Working is studying to move up the ladder. There's a reason a senior developer makes more than a junior developer. Even if you work a completely no-skill job doing something like sweeping floors... if you show up on time, work hard, etc. you will get references for better jobs with more opportunity to grow. Or perhaps if you do a good job sweeping floors, maybe you'll get the opportunity to get promoted to working the stock room, and then managing the stock room, etc.

Even as a high wage earner it's difficult