By: Anyssa Alonso
Senior Holly Spier preparing hot drinks for residents. Photo by: Anyssa Alonso
School takes up a rather lengthy part of the day for students, and even more time when homework is added into the equation. However, there is still time left in the afternoon for students to partake of some activity. Many choose to take part in sports, band, choir, and other extra curricular activities. Some, on the other hand, choose to work a part time job. One place that a few PHS students spend their afternoons working is Plymouth’s Miller’s Merry Manor; those students provide an inside look on their work experiences and how they juggle school and work.
“I love working at Miller’s,” exclaims Miller’s employee of nine months, junior Lindsey Holloway, “All of the people there are nice and fun to be around.” Holloway tends to work on weekends and one or two days during the week as well. Even with her shift ending later in the evening, she still manages to find the time for school work. “I try to get my 1st and 2nd hour homework done in SRT,” she explains, “and I do the other homework after I get home from work.”
Junior Jacob Whaley, Miller’s employee of almost three years, also makes the time to finish his school assignments. Although he spends a lot of his time at work, about 50 hours a week, Whaley realizes he must make time for school. “I give it 50/50,” he shares about managing his time between both school and work. It is vital for a student with a job to make the time for school work. School should always over rule work and employers understand that students need extra time for their studies, and will work out a flexible schedule to provide this extra time. Along with the pressures of her senior year, employee of three years Holly Spier tries, “to get off of work as soon as possible to start and finish as much homework as possible before falling asleep.” Time may be difficult to manage, but should always be taken into consideration. “I get my job done,” adds senior Rafael Quintana employee of two months.
During the night shift there is a total of four employees. One “supervisor” who is in charge of making sure that all tasks are completed, one “cook server” who serves the food and helps clean the kitchen, and two “aides” that assist with dinner drinks/deserts and clear the dining area as well as clean all of the dishes. The work is not hard, however, can lead to a long night if one does not stay on task. Supervisor shifts are for those of at least 18 years of age and begin at 11 A.M. Aides begin their work at 4:00 P.M. and cook server at 4:30 P.M. The kitchen and dining room should be cleared and cleaned by the latest of 8:00 P.M. On a good night, the crew could be done at 7:30 P.M. Employees work together in order to complete all of the necessary tasks. “I have made many friendships,” explains Spier, “that wouldn’t have have happened otherwise.” The dietary crew at Miller’s spends a lot of time together which have resulted in strong bonds with one another as well as the residents. “I learn to deal with people in everyday life,” adds Whaley.
Working provides many benefits. “It keeps [the] youth out of trouble,” states Whaley. “I think that I am learning some responsibility,” shares Holloway, “and being around older people, I can learn about some [of] the things that happened before I was born.” “I love the residents,” adds Spier. The residents at Miller’s are kind and love to have a willing ear to confide memories with. They enjoy visits from family as well as volunteers who make time just to be with them. Activities are constantly going on therefore providing many opportunities for volunteers.
Along with the friendships is the money a job provides. “…the pay isn’t anything to complain about,” states Spier. The first year of work at Miller’s, one can expect to make $7.25 per hour and receive a $0.15 bonus every addition year of work. Holidays are rewarded with time and a half ($10.88 an hour). “..you have a little more cash and you really don’t have to nag mom and dad for money,” adds Whaley. “I have a car and need money for gas,” explains Holloway, “Also, I can save up for college.” Pay days are every 7th and 22nd of the month and a high school enrolled employees can expect to get paid for 20-60 hours of work a pay check. The money is helpful in many ways. “[those that work] learn responsibility and how to become wise with money,” says Spier. It is important for younger adults to learn how to manage their money. Setting up a standard for how money is saved and spent should be made so that it is a constant habit and one can truly benefit. Many high school Miller employees put about half of their money in savings and use the other half for miscellaneous activities.
Students with jobs have a lead over those not involved in extra curricular activities. “I have the money to do the things they can’t,” states Spier. Quintana agrees saying, “[I’m] learning to be responsible. [And] I like it..a lot.” A part time job and benefits go hand and hand and is a good thing for a student, who does not already have a full schedule, to take part in. It helps individuals to mature and get a feel for the real working world. “..definitely get one,” exclaims Quintana.