| Perhaps "limited work experience" meant structured work. They don't care that you made money playing poker because poker doesn't instill the same values and skills demanded of a conventional employee - basic things like a strong work ethic, organization, accountability, responsibility, punctuality, professionalism, and working with people. What kind of previous work experience does your resume have right now? If it's lacking, that's your problem.
It also probably reflects the fact that most internships are reserved for juniors. But then you should still try to do something constructive this summer, even if it's a regular part-time job in retail or something, just so you have some kind of work experience and professional references. Or else next year you'll be competing against other juniors who have years of work experience - even if it's just part-time - and that's a leg up for them.
Also, did you mention poker, selling imported items, and your entrepreneurial goals in your interviews? Maybe they don't give the impression that you're serious about a strenuous work-oriented career. IMO just saying that 7 dollars/hour isn't worth your time indicates that you may not appreciate having to work your way up. There are rewards to starting off in those positions - for example, being promoted to a position of leadership like shift manager or lead (or whatever) looks great on a resume because it shows you've been recognized for doing well at a job instead of looking down on it as pointless and boring. |