[Ralphie Dos Nachos]

Hi guys,

I have an offer that will start in May once I graduate. It’s part-time in upstate New York at a small bookkeeping and tax firm. I have no experience with internships or A/P clerk, etc. so I need to get started somewhere.

He said I would start at $13/hr. until the end of the summer and then put me on full-time at $15/hr. I’m thinking of taking it as I am looking for something part-time to do while I am studying for the CPA exam and it would at least look good on the resume and build up the 1-2 years experience I need to get into entry-level jobs.

[Anonymous]

Seems way too low. With that said, learn fast and work hard and you will move on and up quickly. I started out of college at 44K, and knocked out the CPA exam and worked my ass off. 4 Years later I'm making 6 figures. I didn't go the public path either.

[HopeCounter]

Seems low to me. My first “real job” didn't come until after I'd passed all 4. I had no experience and started at $13/hr but that's in SC not NY. Still not a CPA (have not met the experience requirement) but 2.5 years later I'm at $55k + health insurance.

AUD - 84 - 5/31/12 (lost credit), re-take 5/28/14
REG - 83 - 12/7/12
BEC - 80 - 2/27/13
FAR - 69 - 11/30/13, 80 - 2/28/14

[M123]

Agree with using web sites for salary gauging. Can also look at indeed.com which has actual target salaries for a lot of positions. Keep in mind that salaries are very regional and affected by cost of living. Upstate NY and Manhattan will be far different.

A couple things to keep in mind – people with few exceptions get paid exactly what they are worth. If one accepts a salary too low – they deserve it – because they sold themselves short. Or they have a life situation that requires it. Or they want better work life balance. Whatever the reason – the saying that “water seeks its own level” has a lot of truth to it. The trick in life is to change your level!

BTW – I can't help but notice the handle – social reject. I totally get that. I was never popular, total geek and not in a “geek chic” way. But put on your best face, polish your shoes, press your clothes, man up and make it like you're the best candidate regardless of any past social circumstances. Make right here, right now your new situation and give voice to your inner winner, not the inner reject.

[Jdn9201]

You might be getting paid too low, but if you're committed to studying for your exams and you can make ends meet, then it may be what you need, even if it's just for a year or two. I agree with others that you shouldn't sell yourself short, but money isn't the only criteria to look at for jobs either. I would caution you on two things I learned from taking a lower paying job out of college myself. First, be very wary of staying long term if you aren't getting raises and promotion opportunities. My only regret about my first job is I stayed too long. Second, when/if you go job hunting again, other employers will try and use your current wage as a basis for what they will pay you. Once you get a salaried job, your base is also going to affect your future raises and possibly 401k matching contributions are too. Good luck!

BEC - 88 8/29/15
REG - 82 11/14/15
AUD - 83 1/8/16
FAR - 80 2/29/16

[Author]

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