The boomer vs zoomer comeback is getting really old. But to address the point of contention raised here, honestly I get it from both sides. Graduating into a recession sucks, because you’re lowballed by default and you’re stuck with shitty ass market rates and it will probably scar your pay scales for the next few years. But if you already know you’re graduating into a recession and that lowballs are inevitable, do you really think you still stand an objective chance to negotiate with the offer with your fresh grad experiences? The other point brought up (and I believe it’s not to chide fresh grads) is also a good point - that fresh grads tend to over value their “skills sets” (which oftentimes are little to none, in the eyes of the employer) and inflate their expected starting salaries. “Boomers” definitely have a good point when they try to “keep us in check” because hey, I was guilty of inflating my expected starting salaries too. Sometimes when I see you fresh grads raise these concerns I have my doubts if they’re genuine questions or if you guys are seeking validation to maintain your own expected salary echo chamber.

To the OP asking, if you think you’re worth more than 2.2k and u want to use the leeway to negotiate then go ahead. Otherwise, just move on and seek another offer. But in this climate, be mentally prepared to take a huge pay cut off the “usual market rates” and expect employers to justify it w “traineeship pay”.