#UnpopularOpinionAlert: Who else is over the whole corporate ladder climb and money chase? πββοΈπ€
I mean, seriously though, do we really need to sell our souls to the office just to make a buck? Can’t we just focus on living our lives outside of work without stressing about promotions, certifications, or networking till our eyeballs fall out?
As a fresh grad, the idea of being stuck in this endless cycle of working hard to make more money and sacrificing precious time sounds like a nightmare. I just want to meet my basic needs and actually enjoy my life, you know?
So, am I in this boat alone or are there others out there who feel the same way? Let’s chat and figure this thing out together! π¬π #CorporateLadderStruggle #WorkLifeBalance #FreshGradWoes
work as a janitor
the words network and LinkedIn are cringe to me, especially with how much nepotism I see in all sorts of industries; can’t be basing your worth on your salary
>I just want my needs met
The problem is that you appear to think that the things you mentioned are only valuable to climbing the corporate ladder. A network helps you in myriad of ways, and need not be limited to employment, but is certainly useful for getting a job at all — which you will likely need to have your needs met.
Similarly, obtaining certification and getting selected for interviews are all vital to getting a job, not just moving up the ladder.
Each step up the ladder is going to take some percentage of the effort it takes to get a job in the first place. So, based on your stated philosophy above, you will just have to expend that effort to get the job in the first place, but then not chase the promotions and raises and what have you.
But, you will have to expend that level of effort initially, to at least get the job. A lower level of effort in the job acquisition phase will not allow you to get your needs met.
Alternatively, you can search for only jobs that no one else wants, because some of those jobs will pay well due to their scarcity of candidates or some other reason. Just be advised that in the current job market, that might not even be a foolproof plan, because people are scouring the landscape for all sorts of work that they can find. So you’re going to face competition there also.
**TL;RD**: Even if you don’t plan to constantly chase the money, you’ll have to chase it down the very first time…
IMO if you’re good at your job and you have a positive attitude, networking happens naturally.
You’ll meet people you enjoy working with / for along the way
Not climbing the ladder? I totally understand that. Networking is invaluable though. Very few industries are consistently stable to the point where you can stay at one company until retirement these days. It helps to have friends who know your name, face, and qualifications in the event you’re ever in need.
Linkedin posts are so obnoxious itβs unbelievable
I don’t care about any of this, and I do just fine.
Agreed with whoever said networking can happen naturally. Like just be a decent, pleasant person to work with and occasionally take an interest in other people. They will be nice to you back. Boom networking.
I actually like my job and do well. I learn as it’s needed or comes up in the job. Which is good. I like learning. But do I want to take bullshit tests and study for boring ass shit like project management? No.
I make a good salary for my area, I put in my 37.5 hours a week and pleasantly so, I am on track to retire early and literally everything else in my life is more important to me than my job.
It can be done!
ok
Same here, i would actually rather have a pay cut to work 1 day less a week or 6hrs a day
Amen
I feel ya. I just recently had to feel out a worksheet for career development goals at work. I struggled so hard with it. I don’t know where I want my career to be in 5 years- I just want to make enough money and go home.
A ton of money is handy fwiw.
> I just want my needs met and be able to enjoy my life outside of work.
That’s like, the vast majority of people in the work force lol. I think as a fresh grad what you might not understand is you have to set yourself up to live that way by getting to a position that gives you financial cushion and job stability. Things like layoffs, economic downturns, covid, etc are out of your control and you’re more than likely not going to be able to overcome those obstacles without putting some effort into your employment. You cant just get a degree and expect your finances to always work out.
Itβs a free country, you can be poor and unsuccessful if those are your goals.