Jay Honeck writes:

There are many intangibles about working a position like this that
make things worthwhile, however. Entry level positions are, to a
large degree, like school. You're learning skills while getting paid,
and -- in the end -- you should come out much more qualified for your
next job.

That would depend on the job. Today, well-paid jobs usually require skills
that no poorly-paid job will provide--which is why poorly-paid jobs pay
poorly, and well-paid jobs pay well. If one could prepare for a lucrative job
by taking a minimum-wage job, people would be falling over themselves trying
to get the minimum-wage jobs.

Today, not even an expensive stint at college prepares a person for a
lucrative job.

Finding an employee who understands and appreciates this fact is, as
always, a trick. Most people don't plan their lives farther than
their next paycheck.

Younger generations have grown up with such uncertainty and rapid change that
planning ahead may not seem cost-effective.