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[LilyWDW]

$9.50 an hour IS low when you consider how much of those wages are going to be paid to student loans in about six months. I don't know what her loan payments are going to be, but if we assume $300 a month then the first 34 hours each month will all be going toward the student loan.

That leaves her about $1K left over each month (after taxes) for rent, car, groceries, insurance, clothing, gas, electricity, etc, etc, etc. It's doable, but it's also dependent on a 40hr workweek.

Less than $20K gross starting pay per year for a college graduate? And people here think that's cool? Sad.

Most college grads I know are simply happy to get A JOB right out of school.

Then again, most people I know are happy to have jobs at all these days.

Honestly, people need to get over the idea that they are worth X amount of dollars. A college degree doesn't suddenly make you awesome. It just makes you someone that got a college degree. Can it help? Sure... if you want to work in a specific field. But it doesn't suddenly make you better then $9.50 an hour.

Heck, that is what I got as a manager in a retail establishment after 1.5 years with the company (and a college degree!).

And how is it the businesses problem if someone took out loans?

*Note: From someone that has their undergrad degree and is now working on a masters degree*

 

[NMAmy]

She feels that by checking "no" she may not even be considered for the job. What do you think?
.

I think she's right and it's a good thing that she changed it. I have a friend who works for Delta--he's become a nurse and now only works for Delta a couple of days a month and he does that for the travel benefits.

I often hire part-time positions that make less than $9.50 per hour. You wouldn't believe how many applications I get from those with bachelor's degrees and even master's--people who are hoping to get their foot in the door. I've had to begin telling applicants the pay rate when I call to set up an interview because I had so many applicants who thought I could adjust the pay rate for their degree. I can't. The position does not require a degree and thus I cannot pay any more for someone who has any kind of degree.

 

[goofyernmost]

My first job after I was discharged from the USAF was as the manager of a chain retail store. Me and my degree were worth $150.00 (salaried) per week in 1972. That's $7800.00 per year or $3.75 per hour if I only worked 40 hours. Working just 40 hours would have been like being on vacation.

Oh, ya...almost no benefits to speak of, not even health insurance. Good times!

 

[mhsjax]

Funny, I was just thinking that DH made $23,000 in his first "real" job right out of college 15 years ago...and we both thought we had it made with that salary! We were rich!!

Yeah, but that was 15 years ago. I think it is sad that a college grad has to do this type of work. I never graduated and I did it for a credit card company and I made a little more than that 14 years ago.

I also worked for a large physicians group in the business office and made more than that hourly wage and that was 20 years ago.

I agree with Carly, it is a sad state of affairs.

 

[Suellen]

While it also seem low to me.... if she WANTS the job ~ she did a good thing changing it.

Having a degree really has nothing to do with the degree to me when I am hiring. I typically will look at those that have a degree first because it shows a dedication and an ability to complete something started.

That being said DH is a college drop out with a very good job. Just so happens the field he is in experience is worth more than a degree.



Good luck to your friend!

 

[okeydokey]

Funny, I was just thinking that DH made $23,000 in his first "real" job right out of college 15 years ago...and we both thought we had it made with that salary! We were rich!!

Us too, and my husband's job required a Master's degree.

 

[SaraJayne]

Yeah, but that was 15 years ago. I think it is sad that a college grad has to do this type of work. I never graduated and I did it for a credit card company and I made a little more than that 14 years ago.

I also worked for a large physicians group in the business office and made more than that hourly wage and that was 20 years ago.

I agree with Carly, it is a sad state of affairs.

Not much has changed in those 15 years. The salary my DH is hiring people at today right out of college isn't much more than that (and you need a degree to even be considered for hiring).

Many college grads are just happy they can find a JOB...even if it's flipping burgers. Whatever puts food on the table and a roof over their head. Well, let me re-phrase that ~ In many cases, to pay rent/living expenses to Mom and Dad.

In some jobs, just because you have a degree doesn't make you worth any more than the next guy.

 

[bumbershoot]

Also, she wanted to know if there were any travel perks that may compensate for the low wage.

A tip I have for her is...when you're applying for a job, when that company has a website, BEFORE going any further, it's important to read the website. An About Us section is often great for background info for interviews, and the Careers section often has a lot of good info! Like this page.

Employees get free travel on standby. (fine for her now I'm sure, but not as she starts a family down the road) And there's more info on that page.

Who puts these ideas in peoples heads anyway? You can't swing a dead cat without hitting someone that has a college degree anymore. They are a dime a dozen. You need to show something special, be it initiative or originality or just plan willingness to work hard and achieve to get that foot in the door. Once it is there and you have done what is necessary to show your value, then you can negotiate more money or other benefits.

In DH's jobs, which have combined computers, techie stuff, and a bit of customer service (sometimes the customers are other companies, not individual people), they DO appreciate a degree, and DO pay more for it. DH has trained some new hires that know very little, and over time he would find out their salaries. If they had a degree, they started off at a higher hourly rate than he did. Across the board.

He now understands that employers tell you not to have those conversations for a reason...that it does nothing but cause ill will and sadness...but during the time that he was open to those conversations, it was an absolute. Those with a piece of paper (aka degree, in ANYTHING) started at a higher rate than he had...

Might not be true in all areas or all careers, but in the techie/computer/helping type jobs in Seattle, it seems to be nearly across the board.

Although you could look at it more like...if you're hireable you get x wage...if you're hireable and do NOT have a degree, you start lower...but it's the same thing (and again, DH was training these guys and found their level of knowledge to be FAR below his in the bare basics for these jobs...so it's not really all that fair).

 

[mhsjax]

Not much has changed in those 15 years. The salary my DH is hiring people at today right out of college isn't much more than that (and you need a degree to even be considered for hiring).

Many college grads are just happy they can find a JOB...even if it's flipping burgers. Whatever puts food on the table and a roof over their head. Well, let me re-phrase that ~ In many cases, to pay rent/living expenses to Mom and Dad.

In some jobs, just because you have a degree doesn't make you worth any more than the next guy.

Yep, which is why I sad that it is a sad state of affairs that we are in.

 

[tlbwriter]

$9.50 an hour IS low when you consider how much of those wages are going to be paid to student loans in about six months.

How is that a potential employer's problem? If there's an employer who will adjust your salary based on your debt level, I'd certainly like to know about it.

Less than $20K gross starting pay per year for a college graduate?

The job doesn't require a college degree. Again, if there's an employer who will adjust your salary based on qualifications you have that they don't need, I'd certainly like to know about it.

 

[Planogirl]

I'll just say that I think that customer service people are way underpaid but it is what it is. The job is very hard and she will probably wonder what she was thinking if she gets it. Hopefully she'll apply herself and do well so she'll be able to move into something else quickly.