So do I ask for a raise, or not?

[Koharski]

Okay, so i'm a 17 year old high school student. I work for a small local company that sells computers, telephone equipment and secutity alarms to businesses. I started off doing volunteer work experience for 50 hours as a tech, I did some boring things like clean viruses and install computers. Once I finished, I gave him my review to fill out and he gave it back to me with a 500$ cheque and a note that said "there's a job here for you if you want it "

since then, i've been working here as a technician for 8$ an hour. I've been employed since october, and as my experience grew so did my assignments. Generally my duties are as follows:

- answer phone, and do general secretary things.
- Offer quotes on larger orders (over 5000$) to customers and explain what kind of options they have
- RMA dead hardware, usually harddrives and notebooks
- Install (and occasionally build) linux and windows servers, mostly file and terminal servers.
- Take tech support calls, wich 99% of the time involves remoting into a server/workstation and fixing things
- set up and configure routers/other network components on site
- clean shop
- ship out orders and returns, keep track of inventory and order new components when needed.

I go to school half time, and work half time. It really is a great job, there are only about 5 employees and it is a very low tension job most of the time. My boss is great, hes a really friendly guy, and hes awesome to work for. Last week he came in and gave me an iPod shuffle he got at a conference as a bonus. Honestly, there is very few things I can complain about with my job.

but the one thing that bugs me.. is I still only make 8$ an hour. This week I did over 20 000$ in orders (although that was mostly just because of a few large orders), but one day last week I spent all day sorting out our packing materials. Either way, here is my little debate:

Pro ask-for-a-raise:
- Often if we are working with another company on a project, i'll be working with someone who makes anywhere from 15-40$ an hour, for doing the same thing as me. I think my skills are worth a bit more than what i'm making.
- most days I probably make the company 10x more profit than what I get payed, easily.
- On my employer reviews (wich I need so I can get school credits for working) my boss has given me pretty much straight 10s, so I assume he's satisfied with the job i'm doing

con ask-for-a-raise:
- like I said earlier, there are days where I just sort cardboard or do basic tasks that really aren't worth anymore than 8$
- I live in a really small town, and this is probably the only place i'd be able to get this kind of experience, and i've benefited from it an many other ways aside from financially
- the company is really small, i'm not sure if they'd be able to afford much more for employees? I know we're shortstaffed as it is, so I assume if the money was there we'd hire more people.

opinions?

 

[z0mb13]

ask for a raise, but nothing crazy, maybe like 12 an hour?

 

[Wags1974]

Just remember who benefits from the experience you're getting. When you get out of school you will have a solid resume with alot of experience to back it up. Your 8$ an hour days are numbered so enjoy them while they last.

Think also that you are probably making alot more than 8$ an hour when you add-in the value this job has added to you via experience and developing of specific talents. I work in an engineering office and we pay our summer interns 8-10$ per hour to do CAD work that professional CAD draftsmen make20-25$ an hour for or more. We do this to offer the student some experience and some cash incentive, the real reason usually for these types of internships is to develop the individual.

 

[Mo0o]

if your boss is that nice he might just give you a raise at the end of the year. 8 dollars an hour in a low stress work environment doing something you're interested in is pretty cushy for a 17 year old high school student.

 

[HyTekJosh]

$8 is too little. I'd say $12+.

 

[Vinfinite]

Originally posted by: z0mb13
ask for a raise, but nothing crazy, maybe like 12 an hour?

lol ask for a 50% raise when you only worked there for what 7 months? good luck.

Just sit down and have an honest talk with your employer and see where he stands. However I think it might be a little soon to be asking for a raise.

Try at the end of one year?

 

[TheChort]

Seems like both your pro's and con's are pretty strong points.
I think what it really comes down to is, how badly do you want that raise?

 

[dafatha00]

I would say to him that given the nature of your work, you feel $10-$12/hr would be fair compensation, but also explain to him that you understand if he is unable to pay you extra at this time. Either way, I would probably talk to him.

 

[EagleKeeper]

You are working part time and have only been working there 6 months as an employee.

When you are full time or a year, then ask for a raise that is comparable to your responsibilities.

Make sure you have documentation to back up your request for a $12/hr

 

[ch33zw1z]

Originally posted by: Wags1974
Just remember who benefits from the experience you're getting. When you get out of school you will have a solid resume with alot of experience to back it up. Your 8$ an hour days are numbered so enjoy them while they last.

Think also that you are probably making alot more than 8$ an hour when you add-in the value this job has added to you via experience and developing of specific talents. I work in an engineering office and we pay our summer interns 8-10$ per hour to do CAD work that professional CAD draftsmen make20-25$ an hour for or more. We do this to offer the student some experience and some cash incentive, the real reason usually for these types of internships is to develop the individual.

Listen to the man. Sometimes I wish I was still young with only that to worry about!!

I'd say if you're going to ask, go for $1 to start. which means ask for $3 when you hit a year at the job!