[BUSINESS★★★] IS THE IDEA OF “PAYING YOUR DUES” OUTDATED?
(P1) According to a 2014 study by Bentley University, 70% of older Americans believe that Millennials are not as willing to PAY THEIR DUES—and 74% believe these young workers don’t have as strong a WORK ETHIC as earlier generations of workers.
(P2) However, 89% of Millennials believe they have a strong work ethic, but only 55% say they’re willing to pay their dues.
(P3) Which BEGS THE QUESTION: Has the concept of paying your dues become an OUTDATED work CLICHÉ ? Or is a willingness to take on MENIAL TASKS still relevant for your career?
(P4) To get answer, we REACHED OUT to career experts to help us determine the true value of putting your nose to the grindstone in today’s workplace.
(P5) WHY TIME IN THE TRENCHES CAN HELP YOU CLIMB THE CAREER LADDER
(P6) When you’re in an entry-level job, it’s easy to feel frustrated by having to do low-level tasks. But this phase is also when you can learn the most.
(P7) In fact, taking on too much responsibility too soon can BACKFIRE.
(P8) “Many Millennials push for management positions immediately, and then fail because they haven’t ACCUMULATED enough experience or earned the respect of their coworkers,” says Dan Schawbel, founder of WorkplaceTrends, an HR industry research and advisory firm. “To POSITION YOURSELF for LONG-TERM success, take your time. Success doesn’t happen overnight.”
(P9) Ultimately, your time in the trenches could be what gets you noticed.
(P10) THE PITFALLS OF PAYING YOUR DUES—TOO MUCH
(P11) Despite the potential PAYOFF there is a real danger to doing HUMDRUM work for too long: You could get trapped in a DEAD-END JOB.
(P12) So how can you make sure that you don’t end up getting TAKEN ADVANTAGE of?
(P13) In the job interview, ask the HIRING MANAGER questions like, “Where did the last person in this position END UP?” to GAUGE how quickly staffers advance. And inquire about opportunities to expand your SKILL SET, such as whether the company offers TUITION reimbursement or training. This will show how invested they are in employee development.
(P14) START-UPS will generally give you more responsibility OUT OF THE GATE than ESTABLISHED companies.
(P15) Another thing to keep in mind: The more competitive the industry (such as publishing, entertainment, sports), the greater the chance is that you’ll be taken advantage of.
(P16) Once you’re on the job, set a series of goals to achieve with your manager—and be PROACTIVE about CHECKING IN with your boss as you reach them.
(P17) Ultimately, you want to have a clear sense of your TRAJECTORY for the next 12 to 18 months, so you can understand just where all of your work is taking you.
(P18) Don’t give up prematurely if you don’t see advancement right away. It’s unrealistic to expect to move ahead in the first year or two, but if you haven’t been promoted after three years, and have been blocked at every turn, you need to get out.
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SOURCE: http://www.fastcompany.com/3045450/hit-the-ground-running/is-the-idea-of-paying-your-dues-outdated
Discussion Questions
If you found the passage difficult to read or had problems understanding specific words or idiomatic expressions, please discuss them with your tutor. The following discussion questions should be answered in your own words and with your own arguments.
- Briefly summarize the content of the article in your own words.
- What is the difference between the way that older Americans think about Millennials, and Millennials think about themselves?
- Is the idea of “paying your dues” is even stronger n your country than it is in America? Have you or members of your family experienced this in your own lives?
- Why would young workers get more responsibilities at start-ups than at established companies?
- What sort of menial, low-level tasks do you dislike doing?
Expressions to Practice
What do the following expressions mean? Practice using each expression in a sentence; extra points if you can use it in conversation.
- Success doesn’t happen overnight.
- Pay your dues
- Put your nose to the grindstone
- Work ethic
- Begs the question
- Career ladder
- Skill set
- Entry-level job
- Dead-end job
