Should I take a very low-paying entry-level job out of desperation?
Taking a poorly paid entry-level position or unpaid internship out of desperation often leads to friction when family members warn that you are being taken advantage of compared to peers in fields like IT. Accepting these terms traps you in long hours for minimal pay while creating awkward family pressure.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Treating the low-paying role as a paid internship and stepping stone while continuously hunting for better jobs on job portalsDid this help you?
- 2Studying for professional certifications on the side during off-hoursDid this help you?
- 3Leaving the position after 12 months once something better becomes availableDid this help you?
- 4Ask the CPA firm for more moneyDid this help you?
- 5Keep the current job and continue searchingDid this help you?
- 6Waiting for other offers and switching if a higher-paying one comes throughDid this help you?
- 7Focusing on gaining experience and getting a foot in the doorDid this help you?
- 8Factoring in remote work savings like commuting time and gas to offset lower payDid this help you?
- 9Job hopping early or leaving the short stint off the resumeDid this help you?
- 10Declining the job offer due to low payDid this help you?
- 11Relying on a partner's higher income to afford the low salaryDid this help you?
- 12Staying at the current job, taking the merit increase, saving money, and looking for another job that pays better locally.Did this help you?
- 13asking experienced professionals on forums for advice and insightsDid this help you?
- 14comparing compensation and job duties against alternative paths like accounts payable or auditDid this help you?
- 15Applying to new jobs on LinkedInDid this help you?
- 16Filing a wage complaintDid this help you?
- 17Securing a new job offer before quittingDid this help you?
- 18working a second job to make ends meetDid this help you?
- 19staying with the non-union shop only until completing the apprenticeship and getting licensedDid this help you?
- 20planning to transition to a union shop or maintenance work after getting certifiedDid this help you?
- 21Accepting the initial offer as-is due to a lack of leverageDid this help you?
- 22Waiting a year to prove performance before attempting to negotiateDid this help you?
- 23Continuing to apply to alternative firms or top-tier optionsDid this help you?
- 24staying in an easier current role with lower pay and less stressDid this help you?
- 25considering training for a different career path altogetherDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“I have about 1.2 years of experience working at a small CPA firm in NYC. I’m currently making around $40k a year.”source ↗
“As much as I like the firm, after all necessary expenses, I’m only saving about $100 a month.”source ↗
“I'm scared of quitting because what if I have no job after?”source ↗
“Dunno why but 55k kind of seems low and makes me feel like I'm a failure.”source ↗
“So my college has just completed i did bcom I am not getting but somehow I got one opportunity as fresher in a CA firm but there one problem they told as a fresher we have to teach you work so first 3 months will be intership you will be getting 3k month only then for 9 month you will get 6k per month and you have to do atleast 1yr from 10.30 to 6.30 pm but now my mom is saying they taken a advantage of your you were desperate for getting a job but what can I do as fresher need genuine advice what can I do?”source ↗
“Not sure if I should renegotiate or just accept it as is.”source ↗
“Got an offer for the same position(AP) by a CPA firm but with less pay($56,160 annually). 10k less than what I am making.”source ↗
“Would you make the jump…and is there more growth potential in an Accounting firm working in Accounts Payable?”source ↗
“I don't have a traditional accounting background beyond the accounting/finance coursework I completed in school, so I'm trying to get a better idea of what the career is actually like before making my decision.”source ↗
“For anyone who has worked in fund accounting, what does your typical day/week look like? What are busy periods/month-end/quarter-end like? Do you find the work repetitive, or does it become more interesting as you gain experience?”source ↗
“I am particularly interested in analytical/financial services work long term, so I'm curious whether fund accounting is a good place to build technical experience.”source ↗
“Honestly, I went through something similar when I started. First job was a small firm paying barely anything while my mom kept pointing out how my cousin was making double doing IT support. It was awkward as hell for months.”source ↗
“It is a local firm. I did receive another offer before this which was about the same amount , so I’m not sure if I should keep applying to other places or just accept this one.”source ↗
“So I need help deciding. Any advice would be appreciated.”source ↗
“That amount of money is insane! That’s amazing that it’s a small class size and that you would have three prep times but I don’t think that makes up for the fact that that’s literally half of what I made as a first year teacher in Michigan!”source ↗
“I would decline it. Too little money and a 30 minute commute is not worth it.”source ↗
“I am being asked to be in charge of the entire maintenance team, be responsible for maintenance of 500 apartments plus amenities, work evenings and weekends... And I have been told that I will be lucky to earn the same that I am being paid now.”source ↗
“that gap between what they ask and what they pay in FM is real, 500 units plus team plus weekends for maybe 50k someday is a joke. you are not soft.”source ↗
“Can taking a 20k paycut work out better in the long term?”source ↗
“I wanted to get their recommendation so I can take a test for a certification. They claimed I haven't done all the areas, so I asked if they could train me in the particular area and they keep staffing is not adequate at this point.”source ↗
“I found a new job in Salt Lake City, UT that pays 75k, the manager said he's willing to sign me off and will make sure I get trained in all the areas.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 8Is a massive pay cut for startup equity worth it?
- 3Is a 1099 contractor job worth it compared to a W2 salary?
- 5Is a long commute worth it for a stable job?
- 2Should I take a lateral job offer?
- 3Is this job offer a wise move for my long-term goals?
- 7How to stop getting irrelevant job offers from recruiters