New grads should take (almost) any job that pays | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Home
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Book Review
    • Brands
    • Earth
    • Explorer
    • Fact Check
    • Family
    • Food
    • Game Reviews
    • Good Practices
    • Habitat
    • Humour
    • In Focus
    • Luxury
    • Mode
    • Panorama
    • Pursuit
    • Wealth
    • Wellbeing
    • Wheels
  • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Subscribe
    • Videos
    • TBS Graduates
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • COVID-19
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Tech
    • Magazine
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Saturday
September 30, 2023

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Home
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Book Review
    • Brands
    • Earth
    • Explorer
    • Fact Check
    • Family
    • Food
    • Game Reviews
    • Good Practices
    • Habitat
    • Humour
    • In Focus
    • Luxury
    • Mode
    • Panorama
    • Pursuit
    • Wealth
    • Wellbeing
    • Wheels
  • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Subscribe
    • Videos
    • TBS Graduates
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • COVID-19
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Tech
    • Magazine
  • বাংলা
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2023
New grads should take (almost) any job that pays

Panorama

Erin Lowry, Bloomberg
14 September, 2020, 10:30 am
Last modified: 14 September, 2020, 11:54 am

Related News

  • How to protect your money after being laid off
  • A needle in the haystack: The elusive quest for part-time jobs in Bangladesh
  • Focus on job-oriented education for employment of graduates: President Shahabuddin urges universities
  • Time to introduce a summer jobs programme in Bangladesh?
  • Further policy support can produce more entrepreneurs, reduce rat race for jobs: Experts

New grads should take (almost) any job that pays

You can learn a lot even if you’re not in a dream role

Erin Lowry, Bloomberg
14 September, 2020, 10:30 am
Last modified: 14 September, 2020, 11:54 am
There is always a chance that a non-career job will lead to unexpected places. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG/GETTY IMAGES
There is always a chance that a non-career job will lead to unexpected places. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG/GETTY IMAGES

Today's young adults are graduating into an uncertain job market, as the pandemic has shuttered entire industries, raised the US unemployment rate to roughly 10% and left a big question mark over when we'll work in offices with colleagues again.

Many of these grads were probably ready to seek "career jobs" — those that align with an area of expertise and offer security, growth and the almighty benefits package of health insurance, a retirement plan and paid vacation days. Most likely weren't dreaming about piecing together an income from multiple jobs with no benefits and that don't require a degree. But the current economic climate might make this reality more likely.

When I graduated nearly a decade ago, the Great Recession was technically over, but the job market wasn't exactly booming. I had a hard time landing a "career job." It didn't help that I was seeking employment in journalism and theatre — two industries that in good times can offer few steady jobs and be notoriously low-paying.

I ended up securing a job as a page for "The Late Show with David Letterman." It felt tangentially related to both my career aspirations, but it was a part-time role with odd hours and I needed to find other work to supplement my income. I applied for just about every service-industry job I could find, and I ultimately became employed by a well-known mermaid-logoed coffee chain. Truthfully, I went into this job just to pay my bills and not really considering that it might actually help me professionally. But it was there that I learned a lot of the "soft skills" that still serve me in my career today. 

Non-career jobs still have plenty to teach you

Upon graduating with a college degree, perhaps with debt, it's common to adopt a mindset that a particular type of job is beneath you. It's not. A paycheck is a paycheck, and especially during difficult times, you should consider all your options within the realm of what is legal and what aligns with your values. 

You should also consider the "soft skills" that you can learn from taking on a non-career job. Customer service, multi-tasking, learning how to handle demanding people, de-escalating stressful situations, handling a lackluster manager or learning from a great boss — these are all skills that will be useful in your career long-term.

There is also always a chance that a non-career job will lead to unexpected places. 

Of course, in a post-pandemic world, you might not have access to the food service or hospitality industries, which employed many people after the last recession. But there are booming businesses right now like delivery services, enterprise software and health care services. Before you get discouraged that your expertise isn't necessarily in some of those fields, keep in mind that they often need sales managers, copywriters, support staff and customer-service representatives.  

Should you take a part-time job or hold out for a full-time offer? 

When I was faced with an uncertain job market, I went the part-time job route, because that's what was being offered. It allowed me to leave my parents' home and move to New York City — so at least part of my post-graduation dream came true. Now I have a career that's more aligned with what I wanted back in 2011, but it didn't come easily. I worked three part-time jobs before accepting a full-time job that wasn't what I wanted to do professionally, but hey, it offered benefits. A few years later, I was able to move into a more challenging, interesting full-time role. Notably, I worked side hustles the entire time and eventually reached a position to take the risk of self-employment.

Not to be "that millennial" but you could always keep job-hunting while working the part-time job and move once you get a full-time offer later on. At least you're learning some skills and making some money in the interim.

Is it worth it to take a pay cut? 

One of the most demoralizing parts of dealing with an unstable job market is feeling devalued. It could happen because it's hard to get a new job or because the offers you're receiving require you accept less money that you thought you'd be earning. It's an ego blow for sure, but if you are offered a full-time job, especially one with benefits, then it's probably better than the alternative of staying unemployed. 

You may be concerned about the long-term ramifications of taking a pay cut, especially when it comes to future salaries. A 2010 research paper found that those who graduated into a worse economy earned less money even decades later compared with those who graduated into a healthy economy. (Notably, this study only included white, male college graduates.) But, in good news, other research has shown that recession graduates may be happier overall with their jobs and less likely to engage in unethical behavior than those who graduate into a booming economy.

Is the "gig economy" worth it?

Should you be reluctant to take a non-career job, then explore whether there are opportunities in the gig economy to earn income in work that's related to your field. Leverage your skills (or develop new ones) for work that can easily be done remotely, such as graphic design or copywriting. You can apply to remotely tutor or even provide in-person childcare if you feel it's a safe option. Check out sites like Just Answer that hire experts to answer people's questions on a variety of topics. The internet is your best friend when initially sourcing gig-economy jobs, and you should also reach out to people you know who have managed to gain clients. Just be wary of ending up in a multi-level-marketing scheme, which often recruit heavily during recessions. 

The downsides of the gig economy are lack of benefits — no employer-subsidized health-care or retirement plans — and handling your own taxes, including paying quarterly estimated taxes. It can take months or even years to build up a steady income from gig work, so those are plans best laid while also bringing in a steady paycheck — even if it comes from a job you didn't exactly envision when you accepted your diploma. 


Disclaimer: This article first appeared on Bloomberg, and is published by special syndication arrangement

Thoughts / Top News

Job / Job market / Job hiring / New grads / Young graduates / Coronavirus impact / Effects of Coronavirus

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Harsher bilateral loans set to make external debt repayment tougher
    Harsher bilateral loans set to make external debt repayment tougher
  • BCL activist killed, 20 injured in AL-BNP clash in Chattogram
    BCL activist killed, 20 injured in AL-BNP clash in Chattogram
  • Photo: AFP
    Shakib-less Tigers make light work of Sri Lanka with big win in 1st World Cup warm up

MOST VIEWED

  • Photo: Collected
    Forex reserves fall to $21.15 billion
  • BRACU, DU, JU, NSU lead Bangladeshi universities in World Rankings 2024
    BRACU, DU, JU, NSU lead Bangladeshi universities in World Rankings 2024
  • Photo: BCB
    Shakib says he hasn't spoken with Litton since he broke his bat
  • File photo of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant/UNB
    First batch of uranium reaches Rooppur
  • Photo: ICC
    BCB President should give less interviews: Shakib
  • Photo: RNPP project authorities.
    First shipment of nuclear fuel for Rooppur plant arrives in Dhaka 

Related News

  • How to protect your money after being laid off
  • A needle in the haystack: The elusive quest for part-time jobs in Bangladesh
  • Focus on job-oriented education for employment of graduates: President Shahabuddin urges universities
  • Time to introduce a summer jobs programme in Bangladesh?
  • Further policy support can produce more entrepreneurs, reduce rat race for jobs: Experts

Features

Oh Oh Jaane Jaana: Enduring charisma of a quintessential 90s Bollywood song

Oh Oh Jaane Jaana: Enduring charisma of a quintessential 90s Bollywood song

13h | Features
Food delivery rider pedals through Dhaka's wet roads, ensuring timely deliveries despite the pouring rain. Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain/TBS

An unexpected rain, an unexpected expense: How food delivery men survive Dhaka’s storms

14h | Features
More than 86 lakh Bangladeshis went abroad as migrant workers in the last 14 years, according to BMET (Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training). Naturally, these workers return to Bangladesh at some point to settle down. Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain

Why migrant workers have a hard time back at home

2d | Panorama
What impact will a forward forex rate have?

What impact will a forward forex rate have?

2d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Unarmed Armenians do not want to return to Nagorno-Karabakh

Unarmed Armenians do not want to return to Nagorno-Karabakh

2d | TBS World
Is injury the main reason Tamim is excluded from WC Squad?

Is injury the main reason Tamim is excluded from WC Squad?

2d | TBS SPORTS
Tourism master plan aims to attract 5.57m tourists annually by 2041

Tourism master plan aims to attract 5.57m tourists annually by 2041

1d | TBS Today
Economic zones to come under eco-friendly performance rating

Economic zones to come under eco-friendly performance rating

8h | TBS Economy
EMAIL US
[email protected]
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2023
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - [email protected]

For advertisement- [email protected]