worth

 You don't get to tell your employer what you are worth. Yes, I realize that was the first purpose of labor unions to stop employers from taking advantage of people. Federal minimum wage was first established in 1938 during the great depression, at 25 cents an hour. The reason was the same, to prevent employers from taking advantage. So yes, a minimum was established. At the time there were many people willing to work, to take a job under almost under conditions to fed themselves or their families. There were generally citizens of this country. Over time there where those willing to take jobs, work under the table, for a variety of reasons. That continues to this day, although we now have advocates for those folks insisting, they should receive the same as everyone else despite a lack of knowledge, qualifications or in some cases, legal status, to even be in the country! But the fact is this, labor doesn't grow the economy, business does. Without employers there are no jobs. Yes, that's the reality of the situation. 

 There is much talk about getting what you feel you are worth in the job market these days. All these people with degrees thinking they should get paid x amount of dollars because, well, they have a degree. Thing is, it isn't a degree an employer needs, it is a skilled person, one with experience and a proven track record. Working your way through college at McDonalds or Starbucks isn't giving you any experience or great skill, that's why they are minimum wage jobs, management makes more. You can't buy yourself a higher starting wage! It doesn't work like that! You have to earn that wage! Your "worth" is dependent upon a single factor; how much you benefit the employer. Yes, if you make more for the employer it will increase your value to that employer. As a consequence of that, salary increases. That's how it works.

 The amount of your debt is not a factor the employer needs to consider, that's your issue. The cost of living is not the concern of your employer, they have their own bills to pay. You are an expense to them, not a friend. Their concern centers on getting the best value for their dollar. Also, the reason employers tend to mechanize any processes that they can. Machines will work 24/7 at the same cost, excluding maintenance, forever! They don't need days off, medical benefits, vacation days and never ever ask for a raise. No, they just keep doing their job nonstop. Quite a valuable thing to have. The guys greasing the bearing however can be replaced easy enough. Don't need a room full of Monks to make copies either, one copy machine can do the trick. 

 A federal minimum wage of fifteen dollars an hour. That's what we keep hearing being proposed. Currently it is $7.25. If that amount were doubled stands to reason the cost of everything will also increase, significantly. The reason is very easy to understand. If your employer keeps say 3% of the total revenue from his business, you know after he pays all his bills and expenses, as his salary, he is not going to take less because he has to pay you more. How does he make up that difference? The cost of the product or service increases. What a surprise. Effectively double the size of an employer's payroll and that is what will happen! And then if fifteen an hour is the minimum what about all those with their "degrees?" Degrees are worth more than the minimum, aren't they? That seems to be the prevalent thought on all of that. That's what guidance counselors and college recruiters are telling you.  Problem today is there are too many people with a degree. The degree just isn't worth that much. They are not that valuable to an employer. 

 Not all degrees are created equally! OMG that's a shocker now, isn't it? My gender studies degree should be just as valuable as my engineering degree from MIT! It's not fair. I'm worth more. You don't get to decide your worth to your employer. You can certainly feel like you are worth whatever, but the reality remains, you are only worth what an employer is willing to pay. You cannot mandate what an employer has to pay you! All you can do is ask, then accept or decline his offer. That's how that works. Currently the law says he does have to offer $7.25 an hour for every hour you work. You don't have to accept it. 

 The whole "trick" to all of this is presenting yourself as valuable to an employer. Just waving a piece of paper that says you have a degree isn't going to cut it. What actual skill do you possess? What are you bringing to the proverbial table? I went to college, have an $80,000 debt, and worked at Starbucks as a barista! I campaigned for the legalization of pot, gender neutrality, and mental health days. I demonstrated for and was key to getting the students a minimum grade. No more failures in college! You go to class, you pass that class! No more grading on the curve, everyone gets a min! And that was an online college to boot! Now that's what I can offer to you. As an employer, I don't think so. Really doesn't take an advanced degree to understand any of this. How much are you worth? I'll decide on that. It's a judgement call. Yup, you will be judged. Yeah, I know. Boo Hoo