With summer break just around the corner, most students are ready to unwind and escape the overwhelming pressures of high school.

Although some students may be traveling out of the country or simply lazing around the house, there are several who have different ideas on how to spend summer break.

Some students have taken it upon themselves to be productive over their three months of freedom.

Whether it be taking summer classes, studying for SATs or preparing for college, these students are ready to use their summer breaks to their advantage.

Most commonly, students are known to apply for jobs over the long recess. From working at Panera Bread to being a lifeguard at the neighborhood pool, there is a wide variety of jobs that can be suitable for high schoolers.

All students should take on the challenge to work if they do not have any other commitments. This way, they will be able to earn some extra cash and develop valuable life skills.

From June to September, students aim to earn money in order to fill up their wallets.

“It’s nice having an income and having the skills that you can use later in life.” junior Georgia Stenberg said.

Making money gives students a sense of independence and shows that they no longer need to depend on their parents as much. Getting a job and working signifies how much they have grown and matured.

“You’ll always have some spending money  and you’ll gain some sense of responsibility and experience in the real world.” sophomore Juliana Iglesias said.

Aside from earning money for personal use, getting a job is also a helpful way to save up for college.

Starting early with college preparations will benefit in the long run because the cost for higher education is pricey. Especially with student loans and college tuitions being popular issues in today’s society, it is notably important to get a head start.

“I decided to get a job in order to have my own money and to save for college.” junior Ben Petruzziello said.

Typically, students are hired as retail workers or cashiers, both of which are jobs that do not require much experience or education. Most of these jobs revolve around social circumstances where the employees are obligated to act accordingly.

By working at a young age, teens are able to acquire a series of skills that will be helpful to them in the future. They will most likely develop communication skills, leadership skills, business and financial skills, and proper public etiquette.

“I wanted skills that I could use later in life and to help during college too.” Stenberg explained.

In addition to learning new skills, students who have summer jobs are building up their work experience. This can help when they are ready to apply for new jobs in the future because employers tend to look for applicants that are familiar with the work force  Experience is one of the largest considerations that an employer uses in deciding who to hire. .

“I believe that getting a job in high school benefits your levels of experience from a young age, making you more proficient in the skills needed to have a full time job after finishing school.” Petruzziello continued.

Most students are not prepared or willing to give up their summer breaks and would much rather be hanging with friends during their well-deserved hiatus from school. They feel that by having a summer job, their schedules would be too packed and there would be no room for enjoyment.

“[I learned] responsibilty and time management, Iglesias said. “If my time management is bad, I really won’t have a summer.”

It is important for those teens who work to be able to balance their time between working and having fun with friends. Their jobs won’t be the only subject on their minds for 24 hours each day, but they are expected to have their priorities in order.

“The people that I work with, they give me time off,” Stenberg said. “They allow me to tell them when I can’t work, so they’re really flexible.”

Sometimes employers are lenient when it comes to changing shifts or taking a day off during the summer. Especially if those working are teenagers, the management will hopefully understand that teens want to enjoy part of their summer.

“I can always switch shifts with someone or get a sub when something comes up.” Iglesias said.

Even if jobs do meddle with the social lives of teenagers, it’s only occasionally. There are still several occasions and opportunities for students to loosen up despite working for several days of the week.

“Having a job interferes with summer vacation in that you’re at work when you could be sleeping in or being with friends, but there’s plenty of time for that if you only work part time.” Petruzziello said.

There is also the possibility that a student could do both at the same time. It’s easy to make friends with other teens in the workplace, so that work and fun are balanced.

Most parents encourage their children to apply for jobs. It ensures that their children are being productive rather than wasting their days sitting on the couch.

“I think it’s important because otherwise students have a lot of free time on their hands and idle hands make the devil’s work.” Annandale mother Kelly Spitzer said.

Some even expect their children to pay for part of their college tuitions and require them to have jobs. In order to prepare for that time, it is essential to save up.

“I decided to get a job to save money for college,” Iglesias added. “You can save early so you’ll have more money when the time comes.”

Rather than staying in debt for many years, students with jobs will be able to pay of some of their loans by the time their out of college.

Clearly, having a job is beneficial in multiple ways. Even if it is time consuming  or sometimes stressful,  the pros outweigh the cons.