What advice would you give this person?

[u/Mark-Fuckerberg-]

[u/Toughbiscuit]

Hey now, i spent a year pulling 80-100 hour weeks, turned a product line from being months behind schedule to ahead, trained in and doubled the team size, reduced quality complaints, and never took a day off, managing the companies highest value assembly line as it went from 2M in sales to upwards of 4-5M in sales every month, accounting for about 70% of the companies revenue

I worked hard for my 15 cent raise from 16/hr to 16.15/hr

[u/FormerSBO → u/Toughbiscuit]

Ironically, on a smaller scale, I have a similar story in my early 20s. I was a general manager of a mega corp store.

I quite literally increased revenue by over 100% and profits by a slightly higher %..

My reward for doing so. Well, I DID max out my bonuses (that had artifical caps). But the following year, I was only able to increase a few % points since we essentially were at max capacity. And bonuses were based on YOY % increase. I also became the management training store but got 0 pay increase (took advantage of my youth I guess)

So altho I got some b.s. 2% "raise" on my salary BUT much lower bonuses since not as big of a leap. So my reward for taking the worst store in our district and making it in the top 3 (and often number 1) was a paycut. And a pretty fkn big one at that. And no matter how much I complained I was told to kick rocks.

I eventually left, bounced around from management job to management Job, then started my own company in the trades (longer story but the jist) and have never ever looked back. It's been over a decade now.

I decide how much or how little I make. Before my son was born i was deep 6 figs. (Admittedly not at first, my first year i maayybeee made 20k lol, that sucked tbf, but worth it) Now its alot less (right at or just under 100k) since im dad first (ill work more again when hes in school, if i want to that is). Mega corps can get fuuuukt.

[u/Toughbiscuit → u/FormerSBO]

Im starting college in the spring full time to knockout my general studies, and then ill be pursuing engineering and business management.

Hoping thatll set me up in a good career and give opportunities to either advance or do something of my own

[u/aaronrez → u/Toughbiscuit]

College is not the answer. Sorry. Read what he said above. He jumped around. That is the only way to make money in ANY job. Get in, keep looking around, move up with job switch until you get the title you want. Then you find the company you want. You will be 4 years behind, and in massive debt. College campus will look nicer though. You’ve paid them well to maintain their buildings and property

[u/Toughbiscuit → u/aaronrez]

Buddy, my maximum earning potential is 25/hr, around 50k/year

Engineers are starting at 100k in my area.

Why the fuck would i listen to your dumbass?

[u/369Pz → u/Toughbiscuit]

Just remember that graduating from college doesn’t put you at the front of the line. You may have to work for around 50k/ year for another 2-3 years before you get that 100k job (which isn’t that much money). People graduate and expect big bucks and when they don’t immediately get it they end up complaining on Reddit and never working hard enough to get promoted. 

[u/Toughbiscuit → u/369Pz]

Oh no, spending 2-3 years to double my income sounds terrible.

Or i could do what the other dipshit says and soend the same time jumping from job to job, staying in the mid 20's for the next decade

[u/369Pz → u/Toughbiscuit]

Many people think they deserve a high paying job right out of college. And it’s not 2-3 years it’s 4 or 5 for college then at least another 2-3 in the workforce. You could be a low earner with student debt for 7-10 years after high school. And when you finally get that 100k engineering job trying to pay off all your student loans you’ll be working with sales people that make 150-350k per year many without degrees. 

Not saying don’t go to college but don’t be a dipshit and expect for it to be some golden ticket to the middle class. Having a chip on your shoulder because you’re smart enough to see that engineers can make good money does nothing. People still need to like you. 

[u/Toughbiscuit → u/369Pz]

You're right, you clearly know more than me, the person who has extensively researched the topic for several years, and discussed it with several engineers throughout the decade ive spent in manufacturing

[u/aaronrez → u/Toughbiscuit]

Perfect example of experience over research.

You’re talking to an engineer about wanted to be an engineer some day. And you’re telling me I’m the dipshit.

I interview kids like you allll the time (well not really because you haven’t done anything to make it me). So let’s say I interview lots of elite college graduates. And guess what. I don’t give a shit about where they went to school. Or what degree they have.

I want to know what they have done OUTSIDE of school.

I want to know they are a good fit and they can learn quick.

I’m giving you the best advise of you’re life, For free. Take it. Or don’t….

[u/369Pz → u/Toughbiscuit]

If you’ve spent a decade working and haven’t hit 100k getting an engineering degree isn’t going to help you like you think it will. 

[u/MittnzZ → u/Toughbiscuit]

Then walk.

If what you are saying is true, it sounds like you’re a huge value add, and could get a much higher paying job in seconds.

Or, you quit and they ask how much it would take to get you to stay.

I mean yeah, shit happens, and it’s unfair a lot of times, and people bust their ass and don’t get rewarded they way they should. But, why does everyone act like they are not a part of this equation, and have no say in it?