Is it normal i got my first job at 23?

I never worked before now. I did go to college though. Job isn't related to my degree, unfortunately. Just a standard minimum wage job. Going to be working 11 hours a day. I'm nervous.

Voting Results
83% Normal
Based on 18 votes (15 yes)
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Comments ( 21 )
  • ThatOneGuyYouNeverWantToMeet

    I didn't get a job until I was 22 but it wasn't from lack of trying, filled in 6 applications a month from 19 to 22 at every fast food/dine in restaurant, gas station, superstore/mall & everything else that was in a 10 mile radius. I finally got my first job at burger king as a stock'N'loader & Janitor for banks later on.

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    • Grunewald

      I admire your perseverance. That has to be a marketable quality in itself, right?

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      • ThatOneGuyYouNeverWantToMeet

        "I admire your perseverance."

        Yay.

        "That has to be a marketable quality in itself, right?"

        I would consider it to be.

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    • 1WeirdGuy

      UPS is right down the street from you. You'd love that job. You cant get fired unless you dont show up once a week. Theyre desperate for warehouse workers.

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      • ThatOneGuyYouNeverWantToMeet

        I can't drive trucks, I don't have a license.

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        • 1WeirdGuy

          UPS has warehouse jobs. You dont have to drive. They start at over 15 now just to stack boxes in a trailer

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  • KholatKhult

    The past is the past, what matters is what you do from this point on. Going from 0 hours to 11 hours frightens me for you, I’m afraid you may burn out, back out, and shy from work your next attempt.

    I’m usually very harsh about people skipping out on labor, I like my people motivated, steady, and well rewarded. But everyone needs to move at their own pace, I do not like the idea of there being “deadlines” for what stage in life you’re in.

    Starting late is better than never starting at all. Being in college is a meh reason for not contributing, students are way underprepared for what the work force is actually like.

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  • Grunewald

    Where are you working on that pay and for those hours - an Amazon Warehouse? If you spend 11 hours a day working and 8 hours sleeping, then what are you going to do with the other 5? Preparing/eating food? Getting washed and dressed? Personal admin and taxes? Grocery shopping? Household chores? Not being a stranger to friends and family? Commuting to and from work??

    The 40-hour (8 hour-a-day) working week was instituted precisely because it was considered the maximum number of hours that it was humane to ask a person to work at a repetitive job. If you're a college graduate, then unless the employment market has hit rock bottom (which it could well have done due to corona) you have the potential to do better than this.

    A start is a start though - so good on you for getting it. But make sure you don't stay in that job for too long, and if that job sector is dying on its feet after repeated coronavirus lockdowns, try and switch to another one. Make your college degree work for you: you invested in it and worked for it, after all.

    If you end up really not liking your job, stick it out for six months to a year and in the meanwhile, make sure you leave some time in your week to prepare yourself for a job that'll be kinder to your mental health - be it by building networks, doing research, gathering bits of online training and relevant work experience, or polishing your CV. These latter skills are generally much easier for someone who is college educated, than for someone who isn't, and they're what's likely to catapult you into a better situation.

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  • Im 24 never had a job yet. I dont count working at a burger restaurant a few shifts here and there when I was 20.
    Ive been studying different things and had internships. When you're different with different abilities its hard to get a job because the road to there is tough even the interview which is a high pressure moment and you go mute in a situation like that you're out no matter how good you'd be at the job.

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  • Meowypowers

    You should work in an industry for your degree. don't work minimum wage, that is for young people that are just getting in to work.

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  • BleedingPain

    I hate when my job schedules me for 11 hr work shifts at 15/hr… im on my feet all day, and dont like it. But also monies are nice and I like being able to buy things.

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  • Tinybird

    I'm 24 and have never had a job

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  • Hide

    I think it's uncommon, but not a dealbreaker; you might lack any form of experience and might have a harder time cuz of that, but on the other hand, you got a degree. You'll be fine.

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  • started working at 22. Only had internships before that. I'm lazy and proud of that fact.

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  • JellyBeanBandit

    I'd say that's normal enough if you were focusing on graduating college. I got my first job at 26, so you did better than me anyway.

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  • bbrown95

    Most people start earlier. However, at least you have gotten a job and are not planning to rely on someone else your whole life. I know a 26-year-old who has also never had a job, but has no desire to get one, and I worry for his future.

    Congratulations on your job, though! It will take some time to get used to anything new, but you will get it down and do just fine!

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  • 1234tellmethatyoulovememore

    I'm just curious, what's your degree in?

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  • DADNSCAL

    Not to troll, but what the hell you been doing for the past 5 years?

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    • Nothing in terms of employment. My mom said she would take care of me until I was ready and we were in a better environment.

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      • 1WeirdGuy

        Your mother has done you a terrible disservice. The real world is a bitch.

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        • DADNSCAL

          I agree with weirdguy. You've gotten a late start as a result of being coddled by your mother. Now you've got to play catch up.

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