As fall sports are burgeoning, some student-athletes are headed to their afternoon job after school instead of practice. In grade school, participating in sports was a way to become known amongst your peers, and learn social skills required to flourish in real life situations– however, some students are beginning to believe that time spent at practice is time wasted that could have been spent working. Factors that are contributing to this new trend include monetary demands like fuel for their vehicles, saving for the next chapters of their lives, and for some, contributing to their families income. Other personal opinions like wanting to better set themselves up for success, or to gain knowledge about their work field also are contributing factors to non-engagement. 

As a student-athlete who once participated in multiple sports, these factors are my main reasons for not participating. In the past months, my life has shifted from an afternoon filled with practices after college courses to working enough hours to be self-sufficient on a bi-monthly paycheck. Being a senior in high school means that I am only one year away from being an adult, and having to support myself so, in turn, myself and other students must prepare the balance of work and school, rather than sports and school. In addition, trades like welding, and electrical can be taught to young people on the job, through apprenticeships without the need of going to college. Usually, apprentices are expected to work before, and after school leaving no time for sports, or extracurricular activities. 

What do you think? Should students focus on better preparing themselves for college and their adult lives by working, and learning how to support themselves– or build teamwork skills on the court, mat, or field?