Imagine going to school for 7 hours, and then working, not one, but two jobs after school.

“I had to get two jobs because once I turned 16, I had to start paying for things by myself, like my car insurance. I really had to start being responsible,” said Nathan Bushati, junior. “Not only that, but it is nice to be able to buy things on your own and not have to to ask anyone.”

Bushati and Michelle Mishalov, sophomore, take on the responsibility of two jobs. Bushati works at Six Flags Great America and Special Recreation Association of Central Lake County (SRACLC). Mishalov also works at SRACLC and at a tutoring center called Eye Level Learning Center.

“It was really overwhelming in the beginning. There are some days where from 10:30 to 3 I’m at one job, and at 3:45 I have to be at the other job until 9. It can be an all day thing, and you have to rush home. You don’t have any time to do the things that you want to do or need to do – like eating,” said Mishalov. “You really have to have time management skills.”                                

In order to handle being a full-time student and an employee with two jobs, you have to be mentally prepared and ready, Mishalov says . It can be a lot to handle, and you have to be in the right mindset because of the stress.

“Last year, my jobs constantly overlapped. I had to find people who [were willing] to do my hours. It’s hard because [the bosses] get kind of mad. They aren’t happy when you have to find another person to do your job for you,” Bushati said. “It was definitely very hard. To come home on a Friday, and have to be at work at 5, when I just got off the bus at 4, sometimes I could only have 15 minutes or less to get ready and leave because there would be rush hour. It definitely conflicted everything.”

Statistics show that only 18% of high school students are employed, according to childtrends.org. But no data could be found stating how many high school students were working multiple jobs.

According to Mishalov, it is not common for students to have multiple jobs because the workload can be a lot to handle along with school. She admits her grades slip sometimes, but she eventually brings them up in the end.

“My parents have threatened to make me quit this job because my grades were slipping, but then you get the motivation to bring them up again and it’s good. Still, it’s hard,” Mischlov said. “I usually work from right after school til 8 or 8:30. When I come home, I’m so tired from work. It’s nonstop work. You can come and be like, ‘Oh, I have five tests and quizzes, and a lot of homework.’ Sometimes, you just can’t do it.”

Mishalov continues to motivate herself to do better in her busy lifestyle. Aspects such impressing her parents and helping the children at her jobs help her motivation.

“At the end of the day, you know you have worked really hard, and you know you’ve helped several kids during the day better understand things, like math problems. Sometimes, that can put a smile on your face.”