Why do students work menial summer jobs?

<p>Yeah it doesn’t make any sense to get NO money and sit around in the summer for the sole reason that you have bigger goals. It’s better to have some money now and 100k later than no money now and 100k later. </p>

<p>Settling for retail jobs could be seen as a waste for some people, I understand that. But if you’re working retail in the summer or during school, I think that’s commendable, it gives you work experience so you can get that 100k later.</p>

<p>I also firmly believe you should always take any job you get seriously. You get better references and it’s the professional thing to do. Plus it’s obnoxious to work with someone who clearly thinks they’re above the job they’re doing…they never are.</p>

<p>Trollolmao.</p>

<p>Because I really want to use a nutty Target manager as a reference when I apply for a real job. </p>

<p>Ah that’s rich, RoxSox. :D</p>

<p>I would expect nothing more from someone from New Jersey.</p>

<p>DreamingBig read the post a little more thoroughly next time. I never said it was wrong to ask your parents for money. I said that a lot of people may not like doing it. Also how am I wrong about people needing to have work experience before they get out of college? Its common sense that you need to have work experience unless you have great connections.</p>

<p>I know you’re a ■■■■■, DB, but everyone has to start somewhere. It’s better to have something on a resume than nothing. Sure, everyone would love to land a sweet internship that pays tons of $, but the reality is that those are few and far between. </p>

<p>My dad is a managing director for an investment management firm, and they were hiring someone for a two-year “analyst” position. He let me look at the resumes, and explained what employers are looking for. The guy who got the job spent his first two summers of college working in the Sears warehouse. For entry-level jobs, you aren’t expected to have tons of experience. Sure, it can be a plus, but people just want to see that you know how to work and are interested in the job.</p>

<p><em>sigh</em>
Ok DB mooch off your parents but one day they are going to tell you that you are on your own because you are old enough to fend for yourself and the thought that you can get a high level internship without prior job experience is laughable. If I was you I wouldn’t hold my breath on it, don’t be surprised when you get laughed out of them. As for your plan I am sure everyone here would LOVE to hear the exact details of it, but based on your thought process I am thinking Welfare.</p>

<p>

So here’s a possible catch. I been a hiring manager for about 15 years and can tell you that the second or third question I would have after seeing your resume would be what did you do during your summers during college … and without meaningful activity each summer your resume would most likely drop to the bottom of the pile. So while you may not need to work during the summer hanging around all summer is likely to have some negative impact later in your professional career.</p>

<p>^Is that just for recent grads? If you’re just looking at the resume would you be able to tell if they did summer school?</p>

<p>Sure … the expectation is to see 3-4 summer jobs/internships listed on the resume … or at least a couple listed and find out about the rest during the interview. Recent grad applicants have 8 semesters of classes … taking additional classes during the summer typically would add less to a resume than some sort of work/internship experience; even crappy jobs like working at a fast food joint during the summer. </p>

<p>In my personal experience my summer experience that seemed to create the most positive energy from interviewers was the summer I worked as a short order cook and in video game palor … both crap jobs but I was working 70 hours a week to pay my way through school. If you were a hiring manager who would you take … the applicant who sat at home living on Mom’s dime playing video games or the applicant working 70 hours a week?</p>

<p>Am I supposed to be impressed? :D</p>

<p>not all of our parents can just give us money whenever we want/need it. i work two summer jobs (one that somewhat relates to my major) for spending money and also to save some of it for the upcoming year so I hopefully don’t have to work while at college. your original message makes you sound like a brat.</p>

<p>Didn’t read the thread, but I would just like to say that I would probably be pretty screwed jobwise if my mom didn’t have connections in the healthcare field. I’m 19 and have never had a real job ever, only as a soccer referee for like 5 years. Even a place like McDonalds probably wouldn’t hire me over someone with at least a few references.</p>

<p>But yeah menial jobs are basically all college students are qualified for anyway.</p>

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<p>I never even thought to check Craigslist for summer jobs/internships. I applied to maybe 30 internships through various companies’ websites and didn’t even get an interview from any of them. Hopefully, my chances will be much better with Craigslist.</p>

<p>Heh, simpsonman is just like me. Just a referee (for multiple sports) during the summer. If I had to work a menial job I would, but it’s thankfully not necessary. I am going to see if I can spend my summers doing research instead.</p>

<p>I totally agree, I think it’s stupid. You’re better off doing something that challenges you, develops skills that will be more lucrative in the long run, and/or teaches you about the field you’re passionate about, even if it’s unpaid. If you’re in college and getting decent grades, you’re wasting your time working a menial job.</p>

<p>Working a “menial job” or several of them during highschool and possibly your first year of college is what is going to make getting a paid internship possible. Wake up kiddies the world is a real place, and employers want to know that you can get out of bed in the morning and function with people and handle some responsibility. If you are in college and you are sitting at home in the summer instead of getting some type of job you are in serious trouble when next year rolls around, unless you have some good connections through your parents or their friends.</p>

<p>momma, pay no attention to the ■■■■■■. Most people on here have enough common sense to know that any work experience is better than none :).</p>

<p>^ I’m fine with them thinking its menial…means better chances for me :D</p>

<p>momma-three, please. You’re just completely wrong about that.</p>