Whenever you go to a fast-food restaurant or shop at the mall, you are bound to see  masses of employed teenagers who are students as well.

Having a job as a teenager is beneficial because it holds teenagers up to a new standard, which in time, builds up responsibility. They’re expected to be on time, clock in, be ready in uniform and have a smile.

The bad part of searching for a new job is that your areas are extremely limited.  Due to their age, most teenagers can only find fast-food or retail jobs.

Junior Lucinda Santiago works at Pizza Hut on Asheville Highway. She spends most of her days working there so that she can afford to upgrade her car and to help support her family.

“I work close to 24 hours per week,” Santiago said.

Santiago works to make sure that she is able to balance school and work. She completes her homework whenever she has free time during school, so she isn’t stressed when she gets home at later hours.

“I have stayed all A’s, even when I’m working,” Santiago said.

Having a job as a student may be stressful, but Santiago pulls through as she knows the benefits of earning her own money and not relying on her parents.

She has this to say to underclassmen who may be interested in applying for jobs:

“Pick a job that you know you will like, and don’t pick up to many hours a week because your sleep is very important.”