For many students, school is the main focus, with after-school activities filling in the remaining time. But for Mason Fein, his schedule is built around balancing school responsibilities, long shifts, and regular volunteer work.
“I wake up tired and go to bed tired,” Fein said with a smile, “but I keep doing it because I have to.”
Fein’s workweek stretches across three different workplaces. They include:
Dairy Queen, where he takes orders, makes ice cream and food, and helps keep the store clean.
Hy-Chi, where he serves customers and handles cleanup.
Starbucks, where he is responsible for attending to customers and replenishing supplies for the next day.
Each job has different requirements, but together they help him manage the financial pressures at home.
“Money’s tight,” He admits. “Honestly, that’s the reason I took on so many responsibilities.”
Despite the heavy workload, he still carves out time—usually two to three days a week—to volunteer at Furever Homes, a local animal shelter. He began volunteering simply because he enjoys being around animals.
“I clean the cats’ kennels, give them fresh food and water,” Fein explained, “and I walk the dogs whenever I get the chance. That’s my favorite part; it makes the long week feel a little lighter.”
Managing three jobs, schoolwork, and volunteering leaves little room for rest. His weekly routine lays out just how much he’s taken on.
His weekly schedule:
Monday: 5 a.m. color guard; school; Hy-Chi shift until 8:30 p.m.
Tuesday: 5 a.m. color guard; school; band practice until 9 p.m.
Wednesday: 6 a.m. wake-up; school; Starbucks shift until 7:45 p.m.
Thursday: 5 a.m. color guard; school; Starbucks shift until 7:45 p.m.
Friday: 5 a.m. color guard; school; Hy-Chi shift.
Saturday: 8:45 a.m. wake-up; Dairy Queen or Hy-Chi shift until 4–6 p.m.; volunteering 5–9 p.m.
Sunday: 8:45 a.m. wake-up; Dairy Queen or Hy-Chi shift until 4–6 p.m.; volunteering 5–9 p.m.
When asked how he balances everything, Fein is honest:
“I don’t even know myself. I’m just tired.” And the hardest part of it all? “The lack of sleep. I hate admitting it, but yeah… I sleep in class whenever I can.”
Even with the long hours and exhaustion, the encouragement he receives from his employers helps him continue. Their support reminds him that his effort does not go unnoticed and makes the demanding schedule feel a little more manageable.
When work and school become demanding, he stays focused by keeping his financial goals in mind. The steady income, as he explains, allows him to contribute more at home and maintain some stability despite the stress.
“I just try to remember why I’m doing all this,” Fein said, “the paycheck!”
Fein is still uncertain about what career path he’ll eventually take, but he knows it will involve helping people in some way. The mix of customer service, teamwork, and responsibility across his jobs has already given him a strong foundation for his future.
His teachers and peers often react with surprise when they learn the full extent of his workload, although he also receives great respect for the amount he manages. Despite his overcrowded schedule, he’s still thinking of ways to give back even more; he hopes to volunteer at Fremont’s Catz Angels when he can find the time.
“I would love to help all of the kitties; it would be a really great opportunity someday,” Fein said..
The early mornings and late nights aren’t easy, and Fein acknowledges that the routine wears on him. But despite the workload, he keeps going—one shift, one class, one kennel of animals at a time.
“It’s a lot,” Fein said simply, “but I’m doing the best I can.”
