Gone are the times when students dedicated themselves fully to their preparation with relative peace of mind that they would find work when they left university. Today, that doesn’t just depend on the title you have in your hand. Increasingly, Employers look for signs of proper experience in your field, even in entry-level or part-time positions.. This can make a huge difference between candidates who will get the job versus those who will have to continue searching.
A study by job portal ZipRecruiter found that Students who work during college are more than twice as likely to be employed upon graduationwith figures close to 81% compared to 40% of those who do not have previous work experience. In other words, working while studying not only helps with money, it also opens job doors later.
In a job market where entry-level positions are increasingly competitive, Recruiters look for distinctive signs that give them a perspective of responsibility to mitigate contracting risks.
“If you worked, showed up every day and did a good job, Companies see it as a sign that you can be a good employee.“Cory Stahle, senior economist at the Indeed platform, told USA This day.
After analyzing 3,000 job postings in the last three months of 2025, Indeed found that business management skills were the most in-demand. Customer service (37.1%) and administrative skills (35.8%) were among the most requested by companies. This type of experience, even if it is something simple, counts for more than many students believe..
Experience is worth more than it seems
It doesn’t matter if the job is in a bookstore, a supermarket or helping in the university office; The important thing is what you learn with rotten in that initial work experience: punctuality, dealing with people, organization and responsibility. These skills, known as operational business skills, are among the most sought after by companies.especially customer service and administrative work.
This is where many students underestimate their own experience, ruling out these types of jobs on their job cover sheet. It is not about having an “important” position, but about demonstrate that you know how to function within a proper work environment.
Another relevant fact is that students with work experience usually start looking for jobs before graduating. According to ZipRecruiter, this greatly improves their results: they have more contacts, more interviews, and more opportunities before they even finish their degree.
The critical reason is networking, that is, meeting people within the professional environment. Nearly 9 in 10 previously employed graduates say their connections were key to landing their first job.
It must also be considered that the demand for workers determines, to a large extent, the ease or difficulty of finding employment. Some areas such as nursing have greater demand and better starting salarieswhile more general or humanities majors may face more competition and longer wait times for employment. In these cases, it is advisable to complement the studies with practical experience or additional skills.
Given the difficulty of the market, almost half of students consider continuing studying after graduating. However, experts warn that this decision must be made carefully, as it involves high costs and does not always guarantee better immediate results.
In summary, we could conclude that Waiting until you graduate to start building experience can be a costly mistake. On the other hand, taking advantage of any job opportunity during university can become the key to a more solid professional career with better possibilities for growth.
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