Clanging dishes, sizzling plates and a chorus of conversations. Swarms of people filter through the kitchen and dining areas of Three Kings Public House. For some, the organized chaos of a restaurant can be overstimulating at best. For Ava Powell, it’s home.

According to Pew Research Center, 36% of American teenagers hold a part or full-time job. Powell, junior, has worked at Three Kings as a hostess for two years, doing everything from bussing tables to seating guests. She clocks anywhere from 25 to 30 hours each week. Though it first started as a way to save for college, Powell said the reason she continues to dedicate so much time to her job is because of the people she’s met.

“[My coworkers] are my second family,” Powell said. “I spend all of my time out of work with them. Each year we have a Christmas party on Christmas Eve [with] everyone from [work]. Whether it’s 40-year-olds or 25-year-olds, everyone gets along. We also stay late after work hanging out and have group hangouts almost every weekend. Last year on Easter, we went to a circus and then Waffle House for dinner.”

Though she works with her best friends, Powell said her schedule makes it hard to fit in time for school, work, family and other friends. Powell said a busy schedule forces her to prioritize assignments and stay up late to complete schoolwork.

“It’s really hard to meet deadlines, especially for school, and it’s also hard to work around the things I’d do if I wasn’t working, [like doctor appointments or chores],” Powell said. “If I go out of town, it’s hard to call off. If someone wants to do something it’s always ‘sorry, I’m working.’”

Kemper Klein, junior, also works 25 hours a week. He busses tables and washes dishes at PJ’s Tavern. Klein said this pushes back activities like hanging out with friends or completing homework.

“I try to get all of my work done at school,” Klein said. “If there’s extra, then I just sit down after work and stay up late to do my homework. On the weekends, I’ll hang out with my friends after I get off around 10 or 11 p.m..”

Anna Larkin, junior, said she also has trouble juggling her school, work and social life. Larkin has worked at Pottery Hollow for four months, spending her Friday nights and weekends helping with birthday parties and cleaning paint brushes. 

“[The stress] comes in waves,” Larkin said. “There’s been a lot of nights [where I stay] up later than I should because it’s getting to the last minute [before something’s due]. I also can’t hang out with my friends [often] and they don’t ask if I’m available on the weekends because I’m generally not.”

To work around this, Larkin said she hangs out with friends on weekdays or late at night and wakes up early to complete assignments. She does this along with volunteering, orchestra and school clubs. According to Larkin, her tendency to procrastinate is what creates stress instead of her schedule itself.

“When I have that much going on and I come home I want a second to just be,” Larkin said. “But, that’s not always possible because I have homework and other things I have to get done.” 

Despite the anxiety that comes along with being  working students, Powell, Klein and Larkin said they do not regret their busy schedules. Powell said she finds entertainment in her work, as well as satisfaction through paychecks and friendships.

“I love my job, the people and being able to make my own money,” Powell said. “My life would be totally different if I’d never started there a couple years ago. I’m so grateful for that experience and having a great first job that I’ve found a home in.”