Extracurriculars and having a job

R

redraider2022

USMA 2026
Joined
Aug 15, 2020
Messages
96
I've was hired for a host job at a restaurant a few weeks ago and was wondering how that is viewed in the USAFA application- is being employed something that will help my application stand out, in extracurricular activities or otherwise?
 
It definitely adds to the whole person concept, which is good. This will mostly highlight your time management skills depending on the # of hours worked per week. It will also be good if you can get a recommendation from your boss or something like that. I wouldn't say it'll make you stand out just on its own but it will definitely contribute

Best of luck to you!
 
You learn much from having a job. Time management, discipline, teamwork, work ethic. It can only help but be sure you keep getting good grades.
 
Aside from time management and work ethic, I think what's even more important is that you are in a position of responsibility, and of trust. Those are much bigger character qualities that the SAs value...
 
As a high school counselor who has watched so many teenagers pick up a job, just remember:

1. School comes first.
2. This is pocket money, not a career. Never commit to payments (cellphone, a better car, etc.) at the cost of not being able to drop back on hours if you have a tougher semester/during exams/harder class. Always leave yourself room in your budget to cut back hours when needed.

I also would say, applications for college/scholarships want to see you filling your time. They don't want to wonder what you were busy doing x semester, and part-time jobs are a great way to earn a little cash and learn responsibility/time management.
 
If you have only been working 3 weeks ago, it will obviously have less of an impact than if you had been working since 9th grade. But, it won't hurt. I don't know that I would rush an update to my file over it. If its only been 3 weeks, I don't think it would impact your odds.
 
It certainly can help, assuming you are strong in other areas as well.
Maybe it's for pocket money, maybe your family needs it to pay the light bill.
It is for you to articulate how the job amplifies the qualities that SAs are looking for.

Where are you in the application process? Have you already submitted your Activities Record?
If submitted, you may consider a strategic time to update it - anything significant happening with Thanksgiving holidays or large company take out orders that require extra work, leadership, insightful and interesting story to tell? If you do update, make it a complete package and not piecemeal items - get your work supervisor to sign off on it, your GC, one pdf and email/send to your ALO and USAFA admissions counselor - make their life easier to quickly update your record and have no issues or reason to question/need additional documentation.
 
When my son went to one of his nomination interviews, it was pointed out to him that he did not have a job. When the interviewers looked at his sports, band, club and volunteer activities, they acknowledged that he did not have the time for steady employment, although he was tutoring for side $. They totally understood. My point is that in my son's case, they wanted to see that he was able to handle a full schedule and manage his time properly. It wasn't as much about having job as it is having a full schedule. So yes, having a host job will be a plus. Can't say that it will make you stand out, but it will be a plus. As others have said, do not let the job interfere with grades. I have seen many of my kids' friends suffer with grades and missing practice time for their sports due to getting a taste of $ and the fun of spending it.
 
+1 to @brewmeist. SAs are not so much interested in you having a job, as they are interested in you excelling amid heavy scheduled and competing interests. That is, can you be successful while being extremely busy? Because that’s the environment you’ll face at the SA and on AD.

So whether you’ve worked for pocket money or to help put food on the table, it’s all good. In the larger context, it’s about whether you were a stellar student, leader and athlete while juggling multiple commitments.
 
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