So here’s the deal. I’m 22 years old and I’ll be graduating from college with my B.A. in a few months. In my field, there aren’t really any jobs that pay a ton. I’ll have to start with a lower-paying job and work my way up towards a higher-paying job. The thing is, the jobs I’ll start out with won’t pay enough for me to support myself. Therefore, I’ll probably be living with my parents for at-least a year after I’ve graduated and they’ll be financially supporting me during that time as well. Is it normal that I’ll still be financially dependent parents even after I graduate from college?
Yup - totally normal. Welcome to the new reality. Work hard, you can move out on your own. Good luck!
May I ask what you majored in, what is your intended line of work, and whether you researched the job situation when you chose the major? If you stay in the same field, the situation wouldn’t miraculously change and you will always remain lower-paid and stay with your parents. So, I would suggest that you research which fields are higher-paid, and think of a way of transitioning. Even though you should have thought about that when you chose the major, at least think about it now. Better late than never.
@1Wife1Kid I can get a high-paying job in my field. It will just take me a while to get there, because I have to start with lower-paying jobs first. If I do well, I get promoted.
You earlier wrote: “In my field, there aren’t really any jobs that pay a ton.”
Now you write: “I can get a high-paying job in my field. It will just take me a while to get there”
I just hope it is not wishful thinking. Good luck.
Are you saying that even if you lived with several others sharing a place that you still wouldn’t be able to support yourself?
One of my kids earns a pretty small,salary, but fully pays his own bills.
What about taking a second part time job? Maybe waiting tables or something.
@thumper1 What’s your definition of small? Right now, I earn a little over $100 a week, but will probably be closer $300 a week when I graduate.
You will make more if you become a full time waiter/waitress.
http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/waiter-and-waitress/salary
@1Wife1Kid I’d feel stupid doing a job I could have done right out of high school. That means I will have wasted 3 and a half years for nothing.
Would you prefer to be financially dependent on your parents instead?
@1Wife1Kid , if he were my child, I’d much prefer subsidizing him and letting him move forward in his field rather than having him wait tables.
Bob, I asked what’s the definition of highly-paid in his field of work, as he earlier said that there are no high paying jobs in his field of work. So long term staying in his field may not be the right answer. If he was comfortable with poverty, I would say, fine, do what you want to do. But he is not, and the parents will not forever be there to subsidize him. So, if his field is not a high paying one, and he is not comfortable with poverty, logically speaking he should switch fields. If he were my kid, I would 100% subsidize him in the switch as well as the interim period when he is getting ready to switch.
Would you disagree?
Oh, please. It’s clear he meant that starting salaries are not high. Anyone can move up, change careers, start a business, go to grad school, or take any number of paths. @1Wife1Kid It’s not as if his entire life is set in concrete the moment he graduates. Most people take windy paths.
@curveplane Set goals with timelines. It is not at all unusual to live at home with your parents for the first year out of college. Just make sure you have a plan.
@1Wife1Kid , You and I read it differently. I read it as he will earn $300 per week after graduation. Then, he will get various promotions and make more, I thought relatively quickly. I don’t know his field, or what multiple of his starting income he expects. I wonder what it is, as it seems below minimum wage.
The OP hasn’t really started his career yet. He doesn’t need a subsidy to switch out of a career he hasn’t started yet.
OP, instead of living at home, perhaps your parents would be willing to help out with a security deposit so you could live in a house or apartment with other recent college grads.
It’s hard to give advice to the OP without knowing what field she is in. I will say that staying with your parents for a year is not strange at all.
Bob, that the starting salary is below minimum wage should be a red flag. I do not know of any fields which pay a living wage after 10-20 years of work and still start at below minimum wage at entry level.
Are you the same poster who has started numerous threads on this subject under different names?
This happens often and I would say that as long as you are working towards a good career, it is perfectly fine. My S had a very good job out of college and he lived at home for about 9 months to save money for his move into NYC. Be happy that your parents can do this for you and let them know you appreciate it by helping out a bit at home, being respectful, etc.
What kind of job or field that requires a college degree pays only federal minimum wage?
Working ones way up is one thing. But honestly my HS senior makes a better hourly wage than that at the local hardware store (higher than state min wage) and working for the school district (state min wage, which is higher than the federal) He’s not working a 40 hour week mind you but if he were his salary would be higher than $300 a week. Without a degree and he could move up.
Many kids live with their parent during a transition time, our oldest did for about a year. I’m more concerned about an entry level job with a degree that is barely above federal minimum wage and how long it would realistically take to work up the salary food chain.