Graduating College

This is really a question about how long my degree will be useful, but I will give the background anyhow.

I am graduating in like 3 weeks or so. After I graduate, I am going to move in with my mom with no tv, car, cell, or internet (most likely at least) to try and focus on music for as long as I can. In 6 months, I will have to start paying back the interest on my student loans. I will be graduating with 2 degree's, one in Economics, one in Japanese, with minors in computer science and music at about 200 credits. I am conversationally fluent in Japanese, and for the purposes of this background, also in French. Oh yeah, I also have EU and US citizenship.

Ok, thats the background. Here is the question, when do I have to work so that my degree does not become meaningless? I not only hate working, but I despise the idea of throwing my life away like that. So, I want to put in as few hours as possible. If I could get a part time job with good pay, is it feasible to live on working like 20 hours a week or less? I want to work as little as possible, so it would be nice to have a relatively decent paying job. An additionally option would be, work for like a year at a real job (hell), then take 2 years off (Assuming I make around 50k). Luckily, I am extremely good at getting work done, I just hate it. Would this skipping around of jobs make me look terribly unemployable? Working with music sounds terrible, I don't want to have to do what Myke managed to push himself through.

Final thing I thought of, my cousin offered me a job working with him for around 150k, but it would be a lot of moving around, and grueling hours doing international real estate of something like that.

Is there some gameplan any of you more work oriented people can think about that lets me basically work as few hours as possible? I know the post is a bit disorganized, shows how organized it is in my head. I just don't want to piss all my hard work away. Going back to school is another possibility, there is an international business program at John Hopkins I could look into if that would help my overall goal.

I live very cheap, and find that "stuff" does not make me happier. Any cars I had to purchase would be decade old honda's for like 2k, I can live in a tiny box if I have to as long as its not too dangerous (but I like finding places to play music), I don't mind giving up going out and eating out either. I buy very few clothes as well, although they are usually nice clothes.

Your degree becomes meaningless 5 minutes after you get hired, seriously. No matter what you're taught, every major corporation has their own way of doing things.

Sorry man, better to tell you now.

As for making "150k" a year, that's insane. I made 74,000 with an undergrad from Michigan and a Masters from Case Western. You'd be insane not to take that job.

Your degree will get you your first job, your first job will get you your second job, that time you spent carving bongs at Burning Man will get you your third job, etc etc.

What do you want to do? Just...hang out? I'm assuming you went to school and did those majors because they were something you were interested in.

You say you are going to focus on music for 6 months, but working in music sounds terrible (based on what you know Myke does). It sounds to me like you would like to just be a musician. Entirely possible to live your life with varied success doing that. You might hit it big, you might not. Hours are flexible and since it sounds like you don't mind leaving as simple as necessary, huge success wouldn't be a make it or break it deal.

So yeah, sounds like college was a waste for ya.

Responding to all posts in order.

Biff: Yeah, I get my first job, but what about after that? When can I quit and still be marketable, and for how long will I still be marketable?

As for my cousin's job, its really long hours I'm sure, like Japanese hours. I haven't ruled it out, but a year of complete and utter hatred of myself might not be worth it.

YellerDog: Yeah, pretty much the same as my question to Biff. How long can I wait before I pick up that first job?

Rumpy: I want to go jogging outside on a warm day at 11am, catch up on the thousands of amazing classic books and movies that I have neglected, learn to cook halfway decently, get a better understand of art and photography, talk to random people, maybe stay with various friends for like a month here and there. I went to college because I like learning, in that way it was hardly a waste. Hell I didn't even know I loved music until college helped me figure out I hated computers. I would have gone to college with no expectation of a job coming out if I had to choose again. Still, the idea of making it as a musician is a possibility, I just don't want my music to be pandering to any perceived invisible audience just to make my money. Luckily I am fairly pop oriented in my thinking. Even if I do make it like that, which is the win situation, it doesn't hurt to have a degree backup plan.

If you've got the $$$ to take time off, DO IT. However, be actively applying to jobs in your field. Don't use a break as an excuse to slack on that.

I started an internship immediately after getting a degree, and transitioned straight into a job.

The way that works is, be worth a shit at what you're doing in the first job.

I'm kinda in your same boat, only with a design degree from an AWFUL University.

...except I have to catch up on all of my back work by Monday. :D

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Originally Posted by Destin

Rumpy: I want to go jogging outside on a warm day at 11am, catch up on the thousands of amazing classic books and movies that I have neglected, learn to cook halfway decently, get a better understand of art and photography, talk to random people, maybe stay with various friends for like a month here and there. I went to college because I like learning, in that way it was hardly a waste. Hell I didn't even know I loved music until college helped me figure out I hated computers. I would have gone to college with no expectation of a job coming out if I had to choose again. Still, the idea of making it as a musician is a possibility, I just don't want my music to be pandering to any perceived invisible audience just to make my money. Luckily I am fairly pop oriented in my thinking. Even if I do make it like that, which is the win situation, it doesn't hurt to have a degree backup plan.

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I interpreted this as "i don't want to grow up".

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Originally Posted by Destin

Responding to all posts in order.

Yeah, I get my first job, but what about after that? When can I quit and still be marketable, and for how long will I still be marketable?

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My education: B.A. Business Administration, Concentration: Marketing, Minor: Spanish

Current job: License patents

School just teaches you how to think critically and learn certain job-like functions (e.g., meeting deadlines, doing reports, critical analysis)

My mom has no formal college education and she's the director of HR for one of MD's largest landscaping companies.

When I was a hiring manager, no matter what background, employers will look for three things: Intelligence, High Energy, and a desire to achieve something.

So basically, make the most of the opportunities given to you and things will fall into place after that. But in the end, don't expect any handouts. You'll need to work for what you want.

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Originally Posted by Dyne

I interpreted this as "i don't want to grow up".

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Interpret it any way you want. I weighed the options of life and the normal way was not that appealing to me.

All of these responses are helpful, but I guess the main question is, what would be the way to work the fewest hours possible and still get by?

Sell Drugs, Rob People, Prostitution... just a few that come to mind.

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Originally Posted by Destin

All of these responses are helpful, but I guess the main question is, what would be the way to work the fewest hours possible and still get by?

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You might be over thinking it and worrying about it too much. You have the rest of your life to do the things you listed, plus the stuff you haven't even thought about yet. As long as you are motivated, you'll do it. I agree with you on the "thinking about it" for the 150k job. If you're miserable, it isn't worth it. Biff is the money money money money man after all.

Learn how to operate a piece of construction equipment and work part time. It pays well enough to put a roof over your head and meals in your belly. Then use your free time to fuck around.

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Originally Posted by Destin

All of these responses are helpful, but I guess the main question is, what would be the way to work the fewest hours possible and still get by?

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Male prostitute.


Seriously though, long gaps in your resume scream "I am not able to keep a job" true or not. Now that means that everytime you apply online, you're going to get your resume thrown out 4 out of 5 times by some second string HR wag who reviews resumes before sending them up top.

If you do decide you need this time, then make sure to list the gaps as "working for non-profit company in volunteer role" then tell them it was how you gave back.

As for the degree, again, all it does is get you through the door of your first job, after that it's networking and good resumes.

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Originally Posted by Biff

Male prostitute.


Seriously though, long gaps in your resume scream "I am not able to keep a job" true or not. Now that means that everytime you apply online, you're going to get your resume thrown out 4 out of 5 times by some second string HR wag who reviews resumes before sending them up top.

If you do decide you need this time, then make sure to list the gaps as "working for non-profit company in volunteer role" then tell them it was how you gave back.

As for the degree, again, all it does is get you through the door of your first job, after that it's networking and good resumes.

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Thanks. Now is this after my first job, or even the gap between college and my first job.

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Originally Posted by Destin

This is really a question about how long my degree will be useful, but I will give the background anyhow.

I am graduating in like 3 weeks or so. After I graduate, I am going to move in with my mom with no tv, car, cell, or internet (most likely at least) to try and focus on music for as long as I can. In 6 months, I will have to start paying back the interest on my student loans. I will be graduating with 2 degree's, one in Economics, one in Japanese, with minors in computer science and music at about 200 credits. I am conversationally fluent in Japanese, and for the purposes of this background, also in French. Oh yeah, I also have EU and US citizenship.

Ok, thats the background. Here is the question, when do I have to work so that my degree does not become meaningless? I not only hate working, but I despise the idea of throwing my life away like that. So, I want to put in as few hours as possible. If I could get a part time job with good pay, is it feasible to live on working like 20 hours a week or less? I want to work as little as possible, so it would be nice to have a relatively decent paying job. An additionally option would be, work for like a year at a real job (hell), then take 2 years off (Assuming I make around 50k). Luckily, I am extremely good at getting work done, I just hate it. Would this skipping around of jobs make me look terribly unemployable? Working with music sounds terrible, I don't want to have to do what Myke managed to push himself through.

Final thing I thought of, my cousin offered me a job working with him for around 150k, but it would be a lot of moving around, and grueling hours doing international real estate of something like that.

Is there some gameplan any of you more work oriented people can think about that lets me basically work as few hours as possible? I know the post is a bit disorganized, shows how organized it is in my head. I just don't want to piss all my hard work away. Going back to school is another possibility, there is an international business program at John Hopkins I could look into if that would help my overall goal.

I live very cheap, and find that "stuff" does not make me happier. Any cars I had to purchase would be decade old honda's for like 2k, I can live in a tiny box if I have to as long as its not too dangerous (but I like finding places to play music), I don't mind giving up going out and eating out either. I buy very few clothes as well, although they are usually nice clothes.

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Real estate brings in good money but you have to work. You cant just sit on your ass and think the property would sell. $50k out of college? Rarely, unless you're a sports athlete, doctor, lawyer or whatever high paying job there is.

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Originally Posted by Destin

All of these responses are helpful, but I guess the main question is, what would be the way to work the fewest hours possible and still get by?

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Flat out truth....never. Unless of course you struck gold or the lottery. Doctors, entrepreneurs, lawyers, etc. all have to work for their money. 20 hours and make enough to survive and get by? I personally wouldnt even think like that. In today's society, you couldnt even survive on a $30,000 salary.

Like the co-founders of Google or even Donald Trum/Bill Gates who make billions are working 40+ hours whether it be in the office, at home or on the road.

Since you said you'll be focusing on music, if you make it big, money will come but of course, you cant just sit back and think it will come to you. You have to work for it and get yourself out there. Even making it big, these people big name musicians are working long hours to come up with stuff.

No one loves working. Everyone wants to sit home on their ass, drink beer, wack off and make money. But thats not how society works.

Since you're fluent in Japanese and French, use that to your ability. There are lots of companies that look for people who can speak different languages. I know there is a big demand for bilingual people.

But if you want to be a lazy ass trying to get by, like Type Ryan said,

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Originally Posted by Type Ryan

Sell Drugs, Rob People, Prostitution... just a few that come to mind.

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Like you said, you have student loans to pay off. I wouldnt take my time paying that off. you'll just end up paying it off for the rest of your life. By the time you pay it off, you paid off more in interest than the loan itself. I had $60k in loans and paid it off in 1.5 years. How? working my ass off because I know if I didnt pay that off, I'll just be accumulating debt.

Since I paid off my loan, any money I make is my money and I can do what I want without having to worry about debt. I'm saving up for a car and purchase by end/next year. Than ring for gf, house and start family.

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Originally Posted by Dyne

I interpreted this as "i don't want to grow up".

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Sounds more like to me "I'm lazy and smooch off my parents"

I agree with Biff and Yellerdog. Each job has their own method and setup on how things are run. First job will get you into second job and so on. Skipping from one job to another is normal. So as long you're not working at one job for less than one year, jump to another job and do the same. If you were working there for 5 years and went somewhere else. Companies look for this on resumes. They see that you're hopping jobs, they'll think if you would do the same to them. If so, no point in hiring you when they can find someone who is more stable and will be there longer. This is how you get paid more..by building experience and working your way up.

If you're looking for a part-time job, no company will pay a part-timer a good amount of money. You're part time. You're technically there just to help out and fill in. If you want money in your pocket and work as little, fast food or retail. They always hire part-timers and its $7-10 depending on experience. They could care less about degree.

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Originally Posted by Destin

Thanks. Now is this after my first job, or even the gap between college and my first job.

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Between jobs, nobody gives a fuck about the gap between college and your first job. We assume you're getting the party out of your system.

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Originally Posted by bandit

Since you said you'll be focusing on music, if you make it big, money will come but of course, you cant just sit back and think it will come to you. You have to work for it and get yourself out there. Even making it big, these people big name musicians are working long hours to come up with stuff.

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Yup, and I plan on working 14-16 hours a day on music, working hard is not difficult for me.

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No one loves working. Everyone wants to sit home on their ass, drink beer, wack off and make money. But thats not how society works.

Since you're fluent in Japanese and French, use that to your ability. There are lots of companies that look for people who can speak different languages. I know there is a big demand for bilingual people.

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I don't want to wack off, or drink beer. I just want to live a life that I hold value to. 40 hours a week, a family, nice car and property does nothing for me.

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Like you said, you have student loans to pay off. I wouldnt take my time paying that off. you'll just end up paying it off for the rest of your life. By the time you pay it off, you paid off more in interest than the loan itself. I had $60k in loans and paid it off in 1.5 years. How? working my ass off because I know if I didnt pay that off, I'll just be accumulating debt.

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This is a bit of a different topic, but that really depends on the rate of the loan. If its below the amount of return I could get by putting it into savings, then maybe not, but either way.

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Since I paid off my loan, any money I make is my money and I can do what I want without having to worry about debt. I'm saving up for a car and purchase by end/next year. Than ring for gf, house and start family.

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None of this is appealing to me, but to each their own.

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Sounds more like to me "I'm lazy and smooch off my parents"

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I could calculate expenses of living with my mom, subtracting rent, and come out to like $4000 a year. This is not terrible mooching.

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I agree with Biff and Yellerdog. Each job has their own method and setup on how things are run. First job will get you into second job and so on. Skipping from one job to another is normal. So as long you're not working at one job for less than one year, jump to another job and do the same. If you were working there for 5 years and went somewhere else. Companies look for this on resumes. They see that you're hopping jobs, they'll think if you would do the same to them. If so, no point in hiring you when they can find someone who is more stable and will be there longer. This is how you get paid more..by building experience and working your way up.

If you're looking for a part-time job, no company will pay a part-timer a good amount of money. You're part time. You're technically there just to help out and fill in. If you want money in your pocket and work as little, fast food or retail. They always hire part-timers and its $7-10 depending on experience. They could care less about degree.

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This is the good stuff, thanks. Ok, so at least a year before I quit, thats what I thought as well. My sister is doing year one at 75k, I guess my area is fairly expensive. I am getting by excessively on 12k right now. Josh, what are you doing?

My degree was useful for a year after graduating. It's worthless now and I have to go back to grad school for two masters.

What degree is that?

Awesome. Gonna get my masters in LEGENDARY and spectacular.

I'm a practicing attorney and I make less than some paralegals. Some good that J.D. and Bar License did for me.

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Originally Posted by bandit

In today's society, you couldnt even survive on a $30,000 salary.

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literally lol

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Originally Posted by Razor Ramon

Awesome. Gonna get my masters in LEGENDARY and spectacular.

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SHIT. With skills like that being ignored, the job market must be TERRIBLE.

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Originally Posted by Destin

This is really a question about how long my degree will be useful, but I will give the background anyhow.

I am graduating in like 3 weeks or so. After I graduate, I am going to move in with my mom with no tv, car, cell, or internet (most likely at least) to try and focus on music for as long as I can.

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Go for it, and go balls out like it's your best and only shot. Don't waste your youth - it is a safety net and you have enough time to recover from a bomb out should one occur.

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In 6 months, I will have to start paying back the interest on my student loans. I will be graduating with 2 degree's, one in Economics, one in Japanese, with minors in computer science and music at about 200 credits. I am conversationally fluent in Japanese, and for the purposes of this background, also in French. Oh yeah, I also have EU and US citizenship.

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Fucking impressive, man.

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Final thing I thought of, my cousin offered me a job working with him for around 150k, but it would be a lot of moving around, and grueling hours doing international real estate of something like that.

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$150K is small potatoes man, certainly nothing to sell out for and it's not enough $ to dramatically alter your life to overcome any regret. It really isn't shit to pass on what you really want to do. It's a pretty number but six figures ain't what it used to be and it ain't going to make you happy.

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Is there some gameplan any of you more work oriented people can think about that lets me basically work as few hours as possible?

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Avoid jobs that require tons of hours even if it means sacrificing $ because time is more important for you. You're young, you can go balls out and fuck up and still come back for that $150K biscuit. It won't compensate you for selling out without even trying, though.

But go for it only if you have a realistic shot. I wanted to play in the NBA but I wasn't going to pass up on a job to try to walk on the Bulls, if you can dig.

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Originally Posted by Gooch

$150K is small potatoes man, certainly nothing to sell out for and it's not enough $ to dramatically alter your life to overcome any regret. It really isn't shit to pass on what you really want to do. It's a pretty number but six figures ain't what it used to be and it ain't going to make you happy.



Avoid jobs that require tons of hours even if it means sacrificing $ because time is more important for you. You're young, you can go balls out and fuck up and still come back for that $150K biscuit. It won't compensate you for selling out without even trying, though.

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Now I like you gooch, you're a good man, but WTF are you talking about. You act like you personally know a ton of peeps breaking 100k, much less 150. You don't normally front, but you are here. It took me years of work to get over 100k and a lot of time and luck to buck that up a bit. Companies don't fucking go "hey college grad! Here's 150K so please go talk Japanese to our clients". They say "It's your first job, here's 50k, and our name and your position on the resume will net you 75 at your next job".

At GE we have a GRAND TOTAL of 56 people in the country making over 120,000 dollars and 18, count 'em, 18, making 7 figures.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/art...ca_part_2.html

50% make < 30k a year
40% make 30k - 100k.
9.5% make 100k to 500k.

About 55,000 make 1M/yr
About 10,000 make >10M/yr.

And don't whistle me a tune about stock brokers and the futures market either. 99% of them are day rich and night poor. Especially the futures market where they work 80 hours a week to get .05% of the .003% margin they make on the deal.

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Originally Posted by Gooch

$150K is small potatoes man, certainly nothing to sell out for and it's not enough $ to dramatically alter your life to overcome any regret.

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Damn, I'm poor.

Destin I would recommend finding a job which relates to your degree in some fashion regardless of whether or not its part time. Teach a class for how to teach Japanese a couple nights a week or something. That way you can say that you were pursuing the perfect job while giving yourself the time you need to pursue your true desire.

I agree with gooch in that you are young and have a ton of time to get into a career if you change your mind, especially with your skills and degrees. Living a simple but meaningful life is far more valuable then having a butt load of money imo.

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Originally Posted by Biff

100 hand slap

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Goddamn, man, I am speaking in terms of his perspective. $150K is good money, strong money, but making money doesn't seem to be Destin's m.o. so he'd be selling out, imo. You didn't sell out because you seem to have had pecuniary motives, so you made the right choice and certainly the "smart" choice for you, where as his would be far risky and presumably less probable. But $150K ain't shit in exchange a life of regret or what-ifs. The opportunity cost far exceeds that $150K in this circumstance, and the only justification I could find for selling would be in return for an exorbitant, life changing amount of money that would allow him to become financially independent at a young enough age to then re-pursue his dream. But in the music biz, which I know nothing about, I'd imagine you'd want to get started sooner than later.

I understand your point, but walking away from making 150k at 22 years old is something he will sit at the dinner table at age 30 and just mentally kill himself over. He needs to try it for a year. Of course he's not my son or my brother, so he's free to choose what he wishes. I hope he chooses correctly. Someday he's going to want that family.

Ok, I understand the mindset of Biff and bandit, and their input has been really helpful in coming up with a big plan

But I think gooch and sin know where I'm coming from. I wasn't sure if i could do a job at 30 if i don't really do much until then, in case I come to want to do that. Family is exceeding unlikely.

Hey man, no bad vibes here Destin. In the end it's up to you to do whatever you think is best for you. It's good for you to hear both sides. I wish you the best in whatever you pursue.

Hook me up with that 150k job pls

Never got around to the resume today biff, figured it's the weekend and it wouldn't matter if today or tomorrow and was researching a paper

You're already fired.

:(

Nah man, just get it to me BEFORE June or yours will get put in a stack with the other 150 people who have endorsements from people working here.

You'll get it before the end of the weekend homey. Just didn't throw it your way today cuz I figured it was the weekend so tonight as just the same as Sunday.

Yeah, except I have to fly at 6am tomorrow.

In addition, hedge you bet by using me as a reference (I'll add my contact info to your resume) and apply at Key Bank in NY (My buddy is pretty high up there) and also ICAT management (another buddy in a player position)

K

Dont do any MAJOR job just for the money, it will get old fast, and you will get depressed, and want to kill yourself for a long while. Then you will get married, and that will make you happy for 2 years, then you will have a kid, and that will add to more responsibly + stress. You will get fat, and your wife will cheat on you with her new buddy at work, but no one will want you so you will get more depressed, and the cycle will contineue till you die at age 75 and wish you would have attemped to become a rock star....

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Originally Posted by icarusfall

literally lol

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Live in NY with that $30k. You'd be renting a studio for the rest of your life. My gfs best friend's who lives in Miami, her husband is making $30k. I visited them last month when I was there, they were living in a ghetto ass neighborhood semi-apartment with 1 bedroom and they're barely surviving

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Originally Posted by Destin

Ok, I understand the mindset of Biff and bandit, and their input has been really helpful in coming up with a big plan

But I think gooch and sin know where I'm coming from. I wasn't sure if i could do a job at 30 if i don't really do much until then, in case I come to want to do that. Family is exceeding unlikely.

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Give me the job that pays $150k. We all want to live comfortably. But I see that you have no plans of starting a family or anything. But I rather work my ass off and possibly retire early if I got the money to do so.

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Originally Posted by bandit

We all want to live comfortably. But I see that you have no plans of starting a family or anything. But I rather work my ass off and possibly retire early if I got the money to do so.

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Gooch caught on to what I should have said. Music is something you have a better shot with when you are younger, I should have mentioned that.

Anyways, this thread really hit me with that clincher of not being able to jump around jobs which I had contemplated. That is good information to know, I had a rough idea about it, but wasn't sure it was so black and white.

And I appreciate the encouragement about going for it. Really though, I was 100% on doing it, not a shadow of doubt. I just wanted to figure out the best way of pursuing that with everything I have available. Zero got it halfway for me, I'm not the type of person that would want to kill myself, I'm the type of person that would kill myself.

I told Josh that I was doing music because its impossible for me to do anything else. Its all consuming in any long term picture for me.

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Originally Posted by Nash

I'm a practicing attorney and I make less than some paralegals. Some good that J.D. and Bar License did for me.

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Shit what are you doing? Family and Poverty work? Nash man, i'm sorry!

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Originally Posted by bandit

Give me the job that pays $150k. We all want to live comfortably. But I see that you have no plans of starting a family or anything. But I rather work my ass off and possibly retire early if I got the money to do so.

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150k is an insane amount of money. Work that job a few years. Sock it away in an index fund or something like that, live spartanly, once that shit is paying out in interest go take the shitty 30k job or whatever.

Seriously, at 30k me and my g/f are living in a 2 bedroom apt with a roomie in a pretty run down part of town. We live alright but... But make no mistake, money is not happiness it is an enabler in life though. My family has a few well off members, they worked their asses off for 10-20yrs and now take time off to paint, work exclusively on research they care about for years at a time. When they lose the drive they go back to work researching, lawyering or doing the stocks/cpa work till they feel the drive again.

My aunt saved up enough money and invested well enough to take 12 years off to raise her goddamn kids full time. She still trades on her own every so often but her kids are her goddamn life.

Just a thought.

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Originally Posted by MarsKitten

Shit what are you doing? Family and Poverty work? Nash man, i'm sorry!

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To be fair, I was comparing my salary as a first-year junior associate to veteran paralegals. Still, I need to be making more if I want to erase these school loans quicker.

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Originally Posted by Rumpy

You might be over thinking it and worrying about it too much. You have the rest of your life to do the things you listed, plus the stuff you haven't even thought about yet. As long as you are motivated, you'll do it. I agree with you on the "thinking about it" for the 150k job. If you're miserable, it isn't worth it. Biff is the money money money money man after all.

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Holy shit. Just take the 150k job. Destin, you're going to be miserable for the foreseeable future while you work a year anyway. So you might as well make 150k a year which could sustain your slovenly lifestyle for a decade rather than find a 50k job which will probably only sustain it for 3, right? So you'll be miserable for a year, work-wise -- big deal. 80% of America is miserable work-wise FOREVER! Hell, maybe you might even end up liking it. Just save all the money you can, squirrel it away in a bank account. And then you'll have the kind of financial freedom to do whatever the hell you want. It's very rare to find someone so young who has that kind of freedom. A year really isn't that long. Once it's over you'll look back and be glad you decided to go through with it.

Plus if your music career doesn't work out you instantly have a fall-back plan with experience in a lucrative field. All bases covered.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MarsKitten

150k is an insane amount of money. Work that job a few years. Sock it away in an index fund or something like that, live spartanly, once that shit is paying out in interest go take the shitty 30k job or whatever.

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I agree. Invest that shit so that you can sit back and still make money. It would be like double income.

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Seriously, at 30k me and my g/f are living in a 2 bedroom apt with a roomie in a pretty run down part of town. We live alright but... But make no mistake, money is not happiness it is an enabler in life though.

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Depends on where you live. NY will rape you on living costs. To some, 30k is livable. For others, it would barely get you by.
My family has a few well off members, they worked their asses off for 10-20yrs and now take time off to paint, work exclusively on research they care about for years at a time. When they lose the drive they go back to work researching, lawyering or doing the stocks/cpa work till they feel the drive again.

My aunt saved up enough money and invested well enough to take 12 years off to raise her goddamn kids full time. She still trades on her own every so often but her kids are her goddamn life.

Just a thought.[/quote]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Destin

As for my cousin's job, its really long hours I'm sure, like Japanese hours.

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Talk to bbobb about the long hours in Japan thing.

According to him no one actually does work, they just stay in the building because if they don't it means they don't value their job.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Biff

Companies don't fucking go "hey college grad! Here's 150K so please go talk Japanese to our clients". They say "It's your first job, here's 50k, and our name and your position on the resume will net you 75 at your next job".

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LAWL. You and I both know they don't go "here's 50k, have fun!" It's more like "here's 34k, earn the rest bitch."

They do if you get your masters. But yes, if you're going off an undergrad, you nailed it Drew.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Biff

I understand your point, but walking away from making 150k at 22 years old is something he will sit at the dinner table at age 30 and just mentally kill himself over. He needs to try it for a year. Of course he's not my son or my brother, so he's free to choose what he wishes. I hope he chooses correctly. Someday he's going to want that family.

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Also your son and brother are free to choose, too. Just a heads up.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zerohero

Dont do any MAJOR job just for the money, it will get old fast, and you will get depressed, and want to kill yourself for a long while. Then you will get married, and that will make you happy for 2 years, then you will have a kid, and that will add to more responsibly + stress. You will get fat, and your wife will cheat on you with her new buddy at work, but no one will want you so you will get more depressed, and the cycle will contineue till you die at age 75 and wish you would have attemped to become a rock star....

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You're pathetic.

Nonsense, I'm training my son to play soccer. He's going for a Beckham type contract so I can quit working and blow coke of the ass of hookers.

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Originally Posted by Biff

blow coke of the ass of hookers.

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It must be magical.

It's really really good. Not changing it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bandit

In today's society, you couldnt even survive on a $30,000 salary.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by bandit

Depends on where you live. NY will rape you on living costs.

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so, what, New York or Boston is "today's society"?

30k is perfectly livable. I make far, far less than that and live In Philadelphia. 30k is only unlivable by idiots who set terrible unnecessary standards for themselves.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FirstBlood

so, what, New York or Boston is "today's society"?

30k is perfectly livable. I make far, far less than that and live In Philadelphia. 30k is only unlivable by idiots who set terrible unnecessary standards for themselves.

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OK I was referring on how the cost of living is these days and where you live. Again, depending on where you live, cost of living including food and other things can cost as much as your $30k salary. Especially if you have other loans/debts to pay off.

Living in NY with $30k salary, half of your 1 month salary if not a little more is going towards rent already. Plus, food and gas prices. You'll barely have enough to pay off your loans.

Granted, if I wasnt living at home, I wouldnt have been able to pay off my $60k loan in so little time. I probably would have paid off maybe less than half by now if I was living on my own.

Than again, I have the mindset of someone who doesnt want debt and pay off everything quick. Others probably want to take half their life to pay off loans.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bandit

Live in NY with that $30k. You'd be renting a studio for the rest of your life. My gfs best friend's who lives in Miami, her husband is making $30k. I visited them last month when I was there, they were living in a ghetto ass neighborhood semi-apartment with 1 bedroom and they're barely surviving

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you can live just fine in the midwest or most of the south on 30k a year.

you live in the most expensive city in the us. of course 30k is going to be hard to live on there.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Drewbacca

LAWL. You and I both know they don't go "here's 50k, have fun!" It's more like "here's 34k, earn the rest bitch."

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get a degree in engineering.

Engineering or pharmacy imo.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Biff

Engineering or pharmacy imo.

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My sister walked into 75k on her first job with chem engineering. Same idea.

i believe chemical engineering has, on average, the highest starting salary of any major. the petroleum companies are just throwing money at them.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Saint of Killers

you can live just fine in the midwest or most of the south on 30k a year.

you live in the most expensive city in the us. of course 30k is going to be hard to live on there.

get a degree in engineering.

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As I stated before, depending on where you live.

Move to Osaka, teach English part-time to get a work visa, join a band and use it to score with chicks.

Really, your degree has set you up for an excellent life if you have the balls to take it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by StriderKyo

Move to Osaka, teach English part-time to get a work visa, join a band and use it to score with chicks.

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I don't see how having the band is necessary to score with chicks in Osaka.

Every been in a band? It's like a girl-fishing rod.

In Osaka, being a white male is like being a rock star.

Then being a white male in a band is like being BON JOVI

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Saint of Killers

i believe chemical engineering has, on average, the highest starting salary of any major. the petroleum companies are just throwing money at them.

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Chemical engineering degrees can work in so many different fields too. My first job at Nabisco, half of my group were Chem E; I was astounded. It's the generic 'Biology/Chemistry' science major on steroids.

The more specialized the major, the more the starting pay. Do something that adds 'engineering' to the end of it, and you can add at least $20k to your starting first job pay. I started at $48k my first job, but I am in a fairly specialized field.

It's funny, Biff said:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Biff

They say "It's your first job, here's 50k, and our name and your position on the resume will net you 75 at your next job".

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And that's what happened to me, more or less, for my first job and to my current job. Biff speaks so much truth in this thread that even if it isn't the advice you are looking for currently, it is very, very good advice and something to keep in mind.

I'd say take the $150k job because it sets a precedent for the future. Someone out there thinks you are worthy of a $150k job and if you can hold it for 2 years and leave on your own volition, when you decide to come back, you can easily prove you are worth even half that.

The connections you may establish at this job will be even more important for coming back. References and job hookups. You really want to take this because it will go help you greatly towards counterbalancing the time you take off.

I can see that's not what you want, but in the same way that people plan for their retirement, you would be planning for your career. You will eventually have to work so some planning is a good idea.

Even if you don't go with the $150k job, Sinista's advice should be the bare minimum you should do.

When you get back to working, you'll have the biggest education short of a Masters, a $150k job and probably some beefy references. They won't care why you took the time off, they'll just see a strong candidate. Get some interviewing practice before the right job and you will be set.

And lol @ 30k a year.

I make way, way under $30k a year and I live on my own.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by icarusfall

Every been in a band? It's like a girl-fishing rod.

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bbobb used a key word. NECESSARY.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Razor Ramon

I make way, way under $30k a year and I live on my own.

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We're in the same field (I think?), so that makes sense.

Everyday I wonder if I made the wrong choice.

Fifty-k and 75k seems like a pipe dream, yet I know quite a few people who are rocking that easy.

Shoulda gone into advertising...

I used to think that way. But it makes me happy. I can't really stand normal jobs. I get into deep depression when I don't go out for normal work. But you gotta make it work your way I guess.

I'm going to get two masters in Political Science and Journalism so I can go further into the washington reporter field.

I get what you're saying. I enjoy the loose working environment and the fact that I get paid to write for a living. But I've never been keen on journalism. One could say I hate it. It's an industry that rewards hard work and dedication with obscene amounts of unnecessary stress.

If you're passionate about what you're doing, that's fine. But if you don't eat and breathe journo, it gets tiring really fast.

I'm really only sticking it out in my current position because I like my coworkers. But it's a go-nowhere-fast company.

On the flip-side, money isn't everything. If I was doing something I derived immense satisfaction from, pay wouldn't be an issue. I just don't know what that is at this point.

Side-note: A few years ago, TNL was predominantly populated by counter-jockeys and broke-ass college/university students. Now we're all discussing career choices, personal finances, industry contacts... and tranny porn.

Sticking with a company because you like your coworkers is a poor decision, man. You'll find people you love to work with almost everywhere you go (and people you don't). If you like them that much you'll keep in touch. If they were really just work friends than they'll disappear from your life.

I dunno, I've made contacts because I stuck with a few jobs I despised. Hell, work being thrown my way now comes from people I never talk to in a personal setting but remember me because of how hard I worked at other jobs even though they knew I hated the fuck out of it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bandit

My gfs best friend's who lives in Miami, her husband is making $30k. I visited them last month when I was there, they were living in a ghetto ass neighborhood semi-apartment with 1 bedroom and they're barely surviving.

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Bingo. We live a little north of Miami, but it makes no difference. My wife makes 34k with a Masters, and I don't even hit 30k. Long story short--we're moving in with her parents for a year so we can save up while paying off our student loans. We absolutely hate leaving our own place and privacy, but it's basically impossible otherwise. Well, unless living in the ghetto was even a remote possibility, which it isn't. So, our main concerns now are A.) staying in South Florida making pennies with the possibility of owning a home less and less likely, but we're close to family, or, B.) Moving to another state with a better cost of living away from our families, and no real guarantee that it'll be better for us anyway.

Destin, take the $150K and don't even think twice about it. Do it for a year--love it, hate it, whatever--but I promise you, you'll be glad you did. Money doesn't necessarily make you happy in of itself, but you'll need that money to help you live a life that will.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ozzie

Bingo. We live a little north of Miami, but it makes no difference. My wife makes 34k with a Masters, and I don't even hit 30k. Long story short--we're moving in with her parents for a year so we can save up while paying off our student loans. We absolutely hate leaving our own place and privacy, but it's basically impossible otherwise. Well, unless living in the ghetto was even a remote possibility, which it isn't. So, our main concerns now are A.) staying in South Florida making pennies with the possibility of owning a home less and less likely, but we're close to family, or, B.) Moving to another state with a better cost of living away from our families, and no real guarantee that it'll be better for us anyway.

Destin, take the $150K and don't even think twice about it. Do it for a year--love it, hate it, whatever--but I promise you, you'll be glad you did. Money doesn't necessarily make you happy in of itself, but you'll need that money to help you live a life that will.

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Where my gfs friend lives is pretty bad. A lot of Hondurans in the area (not saying their bad) but her old Ford Taurus was stolen the day she was flying up for 2 weeks and needed money to be wire transfered for rental car and new baby seat. Everyone wants her to move back to NY. She has no one there in FL.

I'm on the same boat as you. GF is making mid $30k's, I'm making $40k and we're both living at home. My loans are paid off, she has about $2k left. We'll be living at home for the next 2-3 years before we have enough money for a place in NY. I dont like to rent cuz its stupid expensive in NY. But if we get married before we find a place, might have to rent for our privacy. Unless I strike it rich. My cousin wants us to move to Florida (Plantation). Wouldnt be a bad idea but looking for jobs might be the problem.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bandit

Where my gfs friend lives is pretty bad. A lot of Hondurans in the area (not saying their bad) but her old Ford Taurus was stolen the day she was flying up for 2 weeks and needed money to be wire transfered for rental car and new baby seat. Everyone wants her to move back to NY. She has no one there in FL.

I'm on the same boat as you. GF is making mid $30k's, I'm making $40k and we're both living at home. My loans are paid off, she has about $2k left. We'll be living at home for the next 2-3 years before we have enough money for a place in NY. I dont like to rent cuz its stupid expensive in NY. But if we get married before we find a place, might have to rent for our privacy. Unless I strike it rich. My cousin wants us to move to Florida (Plantation). Wouldnt be a bad idea but looking for jobs might be the problem.

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I hear ya man. Shit, I'm Hispanic and I don't want to live down there, I can't imagine what it's like for others. My wife is white and I see her struggle with non-English speakers all the time. Many places in Miami will eat and spit you out before you even knew what happened.

I actually currently live in the Plantation area. It's certainly a nice area, but as you said, good luck finding jobs that pay what it'd cost to own a home here. Right now, we rent a 1/1 that literally faces a busy highway. It's so close, I can throw an object out of my bedroom window, and I'd easily hit a car in the center lane. Anyway, the rent is just shy of $1,100 with water as the only included utility. Between rent, two cars, insurance, food, utilities, etc etc etc, we're living in the red every month. We figure we'll sacrifice a year of our lives living with her folks, but after that we'll at the very least be in better shape than we are now.

If you can find a couple of decent jobs that will allow you to afford a modest home (maybe a 2/2 or a 3/2) in a halfway decent neighborhood in Plantation (think $300k-$400k for the home) then it might be worth your while.

If I made anywhere near mid-30s I'd be living fucking rich.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ozzie

I hear ya man. Shit, I'm Hispanic and I don't want to live down there, I can't imagine what it's like for others. My wife is white and I see her struggle with non-English speakers all the time. Many places in Miami will eat and spit you out before you even knew what happened.

I actually currently live in the Plantation area. It's certainly a nice area, but as you said, good luck finding jobs that pay what it'd cost to own a home here. Right now, we rent a 1/1 that literally faces a busy highway. It's so close, I can throw an object out of my bedroom window, and I'd easily hit a car in the center lane. Anyway, the rent is just shy of $1,100 with water as the only included utility. Between rent, two cars, insurance, food, utilities, etc etc etc, we're living in the red every month. We figure we'll sacrifice a year of our lives living with her folks, but after that we'll at the very least be in better shape than we are now.

If you can find a couple of decent jobs that will allow you to afford a modest home (maybe a 2/2 or a 3/2) in a halfway decent neighborhood in Plantation (think $300k-$400k for the home) then it might be worth your while.

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My aunt lives right off the highway as well (my second home). I think its the I95. Its right off University Dr. About 10 mins from Sawgrass Outlet and 5 mins from Broward Fashion Mall.

Damn, rent in Plantation is just like NY. On $30k salary...for 2 weeks pay, its about $900 or so after taxes. Just to cover rent, its 2 weeks of work and a few more hours. Whatever is left over is like you said, insurance, utility, gas and food. So the other persons income is what you'll be living on or saving up if any.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Brisco Bold

Side-note: A few years ago, TNL was predominantly populated by counter-jockeys and broke-ass college/university students. Now we're all discussing career choices, personal finances, industry contacts...

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Hah, that's right. It's funny seeing time pass and how things change.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Brisco Bold

and tranny porn.

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...and yet, some things never do.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Drewbacca

Sticking with a company because you like your coworkers is a poor decision, man. You'll find people you love to work with almost everywhere you go (and people you don't). If you like them that much you'll keep in touch. If they were really just work friends than they'll disappear from your life.

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I've only been there a few months and don't intend on staying there forever. For the time being it's merely a way to make money.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Razor Ramon

I make way, way under $30k a year and I live on my own.

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I believe this news, you get 5 dollar wii's!

No really, you can live on anything as long as you stay within your means.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Biff

Nonsense, I'm training my son to play soccer. He's going for a Beckham type contract so I can quit working and blow coke of the ass of hookers.

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You have a kid? I'm shocked. I really don't know why.

Yeah, 7 years old man.

Girl and I didn't work out, she's in Texas (met her when I played baseball) I see him during the holidays and one weekend a month. It sucks bad.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Biff

Yeah, 7 years old man.

Girl and I didn't work out, she's in Texas (met her when I played baseball) I see him during the holidays and one weekend a month. It sucks bad.

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That's tough. Guess the only way that's ever changing is to move to Texas. I won't leave Long Island for that reason only - my kid. In 8 years, when she's 18 and going to college, I'm fucking out of here.

I'm going to court over custody, she's a complete idiot now. She was working with the Dallas Mavericks and decided to quit to pursue her own ebay business and is doing VERY poorly.

I actually had to send her a check for 1,600 bucks to help with her rent, and that's on top of the 2100 a month she gets from me now.

$2100/month and she...

Oh, forget it. Nothing should surprise me about people anymore. Nothing.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by haohmaru

$2100/month and she...

Oh, forget it. Nothing should surprise me about people anymore. Nothing.

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My lawyer advised me offer her all assistance because it will be used against her in court. Looks she's not a bad girl and I feel like I'm giving that impression. She's very smart (masters) and pretty but she's also very irresponsible when it comes to finances, always has been. She does a great job with my boy, but I can't have him living check to check with mom.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Razor Ramon

If I made anywhere near mid-30s I'd be living fucking rich.

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Heh, this is very true (for some of us). I have absurdly low living costs compared to most, but I'm also terrible at generating income.

Destin, coming from someone else in a creative field, think long and hard on that $150k job. A couple years of that I could comfortably do whatever I want for the next decade. Not only will you make money, but you also make contacts who have money themselves (which are vastly more useful than contacts in the same position as you in your creative field).

For the record, my degree is pretty much meaningless (Multimedia Design), and actually makes it more difficult for me to get menial work and odd jobs. Anyone who would hire me in my field is going off portfolio and whether or not they like me/internal referrals. Even for someone like Andrew, I assume at this point clients are just looking at his past work or being referred from other clients, and whatever actual degree he has is moot.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Biff

I'm going to court over custody, she's a complete idiot now. She was working with the Dallas Mavericks and decided to quit to pursue her own ebay business and is doing VERY poorly.

I actually had to send her a check for 1,600 bucks to help with her rent, and that's on top of the 2100 a month she gets from me now.

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Dude, this sucks. But I'm glad you're helping her out (regardless of how fucked up the situation is) and are capable of doing so. You've earned my respect for not talking shit about her as well.

I don't hate her man, I just don't "get" her.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Brisco Bold

Side-note: A few years ago, TNL was predominantly populated by counter-jockeys and broke-ass college/university students.

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...And I remember when I was the resident youngin', and now I'm entering my 3rd year of college.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tones

...And I remember when I was the resident youngin', and now I'm entering my 3rd year of college.

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Doesn't that still make you the resident youngin'?

I'm older. :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FuryFox

Destin, coming from someone else in a creative field, think long and hard on that $150k job. A couple years of that I could comfortably do whatever I want for the next decade. Not only will you make money, but you also make contacts who have money themselves (which are vastly more useful than contacts in the same position as you in your creative field).

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Than again, of that $150k, $60k will go towards taxes, health insurance and other benefits. But even at $90k after all those gay uncle sam's, I'll take the job.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Brisco Bold

Now we're all discussing career choices, personal finances, industry contacts

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:td:

I regret not travelling or doing anything between high school and college (I went into college about 3 weeks after High school). I've decided if I were to lose my job or something I would take up bartending and then just travel taking up jobs and living cheaply for as long as I could stand it.

This just seemed like a good place to put that out there.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Destin

Josh, what are you doing?

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Combing craigslist for temporary work positions, selling my old video game stuff, and keeping my living expenses LOW. The vegetarian diet combined with shopping at the farmers market has made this really easy. I spend about $20 a week on food. $30 if I'm feeling fancy. Sometimes my girl and I go out to dinner, but she's almost as punk rock as I am so we don't need to do that much. For entertainment we are currently on season 5 of Star Trek The Next Generation. Straight Gangsta.

My long term plans (LOL) consist of using my previous experience working in an epically fucked up school for emotionally disturbed kids to get a substitute position in Baltimore City (LAWL) I'm just waiting on a letter of recommendation from my old principal.

I contemplate going the union electrician route since I quit smoking pot but I don't think I'd like it very much. It pays well though, and I am going to want to have a family some day. The other option is going back to school for that piece of paper, but I don't see that happening.

P.S. You might regret essentially starting over at 30 if you try to do this music thing, but you'll REALLY regret it if you don't. Every year older you get is another year that you're not a rock star. You have to be young enough that teenage girls still want to fuck you/buy your records. You'll never know if you can do it unless you try to do it. There is plenty of time to sit behind a desk, and believe it or not its kind of interesting to look at a $20 bill and realize that you HAVE to stretch it for a week. Its liberating in a way that I can't really explain.

No regrets.

what is stopping you from traveling now?

Friday just drive somewhere

I mean I want to just travel for like a year or more, working off doing bartending jobs and living off random people's couches. I want to just spend a year or more living like that if I get the opportunity.

You have the opportunity right now. Do it, or live with regret.