Hello CC’ers,
I am a rising senior in high school and over the summer, I can either get a job or volunteer at the local hospital. Personally, I want to get a job so I can get some experience to put on my resume, and so I can get some pocket money while doing so. However, my mom wants me to volunteer because she feels that colleges prefer seeing volunteer work as an extracurricular activity as opposed to work experience. I have also heard from other people on this website that there is no preference between the two for college admissions officers, and that I should do what I want to do. Do you guys have any opinions on this? And as a follow up question, although I have applied to several places for a job, I have not received any interviews or acceptances yet. If I do decide to volunteer, it will start in the second week of June. How long should I wait before following up at the places I applied to determine whether I get the job? I am just wondering whether it would be too late to get the job, if volunteering starts in 2 weeks.
Thanks for your help!
Try not to worry. My feeling is that with everyone gaming the system, or attempting to, it’s hard to just be yourself. Colleges will respect whatever you do, especially if it’s heartfelt. The point is that you’re young, you’re figuring out the world and your place in the world. Your question may already be answered, though, because the opportunity that seems to be coming your way is the hospitial volunteer one. My feeling is: take what comes your way and make the best of it. And be honest about it. To my mind, by everyone trying to second guess what adcoms want to see, they never really develop a passion. And ironically, I think, adcoms what to see genuine people genuinely interested in whatever interests them. Maybe your passion is making money by working. That’s a fine passion. If it weren’t we wouldn’t have people going into business and banking, which are valuable parts of our world. And if that truly excites you, then go for it. On the other hand, if you can’t get a job, so volunteer. That’s also good. Regardless of what you do, you will learn something from it. Whatever soil you find yourself planted in, try to grow roots and leaves. YOu will do fine.
Get a job. AdComms know that volunteering fulltime in the summer is a mark of a privileged family-- just like those rich kids who have to fly to Costa Rica to do community service because there are no poor people in America <>.
Any how, nothing stops you from volunteering part time.
@GMTplus7 The thing about this volunteer program is that it is a 6 week commitment, 4 days a week, 5 hours a day. I talked to my college counselor about it and he said that with a job, especially a minimum wage one for teens like myself, could require me to be flexible with hours. My mom also said that if I get a job, that’s great, but I should volunteer as well, but I don’t see that as realistic. What’s your take on that? All the more reason to get a job?
There are always ad hoc opportunities somewhere to volunteer. Why does is have to be a regularly scheduled gig?
Volunteer work can also be done during the school year. A summer time organized volunteer program is not going to be some magic bullet to get you into harvard. Get a job.
I would go for the job, just as a way to help pay for college and get work experience for after college. Unless you are passionate about volunteering, or it’s related to your major… but you’ve already been accepted to a school, right? Best option to me is getting a job/internship related to your major, but even working at a restaurant or something could work out well.
I don’t think there is a preference between the two. In my opinion jobs are somewhat more selective because they usually don’t take just anyone whereas I think many places are always in look of volunteers. But I would also look at what one aligns more with your future interests. Volunteering at a hospital (future goal interest) vs working at McDonalds is very different than a paid part time job in a field you are interested in. What are your aspirations?
I agree that you can always volunteer on the side in a non-structured environment where you can fit it in after your employment. Having a job is nice because you also learn personal responsibility and you get to earn things for yourself, which is a valuable life lesson regardless of where your future leads. That said, I am all for volunteering. I did not get my first job until college and having a meaningful volunteer experience can be just as an important for you in realizing what you value out of life.
What tier of colleges?
It’s not gaming and it’s not about assuming your family is privileged. But it does matter where you want to apply, how competitive your targets are, and what major you have in mind. The more competitive colleges can like to see you followed your interests. If you’e thinking pre-med, of course it’s good to have some experience in the health environment. If you’re thinking engineering, then math-sci activities can matter. So the real answer depends on what schools and what experiences you already have. And what responsibilities you have taken on, up to now. A job or a good vol opp can both show you meet adult expectations, stretch a bit, can climb out of the usual hs “box.”
@“Liesel Anne” I’m going to be a senior starting this fall, so I have not been accepted to any schools.
@shawnspencer and @lookingforward - The thing is, I have absolutely no idea what I want to do in life. I was hoping college could help me figure that out.
My son did both but always found interviewers at colleges to be more interested in his job. Do what works best for you, do it well, and be alert to learning opportunities. It is never a good idea to try to be who others think you should be.
If competitive scholarships are of interest, the volunteer hours might be more valuable.
If you can do both the volunteer thing and a paying job, then do both. But if you’ve got to choose, take the job.
This will give you money to put toward college, and will position you to have a better job next summer and even better ones in the future.
Choosing a paying job over a volunteer gig will not cause you to lose a scholarship or a college admission.
Go for the job! The connections you will make will be great, you’ll get money (ofc). You can always see if you can pick up volunteer hours somewhere else (church, library, etc)
Since you have the volunteer position offer but no job offer, you might do the volunteer gig and continue to look for work. Maybe it will work out that both are possible.