There's no reason your salary at a previous, unaffiliated organization should have an affect on your next salary. Hiring managers would like you to believe so,

There's no reason your salary at a previous, unaffiliated organization should have an affect on your next salary. Hiring managers would like you to believe so, just so they can peg their offer to that number. If that happens, be sure to politely remind them that your previous salary was based on the completely unrelated finances, managers, timing, and circumstances at a different company -- and that you're interested in working for the new company because, among other reasons, you believe they'll make you an offer that reflects fair market rate for your schools and expected contribution to their company.