OPINION: Qualities every student with a job needs

By Violet Bouwes-van Nood ‘24

Courtesy of Reynolds School District

My first-ever job was technically not actually a job. I worked unpaid as a camp counselor in training for three 40-hour weeks in the summer of 2021. The days reached over 100 degrees at times and it was most of the kids' first time at a camp after COVID-19. And yet, I loved it.

There was something so satisfying about a hard day's work. I appreciated the relationships I made and the skills I had learned.

I’ve come back to work there for three years now (paid this time). I also started to work two other jobs, one as an after-school leader at Cedar Hills Recreation Center and one selling merch at the Moda Center for games and concerts. My jobs have provided me with experiences and skills that I have been able to integrate into life in and outside of work.

John DiLorenzo, a Catlin Gabel School (CGS) senior, has worked many positions at Gilda’s Italian Restaurant since his sophomore year of high school. He gave his thoughts on the importance of having a job. “I think it’s a necessary experience,” he stated.

Continuing he said, "I feel like those who’ve had a job, especially jobs in the service industry, or jobs dealing with kids, or jobs where you have to keep your cool and deal with people, that's so invaluable for future careers.”

Clearly working a job can be beneficial. But what is important for students who are looking for a job to keep in mind? Here are three qualities that are must-haves for students hoping to enter the workforce.

Time Management

A fundamental aspect of maintaining a job while being a full-time student is managing your schedule. “A huge thing is time management,” said Chloe Tremblay (CGS ‘25), who has worked several jobs and is currently employed at a curling center as an ice technician.

“If you are already struggling with time management from school, if you are already having late assignments then I wouldn't recommend getting a job,” said Tremblay.

Additionally, it helps to take advantage of your free blocks as much as possible to do homework. Abby Fisher (CGS ‘24), a tutor at Mathnasium, also recommends “frontlining assignments.” Make sure that you prioritize big assignments that are due soon when deciding what you are going to work on.

Communication

There is no way I could have been able to make it through working two jobs as a student without my communication skills. Oftentimes, hours don’t match up with school. After conversations with my managers, I have been able to find times that work. Because of this, I don’t have to leave school early to go to work, and on weekdays I don’t have to work until 1 AM organizing merchandise.

Others agree that communication is key as a student with a job. When asked how to manage work while keeping up with school, Tremblay responded, “Communication with your manager, trying to find a happy medium with your hours.”

Though the workforce helps develop communication skills, students who are looking for jobs should already have a strong foundation in communication. It is important to let your potential hirer know your schedule from the very beginning to know if a job is a good fit for you.

People Skills

Regardless of your job, you will interact with others. Though this is most obvious in customer service work, even in other jobs it is important to interact positively with your coworkers and bosses. Therefore it is important to make sure you are able to interact positively with them.

To this point, Naveen Nallakrishnan, a CGS senior who has worked three different jobs, said “the little details matter.” He then went on to mention the importance of not just showing up on time but early for your job. He also suggests that you should “always have a smile on your face,” offer to help, be supportive to peers, and never think you are too good for a task.

A positive attitude is a must-have for a job. Students who seek a job must be able to maintain that attitude even after hours of school and homework.

When I was interviewed for my job at the Moda Center I was asked if I thought I was a nice person. Every student who wishes to have a job should ask themselves that question. If the answer is no, they should think about what they need to do to change that because positive interactions are key throughout all aspects of work.

If you have made it through this list and believe that you have all the qualities then you should begin looking for opportunities.

Students have been able to find jobs in a plethora of different ways. Tremblay found her jobs on indeed.com, whereas Fisher saw the job offer on a billboard. I have gotten jobs through personal connections, emailing hirers directly, and even through the CGS Bulletin.

“Everyone says they are looking to hire but hardly anyone responds,” said Tremblay. She also stated that you may get an email back months after applying, so it may be important to apply to many jobs if you don’t care about your position. Patience is key when searching for a job.

Writing a good resume makes you seem more prepared and professional to employers. There are many useful tools and templates on the internet for writing a resume. Make sure to keep your resume concise and to the point. Consider including volunteer experience, extracurricular activities, and even things like what language to take.

I highly recommend working a job. It is a very rewarding experience that will help you gain new perspectives.

Working a job helped Nallakrishnan “break out of the Catlin bubble.” He said, “I learned about people’s lives who experienced different things, or struggled with different things than I did.”

Learning these social skills is valuable in college and beyond. And throughout the workforce, there is so much more for students to gain.

Take it from Nallakrishnan, who stated, “Working a job is one of my favorite things to do.”