How having a head start in life gives you a head start in academia
If we accept that the jobs that look best on a resume often pay less than those that don’t typically stand out, then it doesn’t take any mental gymnastics to see how people from more affluent backgrounds have an advantage from the outset.
Let’s assume three premises: (1) people will pursue jobs that look good on a resume; (2) people will not work jobs that don’t pay them enough to live/sustain themselves; and (3) students who come from wealth will receive more money from their family and therefore will not spend as much out-of-pocket on necessities. Combine these three with the fact that handsome jobs don’t pay especially handsomely. A research assistant in the Work-Study program will likely only make minimum wage, whereas a waiter at a place like Boston Pizza will make that plus tips. Hence, it’s clear that students from lower-income backgrounds will be deterred from taking more CV-friendly work, hindering their prospects in the long-run.
While this issue plagues the entire workforce, it hits hard in academia, where the order of advancement is fairly set in stone and the competition is fierce.
For those hoping to work in academia after they graduate, low-paying or even volunteer positions during an undergrad degree are often critical, as they give students a competitive edge over other graduate applicants. Work like this is also a great compliment to undergraduate research, which—despite initiatives like research opportunity programs (ROPs)—is often too taxing for students to invest in. Adding to that, funding for undergrad research often concentrates in STEM or related fields, with those looking to work in the humanities or social sciences left in the dust.
In essence, people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds simply can’t afford good jobs as it’s far easier to work in a valued position that pays minimum wage when you don’t have any obligation to help provide for your family and yourself. In the grand scheme of things, this holds them back from work in their intended field. It’s hard to climb a ladder when you can’t even reach the first rung.
Additionally, UofT’s Report on Employment Equity incorporates categories for race and gender, but not class.
