The sound of my alarm vibrates through my room at 6:45, and I quickly scramble to turn it off and get ready to start my day. It’s a Sunday, but I’m up and ready to drive myself to work by 7.30 a.m. The store isn’t even open yet, but I’m already there, brewing coffee and prepping for the morning latte rush.

I’ve been working at Mulberry’s Market since the beginning of my junior year. I first started at the cash register, which also includes stocking drinks, candy, snacks, and produce. After a year of working there, I also became a barista.

I’ll admit it: when I first got a job, I was surprised about the amount of work and long hours. It was challenging — I was often standing for eight hours straight with just a 10 minute break and an optional 30 minute lunch break. I had to learn how to work the cash register and all the regimens that go into operating a store: how to open, how to close, how to properly stock.

Sometimes I felt I was making mistakes or letting people down. Was I too slow? Was I too quiet?  I was always exhausted at the end of the day, and I was scrambling to keep up with my school work.

Ultimately, I learned from this rough start to working. I became familiar with the store and the locations of the various items. Soon enough I became friendly with customers and began to strike up conversations with the regulars. After more than a year of working there, I became quick at the register and could name the price of any item.

Over the past year, I have changed for the better. I now have skills and a work ethic that I never knew I was capable of. I’ve learned to communicate effectively with adults and I’ve created relationships with people from all different walks of life. Best of all, I’ve learned that I can overcome obstacles like learning a completely new machine such as the cash register, memorizing an unfamiliar coffee menu, and creating friendships with adults.

What students can learn at a job cannot be taught in school, and therefore all high school students should work. Students can learn how to build a résumé or do a proper interview. Students can also become skilled in new areas as well as face the challenges of performing these new tasks.

Another benefit of working is that you can form connections with people outside of your own bubble. At Mulberry’s, most of the staff is not from Piedmont. I can now say I have relationships with people of all different ages and backgrounds, and I have the utmost respect for each and every one of them. Whether or not you like the people you’re working with, it’s important to learn how to communicate with adults besides your parents and teachers. Whether it be a reoccurring volunteer job, retail work or an internship, students can gain independence, self sufficiency and responsibility.

Yes, many critics of students working point to the fact that working more hours is often associated with earning  lower grades. Kids who held a job while in high school spent an average of 49 minutes less on homework on the days they worked than on the days the did not, according to a study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

But having the time commitment of a job forced me to be more efficient with my time and to take responsibility for organizing my schoolwork and my schedule.

Another benefit of having a job is that it can give students the confidence to assert themselves, specifically in the workplace. Having a job can teach students a lot about themselves as well as what kind of jobs they picture themselves having in the future. Teens who have work experience in a formal job during high school experience a 20 to 25 percent increase in salary 10 years out of school than those who don’t, according to a Drexel University study.

Lastly, there is no better feeling than being able to deposit a paycheck into your own bank account and spend it on whatever you choose. Having a consistent income also teaches you to manage your money and spend it wisely.

Many students may decide to get a job simply because it will look good on their college application, which it will. But college applications should not be the only motivation for working. Students should decide to get jobs because they truly want the experience or the financial independence.

I encourage students interested in working, paid or unpaid, to put themselves out there, fill out that application and get that interview! In the end, it will make you a better, more well-rounded person.