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Is there a way to climb out of the low-wage cellar?

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Kim’s Answer

Yes. While working in these low-wage jobs, do not treat them as "just a job." Treat every job with the respect of a professional position. Carry yourself as a professional. Take pride in the care of your work uniform. Master the art of customer service, it will be in demand at every higher position you pursue. Volunteer for extra duties. Step-up. Even if you don't get paid extra. It looks good on your resume. Be the "go-to" person--the one the other employees come to when they need help. This is where it all starts. Then, if you cannot move up with that company, after all that, go looking elsewhere. Go for manager-trainee positions. They don't all require college. Learn to be a supervisor/manager, even if in fast-food. It is a transferrable skill.


A word about school. MANY companies offer tuition assistance. Get a job with them, even if it is mopping the floors. That extra assistance makes it worthwhile. Consider the military, which will teach you leadership and give you money for school. Consider going into law enforcement or firefighting, both highly paid positions that do not require a degree. Or learning a skill, like plumbing, electrical, HVAC.


If you WANT to succeed, you will. If you don't want to succeed, you won't. Simple as that.


Hope this has helped?
Kim
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Raymond’s Answer

This is really a 2 part answer. The first part addresses how to "make more money". Much like Kim's response stated, employers are always looking for the go getter in the group, the one that stands out from the rest. Yes, you can go to school or take seminars, but that is not always an option for everyone so always be on the lookout for a way to advance yourself. The most important aspect is mindset, if you have a positive mindset anything can happen, but once you "accept" your position you blend in and no longer stand out. There are so many different ways to find jobs and careers in this world, don't be afraid to push yourself and try something new, the unknown is often our greatest fear.

The second part of this response address a slightly different question but still related. Are you happy in what you are doing? Money does not always equal happiness and as progress through you life there will be different stages where you have different priorities. Make sure in what every you do that you stay true to yourself and always access your priorities to make sure you are doing what is best for you, your family, and so on.

I hope this help,
Ray
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Nick’s Answer

The idea that you can climb up from a low paying job track to success is not just a legend. I don’t mind sharing that I left a college scholarship behind to get to work supporting a family with jobs such as pumping gas, managing a shop, sales route and making collections calls. It was a struggle but I fought back by going to night school for over ten years, sometimes taking just one course and often two or three courses per semester. During that time, the school connected me to an intern job which I converted into a full time junior engineering job which paid tuition. I have just retired, 39 years later, from that same company as a Senior Engineering Manager.

As others have correctly advised, work hard at everything you do, going above and beyond the basic requirements. Even more important than how it looks to your boss and resume, it will become your habit and power that you need to succeed.

Education is the solution. Of course, you need to be educated in the field of your choice. However, an advanced education brings other benefits. Well educated people have a better self-awareness and understanding of the world and culture, which helps them understand other people better, which is essential for successful career, not to mention a good life. Completing a degree indicates your ability to make and complete a commitment. Your efforts will be respected, perhaps by your employer who has a similar experience.

Companies often rank employees by their degrees as one objective factor in their evaluation process.

Break down your education goals into achievable steps such as a certificate or 2 year degree.

Your current job may be more valuable than you think. Check with your current employer about what degree would be useful to move up.

Lastly keep in mind that many people have started from the bottom, including some of the most successful. Don’t let your pride or any excuses or worry about how long it will take stop you. Just get started. Every small step of progress will be worthwhile.

Best wishes.
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Teresa’s Answer

I believe education is the best way to move out of a lower paying job to a higher pay. The difficult thing is getting the education while you are still earning a living -- for most people anyway. This is the reason for my advice to my children- "Get a degree before you do anything else!". The degree will give you more OPTIONS so you will have more choices as a degree holder.
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sreejith’s Answer

Low-wage workers labor in many industries — retail, hospitality, healthcare, education, security, agriculture, and manufacturing. The working poor toil as retail clerks and cashiers, child-care workers, nurses aides, call-center operators, housekeepers and janitors, food-preparation workers, security guards, farm laborers, and sewing-machine operators.
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