is work experience necessary for scholarships? (1 Viewer)

[astroman]

Do scholarships like co-op at UNSW or other's at uts and usyd prefer students who have work experience or is it just high academic as well as school rep stuff??

 

[emilios]

They'd probs prefer volunteer work over paid work. Both is even better.

That being said, you could theoretically still get it if you're especially strong in other areas, such as representing school in debating, sport, music, + v. good academics. Nothing is really 'required' per se, it's just about how you can stand yourself out from the crowd.

 

[bangladesh]

It helps, but i dont think it's required.

 

[seremify007]

They'd probs prefer volunteer work over paid work. Both is even better.

I wouldn't say one is preferred over the other. It really just depends what you've learnt from it, what it says about you as an individual (not just philanthropic), etc.

To answer the Op's question though, no it's not necessary or mandatory but when looking at a candidate/application, the individual as a whole is usually considered (in the general non-academic/industry-sponsored scholarships at least). The lack of experience working in either a paid or volunteer capacity will no doubt lead to questions of 'why not' (depending on your age/stage of life) as well as how you will overcome the inexperience or lack of development which other candidates might have (e.g. how can you demonstrate time management, project management, stakeholder management, difficult customers, coaching, conflict resolution, etc).

 

[Phaze]

it's just about how you can stand yourself out from the crowd.

I agree, Standing out the most is what is important. Having work experience or volunteering will help of course but if you can tell them about how you demonstrated some initiative during any one of these activities it'll mean a lot more.