Lindsay Olson

ERM (January 26th, 2009)

Great post! i can’t believe no one has commented yet.

I know I’m very under paid, but since I’ve only had two professional jobs and two years of experience I feel like my salary is fair. I don’t mind earning less now so I can earn even more in the long run. However, for my next job I will demand at least the average salary for my profession.

Another thought: CEOs should be paid on performance. Why should someone care if a company is profitable if they are getting paid regardless.

Emily Luiz (January 29th, 2009)

This post is so relevant to my life right now and probably to the many other recent grads who can’t find jobs and are considering going back to school. I acutally read an article in Forbes this month, ‘The Great College Hoax’ http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2009/0202/060.html, that talks about the same issue and while school seems like a stable alternative to the job market I can’t afford to be in debt AND unemployed in 2 years… great post!

Lindsay Olson (January 29th, 2009)

ERM – It’s very common when starting out to feel like you are underpaid. Many time, especially early in a career, people take what is offered and don’t feel like they are in a position to negotiate. Offers are almost always slightly negotiable.

Taylor – Great link, thanks for sharing!

Honza (February 8th, 2009)

@ laid off reporter: I was astounded by the sheer shallowness of measuring the self-worth with money. There are other attributes that define humans and their worthiness. Money would be probably my last choice. Perhaps it is a too European perspective, but that’s how I feel about it. The report failed to address that and failed to broaden one’s horizons concerning self-worth in general.

@ college degree: The journalists are using exaggerated and sensationalised examples of failed college students. Instead of focusing on educational policy and what can be done about the flawed system, the story polarizes and sends a clear message: “College is worthless.” The overall benefits of college education often outweigh its costs. There are problems with the educational system, but what I see as a bigger problem is the frame of the story.

@ secret salaries: I will be very succinct on this one. The grapevine (informal communication network) takes care of the salary disclosure one way or another.