For years, students have been raised on the principle that a hard-working society is a successful one. As a result, many Naples Eagles are hard at work on weekdays and weekends, making money and creating a foundation for life after high school.
Emma Disarro, a sophomore at Naples High, began working as a bagger at Publix to facilitate paying large expenses in the future.
“I started working there in March,” Disarro said. “I wanted to be able to save up for a car and college.”
Disarro recently began her work endeavors, but she has already made many useful discoveries.
“Working has made me realize how expensive things are when you have to start paying for your own stuff and budgeting with your paychecks,” Disarro said.
Kathleen Vasquez, a freshman, began working at Twinkle Twinkle Little Store in the beginning of March. She claims there are little to no issues of her job taking over her life.
“Work doesn’t get in the way of my schoolwork because I figured out how to manage my time,” Vasquez said. “I also don’t work too many hours so I always have time for school.”
Vasquez believes that starting to work at a young age gives people an advantage when it is time to get a job in the future.
“They will have better experience and a sense of responsibility,” Vasquez said.
Senior Alex Renda has various reasons why she decided to start working.
“I wanted to make spending money, as well as money I could put into savings,” Renda said. “It also has led to me forming a good schedule outside of school and a better work ethic.”
Although Renda enjoys her time at work, she does admit that it can come in between her social and school life.
“I can be scheduled to work on days that clash with plans my friends made,” Renda said. “I can have a closing shift the night before a big test, too.”
There may be several pros of starting to work young, but there’s no rush to find a job if it’s not necessary for personal development.
“You shouldn’t feel pressured to have a job unless you want one or need one in order to be successful,” Renda said. “However, I think it helps in both a financial and a life skills standpoint.”
