[pixelfrag]

I'm applying to university this year and I haven't done much work experience at all. I did 2 weeks in a web-design agency last year and was subsequently offered a job that I could take up after I finish university. Apart from this though, I haven't done any OFFICIAL work experience. However, I have currently been running a business for about 3 years (since I was 14). I started off by selling software I programmed and I have now expanded to doing web-development too. I have two software products that are on the market at the moment and one of them is actually selling quite well! I've also had about 7 web-design clients (a restaurant, high-end clothing company, artists and more) over the course of last year for whom I've made websites and been paid for it. I've also released a project which is a community for new music artists who can display their music/videos on the site, create a profile and etc.

Anyway, I'm here to ask whether this could constitute as some form of work experience, or whether it'd be credible when applying to university? I mean I've been managing this "comapany" myself with a substantial amount of clients...you know, the real deal.

I'm looking to apply for a computer science degree btw.

tl;dr
Does running your own real life business constitute as work experience?

[roblee]

Yes, work counts as work experience.

[poohat]

top universities dont care about work experience as such, however the fact that youve been programming for years and are obviously very interested and (presumably) talented would be a huge point in your favour, yes.

[Linke]

You're way ahead of most applicants with that stuff. If not "work experience", it would be seen as great extracurricular activities.

[dean01234]

And you would be able to give yourself a phenomenal reference...

[pixelfrag]

(Original post by Linke)
You're way ahead of most applicants with that stuff. If not "work experience", it would be seen as great extracurricular activities.

Unfortunately I've often heard that "oxbridge doesn't care about extra-curricular participation, all it looks for is grades" but meh thank you for the replies guys!

[rogan]

For during-course reference, if you have a plan and a good idea set out, if you take a sandwich course (with an industrial year) then you can work for yourself during that year.

[plimsolls]

Employers will probably view you with suspicion and as a dangerous person capable of individual thought. Not a nice docile meat unit able to fit seamlessly into the hive.

[electriic_ink]

(Original post by pixelfrag)
Anyway, I'm here to ask whether this could constitute as some form of work experience, or whether it'd be credible when applying to university?

Lolrly? I could have sworn you only created this thread to advertise your products.

[zubz91]

they dont like people who may correct them, if their wrong

[pixelfrag]

(Original post by electriic_ink)
Lolrly? I could have sworn you only created this thread to advertise your products.

Please quote me an extract from my post which caused you to think this. Im fully aware of objects called links and images and would have surely incorporated them if this was for advertisement. Its a genuine question I've wondered and I've never been given a proper reply, unfortunately.

Im a little worried about my lack of work experience and just wanted to know exactly how important work experience is and whether or not i can use this as an alternative since if not, I'm going to need to drastically find some work experience for this summer lol.

This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[electriic_ink]

(Original post by pixelfrag)
Please quote me an extract from my post which caused you to think this. Im fully aware of objects called links and images and would have surely incorporated them if this was for advertisement.

Thank you for your rather patronising reply.

"I've also released a project called noiserush which is a community for new music artists who can display their music/videos on the site, create a profile and etc."


Google exists. You and I both know that advertising in forum posts is a bit of an art: if you don't make it subtle enough, your post is removed.

[agoetcherian]

Maybe not 'work experience' in the conventional sense, but it's certainly relevant and very impressive.

[pixelfrag]

(Original post by electriic_ink)
Thank you for your rather patronising reply.

"I've also released a project called noiserush which is a community for new music artists who can display their music/videos on the site, create a profile and etc."


Google exists. You and I both know that advertising in forum posts is a bit of an art: if you don't make it subtle enough, your post is removed.

Noiserush isn't of monetary value to me, If I wanted to advertise it I'd say it in the appropriate section. It requires a specific target audience, and the computer science and IT section is most definitely NOT the target audience lol. My other products are of technical nature, and would probably benefit from advertisement here, though I refrained from mentioning them in my post.

Name removed to prevent any further confusion anyway, i apologize for the misunderstanding.