Opinion

A graduate in Industrial Organization Engineering works as an administrative intern for 800 euros a month at a company that treats him as cheap labor with a junior label. The degree, on its own, does not guarantee a matching job: without focused experience, a first job can be a dead end.

The scene repeats itself in many small businesses: a recent graduate comes in with the junior engineer label and, in practice, removes staples, scans paperwork and designs locker layouts. The stipend is around **800 euros** a month, below the minimum wage, which in 2024 stands at **1,134 euros** gross per month over 14 payments. The company, a small business with a name that sounds like a multinational, pays little and receives administrative work with an engineering stamp.

## The junior label is not always a stepping stone

A résumé with online education, flight instructors, insurance and drones conveys the image of a professional who never quite settles into one sector. That scattered profile is not a flaw in itself, but it makes it hard for a company to see a specialized candidate. The result is that the degree in Industrial Organization Engineering, earned at **UNIR**, ends up serving to justify a position that does not require that training.

The problem is not just the pay. The routine described —getting up at **6 a.m.**, bus, bureaucracy, dinner and bed— drains energy and free time. At **33 years old** and with no family obligations, the underlying decision is whether that job is a springboard or a dead end. A cushion of **9,600 euros** in savings allows a few months living with his parents, but it does not solve the lack of prospects.

## Internships as a way to pay less

Training internships have become a common way to cover administrative tasks with pay below the minimum wage. Interns do not contribute to social security in the same way and do not have the same rights as workers with a contract, and they are often expected to be grateful for the opportunity. This dynamic especially affects graduates who take the first job available to avoid being left out of the market.

The way out is not inside the company if the job is administrative and there is no prospect of promotion. The degree and the variety of previous experiences are assets that must be marketed well. Within a year, with specific training and interview preparation, it is possible to aim for a position paying over **1,500 euros net** a month. In the meantime, weekend free time is the only real margin to change course.

## Mental burnout as an economic factor

Anxiety and exhaustion are not an individual problem: they are part of the design of a market that squeezes newcomers until they burn out. Being aware of this dynamic does not change the conditions, but it helps to avoid confusing loyalty to the company with one's own career. Family pressure and past experiences of school bullying add a burden that does not show up on the paycheck.

If work starts to affect mental health, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional. And when signing an internship agreement or a contract, reviewing the working conditions with legal advice prevents surprises.