When you say, "start at the bottom", what do you mean?

ohscurrent.org...

For many years, the United States has been known for its seemingly endless opportunity. One of its most popular and appealing prospects has been the American Dream, or rather the idea that if one works hard enough he or she will be prosperous and, in turn happy. Although years have passed since the great influx of immigrants to the shores of Ellis Island, the dream still remains, but is it still attainable? - See more at: ohscurrent.org...

So I read a lot of perspectives that in my opinion belong in the 1950's.

What do I mean?

"Work hard, start from the bottom, you'll get ahead"

Well, in my opinion and experience this isn't true. First off, we all know opportunities are given not based on merit but based on your social network. This has long been the case. In fact I've never seen it work any differently in my entire life.

Is it possible to start on the bottom in today's world and sill be able to support yourself without having a support network?

Is it possible to start at 9$ an hour and survive for years while working your way up?

Is it pointless to get a degree and make 15$ an hour while paying rent and college loans?

Is it worth it to live in the modern world if your anything but rich or have we built a world that serves only the wealthy elite?

a reply to: onequestion

On your question about a college degree.... yes.

If you are going into debt for a degree, that job better pay. (Doctor, Lawyer, Accountant, Nurse, Dentist, Dental Hygienist, Pharmacist, etc)

If you are getting a useless degree, you are a fool.

For a few thousand $ and a few months (not years) you can earn a CCNP certification and start making 50-60 K a year.

Be smart. Don't waste your time on crap.

a reply to: infolurker

technology is a great field in pretty sure anyone who gets rich today does it from technology.

I'm not anti rich either I just don't like the way we are doing things in today's world.

a reply to: onequestion

There is going to be a financial reset

No one will bother paying off debt because majority will be bankrupt

If you are 35 or younger

It will happen within your lifetime

That and world war 3

So you got nothing to worry about

If it makes you feel better our government will survive underground, we are so lucky we can save our precious government

Best and the brightest eh

a reply to: onequestion

Starting anywhere else is unrealistic. If you are at an entry-level skill/experience level, then the bottom is where you start.

To start anywhere else would be an insult to everyone who did start at the bottom and worked their way up.

a reply to: VanGcouverite

Honestly the best and brightest get weeded out in elementary school. Anyone who thought outside of the box and stuck to their guns got put on Ritalin and their lives ruined. Everyone else was assimilated or crushed.

originally posted by: DBCowboy
a reply to: onequestion

Starting anywhere else is unrealistic. If you are at an entry-level skill/experience level, then the bottom is where you start.

To start anywhere else would be an insult to everyone who did start at the bottom and worked their way up.

Great way to reinforce the concept of working hard I really appreciate it but you didn't answer any of my questions.

a reply to: onequestion

I did.

Your skill level/experience level dictates where you start.

If you have an "entry level" skill than you start at the bottom.

originally posted by: DBCowboy
a reply to: onequestion

I did.

Your skill level/experience level dictates where you start.

If you have an "entry level" skill than you start at the bottom.

Great clarity.

a reply to: DBCowboy

What constitutes the bottom, however, can be redefined. It has for all of human existence. Last I checked most people aren't nomadic people sleeping in whatever cave they can find these days.

What constitutes as the bottom can and should improve as our ability to improve it increases.

To say we should never progress because someone else suffered to struggle to reach the same point in the past is an insult to ever human ever who worked to make this world a better place. It's an insult to every social progression ever made.

Following your kind of stagnation, slavery would be alive and well in the US today.

Things are allowed to get better, and what constitutes the starting point can be raised.

a reply to: onequestion

Yeah, most of us start at the bottom. In my case E1... LOL

I didn't start making decent money until I was 28 (1996) when I started at 32K or so. By 30 I was grossing about 70-85 K a year depending on the overtime.

Why, because I performed better than the pack. Most people will make their job 9-5 and still be in the same position years later. You need to out perform your peers and take the initiative or you will be like the rest of the 80-90%.

a reply to: onequestion

Start at the bottom is just an illusion made up by our rulers to keep the working class at check.
No,you can't work your way up and become wealthy by cleaning toilets at Mc Donald's. Sure, there are few examples of people who started with nothing to later become something but you can count those with one hand. Better chance of winning the lottery and becoming rich than working your way up from the "bottom"

originally posted by: DBCowboy
a reply to: onequestion

I did.

Your skill level/experience level dictates where you start.

If you have an "entry level" skill than you start at the bottom.

You mean like going from an entry level burger flipper all the way up to expert burger flipper

a reply to: ErrorErrorError

And that's with the Lottery apparently being rigged.

a reply to: Puppylove

I'd also like to add that things are getting worse fast.

I cite the Baltic dry index as proof that everyone who thinks the economy is working for anyone but them is dellussional and living in a bubble of ignorance refusing to see that 4 billion+ people on this planet live in abject poverty with no hope.

But our system works, yea! Keep believing that!

a reply to: infolurker

Is it possible to start at the bottom in today's world and afford the basic necessities?

a reply to: Puppylove

Where should people start?

I think starting at a level equal to your skill/experience level is reasonable.

originally posted by: hopenotfeariswhatweneed

originally posted by: DBCowboy
a reply to: onequestion

I did.

Your skill level/experience level dictates where you start.

If you have an "entry level" skill than you start at the bottom.

You mean like going from an entry level burger flipper all the way up to expert burger flipper

It's hilarious all the talk about entry level when you need 2 years of experience just to start an apprenticeship to become a plumber.

originally posted by: hopenotfeariswhatweneed

originally posted by: DBCowboy
a reply to: onequestion

I did.

Your skill level/experience level dictates where you start.

If you have an "entry level" skill than you start at the bottom.

You mean like going from an entry level burger flipper all the way up to expert burger flipper

Why would you work as a burger flipper if you have graduated high school?

Go to Manpower, Kelly Services, Tech Systems, whatever contracting agency and get into a telecommunications, help desk, or IT gig. If you need to, take some free online classes to pad your resume.

Alison has a bunch of free classes.

If you have to, take a call center job in the telecommunications industry, don't get complacent, use the tuition reimbursement to get your CCNA or just go get your CCNA (takes like 3 months) and then you can start in a Network Operations Center, Service Delivery, or Telecommunications Technician and be up in the 40s-50's within 2 years.

originally posted by: DBCowboy
a reply to: Puppylove

Where should people start?

I think starting at a level equal to your skill/experience level is reasonable.

Nobody disagrees with that.

We're trying to get you to engage in a conversation covering a more diverse range of topics.