As the dismissal bell rings, students flood the halls. While most are eager to finally get home after a long day, the day isn’t quite over for some.  Many of the most popular jobs available to high schoolers include cashiering, babysitting, and landscaping, yet Bronx Science students have taken other jobs that pertain to a myriad of activities. In the midst of an increasingly partisan political atmosphere, many students have begun working on campaigns and even political canvassing firms.

A popular political canvassing firm that Bronx Science students work at is Meridian Strategies.  Meridian Strategies is an issue management company that serves Fortune 50 organizations and politicians alike.  Opportunities there have become increasingly available with the looming 2020 presidential elections. A number of politicians have worked with Meridian Strategies to assist in their campaigns, and students from Bronx Science represent them in the front lines, going door to door polling constituents.

Tutoring is another profession that a number of Bronx Science students engage in. “I really enjoyed my experience volunteering to tutor others,” said Joy Herrera ’21.  Though that sentiment is largely due to the undeniable satisfaction one feels when they have helped someone else, there are other reasons why trusting may be a better job option for some students as well.  “Tutoring is a better alternative than the job I currently have, as it’s easier to manage time,” said Florence Huang ’20.

Huang works at a bubble tea shop in Queens and faced the challenge of balancing schoolwork with her job when she first started working there.  As a senior, that challenge was magnified when she applied to colleges. “It was hard to balance work with college applications and dance at first,” said Huang.  Yet Bronx Science students are known for their ability to handle a rigorous workload, and that reputation paid off for Florence when she sought a job. “When they hear your school, they have a different perspective on you.  To be honest, my place has favoritism towards Bronx Science students, and I actually got two other people from our school, hired at my place,” Huang said. Florence has not only upheld the perception of Bronx Science students at her job, but she has also redefined the way that the bubble tea shop does business.

Florence brought new ideas to the bubble tea shop that has allowed them to remain competitive. “I run the Instagram page, and I brought Tik Tok in,” Huang said.  Serving the community has reshaped her perception of others in her community as well. “When I go out, I see people differently now, as I can relate to them,” Huang said.  While some may have jobs for financial reasons, others seek them to gain experience in the career path that they aspire to pursue. 

Bronx Science students seek careers in a myriad of fields, ranging from those in STEM to the humanities.  While it may be hard to determine the actual career path that one will ultimately pursue after graduation, one’s interests may offer guidance towards a future career.  “I highly recommend students to take advantage of their time and get a job or internship that pertains to their interests. Not only will they be able to gain valuable experience, but they will also be exposed to the realities of the working world,” said Steven Cai ’20.  Steven Cai works at a financial consulting firm as an operations assistant, filing loans and credit reports. He has learned about the importance of his job in the financial sector. “It can be stressful at times, as it really requires you to be on top of things. Mistakes can ruin the trusting relationships with loan borrowers,” Cai said.

Students share differing opinions about the benefits of student jobs. Given the time and dedication required for a student to pursue a job in addition to managing coursework is challenging. “My parents laughed at me when I wanted to get a job over the summer. It’s kind of pointless to get one when you could be doing another extracurricular,” said Joy Herrera ’20. Others bring up the purported life skills a high schooler may attain through getting a job. “I think a job is a good experience for students to learn how to pay taxes,” said Benjamin Nicastro ’20.

Given the variety of jobs available to Bronx Science students, it is clear that one will find something workable – regardless if it pertains to one’s future career ambitions.

“I highly recommend students to take advantage of their time and get a job or internship that pertains to their interests. Not only will they be able to gain valuable experience, they will also be exposed to the realities of the working world,” said Steven Cai ’20.