Should I include high school jobs on my resume?

I'm about to start applying for college and wonder if it's okay to list my high school job experience. Will it help or hurt my application? I'm worried colleges might think I'm not focused on academics if I worked during school.

Certainly, including job experience on your college application can be valuable, particularly if these experiences help to showcase your skills, personal qualities, and commitments.

Colleges are interested in seeing how you spend your time outside of academics. Work experience is valuable because it can demonstrate qualities like initiative, dedication, and responsibility, which are all traits colleges value. Furthermore, having a job during high school shows you're able to manage your time effectively – balancing work, school, and other activities.

Keep in mind, however, that not all jobs need to be presented in the same way. If your job is closely related to your intended college major or career, you might want to present it as an experience that taught you specific skills. If your job is not directly related, that's okay, but your framing might be a bit different - for example, you can present it as an experience that taught you the value of hard work, responsibility, and time management.

Remember to focus on the skills and experiences you gained rather than simply listing your job duties. For example, instead of saying "worked as a cashier," you might say, "managed transactions for dozens of customers per shift, strengthening my communication and problem-solving skills."

In conclusion, working during high school won't make colleges think that you're unfocused on academics; rather, it shows that you are capable of juggling multiple responsibilities successfully. Including these types of experiences on your application could contribute positively to your holistic profile.