conversation: User (fiestyredpanda): "Hey all, I have a personal finance question that I really need good advice on. My boyfriend works at a law office as a clerk, part time, getting paid $10.00 an hour. He has now graduated with his bachelor's degree in political science and will now be moving to full time position in June. They have discussed paying him $11.00 an hour and may give him a $.50 raise in three months if the partners are okay with it. My issue is, the work he is doing warrants more pay in my opinion. The partners are consistently telling him how incredible his work and work pace is. They are giving him work that actual attorney's/paralegals do, so that he can participate in work that's in his field. One of the partners has even pushed to be his mentor. For what he is doing, I believe that he should be fighting for 14-16 dollars an hour. My questions are: is this pay justified, and should he look for another job if they are only willing to pay him this much? Any advice is appreciated! Thanks guys!"
  Self: "He should start law school himself if he likes this type of work, or at least become a real paralegal since he's already doing the work.  Let him decide which path he wants to take, and then he needs to discuss his plans with his law office so they will be aware of his ambition.  Maybe they will allow him flexible work hours while he continues his studies.  This long-term outlook will serve him better in the future than fighting for another dollar or two per hour."
  