Can I get part-time benefits?

One of the more annoying traits of being a part-timer (or hourly worker) is the lack of benefits. Now, in most cases you're not entitled to these benefits because you don't work hard enough. Economically speaking, I don't contribute to the company enough to have my health care covered. Heck, most workers these days don't even get that.

But, I had worked as an intern for a big company over a year. I had worked there longer and put in more hours than a number of new hires. Yet, they immediately get retirement benefits, paid sick days, vacation time and profit-sharing.

Why? I've contributed far more than they have. I worked 40 hours each week this summer! I was the one who contributed to that profit! How am I rewarded? I get to leave early the Friday before Memorial Day. Nice! Wait, no. That means less hours and therefore, less pay.

Sure, I'd rather be home but why do I get the sense I'm being cheated just a little? What about offering some part-time benefits for interns and seasonal employees?

• Telecommute time: Allow me to work from home on Friday. Heck, as long as I answer emails I can be anywhere, right?
• Discounts: You're a big company, can you give me some other (B2B) perk like a cheaper wireless plan or maybe some food from the cafeteria?
• Paid-vacation: If you let me take a week off in the summer (and kept the paycheck coming) might I be more willing to come back to work refreshed and relaxed thanks to you?
• Monthly training: The worst feeling is knowing you haven't learned anything new at your job. Send me to the courses that interest me. It's better than an afternoon spent browsing YouTube.
• Intern trading: Let me explore another part of the company for a week or two. Put me in another group for a bit and see what happens.

Sure, some ideas may cost more than anyone is willing to put up. But, when you merely assign me as an hourly worker with a time-sheet don't you think I have an incentive to maximize my time spent rather than utility generated? Keep me motivated, excited and interested and I'll love to work for you.

Sometimes big companies are no fun

I've been an intern at a large company for over a year now. I've worked both part-time and full-time. I've seen the ins-and-outs, no doubt. That's why I found this article on CollegeHumor so amusing. Going off to work at a big company after school can be sad, lonely and a waste of everyone's time.

But, just because people don't notice you doesn't mean your time spent can't be rewarding.

Learn to prioritize

Sure, I may see my boss once or twice a day if I'm lucky (with a sum total of 4 minutes spent together). But, that gives me the freedom to get things done on my own schedule. If you don't know how to prioritize and organize your time this is a great place to learn. If you screw up a little, heck, there's always tomorrow. Even better, people might not even notice.

Work on meeting people

It may seem lonely in the fifth row, fourth cubicle on the right. In fact, it is. That's why I make it a point to get up and go talk to a co-worker once an hour or so. No, nobody walks over to my desk and that's fine. Many times in life you have to get up and take initiative yourself. Or, yes, you can sit there and shoot off emails and chat online with friends from college talking about how your job sucks.

Small companies aren't any better

Have you tried working in an office of 4 people? It's not all that it's cracked up to be. Sure, it sounds entrepreneurial and dynamic but I'd argue it can be much worse than any big boring company you go work for.

• You have to do everything – If you're not the boss you're going to end up doing a little bit of everyone's job. This means less time focusing on what you like or what you want to learn.
• You mess up and everyone notices – If there are only a handful of you and you make a mistake it doesn't take much of a ripple to affect everyone else. Sure, you learn responsibility and more organization (maybe) but you also loose some flexibility.
• You might make less – Sure, you don't need much money to "get by" but if I have to work harder and later at a small company for the same pay as my friends working 9:17-4:45 two things happen. I have less time to spend that money and I am making less for each hour or unit of work I put in.

So both suck?

I'm not saying working at a small company can't be rewarding. I think we've all heard the argument that startups are fun, small companies allow flexibility, etc. My point is you could easily be upset no matter where you work. You have to take the time to find the right fit for you.

Having just graduated I feel like I've made the perfect choice. In fact, I can't think of a job I'd much rather have. I recommend getting out into the "real world" through internships, summer jobs, and post-undergrad jobs to find what you like as soon as possible. The sooner the better, right?

Making My First Post-College Career Decision

Today's post is by Devin Reams. We met Devin after he left some great comments on our site. Devin is a college senior. In his post, he discusses his decision to go corporate rather than diving straight into entrepreneurship. Enjoy.

I sometimes suffer from an identity crisis. Am I an entrepreneur? Do I want to be my own boss? Would I like to climb the ranks? Can I grab for power and get what I want in life? The decision I've made right now, coming out of college, is my attempt to answer those questions.

Last October, over a half-year ago, I saw job postings for all the public accounting firms. I shrugged it off "knowing" these jobs were for the December graduates. Haha. Apparently not. I panicked. "It's time to job search already?!" I had already missed deadlines. So, I scrambled, contacted professors, talked to the companies and within a week landed a job. Phew. I felt relieved. I had taken care of my future. It was November and I wouldn't even start until the following July.

But why did I feel the need to grab onto a job so quickly and so easily?

Cubicle Hell?

I went with one of the Big Four because I've already seen the corporate world and want to see more. I've been interning at a large telecommunications company for a year now. I've seen what the cubicle world is like and I don't always enjoy it. But, I'm glad I've been there and experienced it. I've learned what I do and do not like, I've learned about people, communicating, working with others, office politics, and so on. I liken it to a romantic relationship: my first girlfriend taught me a lot about myself, but I'm sure there's something better out there.

Learning is Key

In the last few years I've become interested in accounting (and always interested in technology). All the firms have groups that are a bit smaller, more specialized and end up working less hours with more pay. I figure, out of college this is the perfect job for me! I want to see new companies, new industries, different people and of course, learn a lot about what I already enjoy.

But, once I stop learning, the job is no fun. The firm is no longer doing for me what I, as a millennial, demand. Out of college my motivation to learn is intrinsic. If I'm no longer motivated and my needs are no longer fulfilled there's no reason to stay put. Right? Therefore, I picked a career in public accounting because I want to learn. I've talked to the companies, I've heard from employees: I know I'll learn.

Creating Opportunities

I see myself doing one of two things in life: becoming an executive somewhere or starting something successful on my own. Do I have lofty goals? Sure. Do I know how, when, or where I will achieve them? Hardly. But I know new opportunities can come with this job.

Additionally, since I have no ideas and little experience I'd rather go to work, learn on someone elses' dime and see where it leads me. I have time, right? I will either come up with something on my own or continue to learn, do well, and fit into a position which I enjoy. It's win-win because if I don't I can simply move on to a new opportunity.

With all that said, I'm only 20. I'm young, I have time to make decisions. I'm far from my quarterlife crisis. I'm ready to go get my feet wet and see what this Employee Evolution is all about…