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Greetings, fellow CCers!

As my sophomore year has (finally) ended, I am actively seeking my first job. Given my location, the jobs available to me consist primarily of positions at local goods-based stores and large (or semi-local) restaurant/supermarket chains. Although I am (personally) grateful to have any job (as is typical of any teenager looking forward to a first taste of employment), I am also concerned that only having access to a job at a "typical" business (I am currently looking into a position at the local Hardee's - according to a friend of mine, the hours are unusually plentiful and hiring is essentially a guarantee given the recent loss of three employees by quitting/dismissal) would somehow impede my college application in the eyes of the admissions officer(s).

Reading through the posts of countless CCers, I frequently notice that college applicants have internships or jobs that pertain to specific vocations (i.e. veterinary work/animal care, bookkeeping/accounting/datalogging); although such jobs are not available to me at any convenient distance, will admissions officers still see it fit to criticize my application due to my taking upon a summer job at a "typical" business?

Furthermore - I have e-mailed a local volunteer organization but received no response...should I visit the organization and request local servicework in person? Is such volunteer work ever-so-critical to the application process? Must I choose between a job and volunteer work, or should I (and can I) somehow find a way to balance both responsibilities?

I apologize for overloading any contributing CCers with questions, but find it urgent to express my concerns in as quick and efficient a manner as is possible (I hope to "jumpstart" my summer break soon, as all I currently have lined up is a five-day camp).

Any help is appreciated - thanks in advance for your cooperation.

By Northstarmom (Northstarmom) on Wednesday, June 09, 2004 - 02:18 am: Edit

Having a job, any job, is considered a plus. Being able to write an insightful college app essay about something that most people would regard as ordinary would impress most adcoms.

What would not impress adcoms would be spending the entire summer watching TV or playing video games.

If you are interested in volunteering, take the time to research the organization and think about what specific things you could do to help the organization. Examine closely their website, and look for any news articles about them.

Then call and ask for a 10-min. appointment to find out about volunteer opportunities.Bring in a resume, and make your pitch.

Most volunteer organizations are very short staffed. They aren't likely to have the time to respond to vague e-mailed offers of help.

When it comes to deciding exactly what to do this summer, choose something that you find most interesting. That's what colleges look for: students motivated and confident enough to follow their own intellectual, vocational and avocational passions, not students doing things to please adcoms.