Job vs volunteering

There has been a controversial debate, especially among high school and college students, over what types of extracurricular activities are best for building resumes. People who argue on the side of volunteer work tend to agree that this type of activity displays higher morals. To an especially idealistic employer, this concern for society's wellbeing could be a deciding factor in hiring employees. On the other hand, jobs offer many advantages over volunteering. First of all, jobs usually offer a source of income to the employee. Jobs also show an individual's ability to be lead by his/her boss, and to follow instructions. While consequences of poor work in volunteering often go unpunished, poor performance at a real job can get the employee fired. In a sense, there is a higher risk involved with real jobs.

Many volunteer workers in the United States claim that their work is necessary for their country to become better place. While there is no argument against this, it is also true that real jobs drive countries to better economic success, and lead to lower poverty rates.

In general, high school and college students are advised to either get a job, with some volunteer work on the side. While the general consensus is that volunteering is the greater choice, real world employers disagree. Studies have shown that people who have had access to the real working world are hired more often, and achieve greater success than those who spend their high school and college years volunteering.

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