<p>Everyone seems to think volunteering is the better choice because 'it looks better on college applications'. Since none of us are admissions officers, we can't comment on the validity of that statement.</p>
<p>I understand that there are different 'levels' of volunteer work and part-time work. Realistically, most 'hospital volunteers' answer phone calls at the reception desk and most 'part-time workers' bag groceries at Costco. In both cases, you're doing the typical 'teenage' work, but in one case you're getting paid.</p>
<p>If you're helping starving children in Africa, that's a completely different story. But when you're doing the same exact duty as a volunteer or part-time worker, which would you choose and why?</p>
<p>It depends. What if the volunteering is relevant to your studies/interests? I mean, volunteering at a hospital when you're planning on going into pre-med shows your commitment to medicine, even if you're just doing secretarial stuff. And volunteering in a community service type of thing (helping out in soup kitchens or something) does "look good" or whatever resume-padding bull everyone builds their lives around. </p>
<p>Having a job does show that you know how to manage your time and money, that you've got experience in an adult setting, etc. Even if it's just at Costco or whatever, if you spend a significant amount of time doing it, I'm sure colleges realize how difficult it is to balance this work and schoolwork (and even during the summer, it shows responsibility and maturity.) Plus, you get money. Why am I looking at this all in terms of what colleges think? Take the money! </p>
<p>No, but in terms of looking good AND in terms of long-term benefits, I'd say the best thing is to get a job in your area of study, and the second best is to volunteer in your area of study. The other two are a toss-up depending on your personal preferences -- it could just depend on what interests you the most. For me, it would depend on the particular job... I'd honestly take what I thought I'd enjoy the most and that would bring me the best benefits in terms of experience. If I had a choice and my two options were the exact same job and one were paid and one unpaid, I'd take the money. :]</p>
<p>realistically most 'part-time workers bag groceries at Costco"?
that's completely ridiculous. you obviously know nothing about the work place at costco, and trust me, it's NOT simply bagging groceries, even as a part-timer.</p>
<p>Dude, get a job, you learn so much stuff about life in general. I am an upper/middle class suburban white kid, and I work with a bunch of blue collar women and illegal immigrants and i have learned so much about the human condition. I know it sounds stupid, but listining to these peoples stories has led me to be more and less (depending on the case) compassionate about my decisions and judgements regarding different socio-economic-racial groups. When you volunteer at a homeless shelter, you just work with a bunch of middle aged white christian women who are all "trying to give back to the community", they all have the same story (and the homeless people are usually Fing insane, or have some kind of mental illness). Having a part time job will teach you a lot of humility too, and it will aid your future career because you learn the culture of working. Finally, usually volunteering is done in either 50 or 100 hour chunks at different places, but working 2+ years at the same place shows some serious dedication, and allows you to develop some deep interpersonal relationships with your coworkers. I could go on and on, but please, get a job.</p>
<p>"that's completely ridiculous. you obviously know nothing about the work place at costco, and trust me, it's NOT simply bagging groceries, even as a part-timer."</p>
<p>You're right. I forgot to mention restocking the shelves, collecting the shopping carts, and sweeping the floors because that's so much harder than bagging groceries. You missed the point in what I was saying.</p>
<p>^ yes, you were belittling the importance of teen jobs. Work at a restaurant for a year and you'll get some authority and responsibility, and you might change your mind (I agree it is insignificant, but it is not easy, nor thoughtless once you have some responsibility).</p>
<p>I never said teen jobs weren't important. The point is that most teen volunteer and part-time work positions involve simple tasks (which is why I used 'answering phone calls' and 'bagging groceries' as examples).</p>
<p>There is a lot for a teen to take out of volunteering or part-time working. Unless one is relevant to your studies or one is significant compared to the other, would you choose a paying part-time job or a satisfying volunteer position?</p>
<p>JOOOOOOOBS, trust me, you learn alot about your self when youre incharge of 5 other people, and its not easy nor mindless, Infact, i would argue that my job is similar to a 5 hour long ACT test with no breaks, free food, and lots of verbal communication</p>
<p>I would say that part-time work is an area so many affluent overachievers overlook in high school. There is no reason why one cannot participate in both paid and unpaid job experiences. I would highly recommend doing both as a teenager. </p>
<p>Personally, I have learned more from my paid job than from my volunteer positions. Yes, volunteering is wonderful and contributes positively to the community, but working a part-time job teaches many life lessons that volunteer experience cannot. For instance, I searched for months last year before I secured a part-time job; then, when I began my current job, I had to learn to reckon with my boss's criticisms (something I never experienced vounteering); I had to learn to serve other people; I had to show up on time for my scheduled shifts; and, as TomHirschfeld said, from the stories my coworkers told I realized how fortunate I am to be an upper-middle class white girl. Plus, I learned an entirely new skill set: waiting tables.</p>
<p>In the end, volunteering is excellent, but that first part-time job is more of a wake-up call to a kid like me. Please consider that you probably will not get a job in your area of interest as a sixteen-year-old, but the life lessons learned from bagging groceries at Costco are endless and that biweekly paycheck is a luxury.</p>
<p>Tips? Hmm... I filled out a couple of online applications for fast food joints and heard absolutely nothing from those businesses. The paper-and-pen applications I submitted, on the other hand, earned me some interviews. Since you have already submitted the job applications online, maybe you should call the businesses to confirm that they received your application? I don't know, since this never worked for me.</p>
<p>Be patient, but not too patient. Usually, when you submit your application potential employers are not hiring. Wait a couple of weeks (two weeks should be sufficient), and if they have not called you back yet, call them to inquire about the status of your application. Be certain to mention your name (Don't just ask, "Are you hiring?"). Certain businesses like it when you show interest. That's how I got my job: It took eight weeks and three phone calls on my part before they interviewed me. Don't call too much, though.</p>
<p>Try for small businesses. This is especially useful if you are under sixteen, as certain national chains will not hire if you are too young. Also, try to think of offbeat places most kids will not apply. I work at a local diner alongside grown women and college girls; the pay is great, my boss is generous, and because of the grown women I never have to work during the week.</p>
<p>Hope that helps. :) If you try to find a job and cannot, you are at least one step ahead of the many kids who don't even bother.</p>
<p>^ I second this. Restaurant work (pizza places too)>>>>everything else. Apply to some local family owned restaurants, and when you turn your app in, make sure to ask to speak to the manager/owner, when you meet them, shake their hand and look them in the eye when you introduce yourself, and just say that you want to work and will be available whenever they call, or something to that extent. Make sure that when you leave, the manager will be able to associate your face with your name and then your in, eventually (trust me, this always works)</p>