For the juniors participating in business co-op, a unique challenge has been introduced; balancing life skills through work experience while competing with everyday academic responsibilities. Junior year presents an extremely taxing workload, more so than most other years. Attempting to strategically stabilize one’s schedule with school, work, and extracurriculars can become increasingly stressful. However, Business Co-op provides an opportunity for students to leave the school day early to work more hours, which also provides a chance to make more money. 

Students go to this class like any other, since it requires its own work load, but when third block comes to an end they are able to go to their job for a certain amount of hours instead of going to fourth block. Ms. Kristie Keeler teaches this class, and currently there are twenty-eight students enrolled, about half being eleventh graders. 

While this class could be seen as somewhat stress inducing, others see it as relaxing, due to the shortened school day it provides. Junior David Mckenna, a current member of business co-op, stated, “Leaving early doesn’t really impact my grades or schoolwork. Since I leave school, I can get to my work earlier and then leave earlier, so honestly, it reduces stress.” For Mckenna, the day becomes easier to handle as he is able to find more time for schoolwork. Going home prior to the fourth block of the day grants the opportunity to arrive at work earlier while establishing tighter bonds with co-workers and gaining experience. It also provides a better sleep schedule, as McKenna noted that his shift ends at a more realistic time since he is able to clock in earlier. Along with McKenna, Solonas Mejias is also a junior taking business co-op, and she has had similar positive effects in her work environment. “I’ve been able to offer more hours to my job, and gain more connections since I’m getting there earlier than usual when I used to get there pretty late,” she shared. Mejias has worked in the food industry for two years, and noted how extra contact time with customers and her co-workers has benefitted her experience.

 On the other hand, co-op can have stressful repercussions. The early release takes the place of the student’s study hall, so co-op students do not have an opportunity for a working block. “It has impacted it for the worst since the early release hasn’t been the most helpful to get work done,” shared Mejias. “I think overall I feel more stress because of the early release since I don’t have a study hall.” While the thought of leaving school early may seem appealing, it can become moderately overwhelming for those with a heavy workload, although the class itself lends some free time if work is completed efficiently. During class hours, the students are taught marketing strategies including promotions and customer service. They learn workplace readiness skills to become a top notch employee. This is how they earn the first credit for the class, the second is earned by completing their work hours.

Co-op students’ hours are observed by Mrs. Keeler, and she goes to each student’s workplace to check. Mrs. Keeler shared, “I visit their managers and they have a review sheet completed. Normally, as long as they turn in their hours and are working steadily, I don’t have an issue simply trusting the manager’s word”. This method ensures that the extra time given is being put to good use and satisfies the thought that the in-class lessons are being used in real life work environments. As this class is being offered at many other schools, it is gaining traction through high school curriculums. With this, more students are a

ble to multi-task in offering more hours to their jobs while simultaneously earning a high school credit. Business co-op is an opportunity for juniors to lend more hours to their work and still come home at a reasonable time.