I Got a Raise and a Bonus!

I know some people find it hard to see their so many people get laid off and accept a raise and a bonus. I feel differently, and here is why.

I work hard. I went to school for a long time to get a finance degree that would bring me career stability and help me achieve a higher income than many others. I am continuing my education today (an MBA) to raise my career possibilities even further. As a financial minded guy in my twenties, I have ambition and want to do as well as possible. I know other personal finance bloggers feel the same way.

As a reward for hard work and success in my position, I was given a modest raise and bonus. I am thrilled, as this is my first raise/bonus since graduating from college.

I do feel bad about the many people losing their jobs right now. My company has laid off many people in other departments, but finance and accounting seem to be safe for now. I once had an economics teacher tell me that you “sell your soul for an econ degree.” I do not have an economics degree, but I did learn something from that line. While things in the economy do not always give you a lovey dovey feeling, you have to build up a tough skin and learn to adapt.

Jobs will continue to be lost. Other jobs will be outsourced. While jobs are lost here, they are created somewhere else. When that happens, we need to adapt. I encourage any reader of this blog to sharpen up your career skills. What makes you more competitive? What makes you the best candidate? Are you doing your job to the best of your ability?

Answer those questions for yourself. If you have a tough time with it, you should step it up to ensure that your job does not end up on the chopping block.