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Osaka27146 Posts
On May 31 2010 14:13 BuGzlToOnl wrote:
Gah, it's so unfair that you need to devote yourself to something you don't believe in, have no confidence in, and are told by the majority that they are not putting into use what they devoted four years of their life to because they are working in an entirely different field. Just because society deems it so.
It doesn't matter what other attributes you have to offer if you don't have said piece of paper you aren't even considered for anything of value. It's basically pay and devote your time for the OPPORTUNITY at something without any guarantee at it. :p
In the field I am working in, the jobs I apply for require me to have published three papers. They don't care where, or for who, but I need three. I think this is pretty useless, but it is a way to filter out those that are not as serious as others. Degrees do the same thing.
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16982 Posts
On May 31 2010 14:24 BuGzlToOnl wrote:Show nested quote +On May 31 2010 14:08 Empyrean wrote:On May 31 2010 13:59 BuGzlToOnl wrote:On May 31 2010 13:41 illu wrote:On May 31 2010 13:38 Bosu wrote:On May 31 2010 13:26 InTheFade wrote:On May 31 2010 13:17 Bosu wrote:
16/hour isn't very good. It is pretty average in an area with a low cost of living. To add a little perspective, that only an annual salary of $30,720 full-time (I think the poverty level is like $28,000, so, YIKES), 25% of which you'll never see (those damned mandatory deductions), the rest going to bills, debt, and necessities. You would eventually would find a job that pays over $26/hour do get an annual salary of a "managable" $50,000, but I dont see how you'll find that with a high school diploma. lol. 16/hour is not THAT bad. the poverty line in the USA is $10,830 for a single person. With 16/hour you can make well over that. You can live very comfortably on 16/hour. You will just not be able to buy everything your heart desires. If his job didn't have solid benefits and health insurance though things get a bit tougher. I really think 16 dollars an hour is really bad, especially for a 22-years-old. Then again maybe I am a bit too high on competitive spirits.. I'm Mexican/a spic. My "friends"/people I'm close to that are around my age and grew up with make far less than that $9-$12 and hour working in franchises. Not necessarily McDonald's or fast food places, but at stores like Best Buy or the Holiday Inn; things of that nature. I believe the number one job for this country (the USA) is retail so the majority is forced into it. My parent's friends/people they know make roughly that if not less. Some more, but not by much and they are in their mid to late forties with families and kids. You find ways to make it work trust me on that. I know this forum is full of intelligent people with planned careers and solid backgrounds, but you should really learn on how the "other half lives" and the differences between lower, middle, and upper classes. To me its just a difference in the amount of luxury items you can afford nothing more. I shouldn't complain my upbringing wasn't bad in the leastl, but statements like this irk me. :p This may be true, but don't you have any aspirations of rising above the $16/hour? I believe that with hard work and dedication you can rise in position and earn more. The people I know have a tendency of not doing this. Quick story: The only other job I had was at a ticket broker; it was really easy computer work. My friend got me the job. He worked there previously for two years his pay for those two years was $7.50 an hour. He didn't do much, but neither did I when I was there. In about four months time I was given the promotion to $8/hour and in a little over a year to $10/hour. The difference between him and me according to my boss is that "I was a hard worker". I did what wasn't asked of me. I organized the inventory, cleaned up the office/desks, and other small things that made my bosses and work colleagues jobs a lot easier for them to do. None of the extra stuff was ever asked of me and I didn't think they noticed/appreciated it. But if you are running a successful company you know damn well what everyone is doing and know who to reward. It's not just about a degree it's about hard work, working smart, and dedication. Although I agree completely with all of you that the degree does (maybe unfairly) provide more opportunity. It's not something -at least for now- that I can consider.
Still, no matter how hard you work, there simply aren't opportunities for significant advancement without a college degree. You'll likely never rise to a salaried position, and will stay on an hourly salary for your entire life.
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On May 31 2010 13:59 BuGzlToOnl wrote:Show nested quote +On May 31 2010 13:41 illu wrote:On May 31 2010 13:38 Bosu wrote:On May 31 2010 13:26 InTheFade wrote:On May 31 2010 13:17 Bosu wrote:
16/hour isn't very good. It is pretty average in an area with a low cost of living. To add a little perspective, that only an annual salary of $30,720 full-time (I think the poverty level is like $28,000, so, YIKES), 25% of which you'll never see (those damned mandatory deductions), the rest going to bills, debt, and necessities. You would eventually would find a job that pays over $26/hour do get an annual salary of a "managable" $50,000, but I dont see how you'll find that with a high school diploma. lol. 16/hour is not THAT bad. the poverty line in the USA is $10,830 for a single person. With 16/hour you can make well over that. You can live very comfortably on 16/hour. You will just not be able to buy everything your heart desires. If his job didn't have solid benefits and health insurance though things get a bit tougher. I really think 16 dollars an hour is really bad, especially for a 22-years-old. Then again maybe I am a bit too high on competitive spirits.. I'm Mexican/a spic. My "friends"/people I'm close to that are around my age and grew up with make far less than that $9-$12 and hour working in franchises. Not necessarily McDonald's or fast food places, but at stores like Best Buy or the Holiday Inn; things of that nature. I believe the number one job for this country (the USA) is retail so the majority is forced into it. My parent's friends/people they know make roughly that if not less. Some more, but not by much and they are in their mid to late forties with families and kids. You find ways to make it work trust me on that. I know this forum is full of intelligent people with planned careers and solid backgrounds, but you should really learn on how the "other half lives" and the differences between lower, middle, and upper classes. To me its just a difference in the amount of luxury items you can afford nothing more. I shouldn't complain my upbringing wasn't bad in the leastl, but statements like this irk me. :p
Yeah i agree, I'm surprised by all the people who are like "pfft, 16$/hour is nothing, a 22 year old should be making way more than that easily". That's already more than a lot of people live on. Not saying you shouldn't try and make more than that if you can, but for your first full time job it's not bad.
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Thanks for the replies guys appreciate it.
Quick question though. Who here has graduated and has a degree to the left of the Biology line and is in a really well paying job with a lot of career opportunities?
![[image loading]](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3029/2570276636_f6aab8f555_o.png)
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16982 Posts
On May 31 2010 15:00 Luddite wrote:Show nested quote +On May 31 2010 13:59 BuGzlToOnl wrote:On May 31 2010 13:41 illu wrote:On May 31 2010 13:38 Bosu wrote:On May 31 2010 13:26 InTheFade wrote:On May 31 2010 13:17 Bosu wrote:
16/hour isn't very good. It is pretty average in an area with a low cost of living. To add a little perspective, that only an annual salary of $30,720 full-time (I think the poverty level is like $28,000, so, YIKES), 25% of which you'll never see (those damned mandatory deductions), the rest going to bills, debt, and necessities. You would eventually would find a job that pays over $26/hour do get an annual salary of a "managable" $50,000, but I dont see how you'll find that with a high school diploma. lol. 16/hour is not THAT bad. the poverty line in the USA is $10,830 for a single person. With 16/hour you can make well over that. You can live very comfortably on 16/hour. You will just not be able to buy everything your heart desires. If his job didn't have solid benefits and health insurance though things get a bit tougher. I really think 16 dollars an hour is really bad, especially for a 22-years-old. Then again maybe I am a bit too high on competitive spirits.. I'm Mexican/a spic. My "friends"/people I'm close to that are around my age and grew up with make far less than that $9-$12 and hour working in franchises. Not necessarily McDonald's or fast food places, but at stores like Best Buy or the Holiday Inn; things of that nature. I believe the number one job for this country (the USA) is retail so the majority is forced into it. My parent's friends/people they know make roughly that if not less. Some more, but not by much and they are in their mid to late forties with families and kids. You find ways to make it work trust me on that. I know this forum is full of intelligent people with planned careers and solid backgrounds, but you should really learn on how the "other half lives" and the differences between lower, middle, and upper classes. To me its just a difference in the amount of luxury items you can afford nothing more. I shouldn't complain my upbringing wasn't bad in the leastl, but statements like this irk me. :p Yeah i agree, I'm surprised by all the people who are like "pfft, 16$/hour is nothing, a 22 year old should be making way more than that easily". That's already more than a lot of people live on. Not saying you shouldn't try and make more than that if you can, but for your first full time job it's not bad.
It's not bad, but there's virtually no room for significant improvement.
$16/hr is about $32k a year before taxes/deductions.
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On May 31 2010 15:04 Empyrean wrote:Show nested quote +On May 31 2010 15:00 Luddite wrote:On May 31 2010 13:59 BuGzlToOnl wrote:On May 31 2010 13:41 illu wrote:On May 31 2010 13:38 Bosu wrote:On May 31 2010 13:26 InTheFade wrote:On May 31 2010 13:17 Bosu wrote:
16/hour isn't very good. It is pretty average in an area with a low cost of living. To add a little perspective, that only an annual salary of $30,720 full-time (I think the poverty level is like $28,000, so, YIKES), 25% of which you'll never see (those damned mandatory deductions), the rest going to bills, debt, and necessities. You would eventually would find a job that pays over $26/hour do get an annual salary of a "managable" $50,000, but I dont see how you'll find that with a high school diploma. lol. 16/hour is not THAT bad. the poverty line in the USA is $10,830 for a single person. With 16/hour you can make well over that. You can live very comfortably on 16/hour. You will just not be able to buy everything your heart desires. If his job didn't have solid benefits and health insurance though things get a bit tougher. I really think 16 dollars an hour is really bad, especially for a 22-years-old. Then again maybe I am a bit too high on competitive spirits.. I'm Mexican/a spic. My "friends"/people I'm close to that are around my age and grew up with make far less than that $9-$12 and hour working in franchises. Not necessarily McDonald's or fast food places, but at stores like Best Buy or the Holiday Inn; things of that nature. I believe the number one job for this country (the USA) is retail so the majority is forced into it. My parent's friends/people they know make roughly that if not less. Some more, but not by much and they are in their mid to late forties with families and kids. You find ways to make it work trust me on that. I know this forum is full of intelligent people with planned careers and solid backgrounds, but you should really learn on how the "other half lives" and the differences between lower, middle, and upper classes. To me its just a difference in the amount of luxury items you can afford nothing more. I shouldn't complain my upbringing wasn't bad in the leastl, but statements like this irk me. :p Yeah i agree, I'm surprised by all the people who are like "pfft, 16$/hour is nothing, a 22 year old should be making way more than that easily". That's already more than a lot of people live on. Not saying you shouldn't try and make more than that if you can, but for your first full time job it's not bad. It's not bad, but there's virtually no room for significant improvement. $16/hr is about $32k a year before taxes/deductions.
The job is as a machinist apprentice right? I'm quite sure that his wage would go up as he gains experience. Having a biology degree would not help it go up any faster (although, it would give him more options if he decides he doesn't like being a machinist and wants to do something else).
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On May 31 2010 13:59 BuGzlToOnl wrote:Show nested quote +On May 31 2010 13:41 illu wrote:On May 31 2010 13:38 Bosu wrote:On May 31 2010 13:26 InTheFade wrote:On May 31 2010 13:17 Bosu wrote:
16/hour isn't very good. It is pretty average in an area with a low cost of living. To add a little perspective, that only an annual salary of $30,720 full-time (I think the poverty level is like $28,000, so, YIKES), 25% of which you'll never see (those damned mandatory deductions), the rest going to bills, debt, and necessities. You would eventually would find a job that pays over $26/hour do get an annual salary of a "managable" $50,000, but I dont see how you'll find that with a high school diploma. lol. 16/hour is not THAT bad. the poverty line in the USA is $10,830 for a single person. With 16/hour you can make well over that. You can live very comfortably on 16/hour. You will just not be able to buy everything your heart desires. If his job didn't have solid benefits and health insurance though things get a bit tougher. I really think 16 dollars an hour is really bad, especially for a 22-years-old. Then again maybe I am a bit too high on competitive spirits.. I'm Mexican/a spic. My "friends"/people I'm close to that are around my age and grew up with make far less than that $9-$12 and hour working in franchises. Not necessarily McDonald's or fast food places, but at stores like Best Buy or the Holiday Inn; things of that nature. I believe the number one job for this country (the USA) is retail so the majority is forced into it. My parent's friends/people they know make roughly that if not less. Some more, but not by much and they are in their mid to late forties with families and kids. You find ways to make it work trust me on that. I know this forum is full of intelligent people with planned careers and solid backgrounds, but you should really learn on how the "other half lives" and the differences between lower, middle, and upper classes. To me its just a difference in the amount of luxury items you can afford nothing more. I shouldn't complain my upbringing wasn't bad in the leastl, but statements like this irk me. :p
I don't understand how being Hispanic should limit your earning potential... unless you are illegal...?
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I'm afraid I'm incapable of making a particularly touching or cogent argument, but here are my arguments in a nutshell.
I'm serious: finish the degree. From what I've read, it sounds like this could be an important turning point in your life. Even if it's a degree you think is useless, as other people have been saying, it's extremely important you get it. You only have 6 more weeks to go; tough it out and get that degree. You mentioned how $16/hour is more than what a lot of friends your friends make. Okay, but if you want to measure it that way, does that mean you're only what, $4/hour better than your friends? You've spent almost three years on college, so get that degree.
A lot of people would give everything and study twice as much as you would to be able to get a college education. I'm not exactly trying to pull the "you should be grateful" card, but you should really stop and think how lucky and blessed you are to be able to get a legitimate degree. You might think it's useless at the moment, but it will pay off, and not just financially.
Just get through those last few weeks, get a degree, and get the hell out of there, if you want. The point is this: you're lucky to be so close to a college degree, you've spent so much time, money, and stress already on getting one; so do it. I promise that it will help you in the long run.
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On May 31 2010 15:05 Luddite wrote:Show nested quote +On May 31 2010 15:04 Empyrean wrote:On May 31 2010 15:00 Luddite wrote:On May 31 2010 13:59 BuGzlToOnl wrote:On May 31 2010 13:41 illu wrote:On May 31 2010 13:38 Bosu wrote:On May 31 2010 13:26 InTheFade wrote:On May 31 2010 13:17 Bosu wrote:
16/hour isn't very good. It is pretty average in an area with a low cost of living. To add a little perspective, that only an annual salary of $30,720 full-time (I think the poverty level is like $28,000, so, YIKES), 25% of which you'll never see (those damned mandatory deductions), the rest going to bills, debt, and necessities. You would eventually would find a job that pays over $26/hour do get an annual salary of a "managable" $50,000, but I dont see how you'll find that with a high school diploma. lol. 16/hour is not THAT bad. the poverty line in the USA is $10,830 for a single person. With 16/hour you can make well over that. You can live very comfortably on 16/hour. You will just not be able to buy everything your heart desires. If his job didn't have solid benefits and health insurance though things get a bit tougher. I really think 16 dollars an hour is really bad, especially for a 22-years-old. Then again maybe I am a bit too high on competitive spirits.. I'm Mexican/a spic. My "friends"/people I'm close to that are around my age and grew up with make far less than that $9-$12 and hour working in franchises. Not necessarily McDonald's or fast food places, but at stores like Best Buy or the Holiday Inn; things of that nature. I believe the number one job for this country (the USA) is retail so the majority is forced into it. My parent's friends/people they know make roughly that if not less. Some more, but not by much and they are in their mid to late forties with families and kids. You find ways to make it work trust me on that. I know this forum is full of intelligent people with planned careers and solid backgrounds, but you should really learn on how the "other half lives" and the differences between lower, middle, and upper classes. To me its just a difference in the amount of luxury items you can afford nothing more. I shouldn't complain my upbringing wasn't bad in the leastl, but statements like this irk me. :p Yeah i agree, I'm surprised by all the people who are like "pfft, 16$/hour is nothing, a 22 year old should be making way more than that easily". That's already more than a lot of people live on. Not saying you shouldn't try and make more than that if you can, but for your first full time job it's not bad. It's not bad, but there's virtually no room for significant improvement. $16/hr is about $32k a year before taxes/deductions. The job is as a machinist apprentice right? I'm quite sure that his wage would go up as he gains experience. Having a biology degree would not help it go up any faster (although, it would give him more options if he decides he doesn't like being a machinist and wants to do something else).
Yes, after apprenticeship is done and I become certified with experience I'll be at $18-19/hour. But I don't expect to get paid much more than that even if I'm there for 10-15 years. You reach the max relatively fast in these types of jobs. Although can the same not be said about a job that requires a degree?
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16982 Posts
On May 31 2010 15:12 BuGzlToOnl wrote:Show nested quote +On May 31 2010 15:05 Luddite wrote:On May 31 2010 15:04 Empyrean wrote:On May 31 2010 15:00 Luddite wrote:On May 31 2010 13:59 BuGzlToOnl wrote:On May 31 2010 13:41 illu wrote:On May 31 2010 13:38 Bosu wrote:On May 31 2010 13:26 InTheFade wrote:On May 31 2010 13:17 Bosu wrote:
16/hour isn't very good. It is pretty average in an area with a low cost of living. To add a little perspective, that only an annual salary of $30,720 full-time (I think the poverty level is like $28,000, so, YIKES), 25% of which you'll never see (those damned mandatory deductions), the rest going to bills, debt, and necessities. You would eventually would find a job that pays over $26/hour do get an annual salary of a "managable" $50,000, but I dont see how you'll find that with a high school diploma. lol. 16/hour is not THAT bad. the poverty line in the USA is $10,830 for a single person. With 16/hour you can make well over that. You can live very comfortably on 16/hour. You will just not be able to buy everything your heart desires. If his job didn't have solid benefits and health insurance though things get a bit tougher. I really think 16 dollars an hour is really bad, especially for a 22-years-old. Then again maybe I am a bit too high on competitive spirits.. I'm Mexican/a spic. My "friends"/people I'm close to that are around my age and grew up with make far less than that $9-$12 and hour working in franchises. Not necessarily McDonald's or fast food places, but at stores like Best Buy or the Holiday Inn; things of that nature. I believe the number one job for this country (the USA) is retail so the majority is forced into it. My parent's friends/people they know make roughly that if not less. Some more, but not by much and they are in their mid to late forties with families and kids. You find ways to make it work trust me on that. I know this forum is full of intelligent people with planned careers and solid backgrounds, but you should really learn on how the "other half lives" and the differences between lower, middle, and upper classes. To me its just a difference in the amount of luxury items you can afford nothing more. I shouldn't complain my upbringing wasn't bad in the leastl, but statements like this irk me. :p Yeah i agree, I'm surprised by all the people who are like "pfft, 16$/hour is nothing, a 22 year old should be making way more than that easily". That's already more than a lot of people live on. Not saying you shouldn't try and make more than that if you can, but for your first full time job it's not bad. It's not bad, but there's virtually no room for significant improvement. $16/hr is about $32k a year before taxes/deductions. The job is as a machinist apprentice right? I'm quite sure that his wage would go up as he gains experience. Having a biology degree would not help it go up any faster (although, it would give him more options if he decides he doesn't like being a machinist and wants to do something else). Yes, after apprenticeship is done and I become certified with experience I'll be at $18-19/hour. But I don't expect to get paid much more than that even if I'm there for 10-15 years. You reach the max relatively fast in these types of jobs. Although can the same not be said about a job that requires a degree?
Not at all. Especially in industry (at, say, a big company), there are numerous opportunities to advance into more managerial positions, but virtually all of them require a bachelor's degree. And you're probably never going to go above low/mid-level management at a big company without a Master's at least.
Do you really want your income to max at around $40k/year?
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On May 31 2010 15:12 BuGzlToOnl wrote:Show nested quote +On May 31 2010 15:05 Luddite wrote:On May 31 2010 15:04 Empyrean wrote:On May 31 2010 15:00 Luddite wrote:On May 31 2010 13:59 BuGzlToOnl wrote:On May 31 2010 13:41 illu wrote:On May 31 2010 13:38 Bosu wrote:On May 31 2010 13:26 InTheFade wrote:On May 31 2010 13:17 Bosu wrote:
16/hour isn't very good. It is pretty average in an area with a low cost of living. To add a little perspective, that only an annual salary of $30,720 full-time (I think the poverty level is like $28,000, so, YIKES), 25% of which you'll never see (those damned mandatory deductions), the rest going to bills, debt, and necessities. You would eventually would find a job that pays over $26/hour do get an annual salary of a "managable" $50,000, but I dont see how you'll find that with a high school diploma. lol. 16/hour is not THAT bad. the poverty line in the USA is $10,830 for a single person. With 16/hour you can make well over that. You can live very comfortably on 16/hour. You will just not be able to buy everything your heart desires. If his job didn't have solid benefits and health insurance though things get a bit tougher. I really think 16 dollars an hour is really bad, especially for a 22-years-old. Then again maybe I am a bit too high on competitive spirits.. I'm Mexican/a spic. My "friends"/people I'm close to that are around my age and grew up with make far less than that $9-$12 and hour working in franchises. Not necessarily McDonald's or fast food places, but at stores like Best Buy or the Holiday Inn; things of that nature. I believe the number one job for this country (the USA) is retail so the majority is forced into it. My parent's friends/people they know make roughly that if not less. Some more, but not by much and they are in their mid to late forties with families and kids. You find ways to make it work trust me on that. I know this forum is full of intelligent people with planned careers and solid backgrounds, but you should really learn on how the "other half lives" and the differences between lower, middle, and upper classes. To me its just a difference in the amount of luxury items you can afford nothing more. I shouldn't complain my upbringing wasn't bad in the leastl, but statements like this irk me. :p Yeah i agree, I'm surprised by all the people who are like "pfft, 16$/hour is nothing, a 22 year old should be making way more than that easily". That's already more than a lot of people live on. Not saying you shouldn't try and make more than that if you can, but for your first full time job it's not bad. It's not bad, but there's virtually no room for significant improvement. $16/hr is about $32k a year before taxes/deductions. The job is as a machinist apprentice right? I'm quite sure that his wage would go up as he gains experience. Having a biology degree would not help it go up any faster (although, it would give him more options if he decides he doesn't like being a machinist and wants to do something else). Yes, after apprenticeship is done and I become certified with experience I'll be at $18-19/hour. But I don't expect to get paid much more than that even if I'm there for 10-15 years. You reach the max relatively fast in these types of jobs. Although can the same not be said about a job that requires a degree?
No, jobs that require a degree tend to be really stable, and also allow you to earn a lot more money as you spend more years with those jobs. As others have mentioned/suggested, if you have a degree in anything at all, you will be offered more money in almost any other job, just because you have that degree to show.
I gotta go hit the sack now, but I really hope you'll change your mind! Get a degree, man! ^___^ V
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On May 31 2010 15:16 Empyrean wrote:Show nested quote +On May 31 2010 15:12 BuGzlToOnl wrote:On May 31 2010 15:05 Luddite wrote:On May 31 2010 15:04 Empyrean wrote:On May 31 2010 15:00 Luddite wrote:On May 31 2010 13:59 BuGzlToOnl wrote:On May 31 2010 13:41 illu wrote:On May 31 2010 13:38 Bosu wrote:On May 31 2010 13:26 InTheFade wrote:On May 31 2010 13:17 Bosu wrote:
16/hour isn't very good. It is pretty average in an area with a low cost of living. To add a little perspective, that only an annual salary of $30,720 full-time (I think the poverty level is like $28,000, so, YIKES), 25% of which you'll never see (those damned mandatory deductions), the rest going to bills, debt, and necessities. You would eventually would find a job that pays over $26/hour do get an annual salary of a "managable" $50,000, but I dont see how you'll find that with a high school diploma. lol. 16/hour is not THAT bad. the poverty line in the USA is $10,830 for a single person. With 16/hour you can make well over that. You can live very comfortably on 16/hour. You will just not be able to buy everything your heart desires. If his job didn't have solid benefits and health insurance though things get a bit tougher. I really think 16 dollars an hour is really bad, especially for a 22-years-old. Then again maybe I am a bit too high on competitive spirits.. I'm Mexican/a spic. My "friends"/people I'm close to that are around my age and grew up with make far less than that $9-$12 and hour working in franchises. Not necessarily McDonald's or fast food places, but at stores like Best Buy or the Holiday Inn; things of that nature. I believe the number one job for this country (the USA) is retail so the majority is forced into it. My parent's friends/people they know make roughly that if not less. Some more, but not by much and they are in their mid to late forties with families and kids. You find ways to make it work trust me on that. I know this forum is full of intelligent people with planned careers and solid backgrounds, but you should really learn on how the "other half lives" and the differences between lower, middle, and upper classes. To me its just a difference in the amount of luxury items you can afford nothing more. I shouldn't complain my upbringing wasn't bad in the leastl, but statements like this irk me. :p Yeah i agree, I'm surprised by all the people who are like "pfft, 16$/hour is nothing, a 22 year old should be making way more than that easily". That's already more than a lot of people live on. Not saying you shouldn't try and make more than that if you can, but for your first full time job it's not bad. It's not bad, but there's virtually no room for significant improvement. $16/hr is about $32k a year before taxes/deductions. The job is as a machinist apprentice right? I'm quite sure that his wage would go up as he gains experience. Having a biology degree would not help it go up any faster (although, it would give him more options if he decides he doesn't like being a machinist and wants to do something else). Yes, after apprenticeship is done and I become certified with experience I'll be at $18-19/hour. But I don't expect to get paid much more than that even if I'm there for 10-15 years. You reach the max relatively fast in these types of jobs. Although can the same not be said about a job that requires a degree? Not at all. Especially in industry (at, say, a big company), there are numerous opportunities to advance into more managerial positions, but virtually all of them require a bachelor's degree. And you're probably never going to go above low/mid-level management at a big company without a Master's at least. Do you really want your income to max at around $40k/year?
Your really pressing for me to get the degree which I thank you for offering me a different perspective.
But may I ask what is your major? Have you graduated? Where do you work? What do you do? What's salary like? And can you give examples of people you know personally who have reaped a significant benefit of their degree (a BS degree; Masters/PhD's are more specialized degrees)?
EDIT: In regards to $40k a year. My dad makes a little over $50k and we live comfortably although like I said he's been working there for about 25 years. I'm not to materialistic, but what would you say would be a good living wage to live comfortably?
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Ignoring pay, with a degree you will vastly increase the chances of finding work you like or tolerate doing for the decades after your graduation. The extra year of study to finish the degree is just a single guaranteed year of doing something you don't want to do. So if you play the odds, getting a degree is in your favor.
For the record, I have to admit not knowing a recent graduate in a field "left" of biology with a well-paying job with lots of opportunities, but most people in school I knew were either to the right or getting a second degree/going to professional school. edit: and people in the right sometimes have trouble finding jobs, because we're talking sciences.
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16982 Posts
On May 31 2010 15:25 BuGzlToOnl wrote:Show nested quote +On May 31 2010 15:16 Empyrean wrote:On May 31 2010 15:12 BuGzlToOnl wrote:On May 31 2010 15:05 Luddite wrote:On May 31 2010 15:04 Empyrean wrote:On May 31 2010 15:00 Luddite wrote:On May 31 2010 13:59 BuGzlToOnl wrote:On May 31 2010 13:41 illu wrote:On May 31 2010 13:38 Bosu wrote:On May 31 2010 13:26 InTheFade wrote:
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To add a little perspective, that only an annual salary of $30,720 full-time (I think the poverty level is like $28,000, so, YIKES), 25% of which you'll never see (those damned mandatory deductions), the rest going to bills, debt, and necessities. You would eventually would find a job that pays over $26/hour do get an annual salary of a "managable" $50,000, but I dont see how you'll find that with a high school diploma. lol. 16/hour is not THAT bad. the poverty line in the USA is $10,830 for a single person. With 16/hour you can make well over that. You can live very comfortably on 16/hour. You will just not be able to buy everything your heart desires. If his job didn't have solid benefits and health insurance though things get a bit tougher. I really think 16 dollars an hour is really bad, especially for a 22-years-old. Then again maybe I am a bit too high on competitive spirits.. I'm Mexican/a spic. My "friends"/people I'm close to that are around my age and grew up with make far less than that $9-$12 and hour working in franchises. Not necessarily McDonald's or fast food places, but at stores like Best Buy or the Holiday Inn; things of that nature. I believe the number one job for this country (the USA) is retail so the majority is forced into it. My parent's friends/people they know make roughly that if not less. Some more, but not by much and they are in their mid to late forties with families and kids. You find ways to make it work trust me on that. I know this forum is full of intelligent people with planned careers and solid backgrounds, but you should really learn on how the "other half lives" and the differences between lower, middle, and upper classes. To me its just a difference in the amount of luxury items you can afford nothing more. I shouldn't complain my upbringing wasn't bad in the leastl, but statements like this irk me. :p Yeah i agree, I'm surprised by all the people who are like "pfft, 16$/hour is nothing, a 22 year old should be making way more than that easily". That's already more than a lot of people live on. Not saying you shouldn't try and make more than that if you can, but for your first full time job it's not bad. It's not bad, but there's virtually no room for significant improvement. $16/hr is about $32k a year before taxes/deductions. The job is as a machinist apprentice right? I'm quite sure that his wage would go up as he gains experience. Having a biology degree would not help it go up any faster (although, it would give him more options if he decides he doesn't like being a machinist and wants to do something else). Yes, after apprenticeship is done and I become certified with experience I'll be at $18-19/hour. But I don't expect to get paid much more than that even if I'm there for 10-15 years. You reach the max relatively fast in these types of jobs. Although can the same not be said about a job that requires a degree? Not at all. Especially in industry (at, say, a big company), there are numerous opportunities to advance into more managerial positions, but virtually all of them require a bachelor's degree. And you're probably never going to go above low/mid-level management at a big company without a Master's at least. Do you really want your income to max at around $40k/year? Your really pressing for me to get the degree which I thank you for offering me a different perspective. But may I ask what is your major? Have you graduated? Where do you work? What do you do? What's salary like? And can you give examples of people you know personally who have reaped a significant benefit of their degree (a BS degree; Masters/PhD's are more specialized degrees)?
I'm currently a rising junior statistics major, but I worked at a major drug American company last summer - over twenty billion dollars of revenue a year (my mom works there now).
Without giving away too much information (because that's against company policy), I can tell you that the entry level research positions require at least a bachelor's degree. Entry salaries are all higher than the values you're quoting. With a masters and years of experience, you can grow your salary to the low six digits. Any of the mid-higher level managerial positions (for example, directors or team leaders) all hold professional degrees and make low-mid six digits.
As for me, I'm planning on going into some sort of industry - either finance, consulting work, or something along the lines of fraud detection at an accounting firm or something. The internships I'm considering for next summer (in a year) are paying in the $12-18k range for the summer (Goldman Sachs, Credit Suisse, KPMG, BCG, etc.). Starting salaries with a bachelor's degree in statistics are in the upper five digits. After years of experience and perhaps a professional degree, expected salaries at these companies are in the mid-six digits and higher.
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16982 Posts
On May 31 2010 15:25 BuGzlToOnl wrote:
EDIT: In regards to $40k a year. My dad makes a little over $50k and we live comfortably although like I said he's been working there for about 25 years. I'm not to materialistic, but what would you say would be a good living wage to live comfortably?
Just saw your edit.
I would consider a comfortable wage to be around $50k, but I'll admit that I've never lived on that much or lower.
Also, a recent math PhD I know is considering a job in the $350k range at a major IT company. I can't give out many more details, unfortunately.
EDIT: At large companies, without a professional degree, you'll never rise to mid-management positions. I will tell you that as virtual fact.
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AFAIK to join the US air force a college degree helps immensely. Not that they wouldn't take you, but you'll get some shitty job like a flight conductor.
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Yea, so in case you missed my post (page 3), try and make the last year as fun and enjoyable as possible. Do some sort of work/study abroad program, take interesting courses etc. etc.
A university degree is pretty much an investment, one that is not for everyone. Maybe it was the wrong investment for you, but at this point you have already put in so much time/money. I would estimate that you have invested 100-150k so far (tuition/3 years worth of work), so it would seem logical to finish the degree.
Also, it is important to consider, how not finishing the degree looks. In my opinion, potential employers will look unfavorably on your application, since it appears as if you were 80% of the way there, and then quit. It will make you appear unreliable.
Obviously all is not lost if you do choose to drop out though! As long as you make the best out of the situation it will surely work out.
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Like the others are saying, it's probably a good idea to finish the degree. Sure, you're jumping through hoops, and doing stuff you don't want to, but I guess that's why a degree has value. Employers like to see you are ready for the working world 
One thing you haven't mentioned is what you'd LOVE to do. Knowing that would probably help with advice. I can think of lots of situations where not finishing your degree would be a good idea, but not if the alternatives are two jobs you don't sound excited about.
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EPT
