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a AA ST. 2% £ € ~~ "A Family Tradition for 130 Years" Trying to make a living Students balancing studies with work By Jason Logan Port Perry Star SCHOOL LIFE and homework have always gone hand in hand. But it is becoming more and more common for teens to put their studies on the back burner on oc- casion in favor of more lu- crative pursuits. The number of local highschoolers working part time after school and on weekends is quite high, and a conflict of interest between work and school is bound to occur. Why do kids feel that they need part time jobs? Money immediately springs to the mind among the majority questioned. "I'd rather be able to do stuff than do nothing. I took that option," says Ke- vin Gray, a senior student at Port Perry High School who has rarely been with- out work since he was 12 years old. Another reason for part time work, according to P.P.H.S. senior, Kevin Hobbs, is "the experience for when I get older." Ke- vin is quick to point out however, that "the money is nice too." THE ROLES that teens fill are diverse. They per- form as sales clerks, stock boys, camp counselors, construction workers, gas attendants, rink rats and secretaries. Whatever they are capable of doing, thew will do. The money earned by these kids is being used in various ways. * (I) save for my post- secondary education," says Kym Bright, who di- vides her time between two different jobs. Most decide to save their money for a future investment, be it college, university or a vehicle, but will admit to spending money without hesitation on any basic needs. For example there's Ben Blain, who carried a full time job all summer and is currently looking for something else during the school year. He used his money to buy a truck. On average, $80 a week is spent by youths on food, gas, cigarettes, vehicle payments or entertain- ment. Larger expendi- tures such as sports regis- tration, sports equipment, car insurance or clothes help to empty one's pocket as well It would appear that the younger generation spends quite a sum of money each week. The fact is, though, that with the amount of work stu- dents receive, they can af- ford to spend this kind of JASON LOGAN/PORT PERRY STAR Kym Bright puts on a smile while working at Peer Pressure, the Port Perry store where she works part-time. She's one of the numerous high school stu- dents who work to-earn money for spending, and university costs. money. The average number of work hours among the in- terviewees was around 20 per week. That's wracked up week nights, after school, and on long shifts on weekends. Combine that number with the 30 hours per week inside a classroom, and these kids are busting their butts on a full-time basis. In some cases the num- ber of hours put in by stu- dents at the job site can af- fect their studies. The reason is time, ac- cording to more than half of the interviewees. Many teens feel that they simply don't have the time or en- ergy after work to com- pletely focus on their homework on a nightly ba- sis. Does this mean that these kids would quit their part time jobs to enable them to improve their school work? "No," says Ryan Dice- man, who averages 15 to 20 hours a week. "I need the money." Tom Chambers adds, "1 would find time. I would stay up all nightifI had to. I've done it before, but I wouldn't quit my job." This is not to say that those who work and at- tend school feel that their part-time jobs are more important than their stud- jes; they simply feel that their jobs require a certain amount of their time as well. It is ironic that those whose grades are affected by work are ultimately saving their money for fur- ther education Landing a part-time job is easier for some than oth- ers. The traditional resume, application and formal in- terview is not always the case. Although most do experience this process in some form, roughly three quarters of the student workers interviewed ad- mitted that they received their jobs with the inside help of a relative or family friend. For those without a helping hand, persistence and determination is re- quired. THE CLASSIFIED sec- tion of the newspaper and the computerized job bank at the Scugog Public Li- brary are good places to look for openings. The job bank includes a special section for student oppor- tunities, and provides a list of information about the jobs, and how to apply for the positions. For those preparing for interviews, punctuality, eye contact, appearance and clear speech are con- sidered important by em- ployers. And teens should not feel intimidated or afraid to apply for posi- tions they feel would be better suited for an adult. When asked about the advantages of high school Certificates DJ TAYLOR INSURANCE BROKERS LTD. 169 North St., Port Perry LOL 1B7 Guaranteed Investment without Notice) employees, Don Mitchell, of Pizza Delight, said, "there are no disadvantag- es. An employee is an em- ployee." And Mary Parish, of Country Style Donuts in Manchester explains that young workers seem to keep level-headed when the going gets frantic. "They (students) can handle the pressure of vol- ume sales better than a full time employee." You will be hard pressed to find anyone at the high school level without part time work, or without the desire to have a part time job these days. Kids are finding new jobs each and every day in many differ- ent areas. So it can be said that in today's society, school, homework and part time jobs go hand in hand....in hand. That's too many hands, isn'tit? Ah well, students are an industrious lot. They're learning to figure that problem out. Jason Logan, a senior student at Port Perry High School, is the Star's co-op. | student this semester. He'll be writing for the paper regularly, when he isn't in class... or working at his part-time job. G.L.C. FIVE YEAR PHONE 985-8416 & FF? = E= BRAKE INSPECTION on reques HERE'S MUFFLERS [2127.1 45 SHOCKS