North Students Share Ways to Earn Money in High School

Most North High School students have a fairly common approach to making money: work at a restaurant, in retail, or help out at home and get paid via allowance. These are all classic ways for any teenager to earn money; however, today there’s a lot more opportunities to make money, and maybe not in the ways some would think.

“I was groundskeeper/maintenance/muscle for Maryland Heights Apartments last summer.” said sophomore Ethan Collins, who stopped because school started. The job paid $8.50 an hour. It was pretty nice. I got to help other people, and pick my own hours. I’d do it again. I learned a whole bunch while I worked there,” said Collins.

The job he had as a groundskeeper taught him skills such as how to trim trees and hedges, and how to unclog toilets. It may not be the most glamorous job, but it is useful to know and a way to make money for more enjoyable things..

“I work at a farmer’s market for $10 an hour. It’s good, hard work.” said sophomore Ryan Lehne. Over the Summer, Lehne works at Soulard Farmers Market about every weekend. However, during the school year, he doesn’t work as much because he is busy with schoolwork.

Students choose to earn money because they understand the value and necessity of a job.

“You have to have some sort of income,” said freshman Bella Berger, “[The only reason] I don’t have a job now [is] because I’m not old enough yet.”

For many freshman, finding an available job can be difficult. At 14 or 15 years old, most companies still won’t hire you as an employee. That’s why many students resort to chores, babysitting, and lifeguarding as a source of income.

“This summer, I’m going to be lifeguarding for Lifeguards Unlimited, and I’m also going to babysit.” said freshman Ana Pancini.

Lifeguarding is a great option for work over the summer, assuming you know how to swim, and the pool is your scene; requirements to be a lifeguard include that the employee is a minimum of 15-years-old and has been certified as a lifeguard. At Lifeguards Unlimited, Pancini will make $8.50 an hour.

Babysitting is another option because there are no age limitations and the money can be good.

“I make $12 an hour babysitting four kids, and I don’t get paid when I babysit my brother or other people in my family,” said Pancini. The age and number of kids, family, time babysitting, and experience of the babysitter all factor into the amount of money a babysitter makes for a job.

“I babysit and earn $80 for five hours babysitting three kids. I was their camp counselor, and they called me one day,” said freshman Alexandria Burch, “When I work for Camp Emeth I get $1,000 a Summer. I enjoy it.”

Burch explained that, at first, she had to work for free as a CIT (Counselor In Training), but that it paid off since she enjoys kids, and “it teaches you responsibility, prepares you for the future, and it’s a good way to start making money.” said Burch.

Hopefully, you like your job, but, if not, you may want to consider starting your own business. Freshman Cassie Schoene started selling bows and jewelry on Instagram for a different reason: “I get to be creative which is fun, and I get to make money while I do something that I love.” said Schoene.

There are a lot of benefits to starting your own business. You are your own boss which means that you, for the most part, choose your own hours, make your own money, and can more easily balance work and school.

Starting a small business can be very rewarding, and your small business may even progress into a huge business.

This happened with Farrah Gray, who started selling body lotion at age six, and, by the time he was 13, it had turned into a full-on business. Gray was a millionaire at 14. He has and continues to be paid great amounts of money to speak at events. Even if your business doesn’t work out, it’s still a great learning experience.

Another way to make money is to start a blog of YouTube channel. This doesn’t even require one to be in a certain location.

You don’t have to be an amazing writer to be successful at blogging. However, bloggers should (hopefully) enjoy writing and use their voice to share their passion or hobbies with other people.

“I’m not an amazing writer in my opinion,” Pancini said, “But, I probably will [try blogging] at some point because my mom’s a writer.”

Other students work a more traditional job during the summer.

“[I work at] QT. It’s okay. It’s a lot of work, but it’s okay.” said junior Thomas Coleman, who earns $10 an hour working at QuikTrip.

“I work at Bread Co. It pays $9 an hour,” said junior Anthony Kandilaroff, “I don’t really like the working environment, but [I] stay because of the pay, and it’s too much work to find another job.”

There are so many ways to make money while in high school. What North High students do with their money is up to them.

“It’s good to have a job [in high school], because your parents will trust you more. [Plus,] you can buy your own stuff, and it can help with college.” said Pancini.

by Sophia Strathman, staff writer