According to The Guardian, one out of every seven students work outside of school to make money. 38% of these students state that they are working to save for the future, 35% to avoid being in debt and another 27% do it for fun.

Students from all over the world attend daily jobs in order to generate some type of income.  Columbus School students are starting to º this trend and it’s something that is working for them.

Empire Building

Martin Valencia, Senior Class of ´17 student started the business of virtual marketing when he was just 17 years old. It was pretty hard for him to start this business because it’s something new for people. Until now, working in school helped him to discover what he was good in and gave him the experience for the real world.

“I started to realize that I didn’t wanted to be an employee that had a high risk of being fired the first year. In 12 grade I took the decision to follow my dream and to start depending on my self so that I could have a better future,” Martin Valencia, entrepreneur, said.

Working and following dreams

Working in school has the advantage of functioning in the area you enjoy. Alejandro Gomez, young man passionate about motors started a business called Car-Men. With this limited company Gomez has acquired so much knowledge about business that he can  assemble one easily. Alejandro has also learned that business are not easy, you need to fight until you get what you want.

“By the simple reason that we are young, we have the liberty to choose our business and that is the thing that I most like. This business is what makes me work hard everyday and make my dreams come true,” Alejandro Gomez, 11th grade entrepreneur, said.

Becoming economically independent

By students becoming independent they learn that they are the only ones who will construct their future. Opportunities are out there and that is what Martin decided to take. Students learn to value each opportunity, that by that little one they can construct an enormous one

“I am becoming economically independent, I do not depend on others, I depend on myself. With time I learned that no one will do the things for me, I am the one who is constructing my own future, ” Martin Valencia, entrepreneur, said.

Learning in the outside world

Martin learned that great opportunities are found on the street, not in school. He started to live as a real human being. He had days in which his business was passing through atrocious situations, but as everything he had wonderful days. With time he learned that beyond money is the desire and the perseverance.

“By working outside of school I realized that I was great doing a lot of things that the school never thought to me. By doing my work I also took one of the most important decisions… my career ,” Martin Valencia, Class of ´17 and entrepreneur, said.

Improving families’ income

Alexis Arboleda, a man with a lot of vision, decided to help his parents selling soft drinks. His business was based on selling soft drinks to people. At first it was quite hard for him but with a lot of dedication he achieve it. Alexis learned that no matter how small you are, you can achieve what what you propose.

“I started to work because I needed to give my family an extra financial column, I saw that they needed extra support and from the moment that I started until now I have helped them a lot,” Alexis Arboleda, 17, student and soda seller, said.

Becoming independent students

Instragram, one of the most visited social networks is being used to develop businesses. Juan Jose started a business about a soccer team. By the hard work, he has a stable economy and a business that with hard work will continue giving him money.

“By working in what I like, my wallet has grown but the most important thing is that I am becoming a more mature student. I have learned that things are not easy, that the is perseverance until success,” Juan Jose Escobar, 11th grade businessman, said.

Improving grades in school

Manuel a young motorcycle repairman has his business in his house. Motorcycle addicts send him product so that he repairs it. With the maturity that he has acquired, studying in school is one of the keys for success. Manuel has the obligation to use his time wisely in school so that when he goes to his house he is fully concentrated on his job.

“Working outside of school has really helped me in the academic because I realized that I need to use my time efficiently in school so that at work I don’t think about doing homework,” Manuel Jaramillo, 11 grade motorcycle repairman, said.

Better than expected

Working from an early age according to Martin and many others is the best decision you can make. Beyond money you learn to value others as people. Life teaches you that nothing is easy, that you need to work for what you want.

“It’s something completely different from what I thought, I’ve won experience and money in a such short time. Working in school is one of the best decisions that I took, is something that I will never regret of,” Martin Valencia, young entrepreneur, said.