As high school students, it’s no secret we’re always looking for new opportunities to make money. With school and other activities taking up most of our time, finding a job that works around our schedule is definitely ideal. But in today’s economy, it’s increasingly difficult for adults to find jobs, let alone high school students. So what kind of jobs do SHS students typically have?

Living on the South Shore and in Scituate, jobs in restaurants tend to be the most popular for high school students. According to sophomore Gina Brazao, a hostess at The Mill Wharf, she loves working there because “it teaches you organizational and planning skills but is also flexible and not too stressful.”

English teacher, Mr.Beattie, remembers his first high school job at McDonald’s very well and says he would “go back in a second.” He worked there from 9th grade to college, learning a lot about working with people and responsibility as “swing manager.” Whether it be a sit-down, takeout, or fast food restaurant, there’s no doubt that many high school students choose to work in the food business.

Another popular high school job, especially for girls, deals with something very popular among high school students: coffee.  Sophie Shillue, a senior who works at Coffee Corner, loves working at a coffee shop. She says she likes it because “you get to see a lot of people and it’s a fun atmosphere.” She describes it as a social but easy job because it doesn’t require many skills, which is convenient for someone looking for a fun, simple way to make money. Coffee shops seem to be an ideal place to work, given SHS students’ love for coffee. Whether you’re a fan of Marylou’s, Coffee Corner, Starbucks, or Dunkin Donuts, there’s a good chance you’ll find a SHS student working there.

A good amount of SHS students tend to work at local restaurants or food establishments, including supermarkets like Shaw’s and The Village Market. However, they are some jobs that require a little more training and seem to be less common. Senior Brad Donovan works as a lifeguard at the YMCA during the school year and likes it because it has a flexible schedule and is fairly easy work. He feels that it’s a good job for high school students because “it teaches you to have responsibility and to deal with all different types of people and situations,” which are definitely good skills to have. Although it may take some extra training, life-guarding seems to be good for working around your own schedule while learning valuable skills as well.

While finding a job as a high school student today may be somewhat difficult, SHS students appreciate their jobs for the skills they learn, a fun atmosphere and of course, the money. Whether they’re making your coffee, bagging your groceries or busing your table, you’re bound to see a SHS student working around Scituate.