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Subject:Re: how bad is the job market? From:Bill Swallow <techcommdood -at- gmail -dot- com> To:Tony Chung <tonyc -at- tonychung -dot- ca> Date:Tue, 26 Jan 2010 15:03:27 -0500
> Well, the posting does say "entry level". If I'm just starting out and
> needed some portfolio pieces, $12/hr is better than free.
My first post-college job was for $8.50/hr and it certainly gave me
some good experience to build on. There are two differences here. One,
this was back in 1995, when gas cost around a buck a gallon and living
on $20/week (food & gas) wasn't merely a frugal goal but a commonplace
reality. Two, I wasn't expected to have any experience under my belt
when I started. I was expected to learn on the job. The quicker I
learned, the more I was given an opportunity to learn. The job built
experience. It only required willingness and aptitude to learn and do.
> The point is to not lock into the mentality that we'll be stuck at
> that rate. Still, would I rather write for 12, or sling espresso for
> 10?
Given it's requiring preexisting experience and knowledge, I'd rather
sling espresso for $10 than devalue my skills for $12. But that's just
me.
> I'd make sure the hiring company authorized me to use any work out of
> context in my portfolio.
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