Work Ethic Vs. Work Experience

   It has become seemingly apparent that experience in the workforce is more relevant than a person's work ethic. As I have started this new journey to gain experience in my field, I can't get past the interview stage because I don't have experience. Would an organization rather have someone that has been in the industry for many years rather than a person that is capable of doing the job and work extra hard at it because they know that they have to hit the ground running once there? All organizations have certain ways that they do particular services. How one organization does service Z is different how another organization does service Z. We have come to know there is truth behind that saying because that is sometimes how an organization gains a competitive advantage over another- because they know how to do service Z more efficiently. 

    So my question as a college graduate is - how do organizations expect us to get experience if we are not hired because of that very reason. Of course the most prevalent answer comes to mind, and that is through internships and co-ops as an undergrad. Which I totally agree with the concept. I say now as a graduate that my biggest mistake in my college journey was that I did not take the opportunity to explore my options for an internship or co-op. So I will hold myself accountable for that mistake. But with that poses another question, which I will ask in a few.

    But let's think about the average college student. Now mind you, my definition of the average college student may be different from your view. But when I think of the average college student, I think of a person who is able to go to college without having to take on any other responsibilities while there. Meaning, their focus is on college and their lifestyle while there. That is my view on how it was for my peers, which in my opinion that is absolutely how it should be.

    But here comes my other question: If you are not categorized as the average college student, how do you make time and sacrifices to do internships and or co-ops? Not everyone has the pleasure or opportunity to go through college without any other responsibilities. As for myself  I am not in the above category of an average college student. To me it's not unfortunate that I am not but I am fortunate. The reason I am fortunate because as a person who had to work full time and go to college full time, I became very disciplined, independent, and more aware of my time. So this gave my very valuable skills: organizational skills, time management skills, detail -oriented, self-starter, motivated; the list could go on but the greatest skill of all is that I am a hard worker and I have great work ethic. That skill is above all because I am not a person that is bound by my situation, I focus and I get my job done; at that time my jobs were a full time student and a full time employee. Making a sacrifice to do an internship even if it was paid, just did not seem feasible to me at that time. There came the responsibility of surviving my 4 years by working or quitting; and we all know quitting wasn't an option.

    So what do we do if we have the know how, the motivation to work hard everyday; all day, and still no job in our field. If an organization is going to teach the experienced to do it the way they do it; why not take the opportunity to do the same for someone that does not have that experience. I don't elect that ethic should be chosen over experience in every situation. But when you can look in a person's eyes and hear that they are not afraid to take on responsibility, then maybe once or even twice pick the underdog because in the end that person may become more of an asset to an organization than the guy with all the experience!

   Carpe Diem!