Image by Tilemahos Efthimiadis (license CC BY-SA 2.0)
Adulthood isn’t turning out like you thought it would. If you earned a degree in the humanities (e.g., English, history, philosophy) and find yourself manning the reception desk, ringing up customer purchases at a department store, or asking customers if they want fries with that, then buckle up kiddos, you’ve got a bumpy ride ahead of you.
If you haven’t figured it out already, corporate America holds only two things in greater contempt than a degree in the humanities: a fine arts degree and no degree at all. Although corporate America gives lip service to the notion they want employees who can read, write, and analyze, what it really wants is someone who can count, has an MBA, 20 years of experience, and will work for minimum wage. At this point, you realize you should have spent your college years apprenticed to a master plumber or automotive mechanic. Hey, there’s good money to be made in the skilled trades.
So, now you’re sure you’re doomed to perpetual underemployment. Fear not, because you have options. They’re not necessarily great options; but hey, whatever pays the bills and pays off that mortgage you call a student loan, right?
“If you freelance and you want to earn a living wage from your projects, you’ll find yourself declining work that pays slave wages.”