Job

J

jeffreykj7

Member
Joined
Oct 2, 2016
Messages
50
Quick question. If I babysit my 1 year old brother st home when my parents work, is it considered a job or a house chore? Should I list it on my application? Thanks.
 
If it's a significant time commitment that ties up a significant portion of your time, I would suspect you should. Particularly, if this time commitment impacts other activities in which you could participate. Note, I would think this is something you should be able to discuss with your ALO.
 
I wouldn't. I think listing watching your little brother (which probably every applicant who has a younger sibling does) as a "job" will lessen the credibility of everything else on your application. Not trying to be obnoxious, but should applicants list "take garbage out at home", or "fold laundry for mom"? I don't think so. Having a job is working for an employer, which has responsibilities and time commitments beyond those family obligations most kids already have.
 
I would say it isn't a job, but as it seems it takes a significant portion of your time it needs to be mentioned. If I remember right there are a number of opportunities in the essays where it may be relevant to discuss it and how it has impacted you/taught you something. While every applicant probably has chores, there is a difference between taking out the garbage, folding laundry, etc... and taking care of a younger sibling on a daily basis. Another opportunity to address it would be during your interview with your ALO, but I would take some time to think about what it has taught you, how you have grown from it, etc...
 
I was reading the USAFA candidate book and it said that if you have personal responsibilities then you should write about it. I believe you would put it in your activities record. I know that the candidate instructions on USAFA's website states that you should list any reasons why you weren't able to participate in sports or extracurricular activities if you don't excel in that area. I wouldn't call it a job, but I would state how family responsibilities taught you maturity or other traits and took up a decent chunk of your time.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top