Managing a school schedule is hard enough, but balancing a work schedule on top of it?

Vincent Nguyen, a student at Public Safety Academy (PSA) not only works at Macy’s 16-20 hours a week, but he also participates in the Fairfield Fire Department Fire Explorer program three to twelve hours a week. The Fire Explorer program include a variety of activities such as CPR training, introductory firefighting and rescue techniques, and various other community service projects.

Learning to use time wisely isn’t an attribute everyone obtains right away, but Nguyen makes it looks easy, finding time for school, work and even a social life (including his girlfriend).

Going home from school to work may mean homework done late at night. Although Nguyen claims he has enough time for his homework despite his busy schedule, he also admits to it being a bit stressful.

“Teens should learn to grow up and stress is a part of growing up,” Nguyen said. In life, people will always be faced with new responsibility and teens should learn to handle it as well as balance it. “Learning to balance school with life and work is a part of becoming an adult,” said Nguyen. Working can also help a teen develop communication, problem solving, and other skills of a professional community.

Nguyen benefits financially, making his own money and paying for his basic necessities such as food and clothes. Now he is able to say, “I don’t have to depend on my parent.” In addition to the financial benefits, Nguyen is constantly surrounded by new people, new problems, and new learning experiences. Finances and money management are not the only skill that high schoolers learn having a job.