Anonymous
07/02/2025 18:32
Subject: Re:Activities - did anyone's kid list that an impressive job was obtained on his/her own?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Is there a reason people feel the need to respond to this post with information not asked about?
- not asking about waitressing or other restaurant work even if moved up
- not asking about lifeguarding
- not asking if a service job helped get into an ivy
- not even asking about types of impressive jobs of teens
Only asked if your kid had an impressive job, did they list on their common app that they got it on own. I think one person in two pages answered it saying no, but a CEO wrote a supplemental LOR about how the kid got the job.
You see, many of us thought we were responding and answering your question.
I was impressed with the fact that my kid held his fast food job for a year and was asked to be a jr. supervisor. He was proud of that. He didn’t do it for college but will list it. I think it will stand out more and is more impressive that his school and sport ECs.
I found the lifeguard, waitress, EMT etc stories equally impressive and am enjoying reading these so I keep coming back for the updates. Sorry you don’t like the replies.
In all sincerity: how was this answering my question? The title says: "Did anyone's kid list an impressive job that was obtained on his/her own?" and if so, how was it worded?
How could this mean a job that lots of teens have? Who would even think about listing/wording it that it was obtained on his/her own under activities? This is not the same as me asking what kinds of impressive jobs have your kids had? Then these answers are all helpful and interesting. But this isn't what I'm asking. Essentially: if a kid has an impressive job which was acquired without nepotism (also is not a typical teen type job), how did you word the "acquired without nepotism" part?
Anonymous
07/02/2025 18:23
Subject: Activities - did anyone's kid list that an impressive job was obtained on his/her own?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Paramedic, emt certified.
Did your kid get their paramedic in high school? Or just EMT?
Paramedic volunteering job.
At the ambulance crew that my kid volunteers with, they can start riding as part of the crew and study to be an EMT at 16, but they have to be 18, and a HS graduate to study to be a paramedic, and then the paramedic training is about a 20 hour a week commitment for a year.
So, I guess I am asking whether your kid found a way around that, or if they took a gap year and did it, or maybe you’re in a state with different rules?
My kid is hoping to take a gap year to get certified as a paramedic, but he’ll apply to colleges before he gets certified.
No, DC is volunteering at paramedic, not paramedic certified. The paramedic needs a full year commitment, as you stated. I don't think there is a way around it.
Has DC filled at the Common App, because "at paramedic" isn't the way it's expressed in English, and would probably be misinterpreted as him claiming to have a certification that he doesn't have. It could cost him a spot at college. If your kid is a rising senior or younger, you want to say that he's volunteering as an EMT, or on an ambulance crew.
I don't mean this to be snarky, just trying to be helpful.
Thank you. DC is a rising senior, will work on the common app in the Fall.
Wonderful! I agree with the PP that it's a great thing that will look good on the application.
Anonymous
07/02/2025 18:22
Subject: Activities - did anyone's kid list that an impressive job was obtained on his/her own?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Paramedic, emt certified.
Did your kid get their paramedic in high school? Or just EMT?
Paramedic volunteering job.
At the ambulance crew that my kid volunteers with, they can start riding as part of the crew and study to be an EMT at 16, but they have to be 18, and a HS graduate to study to be a paramedic, and then the paramedic training is about a 20 hour a week commitment for a year.
So, I guess I am asking whether your kid found a way around that, or if they took a gap year and did it, or maybe you’re in a state with different rules?
My kid is hoping to take a gap year to get certified as a paramedic, but he’ll apply to colleges before he gets certified.
No, DC is volunteering at paramedic, not paramedic certified. The paramedic needs a full year commitment, as you stated. I don't think there is a way around it.
Wonderful! I agree with the PP that EMT will look great on an application.
Has DC filled at the Common App, because "at paramedic" isn't the way it's expressed in English, and would probably be misinterpreted as him claiming to have a certification that he doesn't have. It could cost him a spot at college. If your kid is a rising senior or younger, you want to say that he's volunteering as an EMT, or on an ambulance crew.
I don't mean this to be snarky, just trying to be helpful.
Thank you. DC is a rising senior, will work on the common app in the Fall.
Anonymous
07/02/2025 18:21
Subject: Activities - did anyone's kid list that an impressive job was obtained on his/her own?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Paramedic, emt certified.
Did your kid get their paramedic in high school? Or just EMT?
Paramedic volunteering job.
EMT is always a HUGE plus. Same with volunteer paramedic or volunteer youth firefighter.
Glad to know.
Anonymous
07/02/2025 18:20
Subject: Activities - did anyone's kid list that an impressive job was obtained on his/her own?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Paramedic, emt certified.
Did your kid get their paramedic in high school? Or just EMT?
Paramedic volunteering job.
At the ambulance crew that my kid volunteers with, they can start riding as part of the crew and study to be an EMT at 16, but they have to be 18, and a HS graduate to study to be a paramedic, and then the paramedic training is about a 20 hour a week commitment for a year.
So, I guess I am asking whether your kid found a way around that, or if they took a gap year and did it, or maybe you’re in a state with different rules?
My kid is hoping to take a gap year to get certified as a paramedic, but he’ll apply to colleges before he gets certified.
No, DC is volunteering at paramedic, not paramedic certified. The paramedic needs a full year commitment, as you stated. I don't think there is a way around it.
Has DC filled at the Common App, because "at paramedic" isn't the way it's expressed in English, and would probably be misinterpreted as him claiming to have a certification that he doesn't have. It could cost him a spot at college. If your kid is a rising senior or younger, you want to say that he's volunteering as an EMT, or on an ambulance crew.
I don't mean this to be snarky, just trying to be helpful.
Thank you. DC is a rising senior, will work on the common app in the Fall.
Anonymous
07/02/2025 17:49
Subject: Re:Activities - did anyone's kid list that an impressive job was obtained on his/her own?
Anonymous wrote:Is there a reason people feel the need to respond to this post with information not asked about?
- not asking about waitressing or other restaurant work even if moved up
- not asking about lifeguarding
- not asking if a service job helped get into an ivy
- not even asking about types of impressive jobs of teens
Only asked if your kid had an impressive job, did they list on their common app that they got it on own. I think one person in two pages answered it saying no, but a CEO wrote a supplemental LOR about how the kid got the job.
You see, many of us thought we were responding and answering your question.
I was impressed with the fact that my kid held his fast food job for a year and was asked to be a jr. supervisor. He was proud of that. He didn’t do it for college but will list it. I think it will stand out more and is more impressive that his school and sport ECs.
I found the lifeguard, waitress, EMT etc stories equally impressive and am enjoying reading these so I keep coming back for the updates. Sorry you don’t like the replies.
Anonymous
07/02/2025 17:42
Subject: Activities - did anyone's kid list that an impressive job was obtained on his/her own?
My kid started a very profitable (for teen taking hard courses) side hustle and he did specify he started it with about 100 dollars from his fast food type job.
Anonymous
07/02/2025 17:42
Subject: Re:Activities - did anyone's kid list that an impressive job was obtained on his/her own?
Anonymous wrote:Is there a reason people feel the need to respond to this post with information not asked about?
- not asking about waitressing or other restaurant work even if moved up
- not asking about lifeguarding
- not asking if a service job helped get into an ivy
- not even asking about types of impressive jobs of teens
Only asked if your kid had an impressive job, did they list on their common app that they got it on own. I think one person in two pages answered it saying no, but a CEO wrote a supplemental LOR about how the kid got the job.
You’re weirdly antagonistic considering you’re asking people to help you.
Anonymous
07/02/2025 17:39
Subject: Activities - did anyone's kid list that an impressive job was obtained on his/her own?
My one kid secured an ML internship in high school on their own, while another secured a traditional teen summer job (albeit cushy with great tips) through connections.
I am pretty sure OP isn’t throwing shade on traditional jobs but wants to make it clear their kid didn’t get an internship at their dad’s company.
I am pretty sure OP isn’t throwing shade on traditional jobs but wants to make it clear their kid didn’t get an internship at their dad’s company.
Anonymous
07/02/2025 17:24
Subject: Activities - did anyone's kid list that an impressive job was obtained on his/her own?
^PP- both jobs were found on their own
Anonymous
07/02/2025 17:23
Subject: Re:Activities - did anyone's kid list that an impressive job was obtained on his/her own?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Is there a reason people feel the need to respond to this post with information not asked about?
- not asking about waitressing or other restaurant work even if moved up
- not asking about lifeguarding
- not asking if a service job helped get into an ivy
- not even asking about types of impressive jobs of teens
Only asked if your kid had an impressive job, did they list on their common app that they got it on own. I think one person in two pages answered it saying no, but a CEO wrote a supplemental LOR about how the kid got the job.
Can you describe what you think is an impressive job? Because, to me, lifeguarding and serving in a restaurant are impressive because they meet real needs.
I mean, I assume you already know if someone says her kid is a lifeguard, you are not thinking, “OMG who does this kid know to get this job??” Meaning, lifeguarding is not what this post is about.
It would mean jobs that are impressive sounding AND could mean something if kid got it on his own. Cold called 100 professors and got a job researching, sent out 200 resumes and works in a news station writing copy, submitted independent research to several physicians and is asked to work in a lab, extensively researched and proposed a new law to a congresswoman which resulted in an internship offer. Something like that…
Wow, I don’t think so much leg work is necessarily impressive.
Impressive is a kid making a contribution by doing something and learning responsibility in the meantime.
Btw, my HS rising senior cold emailed a handful (about 10ish) of university profs and got a great scientific research position (DC has never done actual lab research before).
3 of the profs offered a position so DC got to choose.
DC also has a paid service job part time during the school year, on weekends.
Anonymous
07/02/2025 17:23
Subject: Activities - did anyone's kid list that an impressive job was obtained on his/her own?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Paramedic, emt certified.
Did your kid get their paramedic in high school? Or just EMT?
Paramedic volunteering job.
EMT is always a HUGE plus. Same with volunteer paramedic or volunteer youth firefighter.
Anonymous
07/02/2025 17:17
Subject: Activities - did anyone's kid list that an impressive job was obtained on his/her own?
Mine is working at a local university doing an internship in a stem related field. She didn't get it on her own, but she sure is doing some fascinating things. Her common app essay is already in process and she doesn't necessarily need to talk about the internship, but might mention it in a supplemental. Whether or not she "got it on her own" is meaningless because the work she is doing alone is very impressive. Yes she got it because of connections, but some admissions officers like families that have connections too.
Anonymous
07/02/2025 17:12
Subject: Activities - did anyone's kid list that an impressive job was obtained on his/her own?
Unfortunate typo given context, meant ride along!
Anonymous
07/02/2025 17:12
Subject: Activities - did anyone's kid list that an impressive job was obtained on his/her own?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Paramedic, emt certified.
Did your kid get their paramedic in high school? Or just EMT?
Paramedic volunteering job.
At the ambulance crew that my kid volunteers with, they can start riding as part of the crew and study to be an EMT at 16, but they have to be 18, and a HS graduate to study to be a paramedic, and then the paramedic training is about a 20 hour a week commitment for a year.
So, I guess I am asking whether your kid found a way around that, or if they took a gap year and did it, or maybe you’re in a state with different rules?
My kid is hoping to take a gap year to get certified as a paramedic, but he’ll apply to colleges before he gets certified.
No, DC is volunteering at paramedic, not paramedic certified. The paramedic needs a full year commitment, as you stated. I don't think there is a way around it.
Has DC filled at the Common App, because "at paramedic" isn't the way it's expressed in English, and would probably be misinterpreted as him claiming to have a certification that he doesn't have. It could cost him a spot at college. If your kid is a rising senior or younger, you want to say that he's volunteering as an EMT, or on an ambulance crew.
I don't mean this to be snarky, just trying to be helpful.
Agree, found this confusing also. Mine became a nationally certified EMT at 17, think had to be 18 before it was official but took both state and national exams at 17 a few months shy. Paramedic is additional training on top. Some seem to do volunteer die along as EMT and overstate job as not certified also. I think clearly stating role is important.