Forty-seven percent of high school freshmen in the U.S have a job. This is a surprisingly low number for high school students for this year. When considering getting a job as a freshman, make sure to look at how many people want to work at the place you want to work and if you have the transportation to get there.

One objective to realize is how many people are applying for the job you want.  According to “Why So Few Teenagers Have Jobs Anymore” by Jessica Dickler, “a reduced demand for low-wage work and increased competition from older workers” (CNBC pg. 2). If we had more jobs to offer for teens I feel there would be a lot more teens getting jobs early in high school. I feel that people are less lenient to give teenagers jobs because they are known to get themselves into trouble.

Another thing to consider is if you even can get to your job. This is most teens’ problem. They can’t get a ride to their job, so therefore they can’t get a job. Hayden A. Mayfield states that if he had no car and had a job that was minimum wage, he would walk to his job. He said, “at that point money is necessary and walking isn’t that bad unless you are a target for a kidnapper.” This lets us know that teenagers are eager for a job but they will only go so far.

Some may think that if you just get a job somewhere else you don’t have competition. This is true however, teens are especially unwilling to get a different job after they have their mind set on a certain job. It would be very useful if parents would support them, but not so much that they won’t be able to take care of themselves after high school.

When your teen gets into high school, think about what they can do themselves alone, with little support. High schoolers, you might think you are capable, but think about what happens when you have to pay for your own food, taxes, bills and how are you going to make that money? Jobs. Experience in jobs will help get you better jobs also. Jobs are important.