Work experience is valued by colleges who want to see prospective students as responsible as well as in possession of soft skills such as time management and teamwork. This does not mean that colleges expect students to bring with them significant work experience. You can refer to the Harvard action verbs to understand what you need to include in your university application that would count as work experience.
The good news is that colleges recognize the importance of having a job. Moreover, they value the personal growth that comes along with work experience. Learn more below.
But, what counts as work experience? More specifically, how do you know what is the relevant work experience for the university course you wish to enroll in? Does it have to be in the field of your Bachelor’s degree or specifically in management? These questions can become worrisome if they are left unattended for long. But, the answers are simple. Any job that you pursue after your full-time Bachelor’s degree is counted as work experience, regardless of the field or position.
What is 'Relevant' Work Experience?
Work experience that counts on a university application can vary. This is why the Harvard action verbs exist to guide you. But, what are Harvard action verbs? These are words that act as marketing tools to deliver information about your previous experiences that resulted in measurable results.
Remember, unpaid jobs, such as volunteering, research, babysitting, or internships, also count as work experiences. These types of tasks should be listed on your resume and university application as they require the same amount of hard work and skill as paid work.
Moreover, short-term and temporary jobs also count as work experience on a resume. Regardless of the duration of employment, these two things meet all the requirements of being a job. Short-term jobs, even as short as one month, can be included in this section. This is especially true for those who do not have much work experience, as it could be the only experience they have.
Find out how extracurricular activities benefit you in the long run.
Why Work Experience Matters
Your work experience may not necessarily be academic or intellectually challenging. However, here are some important reasons why any kind of work experience holds value when it comes to university applications.
- High school students who successfully hold down a job for a significant period of time have proven that they can manage their time effectively. Effective time management is one of the most important skills that will lead to success in university.
- Students who have jobs have learned to work as part of a team. These collaborative skills translate directly to college success: you'll be well prepared to negotiate issues with your roommate, work on group projects, and recognize how your own actions impact others.
- If you're working to save money for college, you'll be highly invested (literally) in your college education. The fact that your hard-earned money is meant for your education tells the university selecting committee that you are fully committed to your education.
- Even a miserable job flipping burgers or washing dishes holds value in your application. These jobs teach you to be responsible, to serve others before yourself, and to make sacrifices to meet your long-term goals. Work experience and maturity tend to go hand-in-hand.
- You have a perspective that many college applicants lack. You have experience on your side which will motivate you to succeed in college and move on to work that is more personally satisfying.
Examples of Relevant Work Experience
Any job is a plus on your college application. As outlined above, your work experience says a lot about your discipline and potential for college success. Here are some great examples of job profiles that add value to your resume and college or university applications.
Jobs in a Leadership Role
Colleges want to enroll future leaders. Your work experience can help show your potential on this front. It often is not possible for a part-time 18-year-old to be a manager. However, some jobs, such as a camp counsellor or academic tutor, are leadership positions by definition. In other types of jobs, you might be able to ask your supervisor for leadership opportunities. For example, you might be able to help train new employees or help the company with community outreach programs.
Jobs to Nurture Your Entrepreneurial Ability
It is also impressive if you are entrepreneurial and started your own small business, whether making jewellery or providing content writing services. Entrepreneurs tend to be creative and self-motivated, qualities that make for excellent university students.
Jobs to Promote Field-specific Experience
If you have a strong sense of what you want to study — be it medicine, business, chemistry, art, English, or any other major — work experience in that field will play well with the admission committee. As an example, a lot of students want to go into medicine because of the attractive salary, not because of any love of the sciences or the profession. An applicant who has actually worked in a hospital and gained first-hand experience will be a much more informed and compelling applicant. Similarly, a future computer science major who has worked in tech support will be able to craft a well-informed and convincing application.
Internships
As a high school student with a thin resume and no relevant work experience, you may find it impossible to get a job in your area of study. An internship, however, may be an option. Many internships are unpaid, but they are nevertheless valuable. Those hours you spend working at a publishing house, law firm, or chemistry lab can open doors to future opportunities. Internships give you first-hand knowledge of an academic field.
Internships count as work experience on your resume. Your internship likely allowed you to develop skills that help you stand out from other entry-level candidates. Both paid and unpaid internships of varying lengths can count as experience. Adding internship experience to your university application and resume shows that you take initiative to learn more and grow as a professional.
Work Experience for MBA Programs: A Case Study
There was a time when a resume with no experience meant a direct rejection from most MBA programs in India. However, a sea change has come about in programs for students who want to go straight from earning their undergraduate degree to enrolling for an MBA.
There are several MBA programs that require varied work experience, ranging from zero work experience to 3+ years of experience in the relevant field. You need to find what works for you and your goals. You should, therefore, evaluate your aspirations and not rush into an MBA but rather prepare for this exciting journey.
How much work experience is enough?
To answer this, you must check with the individual MBA schools that offer the program(s) you are interested in. One requirement you will need to meet is the amount of work experience they specify. Some universities have 1-year programs which are strict on how much work experience is required or cut-offs. This is an avenue better suited for students with over 5 years of experience as those are geared toward a faster pace of students with the knowledge that comes with experience.
Research can be considered work experience so long as it is post-graduate research, and not undergraduate.
The Indian Institutes of Management (across the country) have cut-offs that vary from 5 to 6 years. These cut-offs are strictly adhered to. Therefore, if the school says you require 60 months of employed history, and you have 59 months 3 weeks and 2 days, you will not be accepted into their program. There is no exception to this rule!
Leverage your work experience to strengthen your university application. Experiences at work can provide excellent material for your college application essay. Moreover, if you've maintained a strong academic record, colleges will be impressed by the discipline required to balance work and school. It also helps to have other extracurricular activities. However, there is nothing wrong with using your job to demonstrate that you are a well-rounded, mature, and responsible applicant.
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