<p>Hi guys! I'm new here. I've been told multiple times that junior year is the most important, so I want to show colleges that I'm not just lying around in bed all day. What I am doing so far are...</p>
<ul>
<li>2 online classes (P.E. and language)</li>
<li>volunteer service with Key Club</li>
<li>email novel assignments/quizzes weekly for AP Eng. Lang. teacher (sigh!)</li>
<li>SAT/ACT prep (btw, any suggestions on prep books?)</li>
</ul>
<p>But then I see others getting jobs, or being involved in summer programs while I just have this in comparison. Do you think I should do more? If so, what do you suggest? (Can colleges even see the things I'm doing listed above?)</p>
<p>Personally, I think that that’s enough. Colleges can only know what you’re doing if you put it on the application.</p>
<p>im doing pretty much the same thing…SAT/ACT prep, 2 online classes, volunteering, summer assignments, and conditioning for track/field</p>
<p>Get a job if ya can. You don’t have to work 40 hr weeks or anything, but it’s good to get job experience as early as possible.</p>
<p>^ Amen. You see all these kids with internship-this and research-that - you never see anyone with a good old-fashioned job bagging groceries, scanning items, or flipping burgers anymore.</p>
<p>Probably cause most kids can’t get those jobs anymore, at least that’s how it is in my case. Can’t find any jobs :/</p>
<p>You just have to keep trying. It’ll take a while, but businesses will never stop calling for unskilled workers. I don’t remember how many job applications I sent, but I’m pretty sure it wasn’t in the single digits, haha. But I eventually got one, and I’m happy as ever. Good luck with your hunt!</p>
<p>As for the topic, I think jobs are really important because they show a kid has independence. Top schools are chock FULL of wealthy, spoiled kids who haven’t spent a dime of anyone’s but their parents’ money. Personally, I think colleges will be refreshed with those kids who take time out of their own lives to actually provide for themselves. Summer programs, research opportunities, and internships are all great, but I think real hard-working job experiences are better.</p>
<p>Job experience is key. The summer before my sophomore year I was essentially janitor (under a different title), the next year I stepped up the job-ladder and became a camp counselor, and this year I stepped up the job-ladder once again and became a tennis instructor/tennis shop worker. My current employer said he usually doesn’t hire 16 year olds, but since I had so much work experience he was ok with hiring me. My last two jobs kinda sucked, but this one is so much better and is the best pay out of everyone I’ve compared with (dat $11/hr off court $20/hr on court). Get work experience now and climb up the job-ladder asap.</p>
<p>Very nice, thanks for your responses! I’m new to job-hunting (as you can tell), so I really have no idea what to do. Any advice or tips? Or more specifically, what are some types of jobs that I can work as?</p>