| Topic Name: |
USA Today: White Collar Sweatshops |
| Message Name: |
Hmmmmm |
| Date Posted: |
12/23/2002 |
| In Reply To: |
http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/2002-11-25-vanderkam_x.htm
The above article has been circulating... it calls McKinsey and BCG (as well as other consulting firms) "the greatest scam in corporate America."
The article's thesis seems contradictory. "These kids are savvy enough to know what they're getting into," but yet "he doesn't notice that he's working for $12 an hour." The author can't have it both ways--either people know and accept it or they don't. And if people are savvy enough to know the bargain, how can it be a scam? Moreover, how can she argue that people are underpaid or overworked when labor is half of total expenses?
This sort of sensationalism is typical of that newspaper, and it can be answered rather easily: to each his own. We all make different tradeoffs on our time, money, advancement potential, etc... which is why I'm not a writer. |
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I wouldn't (quite) call it a scam. More of an encouraged culture, and one which I question whether it can work well in the longer term.
I think the author has a point in that the deal is never presented as '$12 an hour'. It's presented as the chance to get rich and maybe famous while still young, when actually it is a drudge's deal for most of the young graduates.
When people are working 80 hour weeks there isn't much time to look around and explore your options. You trap yourself in a moat of your own expectations and do little to develop yourself beyond the work sphere.
The ultimate point of this thoughtful piece is that getting canned can be a good thing both for the individual and even the country, that talent will stick out whether it has a McKinsey or Bain brand name on it. And I think that is true.
I would prefer to see more of the better graduates go directly into management or functional jobs with main-lime firms, the companies which actually deliver products and services. Perhaps on saner time schedules as well. Amazon.com is not a good example of a sustainable life, though the 90 hour weeks can be justified in a startup I suppose.
Just my 2 cents worth. I've been in the workforce for almost 20 years now, with my share of insane hours and layoffs, so I know that the point this lady makes is correct. Insane hours rarely pay off (and you end up paying in other ways). And layoffs are actually a rich opportunity to try out some changes and ready yourself for the next economic wave.....
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