Working during college is not a new phenomenon and students have been maintaining a job along with studies previously as well. Several generations have gone through this tradition and it has helped them get a better grasp of how things work. However, this has become more common during recent times. There is more flexibility for students today and they are able to, more easily, maintain a job with studies.
In spite of that, some people still think that during college students should just concentrate on their studies rather than diverting their attention to work. I think this is because of the lack of awareness of the importance of experience in the professional world. In fact, work experience is considered more important than having a degree in a related field. How important is it to land a job, or even just a plain internship, during college?
Experienced graduates are sought after more
Following a review of various studies the California State University revealed that it was in the 1980s when work experience really started being considered at the time of hiring. By 1993, jobs were offered to 93% of interns by their employers in work-study programs.
In 2013 High Fliers Research concluded that college graduates who have no work experience whatsoever find it very difficult to land a job. They are just not sought because employers are increasingly looking for work experience rather than a degree. Degree is important, yes, but without work experience it is not of much help.
How is work experience helpful?
Several times college students do not want to pursue an internship or a job because it is not a well-paying one, or because they feel that it is not related to their future plans, or even because they think it is not worth it. Consider this: you are still a college student with no work experience and have not entered the professional world yet. I am not telling you to not be ambitious and aim high, but this does not mean that you should wait till you get a nice offer, suitable for you.
You will not get opportunities everyday; there are plenty of more experienced people out there who know their work better than you do and employers would go for them instead. Even if you think that your job is not intellectually challenging, it will get you experience. It will teach you about the professional world. You will learn about the industry, get to know your strengths and weaknesses, and even end up impressing your employer who might then give you a permanent job offer.
Also, through your job or internship you will also be able to find out whether you are actually interested in that industry or whether it is so boring that you want to change your career plans. The earlier you find this out, the better.
Work experience is just as important as your degree
Students tend to think that lower-level jobs could prove to be an obstacle when they are trying to get a job later on for a better position or at a better organization. They feel that they are wasting their time there and that future employers might stereotype them. This is not the case.
A report from the Iowa State University’s Engineering Career Services revealed that 90% of students earning a Bachelor of Science degree managed to get jobs after having graduated because they were enrolled in a program which alternated between semesters or work and study. 80% of those who had a one-semester internship experience got a job and 75% of those who worked during the summer, compared to only 50% of students who had no work experience whatsoever.
Work experience is necessary for further degrees
There are several programs that require work experience. For instance, if you want to pursue a graduation degree in nursing you need to have several years of work experience to be eligible for the program. Why? Because the coursework required for this program involves conducting analysis of nursing technicalities and you need to have had work experience to be able to understand it. So, if you wish to get an advanced degree you will need to work first anyway.
Employers are looking for work experience
It is not just colleges that are pushing students to get a job during their course of study. Even employers are citing lack of work experience as the main obstacle between recent graduates and their dream jobs. You just need to have experience, do not worry about whether it is paid or not, just go for it. It will give you confidence and in that industry and field which will clearly display when you go for better jobs later on.
Help with finances
It is not a secret that college students are forever looking for ways to earn and save money. Majority of the students have to take student loans to pursue their program and they are trying to avoid taking up more debt.
If you feel that your college workload is too much for you to engage in a full time job, go for part time, or use your summers for this purpose. But do it. It would be the best investment of your time that you can make and could almost guarantee you employment once you start your professional work life.
