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Subject:Re: First job out of college From:Kathryn Marshall <kmarshall -at- MODACAD -dot- COM> Date:Fri, 29 Aug 1997 08:16:10 -0700
I agree with Jennifer. My first job out of school was pretty good (I was
a tech writing major, which helped -- I know!). Average pay, but
excellent benefits, including fringe benefits. It was very challenging
because the product was so technical. And although I hated it at times,
it taught me invaluable skills about working in the corporate world,
especially problem solving skills and communication skills (employees
ranged from barefoot engineers to suits in marketing). I learned all
kinds of new software (FrameMaker being a major one), and even managed
to make some great friends. I toughed it out for 3 years and I know it's
that solid experience that has helped me to get subsequent jobs (making
much better $ I might add).
Regarding Matthew's comments, I think "suck" is a strong word. It was
more of a great, sometimes painful (but not most of the time), learning
experience.
------
> ----------
> From: Jennifer Jelinek[SMTP:jlkraus -at- AMETEKWATER -dot- COM]
> Reply To: Jennifer Jelinek
> Sent: Friday, August 29, 1997 5:56 AM
> To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
> Subject: First job out of college
>
> Matthew Danda says,=20
>
> "1. Your first job out of college always sucks.
> 2. Your first year of pay always sucks.
> 3. Your first introduction to the corporate world always sucks."
>
> I've got to disagree here, at least in part. I'm 8 months into my
> first =
> job out of college, and I've had a really good experience. Granted,
> it's =
> not perfect...but it's been challenging, rewarding, and allowed me a =
> degree of freedom and independence that I never would have imagined in
> =
> the corporate world. The pay's certainly not great, but considering =
> where I live, it's a good starting salary. My superviser is
> encouraging =
> and interested in what I do, but doesn't watch over me...he likes that
> =
> I'm a "self-starter" and can meet my own deadlines and prioritize my
> own =
> projects without anyone hounding me.=20
>
> I was an English/liberal arts grad, too, and the politics of the =
> corporate world did come as a shock to me. But it turns out to be like
> =
> most things in life...be willing to compromise, but not to give up on
> =
> what you really believe is right.
>
> Jennifer Jelinek
> Jlkraus -at- ametekwater -dot- com=20
>
> ~~
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