I am a master’s student graduating next year, and I just received a return offer from my summer internship. The company and people were great, but they’re offering $68,000 in the high-cost DC area. Benefits are good, and they project my salary could rise to $90,000+ in two years. Given the job market, should I accept? Or should I decline, hoping for a higher-paying opportunity later? Financially, $68,000 is doable, but with student loans and DC rent, it’s challenging. Plus, DC is far from family, and the position doesn’t allow WFH.
4 Likes
I began my career with a master’s degree and no relevant work experience at a starting salary of $75k two years ago. Within those two years, my salary increased to $90k. After that, I switched jobs and doubled my salary. Getting your foot in the door is the toughest part. While it’s important to negotiate your starting salary, don’t stress too much about it. Focus on learning and be ready to move on after a couple of years once you’ve proven yourself.
3 Likes
Take the job and live with roommates to keep expenses low; it is manageable. You need to build up experience. After two years, you can look for a better-paying job. Many people are struggling to find employment these days.
When I started, I was only making $52K with a bachelor’s degree. I rented a room in someone’s house and lived frugally for four years to pay off my student and car loans. Now, I am in much better financial shape.
2 Likes
I believe you should definitely accept the position. Gaining experience is the hardest part of any career, and once you have it, everything becomes easier. This opportunity allows you to break out of the saturated entry-level market. They’re doing you a favor by giving you this chance. After a year or two, you can start looking for higher-paying opportunities. Additionally, since they already like you, the risk of being fired is low. There’s no guarantee that another position would work out as well.
1 Like
I began with a base salary of CAD$88k (USD$65k) in Toronto, a high-cost city, plus a bonus, and had a similar situation without an internship but with a Master’s degree. After my first year, my base salary increased by nearly 25%. Currently, I’m earning around CAD$115k (USD$85k), including my annual bonus, but not factoring in retirement or stock options.
If you don’t have other offers, I’d recommend accepting the offer in this case. You might consider negotiating for a higher amount, though it’s unlikely to exceed $75k.