<p>"…turn the volunteer work into the main gap experience…" stated to a person who needs a paid job, not a gap year “experience”.</p>
<p>That statement is the posterchild of how far out of touch with reality CC advice can sometimes be.</p>
<p>It implies such disrespect for the value of hard work, done well, at any job, it implies that only the “right” experiences and jobs have value.</p>
<p>To the OP: Work hard at the grocery store or McDonalds. Show up on time, offer to work when other people ask you to cover their shifts, offer to work holidays and weekends. Smile, go the extra mile for your employer and for the customers.</p>