I Quit My Job: On Balancing School, Work, and Everything Else

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Recently, I was offered a position as an entry-level barista at the coffee monolith Starbucks. Prior to this offer, I was already concerned about the morals of the company itself: one of the largest stockholders of the company, Howard Schultz, has held close relations with the Israeli government through his financial support for it following the Israel-Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023.

Another relevant topic to consider regarding the company is the non-coincidental appearance of union-busting throughout the years – especially recently. Following the booming reappearance of the unicorn frappe this Aug., employees of the company have reminded many online about the poor working conditions and unfair wages provided to them. Starbucks also has a history of underproviding hours and insurance benefits, as well as other generally nefarious conditions for their baristas (For further information, I urge you to take a look at this article and podcast by Art of Citizenry).

I learned of the larger half of these claims after completing my application and accepting the job, and – to say the least – I was a bit nervous, all things considered. I felt it was a betrayal of my own personal morals, as well as a haunting setback to the effort and hours I would be providing throughout my time there. Being paid barely higher than minimum wage for a minimum of 20 hours of work per week, on top of being a student, was a difficult concept to fully wrap my head around. The hours were inflexible and required an allowance for extra availability in case the schedule changed.

I was still conflicted, though: I need(ed) money! I have a car to pay off, and am not looking to be in debt for the upcoming years before even having started college. I recognize my immense privilege in being able to quit this job at all; this is granted to me by my family, and I am extremely grateful to have the option to focus on my schoolwork without having to worry about a side job.

This junior year is already difficult as-is, and I commend any of my peers who have been completing full part-time shifts in addition to the crushing workload of this year. I am simply not cut out, it seems, for that amount of consistent dedication and effort.

However, this isn’t to say that those who have turned down opportunities for the purpose of refocusing themselves are simply “incapable” of doing the work. Every person is different, and each person knows themselves better than any other. Knowing our limitations is integral to remaining healthy: without outlining boundaries, pushing them becomes inevitable, leading to burnout.

The moral of the story to me would be the emphasis on being comfortable outlining boundaries, especially in a professional setting. As difficult as it was to have the conversation with my manager about officially quitting, I felt it was rewarding and worth it in the end. I feel these experiences are necessary to fully prepare a person for every potential awkward experience to come, of which I am sure I have many lined up.

To conclude, do your research before joining a large corporation, understand the extent to which you are willing to sacrifice your sleep schedule and always expect the uncomfortable. Discomfort is not always your enemy – it’s simply a part of life that we must overcome from time to time. If you have the opportunity to, don’t be afraid to get yourself out of a tough working situation; it could be lifesaving, especially if you’re a junior in high school.