Your Salary Is a Financial Decision—Not Just a Career One

At 22, I landed my first full-time job earning $12.07 an hour. I had just graduated with a sociology degree, and I was proud. That job felt like the first step toward financial independence—and honestly, I thought having a degree would open all the doors.

Eventually, I found a position in social services. It was unionized and stable, but the raises were small and far between. I stayed in that role for nearly eight years. When I left, I was only making $18.36 an hour. By then, I had earned a Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration—but I was still accepting entry-level jobs. Still not negotiating. Still believing that being grateful was enough.

The truth? I didn’t even know I could ask for more. No one ever taught me how.

It wasn’t until I became a parent that something shifted. Suddenly, I couldn’t ignore how far behind I was financially. I needed to earn more—period. Not just for myself, but to create the kind of stability and options I wanted for my family.

That’s when I found Mentor Me, a career development program created by Dr. Ashley A. Culbreath. It was designed to help women like me—smart, capable, educated—but stuck. Stuck in roles that didn’t reflect our full value. Stuck in patterns of playing small because we didn’t know how to ask for more.

Enrolling in that program wasn’t easy. It wasn’t free. And honestly, I hesitated. I’d never spent that much on myself professionally. But I was tired of shrinking. I was tired of surviving. I wanted to thrive.

Using the strategies I learned from Mentor Me, I negotiated a $15,000 salary increase in my very next role. Since then, I’ve increased my income by $35,000 overall. More than the money, I gained something I didn’t know I was missing: the confidence to own my worth.

Before that, I’d been severely underpaid and didn’t even realize what it was costing me. Not just in dollars—but in time, opportunity, and emotional peace. I thought I was doing the right thing by being humble and accepting what was offered. But I now understand: humility without boundaries leads to burnout.

And here’s what shocked me—statistically, this isn’t just my story. According to research, only 7% of women negotiate their first salary, compared to 57% of men (Carnegie Mellon University). Over a lifetime, that can add up to more than $1 million in lost income (Women Don’t Ask, Babcock & Laschever).

That’s why I share this. Because I want more women to know: you can be grateful and still ask for more.

Here’s what helped me finally speak up:

• I learned what the going rate was for my role and experience.

• I tracked my wins—big and small—so I could show the value I brought to every job.

• I practiced how to ask. Out loud. Over and over.

• I learned to be quiet after stating my number. That silence? It’s powerful.

• I remembered that negotiating isn’t just about money—it’s about respect, boundaries, and growth.

If you’ve ever been afraid to invest in yourself, I get it. I was too. But let me tell you something I now know deep in my bones: I am always a worthy investment. And so are you.

That career development course cost me. But staying stuck in a cycle of under-earning would have cost me so much more. Growth has a price—but it also has a payoff. For me, it meant being able to afford a better lifestyle, reduce stress, and set a new financial standard for my family.

I’m always going to bet on myself now. I hope you will too.

Because when you advocate for your value, you don’t just change your paycheck. You change your future.