Balancing High School and Part-Time Work

You have to consider a number of factors when deciding whether or not to get a job. The
important thing is to arm yourself with as much information as possible, so you can figure out
what choice makes the most sense for you.
If you are considering working part-time, schedule a meeting with your school counselor to
discuss this move. Talk to your counselor about why you want to work and what type of position
youre seeking. Simply explaining your goals to someone else can help you make decisions and
figure out your priorities.
Schoolwork, including homework and studying for tests, should always be your top priority.
The activities and courses students choose vary considerably, so its important for young people
to keep their individual situations clearly in mind, says Brad McGowan, director of the Career
Centre at Newton North High School in Massachusetts. Further, McGowan cautions students
who do decide to work: If you are rushing through your assignment or not studying enough for
tests because of work, its time to cut back or quit and find a less time-consuming job. He adds,
Students should always let their employers know what their time limits are. If you are being
pressured to work more hours than you can handle, you need to find a new place to work. You
also need to make sure that a job wont prevent you from getting enough rest.
1. What should a student do first when considering working part time?
a. Schedule a meeting with the employer of the job.
b. Discuss with the school counselor.
c. Schedule a meeting with the school principal.
d. Discuss with your friends.
e. Schedule a meeting and discuss with the class.
2. What does Brad McGowan do?
a. Brad McGowan is a student who takes part-time job.
b. Brad McGowan is the director of the Career Centre at Newton North High School.
c. Brad McGowan is the school counselor of Newton North High School in Massachusetts.
d. Brad McGowan is the employer of some students at Newton North High School.
e. Brad McGowan is the principal at Newton North High School in Massachusetts.
3. What does the word it in paragraph 3 refer to?
a. student
b. individual situation
c. young people
d. to keep to individual situations clearly in mind
e. to keep to individual situations clearly in mind is important.

4. What does Brad McGowan suggest when students dont have enough time to study?
a. Quit and find a less time-consuming job.
b. Talk to the employer.
c. Discuss with the school counselor.
d. Keep doing both working while studying.
e. Sue the employer for the compensation.
5. What is the benefit of explaining your goals to someone else?
a. Help you find what type of position youre seeking
b. Help you make decisions and figure out your priorities
c. Help you with homework and studying for tests
d. Help you find the great part-time job
e. Help you know what should always be your top priority
6. What students should do if they are being pressured to work more hours than they can handle?
a. Discuss with the employer
b. Keep doing the work
c. Talk to parents
d. Find a new place to work
e. Sue the employer for more salary
7. What is the important thing when deciding whether or not to get a job for students?
a. Discuss with the school counselor
b. Figure out the priorities
c. Find as much information as possible to figure out the best choices
d. Find information about the amount of salary
e. Find information about the type of job
8. What is students top priority when deciding working part time?
a. The job
b. The schoolwork
c. The job and schoolwork
d. Find time for rest
e. Studying for tests
9. Why students should keep their individual situations clearly in mind?
a. Because students need balancing their school and part-time work
b. Because the schoolwork is more important
c. Because every students have different condition
d. Because every part-time work has different consequences
e. Because the activities and courses vary considerably

10. What are the things that need to be discussed with your counselor before starting a part-time
job?
a. The reason why you want to work and the type of position
b. Explaining your priorities
c. Discuss how to get more salary
d. Discuss how to deal with your employer
e. Discuss how to study effectively