<p>how important is a job?</p>
<p>i've been extremely dedicated to volunteering, extracurriculars, and academics, and have found absolutely no time during the school year to get a job. i have a little more time now in the summer, but i have still been very busy with volunteer work. how much of a difference will it make?</p>
<p>Honestly, I just came to this forum to ask a question on the opposite end of the spectrum. In one of the many books about college that I've read, there is a chapter on how holding a part-time job during the school year/over the summer can actually do more to harm a student than help him during the application process. The writer went on to suggest that having a job tells admission's people that you could have been doing something better with your time (e.g., volunteering). </p>
<p>So, if this writer is correct, you should be a-okay. If not, kids like myself are definitely not. My volunteer work is significant, but it's really important to me that I have a job, and I've definitely worked more than I've volunteered. </p>
<p>I'm interested to see what others will add to this thread.</p>
<p>okay thanks.
yea its definitely interesting to hear both sides.
what have you done workwise? and to be honest, if there is a meaningful reason why you are doing, i don't think it could hurt you. </p>
<p>ive done around 500 volunteer hours, but no job because of time constraint with my involvement. but i really admire people who work significant hours, especially during the school year.</p>
<p>Furthermore, the potential damage in grades that a school-year job may yield could outweigh the admissions advantage of holding a job in the first place (if there is one).</p>
<p>I personally believe its good if you have it but its not a huge factor or anything. Since you've done so much volunteering, it will look just as good or even better.</p>
<p>I worked throughout part of last year and over the summer, but I'd did quit last year's job because it's impact on my school work was just too much to bear.</p>
<p>The truth is, I work because I feel/my family feels like I have to. I'll be the first in my family to go to college, and everyone in my home has this feeling that when you're sixteen you sort of have to begin work. It's definitely hard to work and maintain straight A's.</p>
<p>It's good for college. It shows you have time management, which is what college is all about. It def. is a good thing if you can do it.
If you don't, no biggy. How many straight A students with extensive EC's as club presidents do you see working a part-time job?</p>
<p>I explained how many family was having financial trouble and my 3 part-time jobs were partly the result of my situation.</p>
<p>I think it helped.</p>
<p>
[quote]
having a job tells admission's people that you could have been doing something better with your time
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I don't believe this at all.</p>
<p>"having a job tells admission's people that you could have been doing something better with your time "</p>
<p>Ouch. Since when is holding a job a waste of time? Northstarmom made a post about jobs on another thread, maybe search for that.</p>
<p>Personally, I think holding a job shows the school you have time managment and responsibility. While not a HUGE factor in the admissions process, I don't think it would hurt, unless your grades started slipping. I could be biased though, since I work 15 hours a week.</p>
<p>Having a job can be impressive to colleges particularly if you worked a menial type of job (eg McDonals) or were working a job to help support your family. It also can be impressive if you worked any job that you obtained through your own initiative. </p>
<p>However, doing an excellent job at volunteer work that you did that reflected your leadership and passion also is very impressive to colleges.</p>
<p>College admissions officers know that there are only 24 hours in a day, so no one is expected to do everything.</p>
<p>I have worked a job starting the fall of my junior year and I'm still working it and hope to throughout my senior year. I have to admit my grades slipped slightly, but I think that is was a price I had to pay when I decided to take the job. I work about 35-40 hours a week and 95% of my shifts are overnights. I hope my juggling a full time job and 4 aps says something about my work ethic. Plus, I need this job to pay for school. I have 2 sisters in college, and my father owns his own business, but there is no way he can afford $200,000+ for a college education. To say having a job is a negative quality in the realm of academia is absurd, considering a lot of students need that job to even dream of a college education.</p>