On June 9, 2023, I was standing in line for a rollercoaster at the San Mateo County Fair when my phone chimed obnoxiously loudly. Rather embarrassed by some puzzled glances, I pulled it out of my pocket to turn it on Do Not Disturb when I saw an email titled “A Runner’s Mind Team Offer.” My jaw fell to the floor as I read it thrice more just to check I had truly landed my dream high school job.
After working at A Runner’s Mind (ARM) for almost a year and a half, I can confidently say that my expectations of working at this local running store have been far exceeded. While initially thinking it would be as simple as selling shoes, I am even more appreciative of the knowledge and skills I have acquired thus far.
Each guest comes in with different experience levels. Some are training for their fifth marathon while others are using a couch-to-5k plan for their first race, which is why each set of shoes I recommend is unique. Examining everything from their foot width to their history of injuries to their cushioning preferences has taught me the value of attentiveness. One brand or model of shoe simply cannot satisfy everyone’s needs and figuring out what works best requires me to ask questions about certain features they like and dislike. This intentional approach has allowed me to consider such minute details and narrow down the overwhelming number of options into just a couple of ideal pairs.
Working in sales has also drastically improved my communication skills. Before I was skilled in doing shoe fits on my own, I went through an extensive training period in which I observed my colleagues’ interactions and took mental notes of how they talked to guests. As someone prone to mumbling and stuttering over my words, I have adopted their method of taking conversations at a more gradual pace to ensure guests understand the reasoning behind my recommendations and, in turn, build a sense of trust between us. With the help of my manager’s constructive feedback, I have become less timid in talking to guests and more confident in the advice I am giving.
At the start of every summer, ARM General Manager Eileen Urtz offers select high schoolers an opportunity to gain work experience and valuable skills.
“I think that … one of the most important skills … is compassion for all different sorts of people,” said Urtz. “We see a lot of different people coming into the store from all different angles of life. So, just kind of being able to relate to people and meet them where they are is [super valuable]”
Though I appreciate the opportunity to work 5 to 6-hour Sunday shifts at ARM, balancing it with my college applications and other extracurriculars is quite difficult. Even as I am writing this on a Monday night, I am already thinking about the homework that needs to be completed by Sunday morning to ensure a good night’s rest on Sunday night. However, I consider it a privilege to be in a situation where I am forced to juggle so many commitments because time management is a vital skill that will benefit my future.
Senior Isabella Lo, who has been employed at Mathnasium for almost six months, has created specific strategies to help balance her job with other commitments.
“I use Google Calendar to mark my work … and big tests and events that I have coming up,” said Lo. “I also try to prioritize my mental health on the weekends so I can … reset for the week. [However,] I do think having a job is worth the effort … because these skills help prepare me inside of school, but [also] outside of school.”
Another common concern related to high school jobs is that they usually only pay at or just above minimum wage. Then, it is often used to pay for expenses like gas and food. But earning money, however small or large the dollar amount may be, has taught me the importance of spending money with a purpose and choosing how much to set aside for achieving long-term goals. It has allowed me to understand that I am only willing to use my hard-earned dollars for the people and things I value most in life.
As I prepare to graduate high school and enter college, I am grateful my part-time job has equipped me with the necessary resources and experience to help those in need of my expertise and sustain a healthy work-life balance.
