Does having a job affect
the priority of school
work for teens?
http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/
Introduction
•
All over the world, many students in full-time education also work part-time jobs for
money. Through the use of categorical and discrete data we gathered students in
year 11 and 12 at Loreto College often have jobs such as delivering newspapers,
baby-sitting neighbours’ children, serving in retail shops, waiting tables, working in
fast-food outlets and many more.
•
Surveys showed that in most cases nearly all teens either have or want a part-time
job. Most say they do it for the money, but many also think it teaches them important
skills and ethics and will benefit them with getting a job in the future. Parents and
teachers are more worried about students working part-time. They think it can harm
their schoolwork and worry that some employers may take advantage of young
workers.
Collecting the data
• Used surveys
• Convenient data
• Of 150 year 11’s, we handed out fifty
surveys.
• 50/150* 100 = 33.3 % of girls were
analysed.
• Collected categorical and numerical
discrete data.
How many times a week do you work?
Do you find it hard to balance your
lifestyle?
What is most important
to you?
25
20
15
10
5
0
Yes
No
Sometimes
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Do you participate in extra
curricular activities?
How many times do you
work a week?
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
1
2
3
4
5
Analysing the data
•
From these results we came to the conclusion some students may be able to balance
school work and jobs without harming their education. Other students find it difficult
to priorities. 70% of students do not find it hard to balance their lifestyle.
•
Further studies show that above about ten hours paid work a week, students do
worse at school. And even if students try to limit how long they work for, employers
often put pressure on them to put in more hours. 70% of students also find time to
participate in extra curricular activities outside of school and work.
•
At busy times of year like Christmas, holiday periods and stocktaking, students may
be pushed into working many extra hours for fear of having their job terminated.
82% of the data put their first preference school work, so majority would make sure
school comes before work.
•
Having a part-time job can make students more positive about education. Experience
of work makes them think about future careers. This may motivate them to go to
tertiary studies, and they see the point in working hard to get good grades, to
eventually start a career. From the data the girls mainly work between 2-3 times a
week which allows them to continue a balanced lifestyle.
Conclusion
•
In reality some employers will try to take advantage of them but any intelligent
teenager will be able to know when to back out and say when. We believe the student
should have to maintain a certain grade to be able to work, at least a high C average
is sufficient.
•
Casual work allows students to have a little pocket money and feel a sense of
independence without pressuring their parents in hard times. It teaches them the
very valuable employment skills that youth need these days to be able to succeed in
the future.
•
We must trust our teens to find their own way in the world, deciding which
opportunities they will take. For most students, getting a part-time job is an
important way of gaining independence.