MAY 18 ― A recent survey of fresh graduates showed that a fair number of them thought a starting pay of RM6,500 was a reasonable request.

That's how much some middle managers get paid; it seems these youngsters are out of touch with the labour situation.

While it's true inflation is terrible these days and starting pay is way too low, there's a difference between being reasonable and being delusional.

Wage depression isn't just a problem over here. Wage stagnation is something faced in First World countries as well. Fresh grads are being paid pittances, to the point many of them are using most of their wages just to go to work.

The wage situation is something that needs to be addressed but overly high starting wages don't make sense either. When oil prices were super-high, fresh graduates in the oil & gas sector really were paid upwards of RM5,000. This was because it was a specialised field and needed people with the proper training.

Now that oil prices have plummeted, jobs have dried up with layoffs a-plenty. Many formerly well-paid O&G personnel are finding out how little the rest of us earn in comparison.

Salary should be commensurate with skill : while degrees do give you a foundation, experience and expertise are what will get you ahead.

Some fresh graduates think having a Master's degree qualifies them for a management position. That is rather silly considering managerial roles require more than a piece of paper.

Unfortunately this is an age that celebrates wunderkinds ― youngsters who chose opening a business instead of getting a first job. But youth and enthusiasm isn't enough and certainly do not merit high salaries on the mere basis of potential.

What I do tell youngsters is they must accept what jobs they can get, but see them as stepping stones to the jobs they want. You'd be better off proving you're worth a lot of money to the next employer, instead of trying to persuade your first that you're worth an expensive gamble.

As always, feel free to email me questions at erna@themalaymailonline.com. Good luck with your job hunt.

* This is the personal opinion of the columnist.