Elpha’s Post

🎓 The Working Poor: Another Take on the Benefits of Higher Education It's often said that the 'working poor' – those for whom steady employment still doesn't suffice to make ends meet – is a labor market artifact of developing countries. Yet, this issue is also present in the EU, as highlighted by the paper from Swedish researchers. 🌍 Surprisingly, in Sweden 🇸🇪, known as a bastion of Scandinavian socialism and high wages, many start with low-paying jobs and stay there for life. The study suggests that it’s not just the attainment of higher education that counts but also having social ties with colleagues who are college-educated. This helps in turning low-paid jobs from a lifetime dead-end 🚫 to a stepping stone in one's career. Possessing a higher education is linked with an 11% increase in the likelihood of upward wage mobility. For those without a degree, having 5-9 social connections with educated colleagues boosts this likelihood by 3%, while having over 20 such connections leads to an 8% increase. The effect might seem modest, but for an individual, it could mean the difference between eternal stagnation and a thriving career. Employees with higher education typically possess a broader skillset 🛠️ and knowledge base, which can be codified and hence, transferred. Moreover, having spent more time in the educational system than their lesser-educated counterparts, they are more exposed to pedagogical influence, potentially making them better at explaining and teaching others. From this perspective, having colleagues with higher education can be viewed as a pivotal organizational asset, aiding in wage growth for the low-paid workers. Companies with a high percentage of skilled employees can foster an environment where the low-paid workers are more likely to acquire new skills. It's vital to disseminate these research findings so that young adults can realistically assess their career prospects. You can read the complete paper here: https://lnkd.in/e5zAcvES

One of the key areas of interest in Hays Salary Guide and Recruiting Trends 2024 report has been the analytics and data around inter generational working…it’s a question that impacts all workplaces..find out more about this and many more affecting today’s world of work at our event next Thursday 8am-11am at Quayside House, Newcastle #hays #salaryguide #marketinsights

Why is our generation so unhappy?? Salary don't match cost of living. Education doesn't guarantee you a job. Everything is so damn expensive. #strugglelife #costofliving #expensiveliving #jobmarket #financialstress #economicreality #worklifebalance #linkedinpost #copied #copiedpost

This will be incredibly deleterious to the UK research base. Universities hiring postdoctoral talent from overseas will not be able to appoint at this level for early career researchers (e.g. recent PhDs) without a significant increase in starting salaries - and of course this will have to apply across the board. Naturally, we'd like to be paying our postdocs higher salaries, but the knock-on effect here will be a further strain on R&D funding - which is already a very low fraction of GDP (around 2%) - relative to our peers. This is not the route to becoming a "science superpower". https://lnkd.in/dh8sFsJE

Dream Job or Higher Salary? For Today’s Workers, tbe Answer is Changing Forget Working for a Brand-Name Company. Workers Want to Get Paid.   By Callum Borchers The Wall Street Journal Reporter   The days of taking a hot job with bragging rights are fading in the face of inflation, student debt and high interest rates. Exciting Shifts in Job Priorities: Balancing Dreams and Financial Stability I recently came across this thought-provoking article in the Wall Street Journal discussing the evolving priorities of today's workforce. As inflation and high-interest rates exert their influence, workers are facing a new dilemma: choosing between their dream job and a higher salary. The article highlights Teach for America as an example of a prestigious early-career opportunity that offers a unique blend of exclusivity and impact. With an acceptance rate of less than 20%, it's no wonder that Teach for America is seen as akin to attending an elite university. However, the shifting landscape of the job market is causing individuals to reconsider their priorities. While landing a job with bragging rights was once highly sought after, the realities of rising living costs and financial pressures are forcing people to reassess their career decisions. Balancing personal aspirations with financial stability is becoming increasingly important. As professionals, it's crucial to consider not only the immediate benefits of a dream job but also the long-term implications for our financial well-being. By striking a balance between passion and financial goals, we can pursue careers that align with our values while also ensuring our financial security. It's an ongoing process that requires thoughtful consideration of our personal circumstances and priorities. If you're interested in exploring this topic further, I encourage you to read the full article in the Wall Street Journal. Let's continue the conversation and share insights on how we can navigate this evolving job market together. #JobPriorities #DreamJobVsHigherSalary #CareerDecisions #FinancialWellbeing

Making career decisions can be tough, especially when faced with an offer that ticks all the right boxes except one: the pay. I was recently offered an opportunity that aligns perfectly with my research interests and expertise, yet falls short in covering the cost of living in the job's region. While I understand the need for early career sacrifices, should a livable wage really be one of them? In the US, grant-funded postdoctoral fellows often find themselves in this predicament, as funding allocations sometimes fall short of meeting the basic living expenses, particularly in larger cities. It's a dilemma worth pondering. Is a job truly worth pursuing if it doesn't offer a livable wage? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. #careerdecisions #livablewage #postdoclife

It's always a bad idea to pay one employee less than another unless it's actually based on performance. Years ago I quit my job at the The University of Manchester because another colleague was paid more for no reason while I was putting in a lot more work that would have brought the university a lot of great publicity (I organized a big international conference in the field of Postcolonial Studies with the biggest specialists in their field AND I got external funding and a publishing contract for it). Said colleague did very little compared to me and yet she got paid more. When I brought it up I was told I should have negociated a higher salary so I said "I am doing it now. I'd like a raise". They didn't like that one bit, so I quit. Best decision of my life. 🖖🏽 If you want to retain people who bring added value to your business, be professional and pay them accordingly or lose them. #hr #academia #postcolonialresearch #autoexoticism #francophonie #auf #bestbusinesspractices #roadtosuccess #businesscoaching #etudesfrancophones #postcolonialstudies

🚀 The Changing Job Landscape: It's All About Compensation! In a dynamic job market, the focus is shifting from prestigious job titles to higher pay. Factors like inflation, housing costs, and student debt are driving candidates to prioritize compensation over prestige. This shift is evident in various industries, including education, research, and public service. Organizations are adapting by offering better salaries and benefits to attract top talent. The message is clear: in today's job market, financial compensation is a top priority. 🌟 #JobMarket #PrestigeVsPay #CareerTrends #Compensation #LinkedInPost #CareerOpportunities #JobSeekers #SalaryNegotiation #WorkLifeBalance #JobMarketTrends #FinancialWellness #ProfessionalGrowth #EmploymentTrends #CompensationPackage #CareerAdvancement #WorkplaceInsights #EconomicImpact #JobMarketShift #HigherIncome #CareerDecisions #CareerGrowth #JobHunting #MoneyMatters #JobOffers #WorkLifePriorities #CareerSuccess https://lnkd.in/d2bPNckZ

Informative quick read on the Resident to Attending Transition in 2023. Highlights include number of job offers have increased; desire to be a hospital employee has more than doubled (I am very surprised by this!); expectation of higher salary (males >females) with the balance of “money isn’t everything”; limited business of medicine education; higher percentages of residents regretting choosing medicine as a career; higher burnout rates than prior years. What do you think of the stats in the article? https://lnkd.in/gHCBZk6Z?

Oklahoma's economic future depends on a ready-to-work labor pool. OSU Polytech ensures Oklahoma is open for business by providing the programs and resources necessary to fill this gap. Oklahoma State University has mobilized our efforts across the OSU System to tackle this important issue.    Read more in my op-ed in The Oklahoman: