In my brief life I have found many ways to receive a hard earned dollar. Although I had done some cotton chipping, blueberry picking, and fruit selling, my first ‘real’ job came at age 14 years and 3 months. It is with reticent pride that I mention that this first place of occupation was in fact GO-LO. I would earn around $25 a week for my one-off shift, causing my parents great inconvenience by requiring lifts home (around 45km round trip) after a long day of work. Needless to say, they saw this job as a good opportunity to instil a positive work ethic and – I’m sure – procure some discount goods and free out-of-date lollies.

Since that moment of obtaining my first ‘real’ job, I have found myself employed in an additional baker’s dozen jobs (none, ironically in a bakery), of varying quality, duration and remuneration – with precious little time in between to simply play Nintendo and collect the dole. Until recently, however, one thing has been consistent – the wage of each has shadowed the minimum wage’s every move, and consequently my increasing age (and diversified skills base) has seen me slowly scaling the minimum wage wall…Here’s an overview…and be prepared to be amazed at how much my company is REALLY worth…

GO-LO -age 14 through 17. – $4.39/hr – $5.25 – $6.84
A Kebab/Coffee and Croissant Shoppe – 17-18 yrs – $7.17 – $9.86
Heron Island Resort – 18 yrs – $11.35
UQ Library – 18-21yrs – approx $15- $16
Cristamar Cyber Cafe/SushiZona (Spain) - 22 yrs – $7.89 (or slightly less)
UQ Libray – 22-24yrs – approx $18 to $19.83

Imagine that; in 1995, to keep me working in any manner would’ve cost you little more than a (soy) capuccino an hour. In ten years, my utility increased fourfold – not a bad return for any would-be socially responsible investors.

Where to from here? Scale my friend like the soldiers of Alexander at Sogdian Rock – onwards and upwards till you stand on the pinnacle of wealth and survey the panorama of past and future. Either that, or a manager’s job at Indooroopilly Crazy Clark’s; afterall, I do have the experience…