ECONOMY & WORK
MONEY 101
NEWS
PERSONAL FINANCE
NET WORTH
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use DMCA Opt-out of personalized ads
© Copyright 2023 Market Realist. Market Realist is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.
MARKETREALIST.COM / NEWS

TikToker Who Makes More From a Side Hustle Than What She did With Her Degree Triggers Debate

On TikTok, the business grad emphasizes the significant salary difference between her current serving job and the marketing positions she's been applying for.
PUBLISHED DEC 25, 2023
Image Source: Photo by Gül Işık | Getty Images
Image Source: Photo by Gül Işık | Getty Images

Whether you're starting your adult life with a salary or wanting to leave your current job, we've all experienced the challenge of applying for positions and hoping for a positive response. The process can be emotionally and mentally draining, especially when you're striving for fair compensation without success. Even after landing a job, the situation of this generation is such that everyone is resorting to side hustles, investing their free time in other activities to make ends meet in the face of a rising cost of living.

Many of us know the frustration of being in a job that doesn't align with our planned career path, and this sentiment is echoed in social media ecosystems such as TikTok. One of the influencers who have been able to connect with the present generation is Alison Johnson aka @fitnesswithalison, who is in a serving job where she earns more than those who can match her degree qualifications. Her comments have ignited a debate on the significance of work experience.

Image Source : Photo by Goutinho De Flávio GF | Pexels
University graduate (representational image) Pexels/Goutinho De Flávio GF

Alison expressed frustration with America in a mid-September 2023 TikTok while she is en route to a job at a sushi restaurant that she dislikes. Despite holding a business marketing degree, she highlights the significant salary gap between her current serving job and the marketing positions she's been applying for. Alison discloses that she earns more serving sushi but faces challenges in securing marketing roles due to competition from candidates with more experience. She questions the expectation of having a degree without acknowledging the need for practical experience, stating that the degree itself should serve as sufficient experience.

Alison's assertion that earning a degree alone qualifies her for high-end jobs has triggered diverse reactions from Netizens, as people are discussing job postings that demand experience for entry-level roles. The debate took an intriguing turn when it came to the distinction between education and practical experience.



 

Supporters in Alison's TikTok comments agreed with her perspective, while others argued that a degree doesn't inherently translate into job experience, and emphasized the importance of starting with an entry-level position. The sentiment that "the degree is a gatekeeper that you have to pass" is shared by many young professionals, indicating that while a degree is significant, it may not replace hands-on experience.

Image Source: Photo by fauxels | Pexels
Young employees working in an office | Pexels/fauxels

Beyond TikTok, a verified marketer on Twitter recounted his humble beginnings, encouraging Alison and acknowledging the rarity of substantial earnings at the first job. Some users suggested internships as valuable experience, challenging the notion that a degree alone suffices, while one of them highlighted the prevalence of this mindset among recent college grads, emphasizing the role that internships played in gaining practical experience. While job postings can make unreasonable demands, there exists a substantial difference between education and real-world application.

MORE ON MARKET REALIST
The creator's simple hack can make sure that people avoid splurging too much on groceries.
1 hour ago
The contestant's answer wasn't the only one that made the host crack up.
3 hours ago
The company received multiple complaints from customers finding wiry pieces of metal in the product.
1 day ago
The soon to be birthday girl, Ja-Juana fell into temptation and lost the big prize.
1 day ago
The player, Gary got too excited and almost tore down the prize board off the roof.
2 days ago
The player, Megan Zandrowicz, walked away with a fantastic $65,000 from the show.
2 days ago
In the end, the guest regretted using the beautiful Mettlach Cameo Platter for her parties.
2 days ago
The contestant Mary, won a trip to Vancouver as a perfect birthday present.
4 days ago
The player was in for another heartbreak after she failed to solve the puzzle.
4 days ago
The player, Elisa Butcher's risky dice roll stunned everyone as she won a brand new Volkswagen car.
4 days ago
The star of Boyz II Men got sentimental after looking at the item from their first album cover.
5 days ago
It wasn't an ordinary ring but the 2004 Patriots Super Bowl Ring, which Harrison refused to let go.
6 days ago
Harvey was in disbelief after he misheard what Ming-Na Wen's teammate said.
6 days ago
Harvey could feel the pain as he collected the answers from the contestants.
6 days ago
The owner of Harry Karstens' First Ascent Denali Ice Axe was shocked to learn how valuable it was.
7 days ago
As model Rachel Reynolds slammed on the brakes, fellow presenter Alexis Gaube nearly fell over.
7 days ago
Harvey couldn't believe his eyes when an answer did not show up on the board.
7 days ago
The winner, Trish yelled "This cannot be happening!" as she sat in her new car.
7 days ago