if you graduated from college today...

[Dancing Fire]

but couldn't find a job within your field,would you then consider working for minimum wage or are you too proud to work for minimum wage?

 

[sonnyjane]

This doesn't even have to be hypothetical. Even though I have three degrees, when I first moved to California a few years ago, I couldn't find work for a full year. You better believe I was applying for tons of minimum wage jobs... I just wasn't able to get any, in part (I was told this, it's not just conjecture) because I did have those degrees and was therefore considered to be someone that would leave as soon as something better came along. I'm definitely not too proud! Movie theaters, pet stores, grocery stores, parking lot attendant... You name it, I applied.

 

[madelise]

Yes. I don't consider it too proud to settle for minimum wage. I consider it too proud to let the bills slide, get in debt or get on assistance programs.

Editted: I cnat slpel.

 

[Ravenne]

Not hypothetical here either. I worked two minimum wage jobs and one technically not minimum wage job (I only had about 5-7 hours a week, so it was basically gas money if that) before I landed what I have now. Granted what I have now isn't glamorous, nor is it what I went to school for, but I love it. I have a stable paycheck, a wonderful boss and manager and I have a great deal of responsibility and growing authority in the company. I'm happy as a clam.

But if for some reason this job fell out, would I be too proud to beg for a job at the mall like I did before? Goodness no. It's a paycheck. I'm not too proud for a paycheck.

 

[Skippy123]

hmmm, I think if the job would open the door to better jobs then I might consider it. . .
I guess it would all depend if I could move and find a job that actually makes money, then I would move. I think there are usually jobs around in my field though and they usually don't pay minimum wage but they do make you work long hours when you first start out. So, I guess my situation was kind of the opposite, decent money, long hours, foot in the door.

 

[yssie]

Too proud, no. But I would be concerned about not having anything relevant to show for the time on the resume.

So I guess it would depend on how badly I needed that paycheck. If I could scrape by and spend my time volunteering my services in my field that would be my preference, but if you need the money is there ever really a question?

 

[Dancing Fire]

Too proud, no. But I would be concerned about not having anything relevant to show for the time on the resume.

So I guess it would depend on how badly I needed that paycheck. If I could scrape by and spend my time volunteering my services in my field that would be my preference, but if you need the money is there ever really a question?

what if my friends ask me..."why are you flipping hamburgers at Micky'Ds" ?

 

[justginger]

DF, if your friends judge you for working the only job available to cover your life expenses, you need to find new friends. The term 'immaturity' doesn't even touch on that attitude.

It is not just the younger generation that seems to not want to work minimum wage jobs either. I know of someone in my own life who is in their early 40s, married with two children. The wife worked part time, the man full time. He lost his job. The wife was so 'stressed' that she QUIT her own job. They were without work for well over a year, and allowed one of their parents to pay their mortgage and health care for the kids while they passed over multiple lower paying positions, waiting for something that came close to their old salaries.

Obviously, yes, I would take whatever job possible, so long as it didn't completely exclude me from future jobs in my relevant field.

 

[yssie]

Too proud, no. But I would be concerned about not having anything relevant to show for the time on the resume.

So I guess it would depend on how badly I needed that paycheck. If I could scrape by and spend my time volunteering my services in my field that would be my preference, but if you need the money is there ever really a question?

what if my friends ask me..."why are you flipping hamburgers at Micky'Ds" ?

That 'em 3ct diamonds don't come at '00 prices any more

 

[JewelFreak]

"Too proud to work for minimum wage?" I'm not too proud to eat. What would my choice be? Let Big Brother take care of me? Too proud for that. Yeah, I'd sling burgers or file papers while I kept looking -- more productive than hanging out in the welfare lines.

P.S. DF, gold star for you today for writing "Graduated FROM college..." I get nuts when people "graduate college;" graduate is not a transitive verb!

 

[lknvrb4]

In this economy you have to take what you can get, paying the bills comes first before my pride.

 

[princesss]

Definitely not too proud. When I graduated, I didn't feel that moving home and living off of my parents was an option. I had a job I could have kept (that would have actually promoted me if I was willing to promise them 2 years of work) at a store in the mall, and would have kept as long as it took me to find a job. So what if I graduated cum laude and was stuffing teddy bears at a kid's toy store? Supporting myself was the only option I felt I had, and I'm really happy about that.

 

[zoebartlett]

I've done that before and I'd do it again if I absolutely had to. Whatever would help pay the bills! Some money coming in is better than none, right?

 

[Enerchi]

I would probably be a bit bummed that my education didn't land me in my career line of choice, but I am WAY too practical to sit back and wait. I would just simply get out there and get a job - any job in any field that I could do to the best of my abilities. Rough economic times right now and pride has no place when there are bills to be paid.

As an aside but somewhat related... DS#2 has a g/f who is working 2 restaurants - 1 high end, 1 more family/affordable - to keep up with bills/tuition/books and these past 2 weeks, she's made over $2000 in tips and salary!!! The wait service wage is less than minimum wage so they do rely on tips. She's so practical, she's put it into a Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA) and won't touch it. Its for her living expenses come the school year, when one of those jobs has to go. Just so proud of her and I felt that it related to the topic.

Sometimes you just never know... what seems like a set back, could actually be a positive after all!

 

[aviastar]

Not hypothetical for me either- been there, done that, would do it again. I have a master's degree and I've waited tables, been a nanny (I actually really miss this job, I love those kids!), been a secretary...sometimes all at the same time. Three jobs at once was a norm for me for many years.

Now I use both of my degrees, to some extent, but it's the arts and it's small business and that's precarious, so I am always prepared to dive back into waiting tables again. Waiting tables is not easy, but if you find the right restaurant and you are good you can make a very decent living. Luckily I know I can step back to the last fine dining restaurant I worked in if I ever need to. Never too proud to support my family!

 

[marymm]

after I graduated college yesteryear, I could not find a "real" job and had to resort to the fast-food industry for the first time in my life... I actually had job offers from Burger King and from McDonald's and was inclined to Burger King because of their salad bar (can't remember if meals were free or reduced but even then I was a vegetarian so the salad bar was a big plus)... but push come to shove, the Burger King uniform was made out of yuckier material than the Mickey D uniform so I went with McDonalds. After one month working the breakfast shift, I had a real job offer (and a fondness for McDonald's cheese danishes).

My friends at the time, my real friends, my family? They were glad and relieved I had a paycheck and could pay rent and cover my expenses until a better job came along. There were some laughs at the uniform (mine among them), but not one person thought I'd be better off not working anywhere and living on the streets or burdening my friends/family.

Making your own way and paying your own way is a rite of passage to true independence and a sign of maturity - college degree or not, sometimes the hard slog is all there is.

 

[Dancing Fire]

"Too proud to work for minimum wage?" I'm not too proud to eat. What would my choice be? Let Big Brother take care of me? Too proud for that. Yeah, I'd sling burgers or file papers while I kept looking -- more productive than hanging out in the welfare lines.

P.S. DF, gold star for you today for writing "Graduated FROM college..." I get nuts when people "graduate college;" graduate is not a transitive verb!

just got lucky.. there are many missing Ds and capital letters on a lot of my words.

 

[HollyS]

but couldn't find a job within your field,would you then consider working for minimum wage or are you too proud to work for minimum wage?

DF, why would you think that the alternative would be ONLY a minimum wage job? I've never worked for only minimum wage, even when it was less than $2.00 an hour back in the seventies. And that was before I had a high school diploma, let alone a college degree.

 

[Rhea]

I have and I would again. I don't think it was after college exactly, but all through out college and continued, though I was earning a bit more at that point (you know, minimum plus 50 cents!) until I found a real job. I worked for a low wage as a temp again when I moved to another country. My sister currently does in her late-20s after a career change, my husband did until his late-20s. It's just something you do. I don't know anyone who hasn't worked for a very low wage at some point in their adult life to afford their bills.

 

[Lady_Disdain]

If it was the only solution, yes.

However, I would not be too proud to return to my parents's house, cut all my spending and do volunteer activities in my field, courses, activities, etc in my chosen area, which would help me to be better known and start a career. Flipping burgers will help you pay your bills right now but it may also impact on your ability to find a better job.

 

[Haven]

If it was the only solution, yes.

However, I would not be too proud to return to my parents's house, cut all my spending and do volunteer activities in my field, courses, activities, etc in my chosen area, which would help me to be better known and start a career. Flipping burgers will help you pay your bills right now but it may also impact on your ability to find a better job.

Geat point, Lady Disdain.

I worked plenty of minimum wage jobs through high school and college to know that I could do it again if necessary. But when I didn't know what field I wanted to go into after college I took the only FT job with a salary and benefits that I could find, and I did so happily! I made very little money, but it was a good experience and it taught me what I didn't want to do.

 

[LoveLikeCrazy]

Well i graduated from school 2 years ago into a very saturated field in which i was unable to find employment.

Luckily i still had my prior job which i had worked at 5 year at the time so i was making "ok" money, although not in a career field.

I am starting back in school again Sept into a very competitive program that took me a year just to do the pre-reqs and such. Lucky for me i got in on the first application period. I am pretty confident that THIS degree will get me a job SOMEWHERE. lol. I'm not picky, i just want to be paid for what i went to school for

I don't have a plan C lol, but i am still at the job i've been at since prior to last degree. Although it's mundane and boring, it pays the bills. This NEW degree will give me a job somewhere even if i relocate so i am not worried.

 

[Jennifer W]

I did, and pride didn't come into it, since I didn't want to be homeless, particularly. I was lucky though, because although it was an unqualified entry level job, it was in the field I wanted to work in, so it didn't count against me when I was looking for a professional job in that field at all. If anything, it was a help. That was coincidental though - I needed to work.

Second time round, when I had a career change, I went back to the field I'd worked in before, for the longest two years of my life to date...

 

[MichelleCarmen]

I think it would depend upon the job...one person I know who recently graduated from college is applying for everything and one job is min wage but is applicable to her degree, so it'll enhance her resume, not make for a distraction, and it'll hopefully aid in networking.

 

[Lady_Disdain]

I think it would depend upon the job...one person I know who recently graduated from college is applying for everything and one job is min wage but is applicable to her degree, so it'll enhance her resume, not make for a distraction, and it'll hopefully aid in networking.

In that situation, I would have no problem accepting the job.

 

[random_thought]

I would and I did. That time at olive garden was hard but at least i got free breadsticks lol