BellaOnline Forums Education Post College Money issues-post college?

Hi ya'll!

Do you remember that first paycheck that you received after you started your first "real" job after college? Didn't it seem huge compared to your college earnings?

Just curious--were there any money issues that you felt unprepared for as you ventured out on your own after graduation? For example: student loan payments, furniture, groceries, dry-cleaning, rent????

I also thought I'd share this link to an off-site article...it deals with this topic & offers some great advice. Here's the link:
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Before I went to business school I was told I would make 50 or 60 K a year after graduation. I believed that and I went to college after my divorce to help me get out of poverty.

But, I've graduated, in 2005... and I make 1.50 cents more an hour than I did before I went back to school.

AND I have 27,000 of student loans.

I'm going to put off paying them by actually going back to school for my grad degree. haha Maybe by then something will happen where I have more money. lol

I think that schools should be more honest about earning potentials of most of the students. I am an older student and my earning potential is LESS than if I was 22 and just graduating fresh and new... there IS age discrimination.

But also it is unrealistic in most careers to make 50K out the gate. Maybe in the 80's but not today.

Hi Stephanie!
Thanks for posting. I had to laugh at your comment about making only $1.50 more per hour after graduating! I can totally relate!

My first job after graduate school paid me exactly $4,000 more per year than I was earning with my Bachelor's degree. And I had all of those loans, too. But you know what--I absolutely loved that job & I couldn't have started my career otherwise, so, looking back-- it was entirely worth it.

I agree--it's kind of interesting/frustrating to learn how schools calculate the starting salaries of their new grads. There really isn't a national guideline, so schools are usually free to calculate salary & "placement" rates any way they want. I don't think they intentionally mean to deceive, but if you don't ask for clarification, the picture isn't always entirely clear. I think the competition for students has turned salary data & placement rates into a marketing tool, rather than an educational tool.

Best of luck in grad school!
Kristy

Readers--what is one expense in your post-college life that is bigger than you anticipated? Rent? A new wardrobe? Student loan payments?