Corporate ladders- then vs. now
I graduated college in an economic time labeled “the worst recession since The Great Depression.” Not to mention I paid for all of my post-secondary education myself. I was the first in my family to graduate from a university, which meant I also worked at least one full-time job while I attended four to five classes a semester. I’m not saying I’m not proud of my accomplishment, but had I known the market I was entering, I might have opted to let go of my degree dreams.
Corporate America is not the same as it was 30 years ago. One of the jobs I had while in school started as an internship that lasted for 18 months before I was hired full time. Even then, the salary I accepted was far below what I should have made, but I reluctantly took it anyway. The two corporate jobs I’ve had since graduation were not much better. I’ve seen the ways of the corporate machine these days and I know the patterns. Executives cry, “the economy is crap and we must lay people off.” They let go of all the people who have been around for a while and replace them with new grads at a fraction of the salary they paid for the same position. These said executives also have some sort of entitlement mentality in which they feel like they deserve ten times the salary of a regular employee. I watched this happen during my short stint with The Arizona Republic, which is owned by Gannett.
There is no such thing as a traditional corporate ladder anymore. All the time I hear “just find yourself a good corporate job and stay there until you retire.” I wish. I can tell you that the salaries I have been offered at my last two jobs are most likely equivalent to salaries in the 1970’s and when you calculate inflation, I fall into the “working poverty” class. Gas is nearly $4 a gallon. Cars are expensive- not to mention insurance and student loan payments. My parents didn’t pay for my school. I took out student loans to pay because I wanted better opportunities for myself. But now when I look at jobs on the market, I just see dead ends and little to no opportunity for advancement. Raises and promotions are a rare occasion and if you do make it to the top, you’ll be alone and managing a ton of people who you know nothing about.
One of the things that irritates me the most is the constant comment from people of my previous generation regarding my work ethic. I’ve worked since I was 15 and have accumulated an impressive skill set. This also includes (I’m not bitter about it) watching port-o-johns and firework displays at odd hours of the night to bring in a paycheck. My parents taught me to work for things you want, but I work myself to unhealthy situations and still struggle with everyday life expenses. It’s not that I don’t want to get a good job and work my ass off to move up. It’s more that the corporate environment is like a shark tank that you swim in every day, and hope to not get devoured by your co-worker, so you can keep your job.
I’ve created this fancy illustration of a traditional corporate ladder comparing today’s corporate mentality. There used to be a lot of opportunities to grow, change and succeed in a career. Now the goal is to keep you at the bottom as cheap labor, have very few middle managers and if you’re lucky, you can have a seat at the top. After I drew this picture, I realized how it also reflects the economy in general and the argument that the middle class is disappearing. You can blame politics and poor people sucking up all of our resources or whatever you want, but why not look at corporations and the way they do business nowadays? After all, we are an economy driven by capitalism. Am I right?
Karen Lateiner
September 9, 2013
Dear Jacy,
Unfortunately, your story is all too familiar – a sign our society has fallen prey to the darker side of humanity that would sooner subjugate most of it’s people in the name of progress, rather than provide positive support for all people to succeed. Your illustration is sad, but accurate. Sadly, it still be accurate for far too many people if all the rungs between bottom and top were missing. On the bright and hopeful side, it appears that more and more people are becoming aware of what is happening, speaking out, and taking action. Silence is surely not the answer to injustice.
Your points are very well taken, however I think it is unfair to address your comments to Baby Boomers. I myself am a baby boomer, who like many of my fellow baby boomers, do not buy into the corporate culture of greed, selfishness, and a basic lack of humanity, characteristic of some of my generation, and of yours. It is my grandparent’s generation and the generations between theirs and yours that fought for labor laws, women’s rights, civil rights, and human rights. And, we have been pushing back against the corporate culture and political policies that attempts to rob people of their right to receive a free public education, earn a decent living, and grow to their fullest potential. It is now up the current generation, your generation, to continue working to make this world a better place, especially as we move further into the 21st century.
Speaking out against that which is unjust, supporting candidates who will work for the betterment of society, voting, helping everyone vote, and being ever vigilant of those who would rob any off us of our basic human rights. It is everyone’s responsibility. True, it is more difficult when the issues of food, shelter, and medical care sap us of all our time and energy, but much needs to be done, and it does not get done by being silent. Sharing stories and making people aware of what is really happening out there in the real world is a giant step. Thank you for sharing your story. And good luck in achieving your goals. Karen