Is telling someone to work their way up considered harsh?

My friend is looking for a job so I suggested a program with jobs and told him that he could work in the service area, then work his way up. He said he will look into it and asked if I’m ok. I replied and sent a message then he left me on seen….
Usually when he does this it’s a passive aggressive way to show that he’s upset…
Idk if I was harsh to suggest to him that he should work his way up. He probably interpreted as petty or that he’s lower class. But is it bad to tell someone to work their way up? (I mean as career wise)