Part-time jobs work for students

BY JORDAN VITICK

With unemployment rates skyrocketing throughout the country, finding a job, let alone finding a job for a busy high school student, has become more of a problem. Teens all around the downriver area are searching for work to help pay for college and to become more responsible in the real world.

MJR Theatres is one of the most popular places for a student to apply for a job. MJR starts hiring at the age of fifteen, and the employees can choose the days that they can or cannot work, so even the busiest student can find time to work and make some extra cash. Employees of this theatre chain can work at the box office admissions booths, concession stands, or as a projectionist or movie usher by sweeping and cleaning up messes.

"Working at MJR is a great job for students because of the flexible scheduling process. MJR pays decent for a typically easy job, and is a great place for anyone to work," said MJR movie usher and RHS senior Jack Hundley.

For the coffee lovers looking for somewhere to work, Starbucks would be a great place to apply. Applicants must be at least sixteen-years-old to work at the coffee chain. During the summer months, Starbucks offers paid internships to those wishing to gain a great experience and a further understanding of the entire Starbucks company. All partners of Starbucks also receive a complimentary pound of coffee each week.

If you are unable to drive or walk a long distance to get to your job, an application for Jerry’s Food Market would be a great choice. Located on the corner of Oak and 12^th Streets, Jerry’s Food Market starts hiring at the age of sixteen. Jerry’s also pays about $6.00 an hour and works around a student’s demanding schedule. Working as a stock person is what young staff members usually do at this local-owned business.

"[I] do stock [and] bring items onto the floor," said Jerry’s Food Market employee, junior Levy Sundquist.

Aeropostale would be a great job for a student interested in fashion or for one wanting a shopping discount. Employees at the store retailer have specific responsibilities that include sale generation, basic operational knowledge of the business, and most importantly, having fun. A thirty percent discount off store merchandise is also given to each worker, and sometimes discounts can reach fifty percent. The minimum age requirement to work at Aeropostale is sixteen-years-old.

A great after-school job can be found just a few blocks from RHS: Stroh’s Ice Cream Parlor. Stroh’s workers are able to eat and serve ice cream, all while being paid. Junior Blaine Lapp, hired by Stroh’s at just fifteen-years-old, said he usually scoops ice cream and this job would be convenient for students.

"I scoop ice cream and clean," said Lapp. "And John, my boss, works around my schedule because I’m really busy in the summer. [Working at Stroh’s Ice Cream Parlor] keeps you busy."

If you do not live close to downtown Wyandotte, then Dairy Queen would be another great ice cream shop to work at. To qualify to work at Dairy Queen, you must be at least fifteen-years-old, fill out an application, and then be interviewed. Workers get paid minimum wage, around $6.00 an hour, to clean up messes, and make and take the customer’s orders.

According to sophomore Marina Resto, working at Dairy Queen is a great way to make money and have fun at the same time.

"[Dairy Queen offers] flexible hours, it’s fun, you get to see a lot of friends from school, and you get to meet new people," said Resto.

Avid readers can apply to Border’s for employment; however, applicants must be either eighteen-years-old or have a high school diploma. The Borders Group, at times, does make an exception to this rule. Border’s workers can work as a cashier or with the store inventory, among others, and receive a thirty-three percent discount on the majority of the store’s items.

Even though you might not have time for a job at the moment, it would still be a good idea to apply for one now if you are even thinking about it. A majority of employers let you choose when you want to start working, so if you are busy now, you can still have the job ready for you when you have some free time. The summer is the best time to make some extra money, considering there is no school and it is better than sitting at home playing hours upon hours of video games.