After working for a month at the Hồng Kỳ International Coffee in Điện Biên Phủ ward, student Giàng Thị Lý from Phan Đình Giót High School is very satisfied with her job experience. Lý shared that during the summer break she wanted to take a part-time job in order to help her family financially and to experience real life. Since starting the job, she has grown to appreciate the value of hard work and come to understand the challenges involved in daily tasks. She has also noticed clear changes in herself, she now feels more energetic and confident when communicating. Most importantly, she has developed the habit of waking up early, learned to manage her time effectively, and become more responsible in her work.

Similarly, Nguyễn Thu Trang, a student at Lê Quý Đôn High School for the Gifted, used this summer to work at the Điện Biên School Equipment and Book Joint Stock Company. As this was her first part-time job, she felt excited and enthusiastic. Even in just a few weeks, Trang says that the job has made her happier and more comfortable in daily life, while also helping her become more adaptable and dynamic. Trang explained that because many classmates were joining the workforce, she asked her parents for permission to work, and through interaction with customers, she learned how to communicate effectively, listen attentively, and remain patient. She feels that she has matured significantly compared to before.

Not only are students excited about working, but many businesses are also eager to welcome them, hoping to give them opportunities to develop and learn. Trần Thị Hiền from the Hồng Kỳ International Coffee Joint Stock Company shared that many students and university students applied to work at the coffee shop at the start of the summer, and to ensure their safety and compliance with regulations, the company carefully checks their age and family circumstances before assigning tasks that suit their abilities while balancing working shifts to avoid affecting their health or daily routines. They also teach students important skills such as customer communication, handling challenging situations at work, and everyday social manners.

Instead of helping her parents with household chores as in previous years, this summer Đinh Thị Diễm Hồng, a student at Hanoi Procuracy University, chose to take a part-time job as a way to challenge herself and prepare for adult life. Working in a bookstore run by the Điện Biên School Equipment and Book Joint Stock Company is not physically demanding, but it requires persistence and patience. Through this experience, Hồng has gained many meaningful insights. She confessed that the job felt overwhelming at first due to her unfamiliarity, but gradually she found it interesting. She learned how to cooperate with others, handle stress, and practice basic tasks such as organizing books and documents and developing customer service skills, skills she had never encountered in textbooks. Working alongside older colleagues allowed her to gain knowledge she believes she could not have learned in school alone.

Part-time summer jobs have become a positive trend in many local communities. Besides providing additional income, these jobs offer valuable real-world experiences that lay a solid foundation for students as they transition into life. Earning their own money helps them understand its true value and learn to appreciate their own efforts and their parents’ sacrifices. They also learn to manage their finances responsibly by spending their earnings on desired items such as books or helping with household expenses.

However, it is essential to consider and guide these jobs carefully. For example, to find a suitable position, Giàng Thị Súa, an eleventh-grade student at Phan Đình Giót High School, actively searched for employment opportunities on social media, monitored online student job groups, and reviewed job requirements before applying. She shared that by checking Facebook groups and reading comments and reviews, she was able to select a job that matched her needs, learning to assess information critically and make careful personal decisions.

While part-time jobs in the summer can provide many beneficial experiences, students must prioritize their academics above all, and parents must play a key role in guiding, monitoring, and supporting their children. Part-time work should occur only during appropriate rest periods and must not compromise health or academic performance. At this age, students’ social awareness is still developing, and they can easily fall prey to negative influences without proper oversight.

It is undeniable that many students who take on summer jobs become more mature and resilient. Real-world lessons outside the classroom include handling challenges, learning from failures, and achieving small personal successes, all of which form a valuable foundation for their continued personal growth and academic journey. Therefore, students should not hesitate to try, choose a suitable summer job, and embrace the experience. They must, however, balance work and study, pursue their youthful dreams, and remain responsible in the present.