Let's assume I'm an adult who finished high school, but for whatever reason (maybe I have a child, or I'm working three jobs, or I can't afford it) I never went to college. Also, let's assume I have no assets and no savings, I'm living in an apartment and I don't have any particular skills or abilities. If I were to look for a job, what are my chances of finding something above minimum wage? What is the highest wage/salary I could possibly hope for, if I began an entry level? What are my chances for promotion? If I were earning a minimum wage salary, and I didn't spend money on superfluous things (entertainment), would I be able to survive? Save money? Would my chances be affected if I were a minority? A female?
2006-12-11 23:01:52 · 6 answers · asked by JudasHero 5 in Social Science ➔ Sociology
Your chance of finding a job above minimum wage is dependent on your ability to obtain skills. If you have no skills your chance of making over minimum wage in my opinion are very low. Education is important but job skills are necessary for jobs above the minimum wage rate. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2003 Annual Social and Economic Supplement, for a family of three with a child under the age of 18 the poverty threshold is $14,480. Minimum wage will keep most families in poverty. Your chance of promotion from a minimum wage job depends on your ability to excel in your job. the best way to advance is to go to technical school and acquire additional skills to enhance your current job or to be able to move to a better job. Minority persons in the workforce statistically are not making comparable wages whether it be gender or race. A lot of people are surviving in poverty. They are surviving due to the social programs that are available such as food stamps, government subsidized housing and medicare.
2006-12-11 23:24:31 · answer #1 · answered by Tony H 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The person in this equation would be best getting a State job. The benefits are great, you can get in with minimal skills if you pass the tests, and the opportunities to advance and make more are much better than in private industry.
I speak from experience. I finished high school, no college, and went kind of wild in my early 20s. By 24 I was ready to settle down, but I had no degree and hadn't kept a steady job in some time. I applied and got hired on with the State as a data entry clerk (yes, I was scraping by). But within a few months, they realized I knew a bit about computers...six years later I am one of a two-person i.t. team making a very decent salary (with a very nice raise in my near future). My benefits and retirement are great as well.
You can move up quickly in the State if you are willing to work hard (most ppl go in there for an easy check and don't advance). If you start early, you can retire early, too with a very nice retirement. Your job is also protected by Civil Service; you *can't* just "get fired". Remember, too, the paid holidays (many of them) and paid Annual and Sick leave that you earn every paycheck.
Being female and/or a minitority makes no difference in State jobs; Civil Service protects you from discrimination.
No, the State isn't the *best* - but it's a very good start for someone in the situation you proposed. Someday I'll be able to leave with years of experience in i.t. tech and webmaster work on my resume; jobs I excel at but never would've had a chance to learn at a regular job (the State paid for all of my training).
So, in your hypothetical query - this would be my answer. :)
2006-12-12 07:09:37 · answer #2 · answered by skatoolaki 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Are you talking about me? ha ha jk... im not going to go into details... but yes you could make it... im single parent of 1... and living in a apartment... graduated... in college.. well sorta.. i have to appeal... But you know... I cant seem to find a good paying job... umm.. thats funny... it seems that these days you have to have a peice of paper stating that you know what you are doing... which you have to go through college to get that. lol BUT for the people that have talents... and cant use them... cause they dont have that peice of paper stating that you know what you are doing. It is hard. OOO and im a female with a child.... I cant imagine making it on your own if you dont have any kids... nor have money in the family... but you can make it if you go into thousands of dollars into debt... to get that peice of paoer stating that you know what you are doing.. lol
thats my way of looking at it... lol
2006-12-12 08:32:08 · answer #3 · answered by petalfushia 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might even be the worst illiterate man ever to roam this world and you'd still have chances of making a fortune out of your limited skills. This heavily relies on your faith and willpower.
2006-12-12 07:07:16 · answer #4 · answered by tearaway_weft 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
go to work for the state or gov. take your civil service test and you will have lots of chance for advancement. and you will get a good pension and benefits.
2006-12-12 07:07:41 · answer #5 · answered by setter505 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe
2006-12-12 07:03:36 · answer #6 · answered by Morpheus 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋