Is this the real world?

Ok here's the scenario:

I'm a sophomore in high school. I go to academy so I dorm/live on campus. I work for the math teacher, grading geometry and such. Now apparently I'm behind 100 or so hours with my work. What they don't seem to realize is that in my spare time I'm usually found fixing a computer somewhere on campus. Also, I'm 1 out of 3 people that actually knows how to run the sound room in our Chapel. One of the other guys is village (doesn't dorm) so he's rarely there, and the other guy doesn't like running sound. So I'm the guy that 99% of the time runs sound. There are scheduled programs every week that I'm there for, but there are also random programs that I end up hearing about 30 minutes before the program is supposed to start. I've found the faculty to be too loose with their keys so most of the equipment I need is misplaced. Somehow I usually manage to run around enough to get the program started. But heaven forbid, if something is to go wrong, it's my fault, always.

Now, if I went and factored in all the hours I worked on various computers, or in the sound booth, I would probably be 300 hours over my projected time. But they won't let me do that.

My question is: should I expect being underpaid, under appreciated, and overworked for the rest of my life? or is it something I can surpass sometime in the future?

P.S. Thanx for letting me rant. Twas fun...

 

underpaid and overworked. that's pretty much what happened with me

oh yeah, and very much appreciated if you're in the IT route. it's the only reason why i even did it in the first place for my high school

 

Welcome to reality.

 

Thats just how it goes. Welcome to the real world.

 

When it works people wonder what you're doing there and when it's broken people wonder what you're doing.

 

Thats pretty much the routine for school and even entry level jobs. Its after that point you will hopefull have enough experience to get you recongition - then you can demand more money or walk.

But by all means, make you teachers/employers aware of your level of effort. It will come in handy when asking for references.

 

Yeah, that's pretty much how the real world works. BUT... this is school, not a job, and your primary reason for being there is to learn the assigned subject matter and get good grades. Working on their computers & running the sound system is extra-curricular, and if it's cutting into what you're SUPPOSED to be doing, let them know that you have got to cut back on that. It's good experience, but you have to set priorities and do what you MUST do first, then do as much of the rest as time and your willingness allows. Once you graduate, nobody is going to care that you ran the sound system if your grades are lousy.

 

What GT said. Its also worth noting that, at least on the Street, its a generally accepted fact that interns and entry level are considered a notch above slave labor in that if you add up the actual hours they work compared to their salary, they make less than minumum wage.

Those that survive this period are the ones that see the real payoff in the end with better paying jobs.

 

Welp, thanx for the advice and such. Somehow I knew i'd be stuck with this situation for a while. I gotta find something fun to do to hold me over for the next two years...

P.S. GT, I do have the grades as well...

 

In which case the only question is your WILLINGNESS to put up with the nonsense that goes along with it. Only you can decide that. Quote of the day:

 

Yeah, I think I'll stick with it. I'm not quite sure why just yet. Maybe someday I'll find out...


On another hand, thanx again for the advice. Always helps to have people to talk to.