If you need grunts and minions, having the work experience can be important.
But do you really want to have the 2.8 GPA surgeon working on you? "Yeah, I worked a lot in college and didn't do too well in anatomy class or biochem. But at least I developed a really strong work ethic and an appreciation for hard work!.....Okay, where is it that I was supposed to perform the surgery again? And what's this thingamajigger do? [holds up scalpel]"