Kaan = Police magnet

[John]

But you didn't make $30,000/year either, and you wouldn't work those hours for such measly pay, for bosses that treated you like shit. I worked a few 40+ hour weeks as well, but I tried my best not to. I was salaried for what it is worth. Apparently there is a loophole as well, where professionals can not get overtime. As an environmental scientist, I was considered a "professional."

30K or not - you have to start somewhere. Unless you are going to prove that you want to invest extra effort into your work, you aren't going to get too far in life. Compensation doesn't always come immediately in a concrete form, but it will manifest in the long-term as you career matures as a result of your hard work.