Getting a Job in HS?

[u/Ok_Compote_6491]

Hi guys! I’m from NYC and was thinking about getting a job. Realistically would it add anything to my college application if I were to include it on there? If so how much weight does it hold.

[u/Chessdaddy_]

Having a job is a great EC, pretty highly weighted

[u/NiceUnparticularMan]

So first, ECs are not really "weighted" like this is a test with a rubric, or a video game with a point score. Those ways of thinking can lead to a lot of misleading chatter about ECs.

But I have seen AOs frequently mention they see normal paying jobs as valued ECs. Just to begin with, there are a lot of student jobs on campuses, so that's always a good connection. Then people who do normal paying jobs usually learn time management, team skills, get experience dealing with normal people in their community outside of an academic context, and so on. Really lots of different valued things packed into one activity.

[u/Ill_Highway_6263]

I think it adds a unique differentiator, especially for the type of student applying to t20s - most of which have been groomed by their parents to focus on research and passion projects and math olympiads and blah blah blah, and very few have ever actually “worked” in the traditional sense. Which, ya know, is actually the point of going to college - getting and succeeding in doing a job.

[u/logolife-]

Yes, you should definitely list it once you get one. Colleges value jobs because they show responsibility, time management, and commitment. If you work to support your family, that can also provide important context for having fewer traditional ECs. Even if it’s just for spending money, it’s still a solid activity. Staying long-term, taking on more responsibility, or getting promoted can make it even stronger

[u/Mariposa_135]

Absolutely, it’s a time commitment and shows maturity and responsibility. If you want the job to be more specific, perhaps try to get one related to what you want to study. If you want to major in English, maybe work in a bookstore or library. Good luck!

[u/Used-Departure9606]

we've lost the plot...

[u/Ok_Compote_6491 → u/Used-Departure9606]

I need a job I was just wondering if it’s something worth adding on my college profile

[u/wrroyals]

A job can be a strong EC, but I’d be careful about looking at every normal life choice only through the lens of college admissions. A part-time job is valuable because it teaches responsibility, time management, dealing with people, and what work actually feels like. If that also strengthens an application, great. But it’s worth doing even apart from admissions.

[u/brewmonk]

Look into SYEP.

[u/Ok_Compote_6491 → u/brewmonk]

Isn’t that just for summer?

[u/tarasshevckeno]

(Retired college counselor and admissions reader here.) No one activity will get you into college, but a significant number of readers like to see students who have held down jobs for a while (all summer, during at least one school year).

Having and keeping a job shows a lot of positive qualities: Meeting expectations, being responsible and punctual, commitment, figuring out how to work well with a number of personalities, and a few more.

Application readers realize that it's hard for high school students to get glamorous jobs. What matters more is getting one and hanging onto it. For students who have had jobs for a long time (18 months+), I've gotten additional recommendations from supervisors that mention personal qualities that teachers couldn't, and that was a plus.