By Lisa Week 2 of your first real full-time job. Hmm. 40-plus more years of work, 52 weeks in a year, maybe three weeks of vacation and holidays equals how many more days to work? You don’t really want to know, do you?
That degree you worked so hard for didn’t make a whole lot of difference in pay or status did it? You had to interview just like everybody else and this new job, while you are glad to have one, isn’t exactly a great reward for all those all-night cram sessions during college. Your take-home pay is close to your buddy’s who didn’t set foot in college. You wonder if you wasted four years and spent a whole of cash for absolutely no reason. You certainly can’t move out of your parent’s house yet, and can barely afford to feed yourself just at lunch, much less have any money for going out like you used to in college.
It is mighty depressing. I feel your pain. I remember getting my four-year degree way back when dinosaurs roamed the Earth and I felt the same way then as you do now. I accepted a job kind of in my field (well not really) and it was mind-blowingly small in the compensation department. I literally would have made more working at my college part-time job and taking on more hours. But let me give you a little perspective and insight.
This too shall pass. Consider your first job a place to find out what you are made of, as well as what you ultimately want to do long term. You can do anything for a year and that is a good goal to aim for, especially if this job is remotely in your area of interest. Use this time to work hard, go way above and beyond and prove to you and your boss what you can and will do. Ultimately you want this boss to become your best reference for your future jobs, so be over the top conscientious about doing an outstanding job. Come in early, stay late, be humble, learn everything you can and don’t whine about your job to anyone. Anyone. Especially do not commiserate with co-workers, who will pass along anything you say to someone else–and it will get back to your boss. I guarantee this to be true no matter how much you believe they are your best buddies. Just keep your comments positive and treat your job like you are the one who owns the company–and maybe one day you will.
One caveat. If you find within a couple of weeks on the job that this is definitely not for you–ie, your boss is abusive, there is any hint of illegality, or there is nothing to be gained to work here, leave and leave soon. Try to get another job in the meantime but if you have to leave do it. Call back any company who offered you a position and get another gig in the works.
Your degree is valuable. It got you the interview for this job, and it gave you an edge over those applicants who did not have your degree. So there’s that. In addition, although you don’t see this now, it will, along with your hard work and ambition, open doors for you for future jobs. Promise. Your four years (or more!) in college also gave you a great work ethic. You know that you can power through a night without sleep and learn things you may not have one interest in. This will help you.
Your degree also proves to you and others that you have the gumption and ability to achieve hard goals. You did this and should rightfully be proud of your accomplishment. Just keep yourself humble–every single person on this planet has a story and you can learn something of value from everyone, regardless of their status in life, degrees, or financial situation. Learning is lifelong and you have shown that you can learn so keep at it. Successful people are lifelong learners.
Work your job always looking towards your future goals. A better job will be built on this job. As long as you show initiative, be positive, and learn from others, you will be way ahead of most people.
Take heart. Everyone starts at the bottom, but cream always rises to the top.