As Schreiber students seek to get more involved in the “real world,” the supply of potential workers is increasing.  Getting a job can be very beneficial, as summer days often call for ice cream money, and there are numerous life lessons that come with being an employee.

Beyond the financial benefits of providing this type of job assistance, giving students knowledge on how to navigate the workplace will boost students’ resumes for college.  Providing students the confidence to apply to begin the job application process will not only benefit them financially, but allow them to build a stronger work ethic and time management skills.  However, some students are questioning whether or not they will be able to find a job on their own, and are looking to the administration for guidance.

“I don’t think it’s necessarily the job of the administration to provide students jobs, but it could definitely help those who are struggling to find jobs or need help supporting their families financially,” said sophomore Christine Worms.

Schreiber has a job board located near the guidance office, which posts unique opportunities for prospective workers.  Here, students can find postings from local businesses, as well as those from local parents looking for tutors or babysitters.

Although the school is not literally handing off jobs to students, they make a significant effort to support students who need a push to search for a job.  Many students who don’t have connections around town utilize the job board.

  “I got a job through something posted in the school, it was definitely helpful,” said junior Peter Sullivan.

However, a major issue is that many students lack knowledge about the job application process. Also, finding a job can be very difficult for students who are in the process of learning English as their second language, teens who are intimidated by the application process, and students with no prior job experience.

One way to combat this is to have more school-sponsored job fairs, or to organize a club where students can learn how to interact with others in the workplace, streamline the application process, learn how to build a resume, and become a productive employee.

“I personally have not tried to get a job through the school, nor have I known anyone who has,” said sophomore Steven Meisel.  “I think the problem is that people just don’t know where to start.”

Another example of the administration helping provide internship and job opportunities to students is through the Senior Experience project.  Schreiber offers students a variety of ways to fulfill the Senior Experience requirement, including a Senior Options course that helps guide students in developing a project by taking an elective dedicated to their goal.

A simple visit to the school’s website can lead you to the Senior Experience page, where there is a comprehensive list of prior sponsors that previous students used for their experience.  Although this may not directly provide students with jobs, it can put them on the right track, and teach them a lot about the workplace.

“Resources and teachers’ inputs are always available when coming up with your own unique senior experience,” said senior Mia Verras.

  This type of individualized guidance is exactly what students of all grades need to locate and apply for jobs.  While it is ultimately up to the student to put in the leg work of managing the difficulties of a job, the administration should continue to provide the resources to students who need assistance in finding these jobs.

Ultimately, the more the administration invests in providing these services, the more students will improve academically, financially, and socially.