AIBU to encourage my daughter to get a part-time job while in sixth form?

[mumbunz24]

My daughter just started sixth form this September at a grammar school, and I’ve noticed that not many of her classmates seem to have part-time jobs.
I’m wondering if it’s a good idea to nudge her towards getting some work experience, or if that might interfere with her studies. I know balancing A-levels can be tough, but I also believe that part-time work can teach valuable skills and responsibility.
AIBU to think she should consider a part-time job, or should I let her focus solely on her studies?

100% a part time job! Too many people getting to the end of a levela or even uni having not worked.

A little weekend or evening job a couple of days a week will do wodners for them, and give them some money to buy whatever they want, save for a car, pay petrol when they have a car etc

Absolutely. Work ethic is very important.

You can encourage it certainly but acknowledge that it won't be easy. Several of ds's friends did have part time jobs but they were mostly from lower income families who cold not afford to provide any socialising money OR they had family connections in a workplace.

The former category found that it did affect their studies and one of ds's friends was told by his workplace that he would lose his job when his college timetable changed in the run up to an assessment. The friend who worked the most (as a lifeguard) ended up getting the lowest grades in ds's friendship group.

Ds kept looking but found that employers wanted more flexibility than he could give eg they offered 8 and 12 hour contracts but he had to commit to being available to cover holidays and sickness at times he should be in college. Many other places only wanted 18 year olds.

Having part time jobs made a huge difference to both my DC. For both children it helped them develop a range of skills, become more independent and "grow up" (they were still treated very much like children in a school sixth form).

It was also useful to have as experience for next steps (which was an apprenticeship for one DC, and university for the other).

I also think it's good for the DC to have their own money and start to understand the value of things, rather than solely relying on bank of Mum and Dad.

YANBU, all of ours have had part time jobs. It helps them learn the value of money, gives them a bit of a work ethic. I made DD quit Hera around GCSEs though and will do the same when she gets close to A Levels

My dd did the same and it’s been amazing for her confidence. She gave up with indeed and went to places she’d like to work with a cv and covering letter. She’s worked weekends since July after GCSEs. I don’t know why other parents aren’t encouraging the same (not many of her friends work) but it is much harder to get them work under 18… I worked from 14 and loved the atmosphere/friendships/money. She might reduce her hours the term before alevels but she’s fitting everything in at the moment.

Definitely a PT job.
When I was that age, which wasn't long ago (!) most people worked evenings or weekends with a small exception.
When I left uni there was a noticeable difference between those who had never worked before and those who had. It builds confidence, work ethic and of course they get the extra cash!

Interesting. In DDs friendship group, it’s the higher achievers from higher income families who have part time jobs.

In RL every teenager I know has a PT job, MN kids seem to have to devote very spare minute to studies which is odd as I thought all MN kids were incredibly smart and /sporty 🤷🏼‍♀️

I agree with most people who say that a part-time job would definitely help boost her confidence. However, I've noticed something interesting. Until sixth form, my daughter was studying in a non-grammar school.
The big difference I've noticed is that in her old friend group from the non-grammar school, most of them are working part-time. But in her current grammar school, hardly anyone seems to have a part-time job. This is just my observation, and I don't want to imply that students in non-grammar schools are less serious about their studies.
I was initially keen for her to work, but seeing how much homework she has and how it takes up most of her time, I'm wondering if she'll be able to find time for a part-time job.

PT job all the way
They'll be around adults instead of only being with kids their own age
They'll learn a sense of responsibility
They'll have their own money
They'll understand more about the value of money
They'll have something else to put on their CV

I probably won't unless it's really necessary. I envisage my oldest will still be engaged in at least one of their extracurricular activities as either a serious hobby or a potential career. They'll have their studies and social life to consider too. It will be too much for that age.

Though a lot of kids in one of their hobbies move into coaching the younger ones so that might be the way it works for them

It also depends what they're studying

My DD has a PT job as do most of her friends

Some are paid really badly and some were treated badly

Most have now found better pt jobs

My DS could not fit a job around his studies and now he's at university he has too many lectures and his course is very demanding so again no way he can commit to a PT job

If he was on a course with only 3-4 hours of lectures a week like some then of course he could fit in a PT job

DD will want to work PT at uni when she goes but her course might be too demanding so she has to figure it out

I left it up to my DC to decide if they had time to balance a job plus studies. I simply told them that their full time day job was student and that any paid work was a second job and therefore not a priority. That they should only do paid work if it did not affect their studies. I also gave them a decent amount of pocket money so they could take over paying for their own transport, clothing and toiletry costs plus a buffer that they could save or spend as they wished.

My DH all went to a grammar school. All worked p/t from the age of about 15 right the way through their A levels.

I was head of sixth form in a grammar school. The majority of our sixth formers worked. We are pretty rural and they nearly all want driving lessons/cars. It's not a wealthy area and most families would expect their teens to work if they want stuff, rather than depending on the 'Bank of Mum and Dad' who probably can't afford it.

It won't do her any harm. And it helps them to see that you do have to balance work with other responsibilities. It gets them organised.

I’d love my DS to have a job but he’s had no luck yet. Most places seem to want 20 hours or over 18s. It’s disappointing and just another way young people are missing out on life milestones.

My parents discouraged me from working while I was in sixth form for fear of it interfering with my studies. I think it would have done me the world of good.

Yanbu.

My ds is the same age and I've made it clear that if he wants driving lessons next year or a car or a holiday other than our family holiday, he needs to start earning now, because I won't be able to pay for him.

I do have some money put aside to help with driving lessons but I'm keeping that quiet. I had a job cleaning for a couple of hours at the weekend from 13, so I don't see why it would be unfair. I still passed all my exams.

Part time work of the sort that sixth formers typically get isn't sufficiently beneficial in itself to encourage it, no. If she specifically wanted to do it, or if there were other reasons such as career interests or needing the money then fine. Basically there aren't enough pros or cons to push her either way.

I’m not sure.

I think a part-time job gives valuable experience.

But I also think it could prove to be a distraction to studying, given how competitive it is to get good results and the best uni places.

I definitely spent too much time working in sixth form (because I liked the money!) vs actually doing any work.

Lots of seasonal retail jobs at the moment that you need no experience for. Perfect for students

It will depend on what she is studying and how much private study the grammar school expects.
It will also depend dramatically on where you live. In my experience part time jobs are becoming harder and harder for students (school and uni) to find. Zero hour contracts mean that current employees tend to pick up the extra hours that young people once had.

There are definitely benefits to it for some but as a teacher my heart has often sunk when students tell me how many shifts they are doing and I have seen it impact their school work. Some get drawn in by the amount of money they can make and some employers put pressure on them to do more than they can really cope with.

Ds is very lucky in that his sixth form offers part time work by paying students to serve and supervise in the cafeteria at lunch time and he does that a few days a week to top up his allowance. He has friends who work in shops etc but a lot don't as there isn't a lot on offer for under 18s here.

I struggle to believe all these kids are doomed and the obsession with part time jobs from as soon as possible here is baffling to me.

Next are a good one to apply for to do the Xmas cover and sales. They will normally then have you back for the summer sales etc.

I think holiday jobs are great, but I never worked when doing my A levels. I was ambitious to get top grades and also needed a lie in at the weekend to recuperate a bit.
I did help around the house/do odd jobs for my grandmother whom we saw every Saturday, so wasn't lazy.
It really depends on temperament.
Having said that, a sixth former I knew got a job in a solicitors' office which they did for about 4-6 hours per week during free periods. This was very well paid/round the corner from school and in the school day thus leaving the weekend and evening free. They then got more hours in the school holidays.
If you have the money for her not to work, I'd keep term time free of commitments