Building a Career

ThisIsMyAccount146 · 2021-02-20T16:39:13+00:00

I want to travel, have hobbies, and do fun stuff.

Good luck doing that on minimum wage. Minimum wage is barely at substance lifestyle. Most walmart employees are also on welfare.

JohnDoe9564 · 2021-02-20T16:35:45+00:00

I earn the minimum wage and have enough money for my bills and to support my hobby( gaming)

Some of us want kids, and they're very expensive to raise.

Also, life is generally easier when you don't have to worry about rent or covering emergencies.

FRANPW1 · 2021-02-20T16:44:35+00:00

Is your life subsidized by others? If so, when that ends, you will realize that minimum wage is not enough for life’s emergencies that will come your way.

poppy_blu · 2021-02-20T17:25:50+00:00

If we had a livable minimum wage and standard of living in the US, more people would do what you suggest and opt out of the rat race. The sad thing is you can’t live in minimum wage anymore so you have to want at least a little more.

The mindset in corporate America is that you should want to dedicate every ounce of your energy to working your way up to the c suite. Which is ridiculous because there’s only one CEO. Most people have no shot at it, even if they have the skill. But the truth is dangling the carrot of “advancement”/‘more money is how they get you do what they want, work long hours, slop up their shit, take their abuse, etc.

an ideal world would be where people use their skills and talents to contribute to society (which is not the same as making a lot of money for wealthy folks) and in return would get a comfortable wage and security. Of course those jobs that provide more value and require more personal investment in training and education would pay more but no one would be working 40 hours and week have to live out of their car and use food stamps to eat, regardless of what they do.

SlashCo80 · 2021-02-20T17:45:45+00:00

[deleted]

SaBahRub · 2021-02-20T16:59:18+00:00

If you don’t wanna, don’t. Sheesh.

NinjaOfTheSouth · 2021-02-20T16:29:18+00:00

Ultimately you don’t have. Buts it’s preferable to have a career if you want to raise a family .

alwaysonalongtrip · 2021-02-20T16:37:19+00:00

Even $15/hour will have you constantly struggling for survival.

xFallacyx69 · 2021-02-20T16:46:12+00:00

Minimum wage in the US is not livable... unfortunately

MisterShogunate · 2021-02-20T17:01:17+00:00

So in your area you can pay rent, and live a comfortable life on minimum wage?

simeneta · 2021-02-20T17:01:45+00:00

You can do whatever you want. No one cares if you prefer living a life of minimum wage.

Personally I like my job and living a life of luxury.

poppy_blu · 2021-02-20T17:29:40+00:00

also my H and I both have made career decisions that allowed us to have balance and sanity. There is nothing wrong with it.

basicbiddy · 2021-02-20T16:42:57+00:00

It depends on what you want out of life. I knew I wanted a house and comfortable life. So I chose a career I don’t necessarily love and demands 50 hours a week because it make my out of work life awesome. I have my hobbies and holidays and discretionary spending and that makes me happy. That’s why I built a career.

I’m not a manager by the way and have zero interest in that but I do work with data and data analysis. It’s not thrilling but it pays. I’m in my 30s and the bare minimum lifestyle is a lot different than when I was younger.

Pastelitomaracucho · 2021-02-20T17:07:38+00:00

You have a perfectly valid point. If you don't want to aim higher, you don't have to.

So do whatever makes you happy.

I just have higher aspirations. I love traveling and I want to buy a house and have some money for retirement. I don't want to retire poor although most probably I'll just off myself the day I'm a burden to society.

But yeah, my fun is a bit more expensive than videogames.

mmt_advovate · 2021-02-20T17:11:36+00:00

A lot of ppl can’t even find min wage work right now. It’s sad but that is life in America.

noafrochamplusamurai · 2021-02-20T17:19:36+00:00

Everything is relative to where you live, you live in Europe where there are more things covered by your governments than other countries. Depending on where you live in your country also factors in. I don't know the differentials in your country, so I have to use American standards to give you an example.

I live in a Midwestern state in America. The part I live in is heavily rural. In my town if you make $15/hrs. You are just getting by. You can pay all your bills, but it doesn't leave you with a lot of excess money. However, if you live one town over, about 10 miles (17 km) . That same wage will pay for a more comfortable lifestyle.

philomexa · 2021-02-20T17:27:37+00:00

I like not being poor and having disposable income for consumerist luxury goods. That's why a career is important for me at least.

If you enjoy subsistence living or what the fuck ever, have at it.

LeatherDifference583 · 2021-02-20T17:34:26+00:00

Having less money comes with stresses, especially as you get older. When you're young with no responsibilities it's not really an issue.

But also you can so fun things with money. i couldn't afford to travel on minimum wage, or go to regular concerts ect

Lonely_23_1997 · 2021-02-20T19:30:07+00:00

It depends on what you want out if life honestly. If you’re content with living humbly, just having games as your recreational outlet and you can adequately cover the cost of your healthcare and any emergencies then minimum wage is fine.

For people that want families, like traveling and like indulging in the more lavish aspects of life minimum wage isn’t enough.

decoy88 · 2021-02-21T00:36:54+00:00

Well first of all, we all can’t inherit our house...

Reisiluu · 2021-02-20T18:58:31+00:00

Unlike you, other people have to pay for their own house and kids.

Also many minimum wage jobs are more socially and physically draining than higher paying jobs. You're constantly on your feet and pushing or lifting things. In some places if you have a different uniform other employees won't treat you like you're part of the staff and only talk to you when they need something. Customers will pour all their bad mood on you to feel a little bit better about their own lives.

You can get yourself in a better position and still keep playing video games.

Bandit174 · 2021-02-20T16:45:35+00:00

Well I do kinda view life as a competition. We are constantly being evaluated and ranked based on things like intelligence, physical appearance, wealth ect and those attributes determine our worth to others socially, romantically and professionally. I wish I could say I don't care, but I do. Of those things wealth seems to be the one we have the most control over. Like I will never be able to have a high IQ or know what it's like to be hot, but it is possible I could become wealthy. So I want to at least try at the one dimension of my worth that I have some degree of influence over. Perhaps it will be futile in the end, but I want to try.

Another factor is that new advances in technology whether they be in the realms of entertainment or medical science are generally available to the wealthy first. So if we ever find a way to reverse aging or cure baldness or increase height or whatever it will be the rich who will be able to utilize it first. So that also has some appeal to me.

DrPete_Venkman · 2021-02-20T17:21:27+00:00

Because the more wealthy you are, the better you are. In the US anyway. Money = Power

flapperfemmefatale · 2021-02-20T17:25:58+00:00

I generally aim to be successful at whatever I do, not just merely get by. It's not about the money.

DP8414 · 2021-02-20T19:24:27+00:00

There are two advantages to building a career:

More money to do fun things, like traveling and buying a decent car. Also more money to invest in retirement & personal wealth.
This is the big one: Personal Prestige.

I’m sorry to use controversial language here, but if you grew up in a White Middle Class family like I did, then you literally get no respect from those people if you are a minimum wage or Blue Collar worker. You are condescended to and constantly scolded for not living up to your potential. They all assume that you are either dumb trailer trash or no different then a NEET.

The Classism among White, College Educated Suburbanites in White Collar jobs is off the charts. They all broadcast their jobs in their Facebook profiles, going into exacting detail as to what their job description is, and making it sound like the CEO of Apple if they are in any type of leadership position. It’s like they fancy themselves Aristocrats and the rest of us are just peasants who exist to serve at their leisure.

At a personal level, there’s nothing wrong with your attitude if you are happy, are able to provide all your personal needs for yourself, and aren’t a parasite on society. BUT, if you ever want these people to stop treating you like a 2nd Class Citizen, building a career is a good way to rub it in their faces and get them to shut the hell up. It feels good to lord it over others who insisted on looking down on you.

amwfhunter · 2021-02-20T19:27:19+00:00

Because once you build enough wealth, your money works for you and you can chose to get paid doing what you love or don't have to.

Also, have to plan for the future. Can you sustain your lifestyle in old age? What happens if you lose your job or simply cannot work anymore?

Sorry your views are very short termed.

old_wise_man_ · 2021-02-22T02:45:12+00:00

2 questions; How old are you and do you still live with your parents?

mujerdealtovalor · 2021-02-20T16:51:29+00:00

I desire a life of luxury so my career needs to be able to fulfill that. It’s all about personal wants and lifestyle

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Nobodyz_Nikki · 2021-02-20T17:23:58+00:00

People are using looking to increase their income because the cost of living increases like every year for most people in most countries. Also, an extra 200€ can go into your savings or be invested. Shit happens in life and sometimes shit gets expensive.

If you're working your min. wage job long-term then is it not considered your career of choice? Maybe the "extra hard work" is too much but the added income can be beneficial. Work smarter and not harder perhaps.

PM_ME_SPICY_DECKS · 2021-02-20T19:37:33+00:00

Why is building a career so important nowadays? I mean what it’s the problem of winning the minimum wage and be happy with it?

This forum is very US-centric and in the states it's basically impossible to live a happy life on minimum wage.

PlayfulLawyer · 2021-02-20T19:45:14+00:00

Whatever works for you, at the end of the day we got this one life we got to do what makes us happy, as far as the idea of building a career, a lot of people like to make a lot of money so that they can live comfortably and do this shit that they want to do without ever having to worry about rent or government assistance etc

brainismia · 2021-02-20T20:10:41+00:00

Honestly, you do you.

Some people fully grasp how incredibly unlikely it is to be a life form in the universe. They don't want to waste their short lived time on Earth and decide to do everything in their power so that they can leave some heritage behind them.

Some people are just in the rat race because they've been taught to or because they are born with nothing, so they want to know what it feels like to have something.

Some people think life is about living well and having a good time, and that anything more than that is not worth it.

Thing is, the way you experiment life is highly personal, and nobody else can tell you what your way of life is. Hopefuly, when the time to leave comes arround, you don't regret how you've used your time here.

sublimemongrel · 2021-02-20T20:21:09+00:00

I want a much better lifestyle for me and mine than what minimum wage could ever afford me. Plus I’d like to one day retire

2021-02-20T20:25:57+00:00

FFS dude, most people aren't given a free home, and most of us are in countries that don't have a livable long-term dole. Glad you are happy being a sloth, but its not even an option for most. So if we are going to have work for money, might as well do something we could enjoy and/or get paid well for.

In my country you can apply for social security help and you get money, discount on electricity and water bill, etc and you stay home doing nothing and still get enough money to go by

Slaving for minimum wage sucks, you are right. THAT is why people go to school and build a career. Paying for housing is a big part of living expenses. In the US, rent is up to 40% of income in many places. So if I got $1K per month dole and $1,250 per month working min wage.... I'd be able to retain up to an extra $900 for my life not paying for housing.

In the US, min wage is $1,250 per month..if rent is 40%, that gives the person peanuts for living and eating and surviving.

This is your situation in your country and its simply not debatable in the US and much of the world.

iamthesage · 2021-02-20T20:35:59+00:00

Having a career aspiration gives you a sense of day-to-day purpose. It makes going to work more meaningful. It gives you something to look forward to --rather than doing the same thing over-and-over again.

There is enough studies and research showing that people get more and disengaged and unhappy at work if they are not challenged.

Also, most people know that climbing the career ladder -- means they can make more money. Which allows them to buy and spend on other things -- hobbies, travel, larger apartment, etc.

Money isn't everything -- but it will improve your lifestyle.

Also, it's a myth that in order to be more successful and make more money-- you need to work twice or three times harder.

Also, people enjoy working. Many people do. I once spoke to a nurse who took care of trauma patients. It was gruelling work. But she loved it so much because it gave her sense of purpose. I once spoke to a surgeon who told me that some surgeries are 6 hours long and they are standing on their feet. I asked him why does he do it? Why not retire because you make good money.. He said he loved it - because he is saving lives.

Not everyone wants to be comfortable playing video games. Most people want do more stuff. If that's what you want dude -- fine. That's your choice. But others have there own reasons too.

What happens if your minimum wage goes away tomorrow? Automation, robots, AI -- then what? What if you can't find the same job again paying the same minimum wage?

vvvqvvv · 2021-02-20T20:40:43+00:00

You can live your life and if it makes you happy who cares? I wish more people were like you, would cut down on the competition and make it even easier for me.

moneygang4life · 2021-02-20T20:41:42+00:00

If u live in the US you’ll die on minimum wage lmao. Minimum wage is not livable in every country

wub1234 · 2021-02-20T21:00:59+00:00

If you're happy then it doesn't matter at all.

BlackPorcelainDoll · 2021-02-20T23:30:32+00:00

Careers are for PRESTIGE and status; both having practical utility, no matter how ass kissy or 'living for others' it is considered, it will get some authoritativeness backed by credit and adding credence to your voice when you interact with the general population. Especially for males, because money sans fame won't be enough (e.g., blue collars) for most women. The white collar is not meant for everyone. Unfortunately, for people like you and the "little guy" - you need a BIGGER GUY, that is on your side to support and maintaining such a lifestyle and your well-being from a place of prestige and study, to make sure you are represented well to the folks even bigger than them to make sure your luxuries remain steady where your voice lacks credence and prestige to save yourself. Especially for the voiceless minorities. SOMEONE has to and going to do it, even if "I" don't want to.

Regardless of intent of the careerist (who get careers for seemingly selfish reasons), it is more so a strong self-interest, self-interest distinguishes itself from "selfishness" precisely because people either directly or indirectly benefit off others' crazy self-interest. This has been the working human ecological system for centuries.

I could've probably lived off my invention alone. It did well, went to inventors conventions/got awards, turned down Kevin Harrington/Shark Tank, etc but decided to focus on 'career' for good reason. Entrepreneurism a hustle like no other.

Novadina · 2021-02-21T00:00:49+00:00

If minimum wage is enough for you to live on happily, then you do you. We need someone willing to do those jobs, after all. That’s not a problem, although it might be unusual to be totally content just working and gaming and nothing else.

For me personally, I spent want to waste my money on rent and wanted to buy a house eventually, I didn’t want to live with annoying roommates forever, I wanted to have money to go on dates, I wanted to have money to retire, I wanted to go on vacations with my husband, I wanted to have time off work, I wanted toys like a VR system, a gaming PC, a kayak (and a car that can carry one), a bicycle, a horse, etc.

The min wage job I had once when I was younger was super hard and tons of work, so I don’t see the connection you are saying to working more and making more money. In my experience that’s not really how it works. Office jobs were always way easier and paid more. And my career is a skill I taught myself how to do as a hobby and is pretty fun, it’s way more enjoyable than any low wage job I can think of.

Also a career would be way more than an increased $200 a month from minimum wage... it can be more like $10k increase per month (obviously depends on the career).

2021-02-21T01:02:35+00:00

Career = corporate boomer idealism. Most people have jobs not careers.

Corporations tell you that a career is everything because they want you to give your life to the company. Plus in burgerland your job is your value for some reason.

At the same time money means you can buy things (not just survive). You can modify cars, get a jetski, get an electric guitar, get a PS5. All these can entertain you for 1000s of hrs each if you have some cash. If you're single all money is your money.

Also career success (climbing corp ladder) comes down to who you know, not what you know. Also the highest paying jobs and considered peak career success are in management and that's dealing with people not actually dealing with things you may enjoy.

SlashCo80 · 2021-02-21T08:29:40+00:00

For what it's worth I agree. My tastes are not expensive, as long as I've got my cozy apartment, internet access and a decent gaming PC plus money for food and other necessities I'm pretty much set. I don't enjoy traveling (probably as a result of being dragged along on "vacations" as a child with my immature mother and overbearing control-freak father), and I have no use for big houses or expensive cars.

In today's achievement and earnings-obsessed culture, wanting a quiet simple life gets you regarded almost like there is something wrong with you. If you're not willing to bust your ass for 80 hours a week climbing the corporate ladder or increasing profits for your own business, you're labeled as lazy or unambitious. So what? Just do what makes you happy, and if other people don't like it, it's not your problem. Hang out with like-minded friends instead.

ex_red_black_piller · 2021-02-21T12:15:40+00:00

I am completely in favor of NEETing if it satisfies you. This lifestyle needs to be destigmatized and men need to stop dancing like monkeys to appease society/women/whoever.

You do you bro, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. In the end, we're all dust nd bones.

CaptainFunkyMan · 2021-02-22T01:16:48+00:00

Because you need to contribute more in tax so single moms can keep spittin’ out welfare babies. That’s literally the only reason women allow us to exist.

2021-02-23T15:59:33+00:00

I'm studying to be a Mechanical (possibly Aerospace) Engineer, and this is something that I'm passionate about. It's not as much about pay, as it is about working with cool technologies and bringing one of your ideas into real world as a product. And my ambition isn't really to make a lot of money, but to contribute to and work on revolutionary technologies.

Atilla942 · 2021-02-23T16:45:26+00:00

I work 30 hours a week and enjoy the rest time off hiking, goofing off on reddit/youtube or working on my cars. No mortgage, no wife, no kids. I agree with you mate, why do I need to be ambitious? Over work myself and die from stress? No thank you.

Matt_Door · 2021-02-20T18:04:38+00:00

Before I went to and finished university, I worked a series of shit jobs: all manner of restaurants, warehouses, construction, and even a CNC factory making cheap shit press board tv stands. It was so boring I couldn’t last months let alone years, and certainly not decades. Put a piece of wood on a machine, push a button, wait and then take off and repeat for 8 hours a day. In a lot of ways it was more difficult than the work I do today, physically harder certainly and more dangerous, dirty, noisy and exhaustingly boring.

After building my career, I have a lot more comfort, way more control over how I perform my duties, make way more money and it’s much more stimulating. Not to mention all the other benefits that factory and retail workers just won’t receive.

Title	Building a Career
Author	old_wise_man_
Upvotes	7
Comments	170
Date	February 20, 2021 4:27 PM UTC (5 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/PurplePillDebate
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/PurplePillDebate/comments/loamm3/building_a_career/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/PurplePillDebate/building-a-career.743105 https://theredarchive.com/post/743105

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