Not to get on a soapbox, but I’m so tired of hopping from one low paying job to another. 32M with a Masters of Public Administration.
First Job: $1k/month as a part time project manager at a non-profit. I did this for a year after college for “experience”.
Last Job: $34k/yr as a Legislator’s Aide at the stage capital. Got fired cuz “I wasn’t a good fit” aka refused to help out for free during elections.
Current Part-Time Gig: Army National Guard Officer, $$$ varies depending on what we do in a year. I generally enjoy the job as I’m in a leadership position and get paid pretty well when on active duty status. But anyone in the military knows it’s not 9-5, but 24/7. Also, we just had training and our lunch consisted of chips, juice, Smucker’s Uncrustables, and a cereal bar. But hey, I guess I got free college out of it?
Current Job: $49k at a corporate bank doing fraud work. I started at $44k. I applied to a promotional position that starts at $63k. Really hoping I can get it. Two people that were hired with me got the position. It hasn’t been so bad as I get to WFH and be with my kid. Not even sure what I’m going to do if I don’t get the job. I jokingly told my wife I would quit.
A job I interviewed for: Policy Manager, some nights and weekends during legislative session. Sure, why not. Half way through the phone screen, she mentions it starts at $55k. What? $55k? No WFH? And you like that I have a Master’s? I nearly hung up. I should have hung up. Whatever.
A job my friend sent me at the county level: Communication’s Director, $54k. Dude a director and you’re wanting to pay them $54k? What the hell.
I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. Been super interested in software sales jobs, applied to many, got like 2 interviews, and spoke to hiring managers to see what I’m doing wrong.
There’s a overseas deployment opportunity coming up. I’m pretty much going to take it because of the cash. 9 months of Active Duty military pay and benefits (calculated at like $80k) but 9 months gone from my family.
Seems hopeless. What’s a brother got to do? I grew up in a household of war refugees, 10 people sharing 4 bedrooms, did okay in school, went to college, but and seem to find a good job, I’m slowly losing hope that my path in life was the right one.