I am a graduate student in a math dept. as you can guess, i earn very little money; however I was always proud that at the very least i am not taking charity from anyone (my undergrad had a full tuition schol and stipend so i never took a dollar from parents after age 18) of late i have been wondering why all univs from harvard to whatever, agree that my salary should be the lowest of all, inlc janitors, security guards, etc. we all know that some work is high and some work is low, else all pays would be equal(let's be practical) and that those above despise those below, so is my work the lowest of all? recently i disclosed this to an elderly woman who is a friend, and she tells me that i should be thankful to have tution and TAship and the chance to stay alive. all of a sudden, i feel like a parasite; is the univ doing me a favour by keeping me alive; so the air i breathe, the food i eat, is it all just robbery? in that case, should i die? Am i a burden on society?
2006-12-02 08:28:48 · 8 answers · asked by riten_kmr 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
No I am sure you have something to contribute to the world just as everyone else does. Don't be so down on yourself.
2006-12-02 08:33:16 · answer #1 · answered by So'sYerFace 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I know what you are going through. I did my master's degree in English and had a TAship. It wasn't easy trying to support two people on $720 a month, and in fact I took on two other jobs so that I was able to earn another $160 per month. Basically, the only way that we survived was by going into debt about $15,000 on two credit cards. It took us four years to pay off the debt at $404 a month.
Was it worth it? Well, I don't know. I do know that I haven't really made enough use of my degrees, but I suppose that's my own fault.
To answer your question, no you aren't a burden to society, but you are going to have to support yourself. Don't expect the universe to support you. Honestly, you could spend your whole life working for a measly teacher's wage, but you don't want to do that. Figure out a way to use your degree creatively. Be an insurance actuary or better yet, be a stock trader. You could use the Law of Compounding to your advantage and trade your money in the stock market...or at least that's my advice. I recommend that you listen to www.philsgang.com.
2006-12-02 16:41:10 · answer #2 · answered by Saura 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know it is not easy right now but stick with it and stick it out.
Once you are in the private sector, you'll leap frog in salary ahead of your age group. If you plan on staying in academia and become a professor, then you'll have to contend with this for awhile longer.
There are other ways though. Maybe you can work for an engineering firm. I know NASA works closely with universities., and I know the military also needs math experts.
Then there is the Information technology sector.
If you become a professor in addition to your salary at the university, you'll be able to take on consulting projects from the private sector.
If you are good at statistics, the teachings of Edward Deming are being applied to the private sector using "Six Sigma."
The US is currently importing technical labor from overseas as we are not graduating enough engineering and math graduates.
You could probably make extra money on the side doing private math tutoring for local high schools.
Saura is right, Actuaries make great money
2006-12-02 16:45:22 · answer #3 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're looking at it wrong man. Maybe the janitor makes money, but in a couple years he won't have a degree. Maybe you do make a little now, but if you work hard and play by these rules in time it comes back for you. Plus money isn't anything really, the only good part about money is not worrying about making ends meet.
2006-12-02 16:37:04 · answer #4 · answered by Modus Operandi 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a sad thing if our society values mathmaticians less than menial labors and likely sports affiliated positions I'll guess. Is this our education budget at work?? You just hang in there because some great people started on the bottom rung and I appreciate anyone who goes into chemistry, math, and the sciences in this country. We need you!
2006-12-02 16:33:37 · answer #5 · answered by Lovin' Mary's Lamb 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Grad students are always underappreciated. They do need you. The problem is that they probably give you free classes, and they see that as part of the payment. Free classes plus stipend is probably more than most janitors, without overtime.
2006-12-02 16:36:52 · answer #6 · answered by T-Roc 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't listen to those people. You are as good as or even better than anyone. Just keep it up. Work your way up the scale
2006-12-02 16:37:23 · answer #7 · answered by apersonwholikescheese 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
so do you want my opinion or that old lady's opinion?
2006-12-02 16:32:02 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋