You probably heard a couple weeks ago about the protests that were going on in an effort to raise minimum wages to $15 an hour. Not to mention that such an raise in wages would only increase living expenses, there are better ways to get what you want than claiming “victim” status and demanding better treatment. But people are angry, and when they get angry, they make picket signs and congregate in front of buildings and on street corners just to show how angry they really are. It’s a simple practice, and just like a child begging their parents for that candy bar at the grocery store, they eventually give you what you want just to shut you up.
Within the past 5 years, the number of college graduates taking minimum wage jobs has doubled. With a slow recovery and an uncertain future, employers can’t afford to hire high-income workers and risk losing everything in the process. This puts graduate in a difficult position, as they likely have a debt hanging over their heads with no real means of paying it off. But is protesting the way to go?
While you could play the victim and beg for a better position or better pay, there’s much respect to be had in diligence. Employers like people who work hard and don’t complain– I mean, who doesn’t? Managers who are supportive of their employees will want to see you move up if you show enthusiasm in your work. Besides, you won’t be working there forever– not unless if you plan on flipping burgers the rest of your life.
Now of course there are external problems that may prevent you from getting better pay or a better position in the company. Don’t believe the company brand? Get a new job. Managers aren’t supportive of you? Get a new job. Trust me, it hurts them more than it hurts you when they lose a good worker and have to train a new one. There’s a problem of course when you’ve only worked at every job listed on your resume for less than a year, so don’t be too particular. Just try to make the best of whatever job you may have, and when you get to the point where there’s absolutely no other means of making the job more bearable, then it may be time to move on.
Again, you won’t be working that job the rest of your life. If you have your degree, try to find a job that incorporates some of those skills. Work at that for a year and then try to pick up another one that builds on top of that. It’s not uncommon for people to have to work their way up from the very bottom, especially nowadays. It takes patience. Just continue to update your portfolio and higher paying jobs should come your way.
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