school, with their first job typically being at 16 years old. Some might argue that having a job as a teen right now is important and should be required to help develop life skills, responsibility, and time management. Some say otherwise.   

Having a job as a teenager can offer some non-essential perks, such as extra pocket money, and the ability to spend on needs rather than wants. The average amount teenagers make as of September is %17/hour, usually spending their money on food, clothing, and entertainment such as video games and events.  They also hold essential perks, like beginning to save for adulthood, such as college or whatever your life outside of high school holds. It can also be beneficial right now, such as saving for a car, gas, or school fees.

But do these perks make it important? Many students claimed they think a job is important  right now because of all  of the benefits it holds, but some students  didn’t see it that way. 

¨I’m not really looking for a job right now because my parents are focusing on me studying rather than working,¨ says junior Tracie Phung. 

All in all, the importance of having a job right now depends on everyone’s personal life  and what stage they are at. 

Having a job at 14-18  holds some benefits. ¨I like my job because it’s pocket money you know?¨ says junior Mina Tran.  

Having a job gives you money to do fun things, such as social factors, like football games, dances, or hanging out with friends, which is a big influence at ages 14-18. You can spend money on  non-essential stuff, such as nice shoes or makeup products.

That might be a fun benefit, but it can also come with some fundamental benefits too, such as preparing yourself for your future. 

¨Jobs don’t just fill your wallet; they shape your future by teaching you how to manage your time, develop new skills, and maybe even discover a passion or two along the way,¨ says My First Job. 

Having a job right now can help prepare you for life outside of school when you start your career and  give you chances to have fun!

But what do parents have to say about it?  Our parents are the people who guide us through life. They teach us right from wrong, and basically control our lives until we are 18. So, how do people’s parents feel about you having a job at a young age?  

Students at Taylorsville had mixed responses. Some said their parents didn’t care if they had a job right now, others said their parents wanted them to have a job. Some also said their parents didn’t allow them to have a job right now. 

¨If I asked them to work a job now they’d probably say ¨No, it’s study study study, school only, study study,” Says Phung. So, it all depends on your personal life and what students or their families choose to prioritize.

There’s a lot to balance at 16-18 years old, such as homework, sports, other extracurricular activities, and spending time with family and friends.  Are you able to squeeze a job in between all of that? 

¨I’m just very involved with school, so stuff like that is kind of hard to find,¨ says Phung. 

Many agreed that it is hard to stick to a job in your life, but not everyone.¨Its not too hard, a lot of jobs offer times like 5pm to 11pm, which you can fit in,¨ says junior Bailey Green. 

A lot of personal factors can go into how you feel about jobs, such as our parents and our personal life. But how does the world influence how we feel about having jobs? We all see the state of our world no matter where you stand. 

¨We’ve seen the generations that came before us. We see the current state of the job market. We see down the road to the next 20 years of the economy, to the world we’re entering,¨ says The Observer. 

Right now there’s a lot going on in our economy, and many people say that influences the reason teenagers don’t have a job right now.  Right now, unemployment rates are up to 4.34% in September compared to 4.09% September 2024 according to  Fox Business.  Many economists  claim that Donald Trump’s policies are the reason for unemployment rates going up, such as the tariffs he has imported, immigration crackdown and mass firings of public workers according to Reuters. Adults are  struggling to secure or keep their jobs right now, which impacts teens because adults are in more of a need for it.

¨There’s just job shortages, yu know, the economy is messed up. It low-key sucks,¨ says Phung. In summary, the world we are in does influence who has jobs and who doesn’t. 

So, with all of this information: Does being a teenager and having a job work well? In conclusion , it all depends on where you stand in life. You are heavily influenced by adults, by your social life, your schedule, and the way you see the world. If having a job suits you, you can totally move forward with it! If it doesn’t quite fit your life, it won’t be an issue and not having a job doesn’t negatively affect you, it only holds benefits