Can't get a job without it. The following article was written to assist students in developing resumes. The author frequently assists students in this task and observed that many students discount the value of their student employee experience. If useful, please feel free to reproduce this information for use with your students. Recent graduates report back to us that the most frustrating obstacle they face in finding an entry-level job is their lack of experience.
Employers consistently prefer to hire the experienced performer.
It's less risky. The experienced performer has a track record, a professional reputation. They are a proven commodity. Thus, employers, given a choice, will almost always hire experience. It's frustrating because it's the old chicken egg cliche.