Poker vs. Summer Job -- Topic for the Youngins...

[Schneids]

Alright, let's cut to the chase: I'm in college, I have no plans of doing a work study or internship this coming Summer (but will be next Summer).

I have logged more than enough hours to produce a confidence interval giving me strong, strong confidence I'm at least a 1BB/table hour player.

I could very, very easily earn more money per hour playing poker over the summer, than getting a summer job. Yet, I understand the ramifications of having some blank spaces on your application. I do not want to apply for a job three years from now, and have them questioning why I didn't work the Summer of 2004, and I know that saying I "played poker professionally" is a turn-off to many potential employers.

Yet, the thought of devoting 20-40 hours a week of my life to something, just "to avoid having an empty space" feels sickening at the same time -- and like a gigantic waste of my time.

I have thought about many possibilities to work around this, such as having no official job, and using as an excuse to employers that I wanted to take the Summer off to have more time to work on writing a book (could be made true). Or, I am officially a co-owner of a Web Development company that is registered with the state, so, I could potentially say I was self-employed in '04 and did web-development work. I like the thought of this idea, except, I know that many employers do extensive background checks, and with the right resources they would see that taxes I file for 2004 wouldn't line up with the lack of web jobs we do (since we're a small-time company and only do work if the price is right and turn down many jobs). Or, I could enroll in one class over the summer, and then use education as the excuse. That might work, but that also feels like a weak idea.

So then, I ask the other successful younger players, what are you planning on doing with your Summer? Do I just bite the bullet and find a real job where I can work as few hours as possible for them?

[MarkD]

Although I'm now through college and working I highly doubt many employers would frown upon someone who took the summer off to relax.

Personally if I was you I would take the summer off and play cards and if ever questioned about it I would just say that I wanted some time off. I don't think many employers will care.

[jdl22]

I agree.

Nobody cares about a 1 summer gap. It's very common for college students to do nothing in the summer, every summer until they graduate.

The gap most talk about is taking a year or two off after you graduate to play. This looks pretty bad, but one summer won't have much if any effect.


edit: I'm currently in grad school. In June I have comprehensive exams. If I pass those the first time (I currently give myself even odds) then I will do the same thing you are talking about as well as spending a little time starting some research projects.

[Schneids]

[ QUOTE ]
I agree.

Nobody cares about a 1 summer gap. It's very common for college students to do nothing in the summer, every summer until they graduate.

[/ QUOTE ]

I know many people who disagree, given the present highly competitive job market.

[afk]

My gut instinct is to say get a job. The money for poker is one thing, but I personally wouldn't want to be in front of my computer or in the casino all summer. I'm doing construction this summer, and while it's hard work, I wouldn't trade the decent money, working outside and social aspects a job for playing poker.

But then again I consider poker more of a side project, more for fun than money.

Edit: Though I also should note I'm a relatively new player, only playing .05/.10, so I couldn't really make more playing poker than working. But even if I could I think I'd still prefer to work.

[ctv1116]

Yeah, I'm doing a summer internship, but I'm pretty sure I'll be making more playing Party and Paradise micro-limits than my internship stipend. At least that's my poker goal of the summer.

[juanez]

I've been out of college for 11 years and have hired and fired several people in my former mid-management positions (currently a real estate agent). Not to encourage you to play poker all summer, but personally I have never held it against anyone for taking a summer off in college. In fact I've usually been envious since I needed to work every summer and all semester to pay my own tuition.

If asked what you did on your summer off, a good answer is "travel". But expect folks to ask you where you went...

Have a great summer either way! [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[gonores]

I say f*ck the real world. Don't worry about the job market two or three years down the road. Besides you're obviously not going to play/study 50+ hours a week, and you have plenty of time to do some other productive thing(s) in your spare time. Volunteer, take classes, be a mentor...just don't get lazy.

On top of that, it looks like you have an entreprenurial spirit. I'm graduating in May, and my plan is spend the next two years in a major capital grab playing poker while taking a few courses at UW, after which I plan on hopefully opening my own fitness center or pursuing some other business plan. The pure short-term profitability of poker right now can open up a lot of doors for you a lot quicker than your peers.

One last point. Since I pretty much have a short-term plan in mind but I would like back-up options, I have been interviewing here and there, and I haven't shyed away from my poker hobby. Although there have been some furrowed brows, I'd say more often than not, my interviewers have not been turned off when I mention it.

You seem to approach things the right way. Take advantage of your perspective.

Doug

[Warik]

When interviewing applicants, I've never cared about their "summer job" type employment. I've always looked for how long they've worked full-time and what they did while they were there.

Maybe you were going to summer school... maybe you were studying something... maybe you were relaxing at home with the family - whatever.

If you can make more money playing poker than working part-time during the summer WHILE YOU ARE A STUDENT, go for it. You have the next 40-50 years of your life to spend 40-50 hours a week somewhere other than where you'd like to be.

[scrub]

On the other hand, no matter what you may think right now, were you to geta summer job, the odds are that it would be much less depressign and bleak than three months spent playing online poker.

That is if you're the kind of person who would make friends with your co-workers and find a way to enjoy yourself.

scrub