Dreams about your first job: Are they sky high? 

Do you have unrealistic expectations about your first job? If yes, then you are not the only person out there. Nearly one-third of college graduates have unrealistic expectations for their first job, according to a survey by the Creative Group, a national staffing service based in the US. Some of the misconceptions revolve around what exactly they’ll be doing and how much they’ll be paid. In order to consult a few opinions about our first timers, the Daily Mirror Life spoke to a few young people about their experience and expectations when taking up their first job.

Iresha

“It’s better to start from grass-root level, but when looking at today’s society we have to be concerned about high salaries as well. I am a university student and I am also dreaming big about my first job.”

Ruby

“Before starting a job you need to have some experience. You should know your skills first. Money is money and it cannot buy you any experience.”

Dinuwan

“According to my opinion everybody should start from grass-root level. It’s not like having a high salary, but you should also have the necessary expertise to match your salary. By starting from grass-root level and a small salary you will have a story to tell others when you mature.”

Ramesh

“Even I hoped for a better job with a bigger salary when I just left school and started my first job but then what I am earning now is what I wanted to earn back then. So it is always better to start from grass-root level because then you have a target to work for.”

Viraj

“I am currently doing my A/Ls but am working as a DJ. Of course you need experience to do a job but with time you can achieve it.”

Sasitha

“I too expected a big salary but during the training period salaries are quite low. However I was happy as well as scared when I started working in my first job. But everybody cannot do the same job. Therefore you need to get trained and get some knowledge before blindly starting off your career.”

By Kamanthi Wickramasinghe
Photographs by Nisal Baduge