Originally made this a comment, but I'll make it a post of its own in case anyone else wants to share.
This situation proved to me at an early age that companies value exploiting you more than developing or utilizing you.
This happened to me while working for my first and only HUGE company. ( a US automotive manufacturer ).
I had an opportunity to move internally from a 15$ an hour position to 60k a year management – which really was a lateral move, but to a department with much more funding for payroll.
They insisted I get my current supervisors approval, which I thought was bull shit but it did, and he told me to my face I was a perfect fit and he wished me good luck.
I interviewed 2 rounds, was told it was my job to loss, meaning I was the top candidate in a competitive position.
Never heard back after that, and they hired externally a whole 6 weeks later.
It was humiliating, I was 21 and fresh out of college, had been there for a few years while in school. The entire management team in the plant all knew this job was mine, ( it wasn't official, but the hiring team explicitly said as much to me and anyone else who inquired )we started socializing more and everyone told me they heard I was getting the offer and they were so stoked for me on and on. A lot of great mentors in the company really pushing for me and we're wildly supportive.
I found out after the fact that even with my Supervisors approval – HR decided I did great work where I was and I couldn't be replaced. IE they could never convince anyone else to lead my department and take on all of my responsibilities for 15$ an hour.
I was out of there within the month. Got a job 2 miles from home instead of commuting 40 miles each way, that paid more.
Excuse my rant for sharing my experience.
Fuck you General Motors, Rochester NY.
I honestly believe once a company sees how much you have to offer and how hard you will work for a shitty wage, they'll never pay you more.
Edited for spelling and to avoid doxing myself.