Huh? Yes I did read the OP - $17 an hour part time - $35K a year if she was getting 40 hours a week (which I take it she would not be since it is part time) $28K if she is getting 32 hours a week, plus the kicker of making more if sponsors wanted her for ad work (I have no idea from a quantification sense what that amounts to). No sense if at part time she qualifies for benefits, 401K, etc.What? None of that makes sense....
Did you read and understand the OP? This is a fresh-out-of-college young woman who chose a degree that doesn't have many options, the degree doesn't support a career in which basic human functions are required to live (i.e.: industrial, medical, etc.) and chose NOT to take a job where she could start using the degree, instead kept a retail job.
Experience, effort and hard work get you advancements in positions, salary, etc., not playing games with employment laws, wondering what this state allows, what that megacorp will offer, etc.
My point was in places that $35K sets the bar for your next job ("well this offer is x% more than you were making previously") because your future employer knows what you were making there is something to be said about not jumping at the offer in front of you, no employment law games, employer and employee use the information in front of them to negotiate the deal that makes sense for them, or they don't come to terms.
I 100% agree, show up to learn (look at my post on page 2 of the thread). At the same time, an employee should value themselves, and recognize if they are under compensated... not always the easiest thing for a fresh college grad to do. And not all initial offers are created equal.
FWIW, I would characterize a communications degree as more marketable than a basic liberal arts degree, again, see my post on page two, anthropology and history for my wife. Foot in the door was important, being ready to move around was important, turning down the wrong job and being willing to walk away was important, in addition to building experience and putting in hard work.