Masuk Free Press

Maybe one of your 2026 resolutions should be to get a job. 

Whoa, I know. Those are fighting words. 

I think that Monroe is living in an epidemic of non-working kids, and it shows. In our town, there seems to be an odd disconnect. On one hand, there are teens constantly joking online about being “afraid” of job applications and interviews, even going so far as to censor out the word “job” itself. On the other hand, there are local organizations practically begging for workers every year. The memes might be jokes, but the situation behind them isn’t. 

Every summer, Monroe Parks and Rec. puts out desperate callings for lifeguards, camp counselors and seasonal staff. Despite this, most Monroe-based organizations (many being local restaurants such as Vazzy’s, Soup Thyme, and Jennie’s Pizzaria) must resort to hiring out-of-town students, with employment rosters containing more Shelton and Trumbull students than Masuk. 

I got my job at Trumbull cafe & creamery Plasko’s when I was 15. My first paycheck, in April of 2024, was more rewarding than I imagined. I quickly loved being able to buy way-too-expensive coffee as much as I’d like, or stop for dinner after work without having to consult my parents. 

The funniest thing I’ve found about being employed is how noticeable it is when someone isn’t. You might think you’re flying under the radar, but more often than not, that’s not the case. For me and most part-time teen workers I know, it’s really easy to pick out an unemployed kid in a room. There’s a difference in professionalism, social interactions and overall critical thinking skills. Not to say that these kids are unable to hold an interaction. For most outgoing and extroverted kids, it’s not necessarily difficult to do. However, there’s a huge gap between being able to talk and being able to function in the real world. 

“Having teenagers work teaches them responsibility early on,” said David Rodrigues, owner of local Monroe restaurant Bella Rosa. “It helps them understand what it really means to earn something and take pride in their work.” 

To the group of kids who have never had to deal with a difficult customer, a jerk manager, or the pressure of being responsible for something bigger, you’re not avoiding as much as you think. In all honesty, I think it’s just pushing off the inevitable of the professional world for a little longer. Working teaches you how to figure complications out on the spot, manage your time, and have patience when things don’t go your way. All these challenges are ones that you’ll have to deal with in life one way or another, but you wouldn’t typically be exposed to them inside your house or classroom. The differences are subtle, but ones you don’t understand until you have been in the working environment. 

“Working at my family’s restaurant has shown me how much effort goes into running a business and has helped me grow more responsible,” continues Rodrigues’s daughter and part-time worker Rosamaria, who works anywhere between 3 and 5 times each week.  “I’ve learned the importance of being a hard worker and the value it adds to your life.”

Not only do your actions change when you start to work, but your perception as well. It’s a frustrating conversation to have as a worker with non-workers when it comes to spending. Especially during the holiday season or when expensive plans come up. It’s easier said than done to try to explain to your friends that you’re not trying to be a stingy and annoying cheapo; it’s just that coughing up $20 bucks hurts a little more when you spend your Saturday slaving away to get it. 

Earning your own money forces you to become a little bit more aware of the things around you, and you start to see why the things you begged your parents for when you were younger really were “ridiculous.” Suddenly, you start preferring the Village parking lot hangouts or going over someone’s house, rather than a Bill’s, Chipotle, or Starbucks run. 

Now, I’ll admit, there are days when I don’t want to work. Every Saturday of mine for the past 2 years has been spent closing with the same coworkers, same regular customers, and same tedious process, with the exception of me being on my deathbed from sickness or on my once-a-year vacation. On some weeks when I have an influx of shifts, I let myself fall down the rabbit hole of “I wish I were rich and didn’t have to work”. But at the end of the day, money is flowing into my bank account, and I don’t regret the hours I spend, whether it be serving customers or grouting floors. 

If you’re lucky enough that your parents can help cover your gas, car/insurance, or things you do in your free time, that is a privilege – and one to be appreciated. But just because you have the leeway doesn’t mean you should always take it.

So next time you find yourself lying around after school, doomscrolling, or ruining your sleep schedule with a 3-7 pm nap, maybe it’s appropriate to re-evaluate the use of your time. Maybe your parents are right; it’s time to get a job.