TEENAGERS GET THEIR FIRST TASTE OF WORKING LIFE

Recent studies suggest that teens who have jobs gain confidence and learn valuable skills, such as budgeting their time and money, which contribute to success in school and in their future careers. But some area teens report benefits that are not quite so long-term.

"I've learned how to scoop mashed potatoes," said 18-year-old David Springer, who works on the serving line at MCL Cafeteria. "Now I have stronger calluses, so I can take gravy hitting my hand."

Y-Press recently interviewed a group of students at Broad Ripple High School about their employment experiences. In addition to Springer, the group included Lauren Watson, 18, Sheaundra Hansbrough, 16, Cerissa Choung, 16, Kyle Ramsey, 17, Zach Rotella, 17, and Curtis McMillian, 17.

According to the National Consumers League, 70 percent to 80 percent of teens work sometime during their high-school years. All but Rotella are currently employed.

Rotella tried unsuccessfully to find a job last summer, but he and his father agree it's not a good idea for him to work during the school year.

"I don't want it to interfere with schoolwork or plays that I'm in. That's the priority," he said.

The other teens work because they need the income, either for current or future expenses.

"It's money for me, and that's about it," said Ramsey, who works at Dante's Pizza and uses his money for things like gas for his car.

Springer tries to save his money. "I work because I need to get up as much money as I can for college," he said.

McMillian, who also works at MCL, spends his money on everyday necessities, like food. "I like having my own income so I don't have to ask my parents for money every five minutes," he said.

Hansbrough works at Rainbow, a clothing store in Washington Square, and keeps as much money as she can in her bank account.

"I put most of it in the bank and keep like $20, which will need to last me for lunch or little snacks throughout school," she said, adding that sometimes she helps her mother with expenses.

Choung has two jobs, at MCL and at Sugar Buzz, an ice cream parlor in Broad Ripple. She is saving half of her money for college, and she also covers book rental at the high school.

Watson works for the joy of it -- hosting children's parties at Sugar Buzz. "I've worked with kids for a long time," she said. "I do face painting, and I get to spend a lot of times with kids. And it's well-paying."

Watson's job provides her with spending money, although she tries to save some, too. She has one assurance the others don't -- her parents will pay her college expenses.

In addition to a paycheck, some of the teens get perks for their hard work. Hansbrough gets a 30 percent discount at Rainbow.

Ramsey gets a 50 percent food discount at Dante's any time, and the MCL employees get 50 percent off some items consumed during work hours.

But most don't feel that these discounts offset their low pay. Minimum wage in Indiana is $5.15 an hour, which is roughly what most of these teens make.

"When I first started working at MCL, I was really excited," Choung said. "The first paycheck was like $150, and I was like, 'Wow! That is so great.' Then after a while you're working eight hours a week and only making $40. That's not worth it."

But McMillian is satisfied. "My job isn't hard, so I don't mind what I get paid."

Teens take a risk in attempting to balance work, school and extracurricular activities. Although Ramsey, Watson and Hansbrough described their managers as flexible in scheduling around school-related activities, the teens said their teachers are less willing to compromise.

"I don't think that teachers really realize how terribly necessary work can be for some students," said Rotella.

"Some teachers don't really understand that some people have to work," agreed Choung. "If a kid has to go to work for five hours, they're gonna be up all night doing the homework, and they're gonna sleep in their class the next day."

Along with these risks comes another reality of adult life: taxes.

Choung was surprised by the hit her paycheck took. "I didn't think they would come out of my paycheck because I was still a student."

Watson, who makes $10 an hour, has an appreciation for the amount of tax she pays because it is not taken out of her paycheck.

"I have to keep track of all my pay stubs because I'm an independent contractor, and at the end of the year, I have to pay the government the taxes and the Social Security that was not taken out of my paycheck," she explained.

Hansbrough said making people younger than 18 pay taxes is unfair because they do not have the right to vote.

"I'm not even sure that we're gonna get that money when we're old," added McMillian, referring to fears that the increasingly large elderly population may cut into the money set aside for Social Security for future generations.

But none of those gripes has persuaded these teens to give up their jobs.

"Overall, I do enjoy my job, and I'm glad I have it," said McMillian. "I wouldn't quit unless I found a better one."