Why as a Student You Should Never Work for Starbucks

Imagine this, you’re a recruiter with two identical resumes on your desk for a software developer position. Both candidates recently graduated with the same software engineering degree from the same university. However, there’s a striking difference:

Candidate A has top grades but only has experience working at Starbucks, with zero exposure to practical software engineering.

Candidate B, on the other hand, has below average grades but has worked on several software projects during his studies Given the choice, who would you hire?

In most cases, Candidate B would be the preferred choice. Why? When it comes to landing a job, real-world experience trumps irrelevant side jobs like working at Starbucks -unless your goal is to run a coffee shop.

While quick cash from serving coffee or cocktails might be tempting, it won't give you an advantage in your chosen field. I've seen countless young people with impressive grades but no practical experience struggling to start their careers.

Falling for instant gratification over long-term career growth will make you leave money on the table and delay your career. Christiano Ronaldo's goal was to become the greatest footballer of all time. He didn't waste his time with playing basketball or working as a bartender. He put everything on his passion.

Think of your career like a high-interest savings account: the more knowledge and practical skills you acquire, the more your career capital compounds. This is the snowball effect in action. You become more valuable to your industry, resulting in higher salaries and better job opportunities. Alex Hormozis explains it in very well. Here my short form adjusted explanation for a career in Tech.

Graphic inspired by Alex Hormozi: From Ordinary to Extraordinary -The Magic of Skill Stacking

Lets say you are good at Math. You go and learn Python, than Algorithms & Data Structures, and so on. Each skills stacks up on each other making you more valuable to society and companies, resulting in higher salaries.

On top each new experience aligned to your career goal will give you insights what interest you're the most. The above graphic works as an example. Maybe you realized that you don't want to lead a team but have interest in Machine Learning and AI. Great. You are the captain of your ship and the more skills you have the more options you'll get.

But maybe you say: "Hey Job App Guide this is wonderful what you suggest, but I need the money and there are no jobs in my field."

I understand and here's the truth: The more time you wait to get experience, the harder it will be later on. The younger you are, the more understanding companies are of your lack of experience. As you get older, it'll be harder to explain why you haven't started working in the field you're studying. On top your entry salary will be low. A debt that will be hard to pay back for the rest of your career. So, what could you do?

1. Seek out entry-level roles in your field

This 18 year old guy started his entry level job at google. He had no practical payed experience but a lot of ambition and knowledge. By the way doing a payed intership is is a win-win situation for both sides. Students get free training on the job and companies can spot early the upcoming talents of tomorrow. So don't be too humble. In the free market there is no free launch, it's always mutual beneficial.

2. Consider working for free in your Area

Start offering working for free in your area of interest, like these 151 people wanted to work eagerly for free for Andrew Kirby.

You strategie will be to show from the beginning your motivation to learn and improve (should be easy because it's your preferred field of interest). In addition you will make yourself indispensable by taking up tasks others hesitate to undertake. It usually takes 3 months for your manager to realize that recruiting and training a new person would cost him a lot more than giving you a well-deserved raise for an upcoming high achiever.

And even if your boss doesn't see the value you bring to the table, the practical experience you have acquired will open you doors for applying for the competition.

3. Add personal projects to your resume

Ask yourself what related tasks to the job description have you done for friends, family and yourself?

-Developed an AI that speaks like the president?

-Created a video just for fun?

-Crushed Social Media?

Remember, It's not about how you got your skills, but that you have them, show that you're motivated, and that you can demonstrate your value.

Most people I met had more value inside them than they were aware of.

Realizing it and letting it out is all it takes.

1. Never work in jobs that are not aligned to your career goal

2. Apply for entry jobs that are aligned to your career goal

3. Include private projects if necessary

Even if you haven't had any private work experience, now is the time to start.

Start doing what you love and align it with your career goal. As a result, your knowledge will compound and you will be for the rest of your life in a better position to attract higher salaries.

I wish you good luck. -Not that you would need it