Is there something better??

[Anonymous]

Hi all. I'm 25 yrs old and I have a degree in Journalism. I've been with my current employer for a little over one year and I'm bored. I'm comfortable with my job, coworkers, hours, distance from my house but I find myself asking "Is there something better?" "Can I do more". I graduated with honors and Im working at a job that doesn't require a degree. Not to mention Im paying back student loans on my own and I only make 46k a year. I feel like I should be making at least 60k. My dream is to do work that is more rewarding -teach, nonprofit, etc. I've only been out of school for 3 years and I've had 3 jobs in that time span. What should I do?

[Anonymous]

You should be happy with 46k. Why do you think you deserve a higher salary if you're in that job? And you need to research non-profit salaries to get some perspective. I've got 20+ years in non-profits and I don't see how someone with a journalism degree and maybe 3 years of experience should be asking for more? What's your unique skillset?

[Anonymous]

I don't think I should get 60k in this particular job. I basically took the job so that I could get more experience Communications (I manage a website). I just always saw my future as being brighter than what it is. I know I can do more than what I'm currently doing. I just don't know where to start.

[Anonymous]

My brother has a business degree and 6 years experience yet makes $38k in a job that requires both experience and a degree. Grow up little girl and welcome to life.

Work your way up like everyone else. Your college degree is a basic qualification. Sorry you were told otherwise. If 20 years from now you want to lament then ok. But until then, stop whining and start working.

[Anonymous]

I'm the first PP. The people who work for me who make $60k+ have at least 7 years experience. Solid experience. Most have more. And I manage marketing and communications areas. Are you taking PD? Getting certified? Going above and beyond and volunteering for projects?

[Anonymous]

OP, Join DC Web Women and read their daily list.

Also, consider joining TapRoot to boost your skillset and network on top of that!

[Anonymous]

You're doing well at 46K. You would probably at or below that as a teacher or working for a nonprofit. It's a reasonable goal to want to make more. How can you do that? Talk to your manager about growth opportunities. Be a self starter – take on tasks outside of your current responsibilities to keep it interesting. Talk to people who have jobs you want – what is their background, education, skill set. Also find out what is good and not good about their job. The grass isn’t always greener. In my experience, it’s nearly impossible to find the perfect combination of salary, interesting work, good co-workers & boss, good location, good benefits, and good hours.

Bone up on skills that make you more marketable. Do you like managing the website? Maybe take some IT related classes to gain more skills in that area. Companies also like to see some career progression within a job. Try to stay in one place for a little longer (2-3 years) and take on more and more responsibility.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think I should get 60k in this particular job. I basically took the job so that I could get more experience Communications (I manage a website). I just always saw my future as being brighter than what it is. I know I can do more than what I'm currently doing. I just don't know where to start.

You've had 3 jobs in as many years. You need to stick with something for a while so that you can demonstrate progressive responsibility and the ability to stick with something for a while. Also, you are 25. Making $46k a year, while maybe it's not what you hoped for, is a lot better than a lot of people with your age and experience are doing. Do what the experienced PP says and try to be happy with what you have.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My brother has a business degree and 6 years experience yet makes $38k in a job that requires both experience and a degree. Grow up little girl and welcome to life.

Work your way up like everyone else. Your college degree is a basic qualification. Sorry you were told otherwise. If 20 years from now you want to lament then ok. But until then, stop whining and start working.

No need to be rude. I've actually done quite well on my salary -purchased a home IN DC, own a car, and can afford to go on vacation once a year. I'm not afraid of hard work or working my way up. It's just that there isn't any upward mobility in my job and I'm thinking a changing careers. I know there are a lot of people in my age group who may feel the same way.

[Anonymous]

Wow? You are 25 and think you should make $60K? Don't ever tell a prospective employer that. At 29 I was making $60K as the development director of a small nonprofit (this was with 6 years of experience and I was THRILLED with my salary beyond belief) and a 23yo applicant for a development assistant job told me her salary requirement was $50K. I literally laughed in her face because I couldn't help myself. I knew it was rude but it just came out. Her attitude was so entitled and ludicrous that I couldn't believe it.

At your age (2003), I was making $29K. I get being hungry and having drive, but feeling entitled is not the same thing. You say you don't know what to do or where to start, so I'll bite and offer some advice. I assume you are smart and ambitious. Use that to propel yourself forward. Show some initiative - ask for projects, ask how you can be of more help to your employer. Mean it when you ask. Then do great work and knock their socks off. This is what I did and in five years I went from being an assistant to a director and doubled my salary.

You are 25 OP. Nothing is going to just fall in your lap. You have to create your own opportunities and your own professional reputation as a go-getter with know how. Your busy superiors aren't spending time ruminating about how they can better use your talents. To be frank, they don't think about you. Your job is to get on their radar, in the right way.

[Anonymous]

^^BTW, even if your job doesn't offer upward mobility you will need a good reference. Don't burn bridges or become known as the whiner. Exhaust every possibility in your current job by doing great work with a positive attitude and use that to grab your next great opportunity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow? You are 25 and think you should make $60K? Don't ever tell a prospective employer that. At 29 I was making $60K as the development director of a small nonprofit (this was with 6 years of experience and I was THRILLED with my salary beyond belief) and a 23yo applicant for a development assistant job told me her salary requirement was $50K. I literally laughed in her face because I couldn't help myself. I knew it was rude but it just came out. Her attitude was so entitled and ludicrous that I couldn't believe it.

At your age (2003), I was making $29K. I get being hungry and having drive, but feeling entitled is not the same thing. You say you don't know what to do or where to start, so I'll bite and offer some advice. I assume you are smart and ambitious. Use that to propel yourself forward. Show some initiative - ask for projects, ask how you can be of more help to your employer. Mean it when you ask. Then do great work and knock their socks off. This is what I did and in five years I went from being an assistant to a director and doubled my salary.

You are 25 OP. Nothing is going to just fall in your lap. You have to create your own opportunities and your own professional reputation as a go-getter with know how. Your busy superiors aren't spending time ruminating about how they can better use your talents. To be frank, they don't think about you. Your job is to get on their radar, in the right way.

Thank you. I'm not looking for a handout. I need something that is a little more challenging and that will hold my interest. I just get the feeling that I should be doing more with my life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^BTW, even if your job doesn't offer upward mobility you will need a good reference. Don't burn bridges or become known as the whiner. Exhaust every possibility in your current job by doing great work with a positive attitude and use that to grab your next great opportunity.

Trust me. I don't whine or complain at work. I'm the youngest person in my office and my boss adores me. I got an outstanding employee review in December.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You're doing well at 46K. You would probably at or below that as a teacher or working for a nonprofit. It's a reasonable goal to want to make more. How can you do that? Talk to your manager about growth opportunities. Be a self starter – take on tasks outside of your current responsibilities to keep it interesting. Talk to people who have jobs you want – what is their background, education, skill set. Also find out what is good and not good about their job. The grass isn’t always greener. In my experience, it’s nearly impossible to find the perfect combination of salary, interesting work, good co-workers & boss, good location, good benefits, and good hours.

Bone up on skills that make you more marketable. Do you like managing the website? Maybe take some IT related classes to gain more skills in that area. Companies also like to see some career progression within a job. Try to stay in one place for a little longer (2-3 years) and take on more and more responsibility.

great advice! Thanks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow? You are 25 and think you should make $60K? Don't ever tell a prospective employer that. At 29 I was making $60K as the development director of a small nonprofit (this was with 6 years of experience and I was THRILLED with my salary beyond belief) and a 23yo applicant for a development assistant job told me her salary requirement was $50K. I literally laughed in her face because I couldn't help myself. I knew it was rude but it just came out. Her attitude was so entitled and ludicrous that I couldn't believe it.

At your age (2003), I was making $29K. I get being hungry and having drive, but feeling entitled is not the same thing. You say you don't know what to do or where to start, so I'll bite and offer some advice. I assume you are smart and ambitious. Use that to propel yourself forward. Show some initiative - ask for projects, ask how you can be of more help to your employer. Mean it when you ask. Then do great work and knock their socks off. This is what I did and in five years I went from being an assistant to a director and doubled my salary.

You are 25 OP. Nothing is going to just fall in your lap. You have to create your own opportunities and your own professional reputation as a go-getter with know how. Your busy superiors aren't spending time ruminating about how they can better use your talents. To be frank, they don't think about you. Your job is to get on their radar, in the right way.

Thank you. I'm not looking for a handout. I need something that is a little more challenging and that will hold my interest. I just get the feeling that I should be doing more with my life.

Tell your boss you are looking for a challenge. Ask him/her what you could tackle that would make his/her life easier and your organization better. I would LOVE it if my young assistants did this, and I would give them every opportunity.