the new, old girl

So, over the past few weeks I’ve been listening to JB, the senior managing editor of three publications, talking on the phone about potential assistant editors for his magazines. (The back wall of my cubicle meets the back wall of his.) Yesterday, I heard they’d made a decision. He commented on the salary she wanted and the salary they offered. (My mouth dropped. It’s much, much more than I made as an assistant editor.)

Today, I was talking with the publications’ managing editor. She said I knew the new hire. She was a long-time custom communications intern from my old work. She was the one who gave me the dragonflies that I have on my cubicle wall. I’m happy. She’s a nice girl. She does good work. And a familiar face will be welcome.

My big question: Why did she leave the PR place she’d taken a job with? I’m so nosey.

And I’m trying to resist the urge to call two of my former co-workers and tell them how much she’ll be making. They deserve more than what they get. I feel bad. As much as I loved my old job and the people I worked with, the company terribly underpays its workers, at least at the lower levels. I’m amazed at how little they pay.

And listening to JB talking about salaries has me wondering about how the pay scales differ depending on the magazine and the position. For another position, JB was quoting a salary level that I thought was OK, but not impressive. But this assistant editor salary is impressive. If I were making this salary as an assistant editor at my last job, I’d probably have tried to work things out with my boss. Amazing how a little bit more money can encourage delusions and keep one from seeing the light.