Many students find junior year challenging with long nights and large workloads.  Junior Shaheem Johnson knows this better than most as he juggles his after school job with his school work.

Johnson works at the Starbucks in Hunters Woods Plaza. He decided to apply to that Starbucks because it was a job his brother used to have.  Johnson participates in five hour shifts as often as five to six days a week.

This means that Johnson can work up to thirty hours a week.

Johnson’s usual shift starts at 3 p.m. and ends at 8 p.m. Afterwards, he does homework and catches up with friends.

“Sometimes I can’t talk to my friends because I’ll come home and they’ll already be asleep,” said Johnson.

Even though Johnson is a junior and working these hours, he still focuses on his school work and grades.  He says that his current job is to help save money for college.

Many South Lakes studentsparticipate in after school jobs for the same reason as Johnson.  Others may be supporting families or simply try to earn pocket change.

“A lot of South Lakes students work,” said secretary Elizabeth Knapp.  “Some work to help their families and some do it to pay for college and some do it for the experience.”

If Johnson needs to do extra school work, something that many students complete during late bus days, he must make sure it does not coincide with his work schedule and choose between one or the other for the day.

“I can request days off for after school days if I need to get some work done,” said Johnson.

Johnson advises working students to keep up with homework and regular work equally.

“Just try to stay on top of everything,” said Johnson.  “You don’t want to mess up now in work or school, because it will affect your future.”

On October 15, Johnson marked his one year anniversary of working at Starbucks.