After getting your degree? Would you take up a low paying job?
By stiener
@stiener (735)
Singapore
December 17, 2008 2:35am CST
Hi MyLottians,
I have been seeing reports by job agencies that the latest batch graduates from Universities may encounter some obsticles when searching for a job. I kept wondering why these graduates couldn't get a job when the number of jobs available in the market can absorb this batch of graduates. Apart from job matching, surveys have pointed out that Degree holders are not willing to take up a job offer that does not match their qualification. Although there are isolated cases in my country that Degree holders are operating as cabbie drivers, hawkers, waiters etc, there remains a large percentage will are willing to wait for the right job offer than to take up a job that they does not match them.
A suggested assumption, higher education makes people have higher expectation of their pay and status. Let's have a poll here, if you have attain a degree or higher, will you take up an offer to be a cabbie driver, hawker, blue collar, delivery man, waiter etc to ensure that you have a sustainable income.
#1 for: "Yes I will take up the offer".
#2 for: "No! My qualification worth more than that. I'll wait".
#3 for: "I may consider for the following reasons". Appreciate if you can state the reason.
*Do note that even if there is a chance that you are willing to take up the above job offer, the employer may be reluctant to give you the job even if it is a bargain. That is a fact for under the Human Resource Management. Something is fishy here...
Please do share you comment. Happy MyLotting...
4 people like this
19 responses
@twinklee (894)
• India
17 Dec 08
Hi,
I will select #1 yes to the offer. Its all the interests that matters. With respect to the latest trend and technology , we are'nt sure of the job matching our profile, even if it is the job that is equivalent to our degree, we may not be paid as per the scale because of market status. So ,if we keep waiting ,we will be waiting till our life ends. Its better to gain interest in the available jobs, so as to make income.
This is my policy. all jobs have some pros and cons. It depends on how we look at them ,
Take care:)
1 person likes this
@stiener (735)
• Singapore
18 Dec 08
Hi twinklee,
I have to agree that all job provide valuable experiences and social networking opportunities. There are many people who do not realised their real potential and passion until they have joined another industry different from what they have major in. They develop into the rare gems in their fields. So it is good to leave our options open and be exposed to development opportunities. Thank you for responding and Happy MyLotting...
@FabHairWeave (197)
• United States
17 Dec 08
3
After college I am almost expecting to have to take up the odd job here and there. I am a musical theatre major hoping to become a working actress after college. I would love to work in any aspect of theatre really but I know how hard it would be to find these perfect jobs. I may have to take up low income jobs just to sustain myself until I get an offer I'm happy with, which could take as long as years.
@stiener (735)
• Singapore
18 Dec 08
Hi FabHairWeave,
I am not very familiar with performing arts or any aspect that is related to it. What do you start off your career with when you graduate and the possible career path that you will may be offered? Is your major relevant to acting in television production? That may be a stepping stone before moving into the theatre? Thank you for responding and I wish you the best in your career development. Cheers and Happy MyLotting...
@checapricorn (16061)
• United States
17 Dec 08
[i]Hi stiener,
At first, I will try very hard to find a good job but if it is very impossible for the moment, I will go for whatever descent job as long as I will earn and have some experience also!
But, the fact of searching a great and better job will not stop from the time I will be employed in the low paying job, I will continue to seek for a better one![/i]
@stiener (735)
• Singapore
18 Dec 08
Hi j47lee,
That would serve as a good reason to get a salary first and lookout for something better in the future. Maybe one can consider taking another part-time job to form a substantial pay. It may be tough but when you spend a lot of your time working and earning, it also reduce your chances of spending.
Thank you for responding and Happy MyLotting...
@rajeshank (253)
• India
17 Dec 08
Hi...its upto time...no one will think of going for low pay after finishing his degree...but if he was not able to get the job wat he looks for and some time it will be too late after finishing..no other go wana settle with wat he gets at that time...people talk in different manner we have to adjust to wat we get...after certain time..or else even that will go..:(
@stiener (735)
• Singapore
18 Dec 08
Hi rajeshank,
How about looking for opportunities in other industries where companies offer on job training for as long as you possess a general degree? The only concern is that if you do make a switch, if you leave the company in the future, you may only have the experience but not a high qualification to this field. Your original degree may be "out-dated" by then. It is risky though but would you give it a shot?
Thanks for sharing ya and happy MyLotting...
@zhouliannie (78)
• China
17 Dec 08
it;s very common in china.even if you got a high degree,it doesnt mean you will get high pay
@stiener (735)
• Singapore
18 Dec 08
Hi zhouliannie,
I have heard from a few friends on mine working in China. They say that the companies are paying a lot more to foreign workers in the same field than the locals. Furthermore, the job market is very competitive with many candidates competing for the same job.
Thanks for sharing your views with us. Happy MyLotting...
@stiener (735)
• Singapore
18 Dec 08
Hi tammytwo,
Something popped into my mind while I was reading your comment. What is the threshold that you can accept before accepting your job offer. Let say if the average starting pay of graduates from your faculty is $2500, how much is the lowest pay offer that you will consider?
Thank you for sharing and Happy MyLotting...
@Daydreamer2 (470)
• Philippines
17 Dec 08
it really depends on you on how you take it. Actually... If i will be given a chance i will be establish my own computer shop. :) Happy MyLotting to.
@stiener (735)
• Singapore
18 Dec 08
Hi Daydreamer2,
I can see that you are a potential entrepreneur. You are an adventurous type and your success will directly affect the lives of many others. Without people setting up businesses, there wouldn't be job creation. I wish you the very best in your ambition and hope that you will realise it very soon. Cheers and Happy MyLotting...
@ladynetz (968)
• Canada
17 Dec 08
Our days, there are lots of graduates out there looking for work.
Out of the schools benches, one can not expect to be hired imediately , with no experience and get the best pay ever.
I would look for a job in the field I graduated from, and don't mind to be paid less, as long as I know there is a posibility of advance.
Meanwhile, to make ends meet, I can work as a cab driver, or anything els to support myelf and my family.
@stiener (735)
• Singapore
18 Dec 08
Hi ladynetz,
Graduates from my country will most probably wait 3 months on average to get themselves a job. I should be lucky for having a few years of experience. I have been lowering my salary expectation and the more that I lower it, the lesser the chances that I will be receiving a call. I guess I have to pitch a more reasonable expectation. Companies believe that there is still a minimum margin that they are willing to offer and people who undercut the market wage may mean suggest that there are some underlying issues that wasn't reflected on the resume.
Thank you for responding...Happy MyLotting...
@chantimedico (64)
• India
17 Dec 08
no i never take up low paying job after i getting my degree.my qulification is more worth than low paying jobs
@vanonas (949)
• United States
17 Dec 08
I would take up a low paying job right after I graduated as long as it wasn't TOO low because I need to support myself. I would probably just work there while trying to find something better because I would be gaining experience towards the field I'm trying to be successful in. I'm scared to graduate college because of this job shortage! Hopefully in 4 years this economy will be better and there will be more job opportunities for me and my fellow college students.
@stiener (735)
• Singapore
18 Dec 08
Hi vanonas,
Many young graduates are willing to take on a slightly lower pay provided that it is still within the industry that they preferred to work in. What is the percentage that is within your acceptable range? I am sure the economy is going into the consolidation phase. Usually, it will take around 3 years to recover for my country. Some other nations may take longer time to recover. I have that we will be able to bounce back soon ya.
Thank you for sharing your views and Happy MyLotting...
@SpikeTheLobster (6403)
•
17 Dec 08
I have a degree and, since leaving University, have been a shop assistant, a delivery boy, a barman, a trainer, a fast food guy, a freelance computer fixer and about a dozen other things - and that's just before the 'proper' jobs. Having a degree makes very little difference to how employable you are: sometimes it can even be a negative. Take the job, learn what you can from it, survive and keep looking for something better.
@stiener (735)
• Singapore
18 Dec 08
Hi SpikeTheLobster,
You are multi-talented. What did you major in your degree course? You are right that sometimes getting the degree may put you into a disadvantage. For example, if you have specialised in a field that the demand is very limited and has less relevence to other jobs, and you have not been the top candidate for the available openings, your degree may become an obstacle when looking for a job. Some employers may find you over-qualified if you are applying for something of a lower level. Some people get stucked in the middle of nowhere which can be a headache ya.
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I wish you all the best and Happy MyLotting...
@myskina (182)
• China
17 Dec 08
well , that's really a good questions ,friend `
i think i will accept , no matter the repay is low or high , because i think i can study some experiences there and get it , to turn it into my own mind , and away them , the repay is nothing serious , when you have the big power , you can request the high request , that's not late `
so friend , suggest you learn more things of the job now , you can choose your way , similar to choose your own repay , if you have the high energy , you get more repay , or the low , make a choice , friend ``
just study more , you will have a nice future , trust me ``
have a good day
@stiener (735)
• Singapore
18 Dec 08
Hi myskina,
I have already been working in a company for 4 years now. I have studied in computer studies major in Multimedia, Business mangement and economics and now completed my Degree in Psychology, I am looking for more study opportunities. My options would be to take up another diploma in marketing, human resource mangement, supply chain management which the union will be subsidizing up to 50% of my course fees.
At the age of 27, I feel that my age is catching up on me especially that I am about to start my family, I will be tied down with loans. So I have to be more realistic in my time management.
I hope to get into a research field best related to psychology which a minimum of 2 years experience is required for me to pursue a post graduate course in Criminology or Forensic Psychology or 10 years experience for Masters in Business Administration. So this will serve as a motivation for me to try and work my way into the relevant fields.
Thank you for responding and Happy MyLotting...
@catabianca (142)
• Tunisia
17 Dec 08
High degrees studies, are not enough to be skilled in work, you will need experiances after!
Than you will ask for a job!
Hope for you full success!
@stiener (735)
• Singapore
18 Dec 08
Hi catabianca,
Most definitely, one who is good in studies may not be as good while working. Experience is a plus point that many employers are looking for especially when they need someone who knows their work well and can integrate into the operations as soon as they can. However, the qualification is the first line of filter that the human resource department use as a criteria to pre-select potential candidates. While this may not be the best way to get the best candidate for the job, it is one of the most efficient way to shortlist people with the attributes the organization is looking for.
When it comes to experience, it relies more of recommendations from people within the circle who measures you by your working ability and credentials rather than your paper qualifications. The question of Qualification vs Experience has been a debating issue among job seekers and is very subjective on what the employer is looking for. But yes, having experience on top of your qualification is like icing on the cake.
Thank you for bringing up an important factor and Happy MyLotting...
@sivanj (1263)
• India
17 Dec 08
just after completing the degree we may be fresh to enter the industry. so i may accept to join a low paid join if it is going to give me good experience for my future. otherwise i would prefer stying back at home and waiting for the better job. i would in the meantime get myself industry ready.
@stiener (735)
• Singapore
18 Dec 08
Hi sivanj,
True enough that fresh graduates may lack the neccessary experience to fit into the new environment and ready to work. In some fields, the employers are almost always looking for experienced staff rather than new graduates. I sometimes wonder if you graduated and found that employers are looking for staff with at least 1 year of working experience in this field, how would you be able to secure a job then? I guess the next available options is have someone recommending you into the organisation. Thank you for responding and Happy MyLotting...
@UtopianIdealist (1604)
• United States
7 Jan 09
Some people do not have an option. They have to take the low paying job since there is nothing else.
@natalieoeder (31)
• United States
17 Dec 08
I would have to pick #3. Why? Because there are things that must be seen to bills do not wait while we do. , but I would still keep myself in the loop for the higher job.
@stiener (735)
• Singapore
18 Dec 08
Hi natalieoeder,
We do have to ensure that we can survive before we can satisfy our other needs. I definitely agree that we have to be rationale in our actions and making our choices. Even if the economy is not performing well, we still have to work to live on. And when choices are scarce, we cannot be too picky can we?
While we are "forced" to work in a place that we are not trained for or not to our likings. Our primary purpose is to earn a living and keep a lookout for the next opportunity to move into a career we prefer. Your attitude tells me that you will survive even the most difficult times of your life 
.
Thank you for responding and Happy MyLotting...
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Thank you for responding and Happy MyLotting... @tia_sweet (154)
• India
17 Dec 08
Hi,I'd go for the first option because it is all the interest and the satisfaction that matters.Moreover,doing nothing is always better than getting engaged in doing something.I'd say anything you do will always teach you in some manner.Moreover, you will be a person who can adapt according to the circumstances...and will be ahead in your life..even at some adverse situations...
@stiener (735)
• Singapore
18 Dec 08
Hi tia_sweet,
You have hit one of the critical element in determining how well one will perform and how long one would stay in an organization. Job satisfaction is an important aspect where some management fail to place their emphasis on. In order to ensure that your employees will perform at their peak most of the time, the management must provide a working environment that will develop job satisfaction and motivation. Maslow Hierarchy of Needs, Herzberg 2 factor theory and McGregor's Theory X and Theory Y are some of the most classic examples critical to human resource management.
Sadly, the head of Human Resource department of my present company is someone who have no qualification in Human Resource nor layman knowledge in this field. This is one of the attributing factors that my company's labour turnover rate is the highest in the whole industry. Apparently, my company trains fresh graduates and willingly let them leave for other opportunities. I guess being the biggest organisation in this field in the local market do act as a strong factor for staff to stay on.
Thank you for responding and Happy MyLotting...
