How does working at a restaurant really compare to other great extracurriculars?Answered
I have worked at this restaurant for 3 years and manager for 2 1/2 years (will continue to do so).
Time:Average of 28 hours every week (School time)
Average of 40 hours every week (Summer time)
My responsibilities:
Responsible for the opening and closing of the restaurant (just closing for school days)
Cashier (cash and card transactions)
Server (Hot food, soft drinks, boba, ramen)
Recruiting
Taking order for food and supplies (Sometimes buying supplies at markets)
Some cooking experience/knowledge
Personally, I like interacting with customers and coworkers. You can learn a lot just by working at restaurant from time management, discipline, responsibility, communication, adaptability, and working under pressure. This is also what I will write for one of my CommonApp essay prompts.
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3 answers
As far as ECs are concerned, besides the coveted ones like editor of school newspaper, team captain of a varsity sport, student body president, 1st chair violin/cello etc., working at a restaurant for 3 years is just as impressive.
This kind of EC shows that you care about your family and show initiative and leadership to pay your own way and be as independent as possible. Although it is not an intellectual activity that supports any sort of intellectual vitality/curiosity, most top college weigh this kind of EC heavily in your favor.
Good luck.
Working at a restaurant offers unique experiences that are often just as valuable as other great extracurricular activities. After working at a restaurant for 3 years and being a manager for 2.5 years, I've learned a variety of skills that are transferable to other areas of life. For instance, managing my time between work and school has taught me discipline and adaptability, while interacting with customers has strengthened my communication skills. Plus, having responsibilities like recruiting, managing cash transactions, and even buying supplies has enhanced my leadership abilities.
On top of these essential skills, working in a restaurant also exposes you to a fast-paced environment where you’re constantly learning to work under pressure. Whether you're serving hot food and drinks or assisting with cooking, you gain a sense of responsibility that’s hard to replicate elsewhere. For example, handling a busy shift at a restaurant, much like coordinating with staff at places that have large menus like the Texas Roadhouse Menu, gives you an appreciation for teamwork and attention to detail.
It’s this combination of practical experience and personal growth that makes restaurant work stand out as a valuable extracurricular.
This is amazing work experience and a very positive reflection of your character.
Your chance of acceptance
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