Do part-time jobs add value to your cv?
University life is hands down one of the most chaotic phases of one's life. Most rational people with even the slightest of ambitions use it for some long over-due soul searching to try and build their own unique identity. A lot of students use up any free time that they may have by teaching as many students as possible. While that brings in quick money, it isn't something that you can put in your CV.
I talked to some relatively fresh graduates to find out if their part-time jobs helped them bag full-time jobs and they all answered yes. Here's how they think part-time jobs can help:
Introduces you to the corporate world:
Part-time jobs give you a taste of corporate affairs. In a world where only 2 out of 5 people put in actual work for group assignments at universities, a part-time job teaches you the concept of accountability, commitment and work ethic. Here, there's no option to slack off and get credit for work you didn't do, just because you happen to be friends with somebody who did.
Helps you develop skills:
Full-time jobs require lots of skills, and already having those skills before graduation gives you a head start. Ayman Rahman Arghyo, co-founder at a start-up called Purplebot Digital, and Kamrul Hosain* who works at a multinational bank both attest to this. Ayman worked online and learned video editing and graphics designing, while Kamrul worked at LightCastlePartners (a consultancy firm) where he learned finance essentials like excel, conducting market research, basic PowerPoint, etc. While working at LightCastle, Kamrul had published a paper that he presented in his interview which he says tremendously impressed the interview board.
Adds a different dimension to your student life:
Attending classes and graduating with a good CGPA is great, but a part-time job in addition to that gives employers the impression that you do things beyond what's compulsory. Rawnak ZaheenWasi, a new recruit to BAT worked as a part-time Debate Coach at different schools, ultimately coaching the national school debate team. Rawnak is the Asian Debating Champion of 2017. He said that his job as a Debate Coach boosts his credentials as somebody who in addition to being articulate, is someone who can take on leadership positions to train others as well.
Gets you out of the bubble:
When you do part-time jobs, you realise that the world is much bigger than your university class size. You no longer compete to outdo just your classmates, but also a diverse pool of talented people outside your university.
Helps you make connections:
In the corporate world, networking has no alternatives. Fardeen Ameen, who now works at Grameenphone did a part-time job at Magnito Digital. During his time there, he met lots of cartoonists, graphics designers, videographers and vendors who helped him not only expand his knowledge but also make useful connections. Interestingly, at Magnito, he got to work with a GP team, and later when interviewing at GP his prior experience of working with the brand helped him stand out ahead of other competitors.
*Name changed for privacy
Adiba is a junior at IBA, DU. Reach her at [email protected].
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