<p>Quote:
“Absolutely. Volunteer, take a couple community college classes, work on a project. All of that is looked upon much better than if you worked a job picking trash for 6 months.”</p>
<p>Completely disagree! Quite realistically, while waiting to land your preferred full-time job in your field, you could and should have a job (picking up trash, working fast food, retail, etc.) WHILE volunteering, taking a community college class, or working on a project. First of all, many people do not have the option to not work, financially, so this advice is not a realistic option, and secondly, speaking of work ethic as noted by other posters, having any kind of job WHILE doing activities to enhance your resume is ideal. </p>
<p>Trust me, many, many, many people with whom you are competing for jobs are doing BOTH or THREE of these things, so if you are only volunteering or only taking classes, you are at a disadvantage.</p>
<p>During my internship year I had a full-time internship, part-time grad school classes, and a part-time waitressing job. It was hectic, crazy, tiring and I learned a LOT. It also helped me eventually land my dream job. Worth it!</p>