Lessons gleaned from a summer stint at a typical roadside diner
Working a summer job during high school can be a transformative experience, as Mary Frances Ruskell, a senior at Heathwood Hall Episcopal School in Columbia, South Carolina, discovered. One early afternoon at the Granby Grill, a little diner in an old millhouse neighborhood, she found herself squabbling with Josh, the line cook, over which sports movie reigned supreme.
Josh was a burly guy with arms tattooed with intricate designs, leering at her from behind the stove. "Point Break" was his pick, arguing it was the ultimate sports film, and Mary couldn't agree less. "Point Break is no match for 'Friday Night Lights,'" she fired back, bristling at his arrogance.
Working at Granby Grill that summer was a far cry from the cushy education she received at her prestigious school. The restaurant was situated on the first floor of an old mill building, rumored to be a casualty of a local legislator's attempt to 'class up' Columbia. As a result, patrons would bring their own beverages, and Mary was tasked with refrigerating their booze and dispensing chilled glasses when needed.
Her responsibilities were simple: take orders, deliver food, and clean tables. Open some days, close others. It was a straightforward job that taught her discipline and responsibility, values that many studies tout as the primary reasons teenagers should take on part-time work. But Mary believed there was more to it than met the eye.
Mary found that working as a waitress opened up opportunities to connect with a diverse group of people she wouldn't usually encounter. She engaged in meaningful conversations with her coworkers and customers, exchanging stories and experiences that went beyond the surface level. Working at Granby Grill made her feel like she was a part of a bigger world, a far cry from the narrow confines of school life.
For Mary, the real value of a high school job was the opportunity to build a community of people she never would have otherwise known. She interacted with folks much older than her, whose lives were vastly different from her own. And while she learned valuable lessons about working in a service industry, the most profound impact was the friendships she forged and the people she still remembers to this day.
Despite the numerous benefits of teenage employment, statistics show that less than a quarter of American high schoolers held jobs in 2023, a significant decline from previous decades. Demographic changes, economic shifts, increased educational engagement, technological advancements, policy changes, and post-pandemic adjustments have all contributed to this trend.
While high school can be all-consuming, a summer job can provide a welcome escape from academic and social pressures. A job can offer a space where one can connect with others based on shared human experiences, rather than popularity or social stratum.
As teenage employment trends continue to fluctuate, Mary still believes in the importance of taking on a summer job. She saw firsthand the valuable lessons and meaningful relationships that can come from working a low-paying service job. And even though Granby Grill is no more, she cherishes the memories and lessons she learned there.
- The work at Granby Grill, despite its simplicity, taught Mary about discipline and responsibility, values that are often emphasized in studies of teenage employment.
- Engaging with a diverse group of people at Granby Grill allowed Mary to connect on a deeper level, forging friendships that have lasted to this day, as she still remembers them.
- In contrast to the decline of teenage employment in 2023, Mary still advocates for the importance of a summer job, viewing it as an opportunity to learn valuable lessons and build lasting connections.
