Balancing a job while being a full-time high school student is no easy task. For junior Caylee Keynon, working at Dunkin’ Donuts has been one of the hardest parts of her high school experience—but it’s also taught her valuable lessons about responsibility, resilience, and knowing her worth.

Kenyon works to pay for her own car and phone, juggling long shifts with school assignments and personal commitments. “It’s exhausting sometimes,” she admitted. “But I’ve learned how important it is to manage my time and stay on top of everything.”

Her job hasn’t been a dream experience. She describes the work environment as challenging as she is trying to find a balance between coworkers and customers.

 “It’s not just the tasks I have to do that make it hard—it’s the way people treat each other,” Caylee said. “There’s drama, judgment, and a lack of empathy that wears me down.”

Despite the negativity she’s faced, Caylee keeps showing up, not just for the paycheck but because she values being independent. Her decision to stick with the job, even when it’s hard, shows her strong sense of responsibility. “Quitting would’ve been easier, honestly,” she said. “But I’ve got bills to pay, and I want to be someone who follows through.”

While her current job isn’t ideal, the experience has pushed her to grow. She’s learning to stand up for herself, recognize what she deserves in a workplace, and search for something better. “This job showed me what I don’t want in the future,” she said. “And that’s still a meaningful takeaway.”

Kenyon’s experience reminds us that working in high school isn’t just about earning money. It’s about learning who you are, what you can handle, and what kind of environment helps you thrive.