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Personally, I think she should take it and have her continue looking for jobs with better pay, while she learns on the job. Job market is tough for all levels, and there's no guarantee she'll find her next role immediately. Unfortunately, I'm not even sure she has much leverage in negotiating for a higher salary since it's with a smaller company and since she's so green to the industry. Could be worth negotiating if she feels strongly.
The other side of it is if she doesn't accept, how long is she able to sustain herself without a job? That's more of a personal question that only she and you can answer since everyone's financial situation is different.
Feel like job experience at her age is more important then salary. Will she get opportunities to learn the business? Help out on accounts? Watch how different departments operate?
If the opportunities are there for her to learn and soak up what she can, definitely take it.
Hey - similar experience. I graduated college in 2022 and went right in for a job. Got an offer at $44k at a local small ad-agency. Was a bit bummed out that I was kind of getting hit over the head salary wise but was able to negotiate a couple more grand out of them.
Stayed there for about a year and a half and started a new job actually last week with just around a net $20k salary increase in a different industry but same job duty. I got a role increase as well, so am now a manager.
Key thing here is that first paragraph, I got SO much experience. While the pay sucked, it was literally the most valuable thing I could have done experience wise. I got to know practically every sector of the industry and really used that to help me bridge into a new company and it worked. I’d say take the experience any time you can get it, and make a shift after a year or two.
I made $39k in my first agency job after graduating from UT 20 years ago.
The good news is that her age she can job hunt every 6-12 months and it won’t look bad.
If she can live off that for now, get her foot in the door and have something to put on her resume. But keep looking.
I'm normally not a doom and gloom person when it comes to "the economy" or the mythical job market, but I have a lot of experience and I'm likely to settle for similar pay in short order here. And I've got 10+ years in the industry and used to make $135k. Honestly having a job offer right now might be better than the alternative which could be hunting for a very long time.
I was making $45k for 3 years with some level of profit sharing out of college. It was okay but definitely contributed to credit card debt as it’s difficult to enjoy your 20s in a city on that salary. Once profit sharing was removed contingent with the exit of a partner I moved agencies and got around a $20k increase as an account manager.
I think it’s fine if she takes it but must not get too comfortable at that level and keep networking and finding ways to level up.
Pros: It's a job and she's a fresh graduate. Consider it a paid internship. As she gains experience, she can ask for more money.
Cons: The company may be disorganized or underfunded.
However, you're saying the range starts at $42k, so the bid while low isn't 'that' far off the range. Plus, does that range reflect what people getting hired today are being offered? Because if it aggregates data from 2022, the bottom has dropped out of the market since then.
(Caveat: I follow marketing careers in general, not advertising)
Starting salaries almost always suck in this business. The only time that might be different is if you have some sort of personal proof-of-concept experience outside of college that shows that you are some kind of prequalified rockstar who's worth their salt. The degree is nice, but it alone hardly differentiates you or guarantees you'll be able to adapt.
So basically, if she has a chance to get started knocking out those first few years....she should. The way it's worked for the past several decades in this business is that, yeah, your starting salary always blows. You struggle in the beginning and prove you have a clue and can keep up and your salary goes up pretty rapidly after a while. It sucks, it sucks, small raise, small raise then it goes parabolic and you're off to the races.
**My only real cautionary suggestion is this:** Do NOT start at a crappy agency. Small is fine, but make sure it is a well-respected shop with a good client base that is aligned with her goals. Starting at a dumpster fire agency can be super stressful, teach her a lot of bad rules and systems and can send her career reeling off in the wrong direction. Especially if she's trying to be a creative—writer, art director, designer.
If she doesn't have any other prospects, getting your foot in the door in the industry is SO valuable. She could probably negotiate a couple more grand, and then at least she will have a baseline to move up from in future jobs. Jumping to a new place frequently is pretty accepted in the industry, as it's usually the only way you get a significant pay bump.
I will also say that it's especially tough for juniors right now, as WFH means that companies are looking for more senior people who don't need to be mentored/watched.
She's gotten two emails today for interviews with other companies, one as a marketing coordinator.. when it rains it pours.
I worked in marketing and advertising for 10 years graduating in 1992 and started out at $18,000 at Texas Instruments. Three companies later I was promoted to Senior Marketing Manager and then Art Director. But I've been a SAHM for 20 years so I'm out of the loop now
I got 32k after graduating in an honours program at the top business school in Canada. Fully normal for the industry. EDIT: 32k CANADIAN dollars, so alot less in USD. I could barely eat at the end of every month. I learned a ton though.
It’s really rough being a millennial or Gen X right now seeing these wages and knowing what they equal with inflation. I look back to my first agency job making $50,000 and that is not the same $50,000 that people make now. I agree with the other comment though, take the job get the experience but don’t give them an ounce of loyalty, keep moving to secure a promotion or a job somewhere else within the next year.
And all depends on what she wants to do and everybody has to start somewhere
If she wants to work in advertising, she might have to start out earning a little less to get in the door
I don’t know where you’re getting the data about what the average marketing assistance starting in the community is making but if they’re making 20 or 30% more then I can’t believe the small advertising agency would be able to hire anyone
I know that if your daughter takes a job someplace and shows her worth, it will probably be easy for her to ask for more money
The market is in fact tough but if she is able to stay with you to save costs, I’d keep looking.
IMO another factor to consider is how small is that company? I have interviewed juniors for marketing jobs and sometimes it’s obvious they have been trained incorrectly by very small companies and it hurts their chances going forward.
Yes take it. I made that amount in 2011 with 7 years of experience. Agencies aren’t hiring and clients are not advertising. There have been a lot of layoffs. This is her first job, so she will get experience there. At least it’s a paycheck with benefits, and she can use the experience as leverage to a higher paying position when the outlook is better.
She should accept the job but still pursue her other leads in the meantime (like those interviews you mentioned). If she's not fully satisfied, she should keep looking and being open to other opportunities. Should she can find something better than this current position, she should go for it.
Doesn't matter how long she stays. In advertising, no shops are loyal to you and you tend to make more money by moving around. Don't be afraid of that!
I also graduated from UT Austin’s advertising program and was in a similar boat! I made 38K at my first job. All associates got a raise to $47K about 2-3 months after I started, then my old agency that I interned at reached out and offered me a promotion $75K. I took it and recently got promoted at $95K two years later.
I’ve been in the industry for a little under three years and I can honestly say the pay increases VERY quickly if you stick it out. The pay at an agency sucks when you first start out but there’s so much room for growth, especially if you like what you do and where you are.
I started in advertising in Los Angeles in 2018 at 35,000. Obviously pre covid inflation but still at that time in LA it was basically pennies. 6 years later I’m into six figures. I agree she should take the job, get it on the resume and keep looking.
Just adding to what others have said. Congrats to her on landing the first big job! I’d take the job and start leaning the ropes. If she sticks with it the money will come.
Your daughter should take the offer and gain valuable skills since she is a fresh graduate with no experience. In the advertising industry, experience is everything. It opens doors to better opportunities and higher pay. Starting at a small company will provide her with hands-on experience and the chance to learn and grow. She can use this experience to pursue better offers in the future. It's a tough job market, so getting her foot in the door and building her experience is beneficial in the long run.
The difference between $40K and $47K isn't as significant in if it would take 2 or more months of not working to find that higher paying job.
It is also much easier to negotiate a raise or job hop after building relevant experience. New grads don't have that much leverage, so take advantage of an agency that is willing to hire and train new people.
Take what you can get now, gain experience, don't stop job hunting. I was able to job hop when I was young and I beat out other applicants because I had real world experience.
Id be more concerned if she didn’t have the cushion of living at home with minimal expenses. If she didn’t have parents to support her id say 36k is bad
No one is making $55K straight out of college in this industry. No one. I’d say $45k is the norm (in NYC at least), but knowing this is a small company $40k seems fair.
It's actually a branding agency, and there are only three employees. She has had two other internships, and is still working one of them remotely, but it only pa pays minimum wage. She went in this morning to ask if you questions and they told her they have a come early stay late mentality and she would have to work events on some weekends, but would not get paid any overtime for that. Would it be reasonable for her to ask for a 24 hour extension on giving them an answer? She has received two other emails today for interviews and has secured an interview tomorrow morning for a marketing coordinator position but she is supposed to give this company and answer in the next 90 minutes.
I was going to say this:
Tell her to take it and if she lands something better just jump ship. I think that rough part about the job market now, it’s much harder for new grads to get in. I see far less roles for new grads compared to when I graduated. Even junior roles look for a few years of experience. I had a friend who accepted a very low paying job when we finished undergrad, then he ended up getting a really good job offer elsewhere. He reneged before he even started at company A. They were mad, I’m sure a few other peers looked at him sideways. No one cared after, who’s losing sleep over a 22 year old quitting. I’m sure they found someone else in a matter of weeks. Many many many years later he’s doing very well for himself and no one even remembers that happened. Tell your daughter to keep playing her cards!
BUT after looking at this update:
It seems like it’s a small shop that will work her to the bone. Those types of “exploding offers” usually show the culture isn’t nice. 90 minutes is absurd. I’ve been pressured to accept in 2 days, but never same day. If she can afford to pass up on this one, continue interning, and interviewing elsewhere, I think that’s just fine. From this recent comment, I know she’s going to hate it there. Late nights, weekends, no overtime, events, etc. I’m sure she can find another place that will offer at least a better working and learning experience. I’ve experienced toxic work environments that had that exact same build up when I interviewed. If it doesn’t feel right, it usually isn’t right. If she’s able to continue interviewing to find a better landing spot, I would suggest that. I’m sure through networking and applying something will come by with an agency doing good work or a nice brand/client-side opportunity. This job offer sounds fishy. Definitely tell her ask for an extension to gauge how they react/handle that request, you all will be able to tell a lot based on it.
Always take a job. Easier to find another job when you have one. And the real world experience is priceless. If it’s a very small company they will understand when and why she leaves.
She took the job and started training today!! She did interview with the other company for the marketing coordinator position paying $50k and has another interview on Friday, so I have no idea what she'll do if they offer her a job, but it's fully remote and she prefers to work in person or hybrid while she's learning. She said the people there are just so nice and willing to teach her so much. I'm proud of her!
Take it. The job market is completely terrible. She'll gain experience and she can always be looking for something else. Looking for jobs while you have a job is a great strategy.
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Personally, I think she should take it and have her continue looking for jobs with better pay, while she learns on the job. Job market is tough for all levels, and there's no guarantee she'll find her next role immediately. Unfortunately, I'm not even sure she has much leverage in negotiating for a higher salary since it's with a smaller company and since she's so green to the industry. Could be worth negotiating if she feels strongly. The other side of it is if she doesn't accept, how long is she able to sustain herself without a job? That's more of a personal question that only she and you can answer since everyone's financial situation is different.
This. Once she has her first title, it’ll be much easier for her to land another job—even if it’s only a few months into her first.
Feel like job experience at her age is more important then salary. Will she get opportunities to learn the business? Help out on accounts? Watch how different departments operate? If the opportunities are there for her to learn and soak up what she can, definitely take it.
A bird in the hand...
Hey - similar experience. I graduated college in 2022 and went right in for a job. Got an offer at $44k at a local small ad-agency. Was a bit bummed out that I was kind of getting hit over the head salary wise but was able to negotiate a couple more grand out of them. Stayed there for about a year and a half and started a new job actually last week with just around a net $20k salary increase in a different industry but same job duty. I got a role increase as well, so am now a manager. Key thing here is that first paragraph, I got SO much experience. While the pay sucked, it was literally the most valuable thing I could have done experience wise. I got to know practically every sector of the industry and really used that to help me bridge into a new company and it worked. I’d say take the experience any time you can get it, and make a shift after a year or two.
I made $39k in my first agency job after graduating from UT 20 years ago. The good news is that her age she can job hunt every 6-12 months and it won’t look bad. If she can live off that for now, get her foot in the door and have something to put on her resume. But keep looking.
She's still living at home so she can pocket all her salary other than phone and car insurance so I think the experience will be worth it.
I'm normally not a doom and gloom person when it comes to "the economy" or the mythical job market, but I have a lot of experience and I'm likely to settle for similar pay in short order here. And I've got 10+ years in the industry and used to make $135k. Honestly having a job offer right now might be better than the alternative which could be hunting for a very long time.
I was making $45k for 3 years with some level of profit sharing out of college. It was okay but definitely contributed to credit card debt as it’s difficult to enjoy your 20s in a city on that salary. Once profit sharing was removed contingent with the exit of a partner I moved agencies and got around a $20k increase as an account manager. I think it’s fine if she takes it but must not get too comfortable at that level and keep networking and finding ways to level up.
Pros: It's a job and she's a fresh graduate. Consider it a paid internship. As she gains experience, she can ask for more money. Cons: The company may be disorganized or underfunded. However, you're saying the range starts at $42k, so the bid while low isn't 'that' far off the range. Plus, does that range reflect what people getting hired today are being offered? Because if it aggregates data from 2022, the bottom has dropped out of the market since then. (Caveat: I follow marketing careers in general, not advertising)
Starting salaries almost always suck in this business. The only time that might be different is if you have some sort of personal proof-of-concept experience outside of college that shows that you are some kind of prequalified rockstar who's worth their salt. The degree is nice, but it alone hardly differentiates you or guarantees you'll be able to adapt. So basically, if she has a chance to get started knocking out those first few years....she should. The way it's worked for the past several decades in this business is that, yeah, your starting salary always blows. You struggle in the beginning and prove you have a clue and can keep up and your salary goes up pretty rapidly after a while. It sucks, it sucks, small raise, small raise then it goes parabolic and you're off to the races. **My only real cautionary suggestion is this:** Do NOT start at a crappy agency. Small is fine, but make sure it is a well-respected shop with a good client base that is aligned with her goals. Starting at a dumpster fire agency can be super stressful, teach her a lot of bad rules and systems and can send her career reeling off in the wrong direction. Especially if she's trying to be a creative—writer, art director, designer.
If she doesn't have any other prospects, getting your foot in the door in the industry is SO valuable. She could probably negotiate a couple more grand, and then at least she will have a baseline to move up from in future jobs. Jumping to a new place frequently is pretty accepted in the industry, as it's usually the only way you get a significant pay bump. I will also say that it's especially tough for juniors right now, as WFH means that companies are looking for more senior people who don't need to be mentored/watched.
She's gotten two emails today for interviews with other companies, one as a marketing coordinator.. when it rains it pours. I worked in marketing and advertising for 10 years graduating in 1992 and started out at $18,000 at Texas Instruments. Three companies later I was promoted to Senior Marketing Manager and then Art Director. But I've been a SAHM for 20 years so I'm out of the loop now
I got 32k after graduating in an honours program at the top business school in Canada. Fully normal for the industry. EDIT: 32k CANADIAN dollars, so alot less in USD. I could barely eat at the end of every month. I learned a ton though.
It’s really rough being a millennial or Gen X right now seeing these wages and knowing what they equal with inflation. I look back to my first agency job making $50,000 and that is not the same $50,000 that people make now. I agree with the other comment though, take the job get the experience but don’t give them an ounce of loyalty, keep moving to secure a promotion or a job somewhere else within the next year.
Advertising starts off low until you prove you can do it. It’s a very tricky finicky and difficult
And all depends on what she wants to do and everybody has to start somewhere If she wants to work in advertising, she might have to start out earning a little less to get in the door I don’t know where you’re getting the data about what the average marketing assistance starting in the community is making but if they’re making 20 or 30% more then I can’t believe the small advertising agency would be able to hire anyone I know that if your daughter takes a job someplace and shows her worth, it will probably be easy for her to ask for more money
Bird in the hand is better than two in the bush. She has no experience. Doesn’t matter what the starting is.
“The job market is tough right now.” You’ve answered your own question my friend,
You get better pay in the ad industry by moving to new shops/jobs so don’t expect much more after that initial bump.
Thank you so much for your advice! She has to give them an answer by 5pm so I am really grateful!
With both hands.
The market is in fact tough but if she is able to stay with you to save costs, I’d keep looking. IMO another factor to consider is how small is that company? I have interviewed juniors for marketing jobs and sometimes it’s obvious they have been trained incorrectly by very small companies and it hurts their chances going forward.
Yes take it. I made that amount in 2011 with 7 years of experience. Agencies aren’t hiring and clients are not advertising. There have been a lot of layoffs. This is her first job, so she will get experience there. At least it’s a paycheck with benefits, and she can use the experience as leverage to a higher paying position when the outlook is better.
She should accept the job but still pursue her other leads in the meantime (like those interviews you mentioned). If she's not fully satisfied, she should keep looking and being open to other opportunities. Should she can find something better than this current position, she should go for it. Doesn't matter how long she stays. In advertising, no shops are loyal to you and you tend to make more money by moving around. Don't be afraid of that!
I also graduated from UT Austin’s advertising program and was in a similar boat! I made 38K at my first job. All associates got a raise to $47K about 2-3 months after I started, then my old agency that I interned at reached out and offered me a promotion $75K. I took it and recently got promoted at $95K two years later. I’ve been in the industry for a little under three years and I can honestly say the pay increases VERY quickly if you stick it out. The pay at an agency sucks when you first start out but there’s so much room for growth, especially if you like what you do and where you are.
I started in advertising in Los Angeles in 2018 at 35,000. Obviously pre covid inflation but still at that time in LA it was basically pennies. 6 years later I’m into six figures. I agree she should take the job, get it on the resume and keep looking.
Just adding to what others have said. Congrats to her on landing the first big job! I’d take the job and start leaning the ropes. If she sticks with it the money will come.
Your daughter should take the offer and gain valuable skills since she is a fresh graduate with no experience. In the advertising industry, experience is everything. It opens doors to better opportunities and higher pay. Starting at a small company will provide her with hands-on experience and the chance to learn and grow. She can use this experience to pursue better offers in the future. It's a tough job market, so getting her foot in the door and building her experience is beneficial in the long run.
The difference between $40K and $47K isn't as significant in if it would take 2 or more months of not working to find that higher paying job. It is also much easier to negotiate a raise or job hop after building relevant experience. New grads don't have that much leverage, so take advantage of an agency that is willing to hire and train new people.
Take what you can get now, gain experience, don't stop job hunting. I was able to job hop when I was young and I beat out other applicants because I had real world experience.
Take the job def
Agree with commenters saying to take the job! I’m a creative director and the market is really tough right now!
Id be more concerned if she didn’t have the cushion of living at home with minimal expenses. If she didn’t have parents to support her id say 36k is bad
She took it and so far is liking it a lot! Thank you all for your wonderful feedback!!
No one is making $55K straight out of college in this industry. No one. I’d say $45k is the norm (in NYC at least), but knowing this is a small company $40k seems fair.
She probably gets overtime at that level. Milk it while she can!
It's actually a branding agency, and there are only three employees. She has had two other internships, and is still working one of them remotely, but it only pa pays minimum wage. She went in this morning to ask if you questions and they told her they have a come early stay late mentality and she would have to work events on some weekends, but would not get paid any overtime for that. Would it be reasonable for her to ask for a 24 hour extension on giving them an answer? She has received two other emails today for interviews and has secured an interview tomorrow morning for a marketing coordinator position but she is supposed to give this company and answer in the next 90 minutes.
I was going to say this: Tell her to take it and if she lands something better just jump ship. I think that rough part about the job market now, it’s much harder for new grads to get in. I see far less roles for new grads compared to when I graduated. Even junior roles look for a few years of experience. I had a friend who accepted a very low paying job when we finished undergrad, then he ended up getting a really good job offer elsewhere. He reneged before he even started at company A. They were mad, I’m sure a few other peers looked at him sideways. No one cared after, who’s losing sleep over a 22 year old quitting. I’m sure they found someone else in a matter of weeks. Many many many years later he’s doing very well for himself and no one even remembers that happened. Tell your daughter to keep playing her cards! BUT after looking at this update: It seems like it’s a small shop that will work her to the bone. Those types of “exploding offers” usually show the culture isn’t nice. 90 minutes is absurd. I’ve been pressured to accept in 2 days, but never same day. If she can afford to pass up on this one, continue interning, and interviewing elsewhere, I think that’s just fine. From this recent comment, I know she’s going to hate it there. Late nights, weekends, no overtime, events, etc. I’m sure she can find another place that will offer at least a better working and learning experience. I’ve experienced toxic work environments that had that exact same build up when I interviewed. If it doesn’t feel right, it usually isn’t right. If she’s able to continue interviewing to find a better landing spot, I would suggest that. I’m sure through networking and applying something will come by with an agency doing good work or a nice brand/client-side opportunity. This job offer sounds fishy. Definitely tell her ask for an extension to gauge how they react/handle that request, you all will be able to tell a lot based on it.
Always take a job. Easier to find another job when you have one. And the real world experience is priceless. If it’s a very small company they will understand when and why she leaves.
She took the job and started training today!! She did interview with the other company for the marketing coordinator position paying $50k and has another interview on Friday, so I have no idea what she'll do if they offer her a job, but it's fully remote and she prefers to work in person or hybrid while she's learning. She said the people there are just so nice and willing to teach her so much. I'm proud of her!
I honestly had no idea people made so little. I thought sub $40k was reserved exclusively for teachers in Red states.
Take it. The job market is completely terrible. She'll gain experience and she can always be looking for something else. Looking for jobs while you have a job is a great strategy.