Jackson Free Press

Before the school year ended, there was high talk about what everyone was going to do for the summer. Some people made plans to vacation, others wanted to camp, and a large population wanted to get summer jobs. Let us not forget that this horrible economic stance affects everyone (even us young people). So job hunting was not the easiest thing to do. I visited seven law firms applying for a runner position! I thought, "Hey, I'm young and energetic. They wouldn't mind having someone like me delivering papers for them." After over a month of, "Sorry, we don't have a spot available, but check XYZ place," I was thoroughly frustrated. I was sure that my office work experience would get me at least one job offer. After countless hours of volunteering/interning in an office, it would be a breeze. I guess they didn't see it that way, so I applied for a fast food job.

Personally, I have nothing against fast food. In controlled amounts it's actually good for you, but I could never picture myself flipping burgers and delivering food for the entire summer. Fast food has stolen the time of many teen advocates in my time. Though I doubt they lose their drive to want to serve the community, serving the community burgers and fries is different from holding a rally for LGBTQ issues. For this reason, applying to a fast food job was quite a struggle. I questioned for days whether this would hinder my already established career as a young activist. Does taking this job turn me into another one of those "Sorry, i have to work. Can't make the meeting" people? The thought that I wouldn't have time to dedicate to making change in my community hurt. But I understand that college application fees are not going to pay for themselves. Neither is the ACT or SAT, when your scores aren't where you want them to be. So ultimately the question becomes: Is it selfish to sacrifice community time for a job to pay for my own college requirements?

After many hours of thinking and talking to some very wise people, I found an answer. There has to be balance! In anything in life there should be balance, and this is no exception. Work as much as you need to, but always remember your passion for growth and change. Without this balance, it is easy to lose focus of where you started. Understand that no deed is too small. If the only thing you have time to do is forward a message to your friends about summit, or training that is coming up, do it! Not everyone can be on the picket line. Everybody can't make every meeting. But everybody can do something. If you have to pick somebody up and drop them off at the meeting, you have made a change!

So everyday I leave my job at Sonic Drive-in, I always leave feeling accomplished because that is money toward college fees. I leave knowing that when I get home, there is a conference call waiting on me. I leave Sonic as Elijah The Car Hop, but I will always be Ambrose The Advocate!