Whether students should work while in school is a controversial topic between people that believe work creates a healthy responsibility and those that think it is an unnecessary stress.

Some believe that students can use work to teach them how to manage their time and learn skills necessary to be successful in life. Others say that work adds unneeded stress to students and believe they should focus on school.

Some believe work teaches skills that can be applied later in life.

Senior Alex Louria said, “It teaches you how to manage your time and gives skills you won’t be able to learn in school.” Louria has had two jobs through three years in high school at Papa Murphy’s and Dairy Queen. He says he has learned a lot and can apply it in his life.

Senior Kaden Havens agrees with Alex when he said, “It can teach kids real life skills that school can’t teach them…It gives them spending money and keeps them busy and out of trouble.” Students are given a responsibility when they are given a job and it is important for them to learn how to manage it.

While many believe working during school provides the opportunity for students to hone practical skills, it also takes away their attention from school and offers less time for them to compete in sports.

“They shouldn’t [work] because they need to focus on school and if you have a job it will make you tired; you won’t have time to do homework going straight from school to work,” said senior Emma Pearson.

Pearson competes at a national level for a biathlon and said, ”I just don’t have time because I am either at work or doing my work.” Time is a big issue when it comes to work and school and for some it can be nearly impossible to fit both into the same day.

There are both advantages and disadvantages to students working during school. Working while in school teaches students how to manage their time, understand money and finances, and gives them their own responsibilities.

Having a job while going to school has advantages but there are many disadvantages as well. Working while in school takes time and focus away from school, creates more stress, and may be too much for the students.

Maintaining a job while juggling school can be difficult, but can also teach students important skills. School should be the number one priority for students and work can take focus away from this. This topic will remain controversial because it is difficult to say any one way is the right way. It may depend on the situation and what the student is able to maintain.