The high school lifestyle is filled to the brim with new opportunities and experiences, one of them being a student’s first job. Many high schoolers find themselves working at the local grocery store or in the fast food industry. However, a handful of students seek out more interesting, unique means of employment to fit their needs and tastes.

“I worked [at Sisters of Sound] by cleaning records, sorting stuff,” junior Kylie Nettles said. Her dad originally introduced her to the job opportunity, and she was more than happy to take up the offer with her interest in music. Working during the summers, Nettles received store credit in return for her service, which sat well with her.

“[The environment] was really relaxed,” Nettles said.  “Didn’t matter how you spoke there or how you acted, because there was really no rules.”

Work can definitely be a major weight, especially in school. Balancing school, grades, peers, home life, clubs and sports can be a hassle, and putting a job on top of it will be difficult. However, finding a job that interests oneself can have a positive effect. Unique job opportunities can often bring new and different challenges and obstacles most jobs would not offer.

Another Manhattan High student, Maggie Morgan, enjoys her job working at the well-known shop in Aggieville, Varsity Doughnuts.

“It’s always really fun, making people happy,” Morgan said. “[The coworkers] are good, they’re relaxed. It’s mainly college students, a few high schoolers, but it’s really chill.”

While Morgan encourages others  to apply to Varsity Doughnuts if given the chance and enjoys her job at Varsity, she is currently exploring her options in the workforce,

“I’m looking into more volunteer work, maybe interning somewhere,” Morgan says.

Expanding one’s mindset when finding a job can lead to these fun opportunities in the workforce, rather than just settling down for a job in the industry everyone and their brother works in. Either way, many high school students find themselves settling for any job they can get their hands on. Most often, they are in need to make and save their money for their goals: a car of their own, college, future travels, personal items and wants.