<p>I was just scanning opportunities in my area, as I turn 16 in September. However, there seem to be few jobs pertaining to my interests (STEM; yes, I'm Asian >_<), barring a tutoring job that might involve teaching math. Should I bother seeking employment regardless of my interests, or will doing so be a waste of time?</p>
<p>Waste of time if your purpose is to try to impress adcoms. Let people who really need jobs have those jobs, and spend your time pursuing your interests. The relatively few colleges that care about things like ECs, jobs, etc. care about how students delve into their interests whether that’s a job, community service, sports or ECs.</p>
<p>I have to disagree, NSM. I think work experience can be extremely helpful in the college admissions process. Obviously it won’t compensate for a low GPA, etc, but I think it shows responsibility and all that other good stuff to colleges. Besides, I would be willing to bet that most teenagers don’t get jobs that pertain to their “interests.”</p>
<p>Most colleges make admissions decisions based on stats and --for publics – state of residence.</p>
<p>The few colleges that consider other factors are places like Harvard that can afford to use ECs, etc. to pick and choose from among their overabundance of high stat applicants that most colleges would be happy to accept.</p>
<p>Just having a job isn’t going to make someone stand out in admissions for such colleges. Having a job to support help support one’s family could make one stand out in admissions. Having a job that reflects an unusual amount of talent or work ethic could make one stand out in admissions for such colleges, but neither seems to be the case for the OP.</p>
<p>Consequently, it would be best for the OP to use his/her energy to pursue some productive activity that s/he loves. By doing so, s/he will be more likely to have the impact or results that stand out in admission than if s/he simply worked a job, any job, to try to impress admissions officers.</p>