Waiting tables are a popular way for students to make some extra cash while in college. But now, many continue military service after graduating from university.
Genevieve Sleboda, who goes by @genevieve.show on TikTok, revealed that she is one of those people in a viral video. After graduating with a master's degree in education, she realized that none of the jobs in her field paid enough to cover her rent.
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The Fort Lauderdale, Florida, resident took a serving job at a bar instead — which is what happened she claims Better pay than a teaching job.
“In this economy, as a Gen Z graduate, I can't start a career with a salary in the first year,” Sleboda says.
“I tried to do what I loved, but it didn't work for me.”
Education for service
Jobs in education in Sloboda pay a decent salary. Teachers earn a median salary of $61,250, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (Plus). This is slightly higher than the national average annual income of $59,540.
But Salboda says that when he have She worked in education, which was bad news for her wallet: “I had to withdraw money from my savings to pay the rent.”
Rent.com Reports Florida's average rent is $2,099 per month — that's more than $25,000 over the course of a year. This means Sleboda will spend nearly half (41%) of her $61,250 teaching salary on rent.
Although servers tend to make less money annually than teachers — the BLS average is $29,120 annually — they can make a lot more in tips. Recruitment platform Adia estimates that servers bring in $100 in tips per night. None of these profits are taxed.
If you work five shifts a week, you can make an additional $500 per week. By the end of the year, you'll have an extra $24,000, nearly doubling your salary to $53,000 — about the same as a teacher's salary.
Not only will you be able to bring in a similar amount of income to a teacher through the service, but you will also avoid all the unpaid parts of the teaching profession: grading, lesson planning, and parent calls. Over the course of the clock, you may find yourself moving forward, as Sleboda does.
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Cost of advanced degree
For generations, earning a college degree has been the best way to differentiate yourself in the job market. Data up Shows that the The more degrees someone has, the more they will earn throughout their life.
But the cost of an advanced degree can hinder these earnings. Education Data Initiative (EDI) Reports A master's degree holder owes an average of $53,470 to $88,680 in student loan debt, depending on whether they went to a public or private college.
The institute adds that $86,400 is the average salary for a master's degree graduate. This is a good salary, but for the first few years after graduation, you will be taking all of your extra income and sending it back to the government or your lender, rather than saving it.
Are advanced degrees worth it?
Advanced degrees are required for some professions, such as doctors and lawyers. Even industries that don't require higher education may pay more if you have a valuable degree, such as in geology or business.
If you're not sure if your degree is worth it, it's not a bad idea to conduct a cost-benefit analysis when enrolling in a graduate program. There's no harm in considering whether your degree is likely to increase your salary enough to make taking on student debt or tuition worth it.
For example, electronic data interchange Reports A master's degree in education typically costs $42,010.
Now think about your options after graduation. Since the BLS states that most schools only require a bachelor's degree, a master's may not help you with your education. Pepperdine University says Some schools will increase your salary by 10% to 15% if you have a master's degree, but it depends on the school district's rules.
So Sleboda may not be so far from reality: a master's degree does not equal a guarantee.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. They are provided without warranty of any kind.
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