I’m a current sophomore in high school, and I do a lot of ecs and get good grades and all that, but I don’t do a school sport( I do one just not right after school) so this enables me to get a job. So i applied to a lot of places, and so far I have two interviews scheduled, one with a fast food chain, and another I applied for a dishwasher position. Worst case scenario, I have to pick between these two(I know they’re not that great). The fast food chain is 20 mins from my school and the dishwashing job is about 10. I was thinking that if I work at the fast food place, I could potentially rise up in rank and that would look good to colleges I guess, and at the dishwashing place I’d be condemned to wash dishes until I quit. But the dishwashing place is closer. So I’m stuck. This is all considering I get no more call backs from other places. Sorry this was too rambly, and thanks in advance for your answer.
A paying job, no matter what it is, shows responsibility and maturity. Pick whichever one you prefer based on pay, what you’d be doing, ease of getting there, etc.
I’m confused. You have interviews scheduled. Worst case scenario is you don’t get a job, right? If they both offer you a job, that would be good. I don’t know any high schoolers working their dream jobs. Why do you think these jobs are not good for a sophomore in high school?
Don’t choose a job just because you think that job will look better on your college applications. Choose it for the pay, the hours, and the convenience to your overall life. Even dishwashers move up in busy kitchens if they want to. I know a chef who started there.
The career ladder aspect is not that being important for these jobs. Agree that location and employer willingness to schedule around other commitments is important.
If you have only these two jobs offered, I can tell you from working many years in restaurants that a dishwashing job is a physiccally tough job. It is hot, required heavy lifting and fast paced. You should know the job duites of both jobs before you make a decision. Not all entry level jobs are the same.
Yes, working a job is great to do. Colleges like to see that (and increasingly so, I believe but can’t say for sure) and MUCH MORE IMPORTANTLY having a job is generally great for a person’s growth and development. You’ll learn things working that you won’t learn in school. You are contributing to your community and building a sense of yourself in your community. You’ll learn you can handle things in the real world–and you can. Sounds a little silly but all this is important. If you get hired, go work, work hard, do a great job. That’s terrific. Good luck!
When you are part of a successful business – even in a low skill, entry level position – there is a LOT you can learn. Think of a job, even that dishwasher spot, as an opportunity to see how things work, what everyone does, how the team works together, what makes the employees a successful team. Be the very best dishwasher/janitor/ fast food fryer/ cashier the place has ever had. Work every hour you possibly can. If they call and ask if you want to come in – YES you want those hours. That puts you in line for the next step, maybe a small increase, maybe a little more responsibility. Good luck.
By the way, when I hired teens, I told them I hoped they stay until the day they left for college. The ones that did – got great college and job recs from me and had a head start in the game of life. Good luck!
Worst case scenario, you go through life thinking that washing dishes until you quit is beneath you.
Best case scenario, you realize that no honest work is beneath you.
Things I would take into account:
- Which job would interfere less with getting my homework done? For college, you grades and SAT/ACT are the most important things. This includes how many hours/week you have to work + transportation time
- Which pays better?
- Which type of work would I prefer
I would not worry about advancement particularly