During your high school years, you may start to also work your first job. Even though it has been a different and difficult school year, many students at LHS are still continuing to work outside of school. Some of us do it for the experience, while others use the money to save for college or pay our monthly car payments.
Karsten Beich is a junior at LHS who owns his own thrift store Colorado Vintage, while also working at Colorado Journey Mini Golf. He works 40-50 hours a week with the combined jobs. He started his online thrift store for fun, but then realized how much potential it had.
“I just thought that everything about it and starting up a business, in general, would be super fun. I didn’t see any better way at this age than to start with vintage clothes,”
This year’s hybrid school schedule has benefited Beich a lot.
“I am absolutely begging for us to go full online, the two days are just stressful, and also if we go full online I can spend 100% of my days on school too,” [since this interview, we have now gone online as a school].
Balancing that many hours of school and work is also a struggle for students, when asking Beich how he does it, he said that is super hard. He spends many hours working and balancing that with school can be a struggle. If you have the chance, go check out Beich’s Instagram account @colo.vintage and website https://www.coloradovintage.net/ for his business.
Eva DeThomas is a senior who works at Qdoba. She works 10-15 hours a week on the front line, preparing your food. When asking her if work conflicts with her school schedule, she said the biggest conflict has been with taking the SAT and other tests the next day after working.
“I have been studying for and taking the SAT. I closed the night before last time I took them so I didn’t get home till midnight. I had 5 hours of sleep and had to drive an hour away for the test. Stuff like that happens all the time with other tests too,” DeThomas said.
The benefits of hybrid learning though for DeThomas is that she is able to take more day time shifts instead of having to work late nights for every shift.
Morgan Kelly is a junior who works at Littleton Golf and Tennis. She typically works 4-6 hours a week on cart staff. Her job is to park and clean the golf carts and also go get the golf balls.
Hybrid learning benefits her because, “with hybrid, I can usually work around my schoolwork.” She has days to spend just doing school work and getting her tasks done.
Sophie O’Dell is a junior that works at The Lake House Kitchen & Tavern. She works around 15-20 hours a week as a hostess. She greets the customers, finds them a seat, and takes reservations.
“It is easier to work on days without school because I would wear a face mask all day at school, take it off in the car, and then wear it all night at work,” O’Dell said.
When trying to maintain a balance between school and work, O’Dell will bring her homework to work when it is not as busy.
“Sometimes when I have to do assignments like read 17 chapters of Pride & Prejudice, I would read and do other homework while working and just put it away when a customer comes.”
Emerson Smith is a senior who works at the Buck Rec Center in Littleton. He works 20 hours a week as a lifeguard. Even though it is almost wintertime, the indoor pools are still open.
“I have been able to pick up more hours and my schedule at work allows it. Half the time at work I am not doing anything so I spend my time than doing homework.”
For Smith, hybrid learning and work helps him out since he struggles to do his work at home.
Overall, hybrid and remote learning has had a positive effect on Littleton High School students with jobs. We have more time to focus on our school work and pick up more hours to save money. Especially with the face masks, it is nice to have a break from wearing the masks all day long from school to work. Although it can be hard to balance work and school as students, this year’s hybrid learning has helped students with that.