Should you pay your career dues – Photo: huffintonpost.com
Happy Veterans Day, and a big thank you to all who served for our freedom and safety! As we’re celebrating today those who paid theirs and our dues by serving, when it comes to our careers, should we still pay our dues? Should we still make heavy sacrifices, at times foregoing our families and friends, to get to the top of our professions? Or is this idea just antiquated, and as Penelope Truck put it, so old school? While many, especially in leadership positions today, still think it is important to pay one’s career dues, and serve and sacrifice before reaping the benefits of our work, our generation of Millenials doesn’t necessarily believe in carrying a whole lot of student debt to start at the bottom of the work food chain.
My first few weeks in Public Accounting were spent making photocopies in my crisp new Ann Taylor blouses and skirts. I came armed with my Masters degree, my hair slick and make-up immovable, prepared for big meetings, strategic sessions and instant promotions. What I found is I had to pay my dues, hanging out at the copy machine and catching the last train home after long nights at the office. Like many before me had to do. And although I don’t necessarily like the term “paying your dues”, truth is anything worth your time and effort will cost you time, energy and some level of sacrifice. The question is, how much are you willing to give to get to where you want to get?
Today’s generation of Millenials is literally stuck between a rock college and a hard place, as many no longer believe in the necessity of foregoing happiness and fulfillment in order to pay dues we’re not certain we owe in the first place. According to this Bentley University study, 70% of people from older generations perceive Millenials as not willing to pay their dues, while 55% of Millenials, while arguing to the contrary, admit their generation no longer believes in the necessity to pay dues. Is it a surprise then that such disconnect between generational perceptions creates such an employment vacuum in our society?
While I don’t agree with the now widespread opinion that paying our dues is actually bullshit (excuse my French), I also think the concept is due for an update (and maybe even an upgrade). Paying your dues is no longer about hanging out in the copy room, or even collecting the boss’ coat and Prada bag (hello Miranda Priestly)…
No, paying your dues in today’s workplace is about showing how motivated and resourceful you are. Whether it’s by using your side hustle to help your career, or by showing you have a plan for success at work, “serving” at work is less about face time at work than about proving yourself from the get-go. Paying our dues has become more about packing in the quality than laying out the quantity…
So, really, should you pay your career dues? And if so, how have you gone about serving your career?
The Corporate Sis.
