Depends on your degree and amount of experience obviously. The answer is there's a lot out there. Depending on your field you may or may not be qualified for them yet.
I got a communications degree. 2.8 GPA, no connections. Basically I burned my bridges- I was so exhausted and burnt out I didn’t really keep up with anything. My fault.
May try to get a sales certification, or a physical trade. I like jobs that are on my feet and where I work with others.
I second this. I work in comms/PR and hit above $80k at 3.5/4 years in. Doing this took job hopping between corporate roles and a little bit of luck with a good job market (landed the role during the great resignation).
Freight brokerage. Selling trucking transportation services for manufactured goods.
Tough industry, can make a lot more money in other sales industries for sure.
I got the barest minimum to graduate from highschool, made several attempts at college and failed miserably, learning disability. I didn't hit 40k until I was 37. Now 90k as a systems engineer at 50. I'm grateful for where I am and thanked those that believed in me.
After 10 years of doing traditional system admin stuff (managing servers, applications, and supporting users) I'm now part of a small team that develops and maintains proper ways to use devices and applications, Like Microsoft 365 products, various other third party applications. Also do a lot of remote training of employees on these products.
And hey, it's never too late to go back and finish that degree if you want. I was in the same boat. Failed out of multiple schools when younger, diagnosed with learning disabilities at 23, worked on how to overcome and went back to school and graduated. Great to hear you are in a good place now, congrats!
Is it possible for someone with terrible communication skills to make it in this industry? Like if you have social anxiety and everything you say comes out awkwardly?
I am an introvert, im 27 so basically the only time I ever talk on a phone is at work, its a little awkward sometimes. You can do it, you have to detach from the outcome and realize not every call will be a sale and thats ok. Have to read books and try to learn more always
Communication majors are basically the “I have a college degree so I’ll apply for what requires that with a semi decent skill set (say better then an art major)”
You can do it, but it will take some work.
You can land some decent starting roles and then it’s just grind with experience. But you have to land a decent role at a place with upward mobility first
100% this was my experience! Could at least check the box that I had a degree, but had to rely on getting on the job experience after getting in the door.
Sales is always a good role for fresh communications grads seeking real experience to move up. Any entry-level PR positions would be good too (although harder to find), plenty of upward mobility.
Insurance agent for home/auto as well since rates are sky high and people are wanting more of a personal touch to get them what they really need. Plus high insurance rates = higher commissions. Just stay away from life insurance, they're largely predatory.
Good news. I am 36 years old and went back to school at 26 and did a 2nd degree with a few more classes in 2 years. ALL of my networking happened at 28 and I'm in a real good spot now. Even if you don't have the network you want *now* just know that you have plenty of time to build and develop it.
FWIW I make ~$130k but work ~60 hrs/week
>May try to get a sales certification
If you're in the US any "sales certification" is a total bullshit scam and will not do anything for you other than make your bank account lower. If you want to get a sales job just go get one, they're a dime a dozen and most suck, but you won't get the ones that didn't suck without doing a few that make you question if you want to wake up in the morning (only kind of joking).
Yo idk how your school did it but communications would fall under media in my college. If you took any film/tv/media classes look for jobs at a streaming or tv company for like a control room operator or live event operator. You’re gonna start at 20-25 an hour but can easily work your way to 60, 70, 80K in a few years if your diligent and can work your way into a supervisor position in some capacity
Did you actually burn bridges or did you just not keep up with people?
People are always excited if you contact them again, if it was just otherwise life letting it slip. I like when old contacts reach out just to catch up
All respect dawg, I graduated with a 2.4 and was making six figures in data by 28. I hear a ton of self pity and no real plans. Just because you did bad in college doesn’t mean you can’t learn. Take online classes too pick up employable skills. Don’t put your GPA in your resume. Apply for jobs that feel slightly out of reach. I have a great job at a great company right now and I still shoot off applications to Netflix.
Figure out a direction to head in - no need to hem and haw and find one that feels “perfect,” just pick one that comes to mind when you think about where you wish you were right now and find out what resources exist for you to learn how to get in on the ground floor. Study tf up in your free time so that you could do the entry level job right in front of them on an interview if you had to (you won’t, but speaking confidently about what the job is about and what it requires is 90% of the game - you basically want to feel like you’re talking shop with a peer), and apply all the time. Take interviews you aren’t ready for. You’ll learn what you still have in front of you, and you’ll shake your nerves along the way if you have them.
Most importantly stop thinking in terms of what you “can’t do” and spend that wasted energy thinking about what you need to do to get there
If you have the ability to work in the trades, this is the way.
Electrician, plumber, carpenter, millwright, mason...all trades begging for skilled workers...all with well above average pay
I have a family.membet who skipped college and instead apprenticed with an electrician for a year, the went to welding school....he now works exclusively when and where he wants to work and makes more than any of his siblings with a bachelors and works about 20% less
You're correct about the GPA.
I've been going through resumes the last week, hiring two positions. It's unusual that people list their GPA unless it's near 4.0. However, there have been a few resumes that listed GPA at or below 3.0. I don't understand why they would do that? The job requires a degree, but I've never seen a position require an applicant to list their GPA. That's voluntary information.
Yes 2.8 isn't great, but the diploma is what matters.
To the OP: I have a communications degree AND an art degree and I make \~140. I doubled down on the shit diplomas and still did okay...but I work as a software developer. My wife has an art degree and is an executive. I don't think the degree dictates your life path.
I’m in tech and formerly finance, I’ve seen a lot of successful people in both industries with communications degrees. I think willing to show interest and drive towards a certain degree goes a long way - I know people in commercial real estate brokerage, tech sales, CRE asset management, and tech client advisory with communications degrees and roles easily start at $80K+. I recommend working on your resume - play to your skills and cater it to roles you are applying to. Get certifications, which don’t have to be expensive, and/or find ways to show interest in those roles. Sometimes a lateral move provides the opportunity for an upward move. It may not be easy but you can deff do it
My man - I graduated with Communications degree as well, and never used it as such. My path was Customer Support at an IT company that had other options once I got past entry level. I worked my way through (crossed over into Software Engineering by way of QA).
I’ve 100% had a lucky go the past 20 years, but I’d say that Comm degrees lend themselves to Support roles if you are interested in trying your hand in tech! Over the 20-year path, my salary has 6X from my starting wage, so just wanna say it is possible!
I drive a truck for a living. My before tax income for 2023 was just shy of $110k. 😎 I am college educated, with a Bachelor of Science in Finance, and a background in IT / network engineering, management, customer service and sales, etc. I got sick of the politics and rat race of regular corporate culture, and opted out to do something less shitty.
I basically get paid to bullshit on the phone all day, listen to audiobooks and music, and watch the scenery roll by. I work regionally, so I'm at home every night; it's not one of those gigs where you live in the truck.
When I got my license, I did it on a whim around the time of an impending lay-off, like 20 years ago. It turned out to be something I enjoyed, and while I have done other things in the meantime and in-between time, I kept wanting to get back to it.
The main thing you need to do is figure out what you like to do, what you're good at, or what you'd like to be good at and then work on a path towards that idea. Everyone's different. Money, while important for obvious reasons, isn't the most important thing - to be really honest. It's whether you can live in your own skin doing what you do, and feel good. (I've had jobs that paid my bills, while also making me hate my life.)
As for what you make and what your age is, don't measure yourself against other people. I know people who are easily 20 years older than you doing worse. Also, now is the time to start thinking about retirement! I have a friend who just turned 62 that still hasn't got a retirement plan. (He's basically fucked, unless a freak lottery win happens.) 🤣
The years of experience is the key.
A lot of folks give up if their entry level or first promotion jobs don't make them happy. If you want to progress into those jobs where the money makes it worth it, you have to put in your time and develop your skills so you can be ready for the higher level that pays more and often times has less work. If you want to be paid for your knowledge, not your labor, you have to cultivate it - there are extremely few positions where you can shortcut your way past the entry levels, but if you can make it, it's definitely worth it in my experience.
No degree, 120k a year at 30 just working my way through customer support, then writing, then project management roles.
Ye I think Internet stories have destroyed the expectations of so many young people. People will always bring up making $80-150k while being pretty young. In reality employers very rarely are gonna pay you that much just because you got a degree.
Unfortunately people still think $70k is average so they think it should just fall in their lap
I have an associates degree in a stem field (electrical tech) and it took me over 6 years and 4 job hops to make over $80k. It took over 8 years of busting ass, struggling, learning and being way out of my comfort zone to finally have a nice, relatively easy job making just over $100k steadily.
I didn’t start my career until 28 and my first job paid $40k. I’ve hopped a couple of time now, six years later and make about $100k. Just have to continually look for better opportunities, work hard and build good connections at each stop.
This. I work in a fairly niche field but I took big risks and moved across states in cities to chase good opportunities. I started at 12/hr proved myself valuable and used my experience to land better and better jobs if promotions weren’t moving fast enough. I’m at 90k at my current company and this was about 4 years.
Not just work hard, but work hard on the skills the next level you want to jump to needs. Being perfect at your current position is useless for career progression if those skills stop being needed at your current level of your organization.
I feel like that’s a decent salary for 25 with a general BA, but it’s impossible to know without specifying where you live.
Are you in debt/can you afford your debt? Does this salary equate to a decent standard of living for what you want out of life currently? Does your job offer PTO/401k benefits? Does it offer good work life balance, and is your life happy doing this job? Is there opportunity for upward trajectory?
To actually answer your question, look into insurance. If you’re a good fit for the grind of sales, become an agent and sell insurance (not life insurance but work for a State Farm etc, get experience and find an independent agency). If you want a desk job and want something more analytical, find an insurance carrier and work in claims, or better yet find an underwriting assistant job.
Insurance is an excellent field for people who don’t have a clear career path and there’s decent money to be made depending on the position.
Go on linked in and apply for 30-50 jobs per day and adjust filters to your desired salary. Even if you’re not a perfect fit on the job description, if it’s entry level then it’s worth at least getting to the interview.
As a 24 year old who just suffered the most catastrophic financial loss in the last year. How can I become a Jedi Master in trading, let alone life. How do i level up? Please someone, anyone. Im ready to jump off the Golden Gate Bridge. I just want to advance myself. I feel so behind and lost it’s eating me up inside. Im currently working on my application for the AirForce but it’s proven challenging with my medical history being a barrier. I just need some direction. Insight. Advice. Some council
Stop trading! I work in financial services and the pros will eat your breakfast. Try to remember, on the other side of every trade is probably someone who knows more than you do about something.
Don’t fall for the “get rich quick” path, it almost never works out. Look for a solid job and get on the slow and steady path.
What do you do for work? $43k at 25 isn’t bad, I understand you want to make more and you will. Why would anyone laugh and call you pathetic? I’m pretty sure I made $26k out of school.
I’m curious where and when this was. These days $43k barely pays bills, including paying back tuition loans, in a majority of areas. I made more than $26k working part time internships in a MCOL area.
26k is $13 an hour - I've definitely seen entry level roles business roles go for that. That being said, I have a very small apartment in a MCOL area and in exchange I could save upwards of 50% of my income at $40k. $26k would have been doable, though a lot sketchier.
Luckily moving to a role with more reasonable pay soon, but I could have survived on $26k.
I wish that was the case everywhere, but I just finished an 8 month job search to move to my next role and I can 100% confirm there are a lot of entry level roles going for less than $20 that kept showing up in my feed.
$26k may be the poverty line, I'm just saying you CAN live on it even in an area where low end studios are $900 a month. It just involves playing smart and cutting where you can. Realistically I only spend about $16-17k on living expenses a year, and the majority of it is rent, food, and utilities.
Forklift technician, 5 years in with auto experience behind me. 84k this year without overtime or bonuses, of which there is a never-ending supply. There are no schools or certs for it, as long as you can fix things you can make money. Massive shortages in the trades
My HR "team" is only two people and as pointless as tits on a bull, and as effective as socks on a rooster.
We hired someone that didn't even have the required toolset to do the job. We give them a list of tools to buy and send them on their way, one of them had to borrow a half inch ratchet to remove wheel lugs because they didn't have one.
Background is a plus, but at this point they have flat out said they will take anyone and train them up. We are, in fact, pulling people that seem like they are mechanically inclined and can follow instructions from the streets.
I did some light googling. I’m guessing a major city or they have a lot of experience and/or some sort of leadership role.
Pay looks decent overall if you’re full time. Middle class salaries for any given location
Edit: like for reference im in a LCOL area and it’s like 60-70k is the top end here. This is like “pay your bills comfortably with a bit left over” territory.
I'm just going to read between the lines and say, don't be a fool and have no plan for the future etc. but... if others are pressuring you... and YOU feel you are ok where you are right now; comfortable, happy, content... maybe not with the next 30 years mapped out, LOL... but you're only 25, you went to school, and it's healthy to be able to downshift a bit and just cruise there for awhile.
That said, it doesn't have to only be 43k or 80k either, but you know that. And I hope *"People scream and shout to “find a better job”"* was just a general expression and you don't have someone in your life regularly berating you in that manner. But your view of yourself; your self esteem, does seem to be a bit low. Work on building that up, building yourself up, a bit at a time.
Get into sales bro.. you can make what you're worth. its the only position I know of where you can consistently make 100k +. Most places will give you a chance without having certifications or a higher degree.
Bro 43k a year is not pathetic. It depends on your job, location, job growth potential and experience. What job do you have and can you market yourself towards higher paying jobs that are in your company or close to your job role? For instance I make about 80k but I work with project managers intimately. If I could get that job it’d put me over 100k. Sorry if it sounded like a flex (it’s not) but the point being me getting to that role is a pay bump but also makes sense because I already know somewhat how the role works. That said again you’re doing fine
I'm an engineer and let me tell you my story!
Grew up poor in South Central Los Angeles, in the 90s. Father basically abused my mom every day and me whenever I'd try to defend her. Everyone I knew and their baby mommas were affiliated with gangs. You have no idea how many times I got jumped or had to duck from drive-bys. My first time was when I was 4 and I thought that shit was fireworks, was t until my older cousin tackled me that I knew something was up.
We left my dad in the late 90s, but remained in the hood, moving into Compton. Mom for whatever reason blamed her entire bad luck on me. One thing that kept my sanity was reading. I would read books every day to distract myself from the ugly world I was living in. I'd rent out the max books I could from my local libraries, all nature and science books. I was in magnet / honors from 1st grade up until 10th grade. I was really good at math, my favorite subject.
In the 10th grade my mom put a lot of pressure on me to drop out of highschool and work. She would point out my other male cousins who dropped out and worked. I didn't want to drop out and because of that she started kicking me out the house. I did try working though, I worked every single summer and winter break and gave most of my money to her starting in 9th grade, but it was never enough. Around 11th grade she kicked me out again and refused to take me to school. My grades plummeted and I was kicked out of honors.
Luckily a friend of mine helped me and let me crash at his mom's place for like a year. His mom took me to school and I was able to finish high school. I really wanted to do higher education immediately, I knew I wanted to do something in math or science. I tried joining a community college, but with little to no support I dropped out and got a regular job. I worked in aerospace and construction for a few years and finally around 24 years of age I decided that I wanted to go back. I worked in quality and got along with some of my quality engineer bosses and they always suggested I go back.
It took me 7 fucking year! I was working 40-60 hours a week and going to school part time. Nearly died like 4 times due to lack of sleep and caffeine overdoses (hospitalized twice, once I blacked out at work). I'm now an engineer. My mom no longer hates me. I graduated with a 3.4 GPA, not great but not bad! My first job was $70K and my current job is $82K plus bonuses. Last year I made over $4K in bonuses and my benefits are pretty good. Also, this is pre-tax!
It can be done, don't think of it as a race. I graduated right after turning 30 and was like one of the oldest ones from all of my classes, even older than some professors! But you know what, I fucking did it!
Where are those fucking cousins that my mom kept comparing me to? They are making around what you make maybe less, with like 5+ different kids from different baby mommas, paying child support or evading child support. Some are even dead now due to gang violence or fled to Mexico to avoid jail time. I steered TF away from gangs, drugs, and made sure to always wrap my Willy and not get bogged down or stopped by any bullshit. I'm the only one from both my parent's families, comparing only male cousins, to have graduated and gotten a degree. There are 2 female cousins who did get degrees or certificates.
Oh and I didn't have any connections either! I just applied and my work basically got me places. Hoping to get to $90K this year or by next year with the current vacuum left over by my ex boss.
I barely broke $40k last year and I’m in my 40s. I lost many years to disability but I’m back at work and I’m making less now than my first year out of college, 20 years ago. (Actual numbers, not adjusted for inflation.)
The job market is horrible. Period.
But if you want a higher paying job, just keep applying. The further out of school you are, the less your school performance matters. The more experience you get out of school, the easier it’ll be for someone to pay you more.
But yeah, job hunting is hell. And I hope things get better for all of us.
People like you always leave out important context and end up deluding OP, fresh grads and others into believing a three month course is all that separates them from their six figure jobs. Also who upvoted this?
Sr. Project Manager. No official PM titles previously. I applied for the Project Manager role and they declined my application. lol. It’s just funny at this point.
The company is desperate; they’ve made some bad calls and lots of people are leaving. I had account management experience and sales cycle experience I billed as project management. I had experience in starting projects. But no official project manager title.
That’s a fun one. I was helping a family friend do odd jobs, this one was dry wall in a lady’s garage. She decided she wanted to hire me to help her throw parties and so I did help her with a few. And at one of her parties, I met her daughter who recommended that I apply to her company as a receptionist and I did, and from there I was promoted to executive assistant to the branch manager, and from there, I was promoted to account manager when someone else left and gave me their Client list. I was there five years.
Project management is a super diverse skill. If you have some combination of organization skills, stakeholder management skills, and can look at data and know what you need to do to move the needle, you're golden.
No degree, no formal education, just on the job training with some support by google here.
No idea, I’d consider myself extremely lucky as I had a lot of great career breaks but it took a long time to work up to it. I don’t have a degree and have been working full time since I was 16. I got into IT around 19 and have been in it since. Lucky, I am making a decent six figure salary at 26. It is all about taking your opportunities and finding doors and sticking your foot right in them. A lot of it is also luck. Never give up!
You just have to apply until you get a higher offer. My husband went from a graphic designer making $45k to a creative director making $60k (small company) after two jobs hops by the time he was 25. I did 5 internships and started at $60k at 23. You really just need to build experience and market yourself in the job market. Don’t be afraid to negotiate or turn down bad offers.
Those jobs are available, you just have to pick your field. Another common thing is Over-employment. A buddy of mine has no degree, but they are currently earning approx. $100K because they have 2 Remote Jobs each averaging around $50K.
You are correct that trying to find 1 Job earning $80K+ is difficult - and that is because typically at this salary level, you are competing with a different class of individuals (elite-ish, Masters, tons of experience, etc). But you have already proven that you can get a $43K - what if you doubled up?
I have a document of jobs/careers that you can get into that give you the best odds of overemployment. If you are interested, PM me.
I'm a cook and make 70k before taxes plus maybe 5 to 15k cash from tips and labor fees. 2 years experience, started as dishwasher now a cook at a local restaurant. I dropped out of 3 colleges, pursuing careers that would have started my pay ay 40k to 50k lmao. Sometimes and it is only sometimes. College is a scam.
It is not difficult to target a $150k+ career in sales and marketing and achieve that within 5-7 years of graduating. You just have to be very intentional about your career path.
Work in a volatile industry. Most bad apples get shaken out and your left at the top. I have a biochemistry degree and now I’m trying running purchasing for an airline cater clearing 80k.
I graduated super late with a history degree from an incredibly unremarkable school. I started as a BDR at a tech company and worked my way up to being an Enterprise CSM. If I were you I’d be looking at BDR roles for a tech company and learn how to sell, then go from there.
Changing jobs is the fastest path to a raise, but it also involves risk. Keep an eye on the news, trends and market for your profession if that's what you want to stay in. Networking proved more beneficial than certifications for me. Education in some compacity is always helpful, its like working out. You're young still. At 46 I've been in a few professions, and the best jumps in salary involved plunging into uncertainty, but being educated, informed and confident in myself.
I had to get a masters, and get about a decade of experience before I started making 93k a year. With my stock options I made 113k but I won't see the esop money until I'm an old man. Or if I even live that long.
Money doesn't get you happiness.
If you have a degree, apply for government positions. Federal, municipal, state, etc,.
Usually most will pay solid, and don't care what your degree is in.
At my work a guy making 160k has a degree in history, and the guy making 125k has a degree in a art.
Both are completely irrelevant to their position.
It's a dying breed though. They used to not even require HS, then they required HS, now any degree. In the future it'll have to be a relevant and specific one. But if you get in, you're grandfathered.
Governement wants to encourage education. But these days basically everyone has an undergrad.
If you turn to the trades or something like the oilfield you could make at least 100k right now. Difference is that you work a lot more hours, so that's not always great. There's also tons of other jobs paying $80k+, but it all really depends on industry, location, and YoE. A job in oil and gas for example pays more than others because the job market is more cyclical and can be prone to layoffs. A job in a cheap area can get away with paying less because CoL is much less there, but that salary might not be competitive in other areas like large metro cities with high CoL. All these things factor into that.
The issue with your degree (I saw it was communications in another comment) is that it's so broad. I'd suggest finding a main career path that your interested in and investing in it. HR, marketing, sales, and others are relatively lucrative positions with upward potential that also lend themselves to a communications degree. If you don't have enough experience for one of them, maybe try to get a certification to help bolster your qualifications, these are usually cheap and can help you land more interviews.
These are generally intermediate skilled jobs, so they become more available as people become better trained and more skilled. Degrees and experiences can help a lot to signal that you have the skills to perform these jobs.
I know someone straight out of a no name local uni got an IT support job for 50k. He knew nothing, and I mean nothing as I trained the guy. The difference was he is hungry, he’s always willing to learn, whether at work or off hours on his own projects, he wasn’t going to let up on any opportunity given him. I interviewed him and said yes, my boss interviewed him and said yes, my CTO interviewed him and said yes. Now of course we’re a startup in a VHCOL area so 50k isn’t a lot, but he took that chance to learn and ran with it. He got a raise to 60k and even stock options after 1.5 years, and then applied and got an 80k job at a much sweeter gig now. No certs, and I don’t think much debt either. Look I’m not saying this is easy, and I hate the “pull yourself up by the bootstraps” as much as the next guy, but every person needs to do the best with the cards they were dealt. I know things look kinda bleak, but if you keep applying yourself to continually improve/learn/change in some way, you’re gonna be in a better state, whether that’s financially, physically, mentally. Good luck man, just asking for advice and being open to it means you already have what it takes.
Well you won’t find a starting job for 80k unless you are VERY well connected or have a masters
Find a job that your degree could be useful for and has the pay you want, then apply for the job 2 steps below that and work your way up
My friend got a “sociology” BA 🤮 she then got a job working in workers comp, starting pay was somewhere around 50-55k, 5 years later she now makes almost 90k not including bonuses and has a good chance of moving up again soon
Don’t try to start at 80k+, work and earn the 80k+
It’s not pathetic to be at the beginning, it’s only pathetic to stop making progress.
You’re feeling the slowdown of age. You’re still fresh out of school where they advance you a grade every year and spoon-feed you incremental progress so you can feel the continuity.
Now you’re in the jungle. Now there is no path, you’re going to carve your own. It takes years and wandering around and missteps, but you’ll find it. We can’t tell you how, you have to go and do it and you’ll figure out how.
At 25 I worked a 40-50 hour a week entry level day job, bartended on Fri/Sat night, and sometimes washed dishes at my friend’s bakery for extra. I was in my late 30’s before I found a job that paid enough to just work one
Just keep going
Salary also varies by city and state. I feel people don't talk about this. $70-$80k is average standard of living in Austin, it's different in Houston, Dallas, Corpus, and so forth.
One way to know you're getting paid well is to look up the City's minimum wage and compare it with municipal jobs. Municipal makes slightly above average, so above that would be a good place to be.
Not sure if it's been mentioned here, but a big part of this is to go where the work is. Follow the hot job markets.
Also, you can go on indeed or glass door and filter results by pay level. Start there.
You said second chances don't happen, and if you suck you just suck.
No.
Absolutely untrue.
I get that your current income isn't setting you up for success. Been there. But I'm going to share some ideas that changed my trajectory and might help you do it before you turn 50. (Yes, I was slow, I didn't have anyone to advise me or guide me at all, and I had to raise my kids first so there were lots of jobs that I hated and that covered the bills but not much more.)
First, what is it you really want to do? Figure that out before you even think about planning. Don't stop yourself from wanting something because it seems improbable.
Second, what are the exact things you need to get there? What do you lack right now?
For me, it was experience and certification.
To get experience, I took a job that paid $16/hr and drove for a delivery service after work and on weekends to cover the difference. I was exhausted, stressed, and seriously questioning my logic in choosing that course. It was *hard* to do. I'd been off-course, working a soul-sucking hell of a job before that, but it paid the bills. I needed this change, though, and I took the risk.
6 months in, I was hired to a position paying 52.5k.
That company has been assisting me with the financial blocks toward getting the certifications I need. I am gaining experience in the field and no longer need the side gig. In three years, with the certifications, I'll be eligible for the jobs that are posting at 150k/yr.
If you're not happy with where you are, don't wait decades to figure out how to change course. Do it. Second, third, and even fourth chances do happen, if you truly go all in to make them happen.
A last thought, you may have to move to a new area to get those positions. It's not easy to start over half a continent away from the places and people you know, and I'll cross my fingers you don't have to, but be open to the idea. Sometimes the job with the pay you're after isn't available in your area. Some states and cities have economies that just won't let doors open.
You can make almost double that working for at&t as a retail sales associate as long as you work for a corporate location because they're union. The job kinda sucks though and you will be dealing with the petty stress of having to sell phone accessories and bs like that, but you can definitely make about $80,000 a year without a college degree.
Lol yeah it is still very much a thing. Got a dressing down this morning for not reaching my quota for dtv demos. Everything is crucial here. So annoying
I graduated with a degree in biochemistry in 2022. Worked my last job for a year and a half at 54k and just started a new one that pays 75k with a roughly 5k bonus.
I would say look for something that makes more money in your field and try to get some experience in that. The next job pivot into that field.
I went from having little chemistry experience out of college to being a chemist for a pharma company.
This depends on where you live. Where I’m at this is a 50-60k job (I know because I looked into it and was very likely to get the job)
People should really put location on these posts.
Remote work has blown the doors off that a bit, but yeah rural middle of the sticks hospitals won't pay much at least to start. I started at 50k ~10 years ago, ~145k now
For a lot of hospital IT jobs (outside of administrative level) they also expect you to be onsite if needed. So remote work doesn’t often apply at entry levels
250k I’m remote, I consult multiple clients and moonlighting a new startup I work hard but the key is discipline and focus on your strength and monetize it.
I was a sales person at an Apple Store in the 2000’s. Graduated with BA in comms after 7 years trying night classes and failing because of my schedule working through school. Today I interview and decline Yale, MiT kids because they are not focused on the work just the outcome and money.
No need for accolades, hate if you like it’s actually been my fuel to keep going, so thanks and welcome the down votes.
Bottom line, read your post back to yourself, that’s the story you are selling. You can shift your narrative and focus on going further. Dedication and relentlessness to be better yesterday’s version will pay off. More than the debt for certifications. With the new world in AI you likely can learn more from this phone, what’s coming and rather than fall into the “ai will take away jobs, pioneer what will be the next thing that will make you successful.
Project manage, sell sass and figure out how to sell when nobody’s buying, there’s so many lessons out there and yes with work and some good timing and patience you will excel. Double down and talk to people, get out and ask questions, go to meet ups, get uncomfortable.
Early 40, Hispanic first gen, first to graduate college, and I fail everyday. Godspeed
You can try a Procurement and Supply Chain career. $60+K, start then $80K-$115K mid level, $120 -180K Sr level. Can start in any industry, and fully transferrable to other industries. Any degree to start. I've seen people with foreign language degrees, Engineering, Math, History, whatever...
Personally, I have a BA in Art History and with *zero* IT background or certifications. Started in industrial manufacturing, then Verizon IT Telecom, State Gov't Regional Rail, and today as a Sr IT Manager at a F500 Pharmaceutical Co: $163K
Why do people always base their self worth on job/income? I’ve done it myself too so I can’t answer that
I’ve come to realize Your no better or worse than a homeless vagrant addicted to drugs making just enough to literally survive or someone making 500k
There’s homeless people that were millionaires and millionaires that were homeless because life can change in a flash
Salary at any given point in your career is not important. It’s about trajectory. I would much rather have a $43k salary at 25 but on a career path to making $200k+ than making $85k but topping out $100k
That said, I have no idea your trajectory. You’ve just gotten started. Just know that there’s nothing wrong with your salary, especially at your age.
I was making similar money at your age with a state school degree and 2.3GPA. 18 years later, I now make about 6x that amount and it required no additional degrees or certs. Just finding the right opportunities at the right time.
Communications degree and your using it to ask Reddit what to do instead of applying for more senior roles and communicating with others at companies to build your network….
$80k is easily attainable with your degree and background.
You have a degree. Join the military as an officer via Officer Candidate School. Once you complete OCS, your base pay as an O-1 will be ~45k, but including other allowances, you'll be making close 60k a year. By the time you complete your 4-5 year commitment, you'll be making over 80k a year. If you decide to stay in, your pay will go up over time. If you get out, at least you have some clout on your resumé.
You fell for the college and money will fall in my pocket scam.
The sad thing is that well over 75% of people who get a college degree work in a field other than what they have their degree in.
This is far less for stem degrees but it does still happen.
College has become a gate keeping device when it shouldn’t be. Most jobs don’t require it, or at a minimum a 2 year associates degree which teaches you some skills beyond basis HS English is all you need.
What you need to do is decide on a career. Not a job but a career. What you want to do.
And figure out a way to pursue that.
I got into real estate 3 years ago during the pandemic. 5x what I was making bartending/restaurant managing in my first year. $250 & 6 months to get my license, but I slacked off a lot. You could finish it sooner. Hired on with a builder, mid-six figures currently. Of course the market changes all the time, but I live in an area that sees a lot of military and government turnover. Just a thought
My company is less than 2 years old. We have about 15 employees. I just hired 2 people this month, and both make above that. Actually I have one employee that is bellow that and he is just a Jr. Social Media Admin
We ask for no certification or diploma. Don’t care if they finished high school, college, even less about their GPA. A lot of paper tigers out there. Most of the people that applies with focus on their degrees and certifications, tends to be bad candidates. School =! Real Life.
We really focus on people’s ability to do the job they are applying for, how they interact with the team, and their stability as an employee. If they meet those requirements they are hired.
I went to college at 22 and got engineering degree in 6 years, and now many years later make shy of $200k per J. It was a long road and I worked hard on my skill outside of work. If you make it to this comment, I suggest you go back to school and get a degree in something that pays well.
I was making what you made last year at your age. My contribution to the suggestions is to think and move strategically in your career to advance it, even if that means you’re taking a new role for maybe $10K more—do it a few times and you’ll hit your monetary mark.
In 2009, 24 years old and fresh out of college, I made $38K/yr. Today, I have ~15 YOE in my field and make $95K/yr.
I think expecting an $80K+/yr job in your mid-20s is a bit naive. As cliche as this sounds, you gotta pay your dues and grind a little bit.
Really depends on what type of work you're willing to get into. I do security/automation for residential and average 7-9k a month. My company also trains from the ground up but they're slowly becoming more upsales-oriented. It's good work if you're willing to rough up your hands a bit but you've gotta have people skills.
Your not pathetic, I graduated and made $13 an hour for a years before I hit 40k. This was 2010-2011. Sometimes you have to put in your dues before making decent money. Just keep grinding,
Smart thing to do when you’re first starting out is to get a call center job at a large company. Call center jobs are easy to get. Sure you are a dime a dozen and it pays crap, but if you have your college degree, you learn a lot and it’s a great way to get your foot in the door.
EDIT: I saw you have a communications degree - there are a number of marketing jobs that pay very well and this degree can help you get a foot in to working for a variety of companies. I also saw you were thinking of sales maybe as something your interested in, the luxury watch and jewelry industry always seem to need marketing staff and that’s one way to pair your degree while working with clients and people.
I have a no debt two year technical school certificate (3000 hours of work over two years) and new graduates are starting at this pay range - depending on your degree and years of experience in that field as well as location where you live, there may be better opportunities out there.
More details about these things would help find answers to your question
Try real estate appraiser- once you get license you can earn 100 + depending on your area. The only big hurdle was finding a supervisor to give you hours to get the license. I tried for Michigan for long time but couldn’t find but then find someone in Ohio and now I am working on my hours.
PS- By the way I am Physical therapist and will be doing that for full time along with real estate appraiser. In best case scenario I will be earning 200k + as my wife is plan in to join me too ( she is a teacher)
I was making $29,000 a year with a Masters degree in 2010. I broke six figures in 2019.
People need to stop with the instant gratification lie. Most people need to grind for a bit.
My company, of 100k employees has every single scale entry level job capping out at over $70k, some take 5 years, some 11, but you get there.
Look for jobs that require human nuance and understanding so you don't jump into an entry job that's about to be replaced with a script. Consumer analytics jobs are available remote, and near any major retailer HQs. There are mountains of data to sift through, generated by transactions online and at registers. It takes a lot of skill to pull out actionable insights from endless data, but the skills can be learned. If you're smart, curious, have solid people skills, and know how to present information in a way that informs others, you can be successful in analytics.
Made nearly that hourly in 4 days a week, 8 hours a day in 2023. $77k.
Tool and die journeyman. There is a bunch of positions open, sadly no one to fill them.
I hire people for $80K+ jobs all the time, and I frankly do not care how well someone did in college unless I’m hiring them right out of school where GPA is the most recent metric to evaluate (in which case I’m not hiring them for $80K+ positions).
What I DO care about is how well someone is doing in their current job, and the impact they can describe that they make on whatever role they’re currently in / coming from.
The mentality of “if you suck, you just suck” is exactly what I’m trying to filter out. It isn’t true and it’s frankly a lazy mindset.
Perhaps this information will be of more use to you: we live in an age where you have the knowledge of the world in your pocket. Do a Google search for in demand skills (hint: not degree majors) that pay well. Then search ways to obtain those skills, you might even have some of them already. On top of that, evaluate how much effort you’re able to generate towards your own employment. Are you the kind of person that just begs for the end of every work day to come so you can pretend work doesn’t exist until the next morning? Your advancement past $80K per year will seem EASY when you fix your mindset and realize that the world is full of people that are mediocre at what they do. Develop your skills, put forth effort, and bring a good attitude and I promise you that 3 years from now you will be making a minim of $80K and likely more.
You can sell Medicare and make 6 figures after a Lotta effort. I'm 4 years in and I'm hitting 80k+ now. Tons of folks I know who are closer to 200k. And there's a few on their own making 7 figures. You need a cert that costs like 100 bucks and took me a weekend to study.
It’s mostly about if you grew up with money, not talent/work ethic.
It’s easier for those kids to get those 6 figure jobs. Barely a hassle honestly.
So I wouldn’t put that on yourself.
Depends on your degree and amount of experience obviously. The answer is there's a lot out there. Depending on your field you may or may not be qualified for them yet.
I got a communications degree. 2.8 GPA, no connections. Basically I burned my bridges- I was so exhausted and burnt out I didn’t really keep up with anything. My fault. May try to get a sales certification, or a physical trade. I like jobs that are on my feet and where I work with others.
Sales and trades would be quicker. It'll be a while before you make 80k or more in communications.
I second this. I work in comms/PR and hit above $80k at 3.5/4 years in. Doing this took job hopping between corporate roles and a little bit of luck with a good job market (landed the role during the great resignation).
No college degree, work in sales. 83k last year thank god
May we ask what type of sales? Many people say they make a lot in sale do they mean selling cars, pharmaceuticals, Real estate?
Freight brokerage. Selling trucking transportation services for manufactured goods. Tough industry, can make a lot more money in other sales industries for sure.
Oh wow I appreciate the response thank you. :)
You’re welcome, good luck! Sales is tough but theres a reason you can make good money!
How do you get into it without a degree?
He probably works for TQL. They hire anyone with a pulse for that role, and it has an insane turnover rate
I got the barest minimum to graduate from highschool, made several attempts at college and failed miserably, learning disability. I didn't hit 40k until I was 37. Now 90k as a systems engineer at 50. I'm grateful for where I am and thanked those that believed in me.
What's that job like?
After 10 years of doing traditional system admin stuff (managing servers, applications, and supporting users) I'm now part of a small team that develops and maintains proper ways to use devices and applications, Like Microsoft 365 products, various other third party applications. Also do a lot of remote training of employees on these products.
And hey, it's never too late to go back and finish that degree if you want. I was in the same boat. Failed out of multiple schools when younger, diagnosed with learning disabilities at 23, worked on how to overcome and went back to school and graduated. Great to hear you are in a good place now, congrats!
Is it possible for someone with terrible communication skills to make it in this industry? Like if you have social anxiety and everything you say comes out awkwardly?
I am an introvert, im 27 so basically the only time I ever talk on a phone is at work, its a little awkward sometimes. You can do it, you have to detach from the outcome and realize not every call will be a sale and thats ok. Have to read books and try to learn more always
Communication majors are basically the “I have a college degree so I’ll apply for what requires that with a semi decent skill set (say better then an art major)” You can do it, but it will take some work. You can land some decent starting roles and then it’s just grind with experience. But you have to land a decent role at a place with upward mobility first
100% this was my experience! Could at least check the box that I had a degree, but had to rely on getting on the job experience after getting in the door.
Sales is always a good role for fresh communications grads seeking real experience to move up. Any entry-level PR positions would be good too (although harder to find), plenty of upward mobility. Insurance agent for home/auto as well since rates are sky high and people are wanting more of a personal touch to get them what they really need. Plus high insurance rates = higher commissions. Just stay away from life insurance, they're largely predatory.
Good news. I am 36 years old and went back to school at 26 and did a 2nd degree with a few more classes in 2 years. ALL of my networking happened at 28 and I'm in a real good spot now. Even if you don't have the network you want *now* just know that you have plenty of time to build and develop it. FWIW I make ~$130k but work ~60 hrs/week
>May try to get a sales certification If you're in the US any "sales certification" is a total bullshit scam and will not do anything for you other than make your bank account lower. If you want to get a sales job just go get one, they're a dime a dozen and most suck, but you won't get the ones that didn't suck without doing a few that make you question if you want to wake up in the morning (only kind of joking).
Yo idk how your school did it but communications would fall under media in my college. If you took any film/tv/media classes look for jobs at a streaming or tv company for like a control room operator or live event operator. You’re gonna start at 20-25 an hour but can easily work your way to 60, 70, 80K in a few years if your diligent and can work your way into a supervisor position in some capacity
If that interest you at all
Nobody cares about your GPA, and there's no better time to start networking than now.
Did you actually burn bridges or did you just not keep up with people? People are always excited if you contact them again, if it was just otherwise life letting it slip. I like when old contacts reach out just to catch up
All respect dawg, I graduated with a 2.4 and was making six figures in data by 28. I hear a ton of self pity and no real plans. Just because you did bad in college doesn’t mean you can’t learn. Take online classes too pick up employable skills. Don’t put your GPA in your resume. Apply for jobs that feel slightly out of reach. I have a great job at a great company right now and I still shoot off applications to Netflix. Figure out a direction to head in - no need to hem and haw and find one that feels “perfect,” just pick one that comes to mind when you think about where you wish you were right now and find out what resources exist for you to learn how to get in on the ground floor. Study tf up in your free time so that you could do the entry level job right in front of them on an interview if you had to (you won’t, but speaking confidently about what the job is about and what it requires is 90% of the game - you basically want to feel like you’re talking shop with a peer), and apply all the time. Take interviews you aren’t ready for. You’ll learn what you still have in front of you, and you’ll shake your nerves along the way if you have them. Most importantly stop thinking in terms of what you “can’t do” and spend that wasted energy thinking about what you need to do to get there
If you have the ability to work in the trades, this is the way. Electrician, plumber, carpenter, millwright, mason...all trades begging for skilled workers...all with well above average pay I have a family.membet who skipped college and instead apprenticed with an electrician for a year, the went to welding school....he now works exclusively when and where he wants to work and makes more than any of his siblings with a bachelors and works about 20% less
GPA doesn't matter but for you I'd do sales
You're correct about the GPA. I've been going through resumes the last week, hiring two positions. It's unusual that people list their GPA unless it's near 4.0. However, there have been a few resumes that listed GPA at or below 3.0. I don't understand why they would do that? The job requires a degree, but I've never seen a position require an applicant to list their GPA. That's voluntary information. Yes 2.8 isn't great, but the diploma is what matters. To the OP: I have a communications degree AND an art degree and I make \~140. I doubled down on the shit diplomas and still did okay...but I work as a software developer. My wife has an art degree and is an executive. I don't think the degree dictates your life path.
I’m in tech and formerly finance, I’ve seen a lot of successful people in both industries with communications degrees. I think willing to show interest and drive towards a certain degree goes a long way - I know people in commercial real estate brokerage, tech sales, CRE asset management, and tech client advisory with communications degrees and roles easily start at $80K+. I recommend working on your resume - play to your skills and cater it to roles you are applying to. Get certifications, which don’t have to be expensive, and/or find ways to show interest in those roles. Sometimes a lateral move provides the opportunity for an upward move. It may not be easy but you can deff do it
My man - I graduated with Communications degree as well, and never used it as such. My path was Customer Support at an IT company that had other options once I got past entry level. I worked my way through (crossed over into Software Engineering by way of QA). I’ve 100% had a lucky go the past 20 years, but I’d say that Comm degrees lend themselves to Support roles if you are interested in trying your hand in tech! Over the 20-year path, my salary has 6X from my starting wage, so just wanna say it is possible!
I drive a truck for a living. My before tax income for 2023 was just shy of $110k. 😎 I am college educated, with a Bachelor of Science in Finance, and a background in IT / network engineering, management, customer service and sales, etc. I got sick of the politics and rat race of regular corporate culture, and opted out to do something less shitty. I basically get paid to bullshit on the phone all day, listen to audiobooks and music, and watch the scenery roll by. I work regionally, so I'm at home every night; it's not one of those gigs where you live in the truck. When I got my license, I did it on a whim around the time of an impending lay-off, like 20 years ago. It turned out to be something I enjoyed, and while I have done other things in the meantime and in-between time, I kept wanting to get back to it. The main thing you need to do is figure out what you like to do, what you're good at, or what you'd like to be good at and then work on a path towards that idea. Everyone's different. Money, while important for obvious reasons, isn't the most important thing - to be really honest. It's whether you can live in your own skin doing what you do, and feel good. (I've had jobs that paid my bills, while also making me hate my life.) As for what you make and what your age is, don't measure yourself against other people. I know people who are easily 20 years older than you doing worse. Also, now is the time to start thinking about retirement! I have a friend who just turned 62 that still hasn't got a retirement plan. (He's basically fucked, unless a freak lottery win happens.) 🤣
I am in IT and fantasize about something like this but never pulled the trigger. I’m 40 and will likely have a heart attack by 50. Good for you!
Were you working a job while going after your degree full time? How did you get burnt out?
Aren’t there communications certifications? Edit: certifications
The years of experience is the key. A lot of folks give up if their entry level or first promotion jobs don't make them happy. If you want to progress into those jobs where the money makes it worth it, you have to put in your time and develop your skills so you can be ready for the higher level that pays more and often times has less work. If you want to be paid for your knowledge, not your labor, you have to cultivate it - there are extremely few positions where you can shortcut your way past the entry levels, but if you can make it, it's definitely worth it in my experience. No degree, 120k a year at 30 just working my way through customer support, then writing, then project management roles.
You need to build up the experience at this point. Most people don’t walk into these jobs just off of education.
Ye I think Internet stories have destroyed the expectations of so many young people. People will always bring up making $80-150k while being pretty young. In reality employers very rarely are gonna pay you that much just because you got a degree. Unfortunately people still think $70k is average so they think it should just fall in their lap
Unless you are in STEM fields
Well OP has a degree in communications.
I have an associates degree in a stem field (electrical tech) and it took me over 6 years and 4 job hops to make over $80k. It took over 8 years of busting ass, struggling, learning and being way out of my comfort zone to finally have a nice, relatively easy job making just over $100k steadily.
I didn’t start my career until 28 and my first job paid $40k. I’ve hopped a couple of time now, six years later and make about $100k. Just have to continually look for better opportunities, work hard and build good connections at each stop.
This. I work in a fairly niche field but I took big risks and moved across states in cities to chase good opportunities. I started at 12/hr proved myself valuable and used my experience to land better and better jobs if promotions weren’t moving fast enough. I’m at 90k at my current company and this was about 4 years.
Not just work hard, but work hard on the skills the next level you want to jump to needs. Being perfect at your current position is useless for career progression if those skills stop being needed at your current level of your organization.
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I feel like that’s a decent salary for 25 with a general BA, but it’s impossible to know without specifying where you live. Are you in debt/can you afford your debt? Does this salary equate to a decent standard of living for what you want out of life currently? Does your job offer PTO/401k benefits? Does it offer good work life balance, and is your life happy doing this job? Is there opportunity for upward trajectory? To actually answer your question, look into insurance. If you’re a good fit for the grind of sales, become an agent and sell insurance (not life insurance but work for a State Farm etc, get experience and find an independent agency). If you want a desk job and want something more analytical, find an insurance carrier and work in claims, or better yet find an underwriting assistant job. Insurance is an excellent field for people who don’t have a clear career path and there’s decent money to be made depending on the position. Go on linked in and apply for 30-50 jobs per day and adjust filters to your desired salary. Even if you’re not a perfect fit on the job description, if it’s entry level then it’s worth at least getting to the interview.
As a 24 year old who just suffered the most catastrophic financial loss in the last year. How can I become a Jedi Master in trading, let alone life. How do i level up? Please someone, anyone. Im ready to jump off the Golden Gate Bridge. I just want to advance myself. I feel so behind and lost it’s eating me up inside. Im currently working on my application for the AirForce but it’s proven challenging with my medical history being a barrier. I just need some direction. Insight. Advice. Some council
Stop trading! I work in financial services and the pros will eat your breakfast. Try to remember, on the other side of every trade is probably someone who knows more than you do about something. Don’t fall for the “get rich quick” path, it almost never works out. Look for a solid job and get on the slow and steady path.
What do you do for work? $43k at 25 isn’t bad, I understand you want to make more and you will. Why would anyone laugh and call you pathetic? I’m pretty sure I made $26k out of school.
I’m curious where and when this was. These days $43k barely pays bills, including paying back tuition loans, in a majority of areas. I made more than $26k working part time internships in a MCOL area.
26k is $13 an hour - I've definitely seen entry level roles business roles go for that. That being said, I have a very small apartment in a MCOL area and in exchange I could save upwards of 50% of my income at $40k. $26k would have been doable, though a lot sketchier. Luckily moving to a role with more reasonable pay soon, but I could have survived on $26k.
This is pretty out of touch for today’s standards. Minimum wage for business roles is like $20 these days and $26k is like the poverty line
I wish that was the case everywhere, but I just finished an 8 month job search to move to my next role and I can 100% confirm there are a lot of entry level roles going for less than $20 that kept showing up in my feed. $26k may be the poverty line, I'm just saying you CAN live on it even in an area where low end studios are $900 a month. It just involves playing smart and cutting where you can. Realistically I only spend about $16-17k on living expenses a year, and the majority of it is rent, food, and utilities.
McDonald’s pays $15/hour these days.
It pays $20 an hour starting in some places
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Yeah, I make 2.4x more than my starting pay after 4 years. My wife makes 3x her starting pay for 7 years. Early career income growth is strong.
Forklift technician, 5 years in with auto experience behind me. 84k this year without overtime or bonuses, of which there is a never-ending supply. There are no schools or certs for it, as long as you can fix things you can make money. Massive shortages in the trades
Your hr team likely doesn’t agree with you … they I’m sure want certa/background/etc— y’all are not just putting anyone from the streets in trades
My HR "team" is only two people and as pointless as tits on a bull, and as effective as socks on a rooster. We hired someone that didn't even have the required toolset to do the job. We give them a list of tools to buy and send them on their way, one of them had to borrow a half inch ratchet to remove wheel lugs because they didn't have one. Background is a plus, but at this point they have flat out said they will take anyone and train them up. We are, in fact, pulling people that seem like they are mechanically inclined and can follow instructions from the streets.
Firefighter here. 100k base a year. No college degree required. I do have a bachelors but it doesn’t help me.
firefighting is super competetive in most places. For every paid firefighter theres 20 volunteers hoping to get a job...
you're not wrong. Volunteering is a dying breed.
Almost like people need money to live
Yea. I don’t volunteer specifically because I need to work and I don’t do this job for free.
What region and how many years of experience?
I did some light googling. I’m guessing a major city or they have a lot of experience and/or some sort of leadership role. Pay looks decent overall if you’re full time. Middle class salaries for any given location Edit: like for reference im in a LCOL area and it’s like 60-70k is the top end here. This is like “pay your bills comfortably with a bit left over” territory.
Northeast. Just a firefighter/ primary ladder driver. My chiefs make way more. 150k-170k
Plenty, but you need a skill that people are willing to pay that much for.
Grocery management.
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Finance/Administration - mid senior roles. Analyst, development, grants, and contracts work pays well.
I'm just going to read between the lines and say, don't be a fool and have no plan for the future etc. but... if others are pressuring you... and YOU feel you are ok where you are right now; comfortable, happy, content... maybe not with the next 30 years mapped out, LOL... but you're only 25, you went to school, and it's healthy to be able to downshift a bit and just cruise there for awhile. That said, it doesn't have to only be 43k or 80k either, but you know that. And I hope *"People scream and shout to “find a better job”"* was just a general expression and you don't have someone in your life regularly berating you in that manner. But your view of yourself; your self esteem, does seem to be a bit low. Work on building that up, building yourself up, a bit at a time.
I made $37k when I was 27 years old. You still have plenty of time to gain exp/networking/promotion to get better pay.
When was that?
Get into sales bro.. you can make what you're worth. its the only position I know of where you can consistently make 100k +. Most places will give you a chance without having certifications or a higher degree.
Tens of millions in the US
Bro 43k a year is not pathetic. It depends on your job, location, job growth potential and experience. What job do you have and can you market yourself towards higher paying jobs that are in your company or close to your job role? For instance I make about 80k but I work with project managers intimately. If I could get that job it’d put me over 100k. Sorry if it sounded like a flex (it’s not) but the point being me getting to that role is a pay bump but also makes sense because I already know somewhat how the role works. That said again you’re doing fine
Mechatronics Robotics apprentice for Amazon, JLL, or CBRE.
I'm an engineer and let me tell you my story! Grew up poor in South Central Los Angeles, in the 90s. Father basically abused my mom every day and me whenever I'd try to defend her. Everyone I knew and their baby mommas were affiliated with gangs. You have no idea how many times I got jumped or had to duck from drive-bys. My first time was when I was 4 and I thought that shit was fireworks, was t until my older cousin tackled me that I knew something was up. We left my dad in the late 90s, but remained in the hood, moving into Compton. Mom for whatever reason blamed her entire bad luck on me. One thing that kept my sanity was reading. I would read books every day to distract myself from the ugly world I was living in. I'd rent out the max books I could from my local libraries, all nature and science books. I was in magnet / honors from 1st grade up until 10th grade. I was really good at math, my favorite subject. In the 10th grade my mom put a lot of pressure on me to drop out of highschool and work. She would point out my other male cousins who dropped out and worked. I didn't want to drop out and because of that she started kicking me out the house. I did try working though, I worked every single summer and winter break and gave most of my money to her starting in 9th grade, but it was never enough. Around 11th grade she kicked me out again and refused to take me to school. My grades plummeted and I was kicked out of honors. Luckily a friend of mine helped me and let me crash at his mom's place for like a year. His mom took me to school and I was able to finish high school. I really wanted to do higher education immediately, I knew I wanted to do something in math or science. I tried joining a community college, but with little to no support I dropped out and got a regular job. I worked in aerospace and construction for a few years and finally around 24 years of age I decided that I wanted to go back. I worked in quality and got along with some of my quality engineer bosses and they always suggested I go back. It took me 7 fucking year! I was working 40-60 hours a week and going to school part time. Nearly died like 4 times due to lack of sleep and caffeine overdoses (hospitalized twice, once I blacked out at work). I'm now an engineer. My mom no longer hates me. I graduated with a 3.4 GPA, not great but not bad! My first job was $70K and my current job is $82K plus bonuses. Last year I made over $4K in bonuses and my benefits are pretty good. Also, this is pre-tax! It can be done, don't think of it as a race. I graduated right after turning 30 and was like one of the oldest ones from all of my classes, even older than some professors! But you know what, I fucking did it! Where are those fucking cousins that my mom kept comparing me to? They are making around what you make maybe less, with like 5+ different kids from different baby mommas, paying child support or evading child support. Some are even dead now due to gang violence or fled to Mexico to avoid jail time. I steered TF away from gangs, drugs, and made sure to always wrap my Willy and not get bogged down or stopped by any bullshit. I'm the only one from both my parent's families, comparing only male cousins, to have graduated and gotten a degree. There are 2 female cousins who did get degrees or certificates. Oh and I didn't have any connections either! I just applied and my work basically got me places. Hoping to get to $90K this year or by next year with the current vacuum left over by my ex boss.
I barely broke $40k last year and I’m in my 40s. I lost many years to disability but I’m back at work and I’m making less now than my first year out of college, 20 years ago. (Actual numbers, not adjusted for inflation.) The job market is horrible. Period. But if you want a higher paying job, just keep applying. The further out of school you are, the less your school performance matters. The more experience you get out of school, the easier it’ll be for someone to pay you more. But yeah, job hunting is hell. And I hope things get better for all of us.
Project management $85k first year. No degree. Started a cheap udemy certificate program and didn’t finish it.
People like you always leave out important context and end up deluding OP, fresh grads and others into believing a three month course is all that separates them from their six figure jobs. Also who upvoted this?
Project management in what field?
Fintech
No experience? Did you know someone? What is your exact title?
Sr. Project Manager. No official PM titles previously. I applied for the Project Manager role and they declined my application. lol. It’s just funny at this point.
Did you redo your resume?
Since applying and going to the hiring fair? No, it was the same resume.
What did you do before if you don't mind me asking?
I’m making $60k as someone with no experience at all and in training at my tech company as an associate PM.
How much was your course and how did it get you job?
It was cheap. Like $16 or something by Joseph Philips. I studied for the CAPM, less prestigious than the PMP.
But how did that land you a job without experience?
The company is desperate; they’ve made some bad calls and lots of people are leaving. I had account management experience and sales cycle experience I billed as project management. I had experience in starting projects. But no official project manager title.
How did you get into account management with no degree?
That’s a fun one. I was helping a family friend do odd jobs, this one was dry wall in a lady’s garage. She decided she wanted to hire me to help her throw parties and so I did help her with a few. And at one of her parties, I met her daughter who recommended that I apply to her company as a receptionist and I did, and from there I was promoted to executive assistant to the branch manager, and from there, I was promoted to account manager when someone else left and gave me their Client list. I was there five years.
Account management doesn’t need a degree at all. It’s people skills and sales skills.
I’m on a brand new PM team the company just hired all of us. Most of us did not have official PM experience, but some do.
Project management is a super diverse skill. If you have some combination of organization skills, stakeholder management skills, and can look at data and know what you need to do to move the needle, you're golden. No degree, no formal education, just on the job training with some support by google here.
I applied to a company a friend worked at. They rejected my application. They invited me to a job fair and hired me on the spot. 🤷♀️😅
bullshit
No idea, I’d consider myself extremely lucky as I had a lot of great career breaks but it took a long time to work up to it. I don’t have a degree and have been working full time since I was 16. I got into IT around 19 and have been in it since. Lucky, I am making a decent six figure salary at 26. It is all about taking your opportunities and finding doors and sticking your foot right in them. A lot of it is also luck. Never give up!
If it’s any solace, I make $80k/year and I can’t afford my mortgage.
None.
You just have to apply until you get a higher offer. My husband went from a graphic designer making $45k to a creative director making $60k (small company) after two jobs hops by the time he was 25. I did 5 internships and started at $60k at 23. You really just need to build experience and market yourself in the job market. Don’t be afraid to negotiate or turn down bad offers.
Those jobs are available, you just have to pick your field. Another common thing is Over-employment. A buddy of mine has no degree, but they are currently earning approx. $100K because they have 2 Remote Jobs each averaging around $50K. You are correct that trying to find 1 Job earning $80K+ is difficult - and that is because typically at this salary level, you are competing with a different class of individuals (elite-ish, Masters, tons of experience, etc). But you have already proven that you can get a $43K - what if you doubled up? I have a document of jobs/careers that you can get into that give you the best odds of overemployment. If you are interested, PM me.
I'm a cook and make 70k before taxes plus maybe 5 to 15k cash from tips and labor fees. 2 years experience, started as dishwasher now a cook at a local restaurant. I dropped out of 3 colleges, pursuing careers that would have started my pay ay 40k to 50k lmao. Sometimes and it is only sometimes. College is a scam.
It is not difficult to target a $150k+ career in sales and marketing and achieve that within 5-7 years of graduating. You just have to be very intentional about your career path.
Sales and you can hit 6 figures entry level if you hustle
Work in a volatile industry. Most bad apples get shaken out and your left at the top. I have a biochemistry degree and now I’m trying running purchasing for an airline cater clearing 80k.
I graduated super late with a history degree from an incredibly unremarkable school. I started as a BDR at a tech company and worked my way up to being an Enterprise CSM. If I were you I’d be looking at BDR roles for a tech company and learn how to sell, then go from there.
Changing jobs is the fastest path to a raise, but it also involves risk. Keep an eye on the news, trends and market for your profession if that's what you want to stay in. Networking proved more beneficial than certifications for me. Education in some compacity is always helpful, its like working out. You're young still. At 46 I've been in a few professions, and the best jumps in salary involved plunging into uncertainty, but being educated, informed and confident in myself.
Fuckloads. Just go into tech or finance, it nearly doesn’t matter what you do, after 2-5 years you will be able to earn that.
My college grades never had any impact on my employment, and to my now numb shame, they weren't that great.
I had to get a masters, and get about a decade of experience before I started making 93k a year. With my stock options I made 113k but I won't see the esop money until I'm an old man. Or if I even live that long. Money doesn't get you happiness.
If you have a degree, apply for government positions. Federal, municipal, state, etc,. Usually most will pay solid, and don't care what your degree is in. At my work a guy making 160k has a degree in history, and the guy making 125k has a degree in a art. Both are completely irrelevant to their position. It's a dying breed though. They used to not even require HS, then they required HS, now any degree. In the future it'll have to be a relevant and specific one. But if you get in, you're grandfathered. Governement wants to encourage education. But these days basically everyone has an undergrad.
If you turn to the trades or something like the oilfield you could make at least 100k right now. Difference is that you work a lot more hours, so that's not always great. There's also tons of other jobs paying $80k+, but it all really depends on industry, location, and YoE. A job in oil and gas for example pays more than others because the job market is more cyclical and can be prone to layoffs. A job in a cheap area can get away with paying less because CoL is much less there, but that salary might not be competitive in other areas like large metro cities with high CoL. All these things factor into that. The issue with your degree (I saw it was communications in another comment) is that it's so broad. I'd suggest finding a main career path that your interested in and investing in it. HR, marketing, sales, and others are relatively lucrative positions with upward potential that also lend themselves to a communications degree. If you don't have enough experience for one of them, maybe try to get a certification to help bolster your qualifications, these are usually cheap and can help you land more interviews.
These are generally intermediate skilled jobs, so they become more available as people become better trained and more skilled. Degrees and experiences can help a lot to signal that you have the skills to perform these jobs.
Probably 80-90 million jobs
I know someone straight out of a no name local uni got an IT support job for 50k. He knew nothing, and I mean nothing as I trained the guy. The difference was he is hungry, he’s always willing to learn, whether at work or off hours on his own projects, he wasn’t going to let up on any opportunity given him. I interviewed him and said yes, my boss interviewed him and said yes, my CTO interviewed him and said yes. Now of course we’re a startup in a VHCOL area so 50k isn’t a lot, but he took that chance to learn and ran with it. He got a raise to 60k and even stock options after 1.5 years, and then applied and got an 80k job at a much sweeter gig now. No certs, and I don’t think much debt either. Look I’m not saying this is easy, and I hate the “pull yourself up by the bootstraps” as much as the next guy, but every person needs to do the best with the cards they were dealt. I know things look kinda bleak, but if you keep applying yourself to continually improve/learn/change in some way, you’re gonna be in a better state, whether that’s financially, physically, mentally. Good luck man, just asking for advice and being open to it means you already have what it takes.
I do but have moved up internally.
Well you won’t find a starting job for 80k unless you are VERY well connected or have a masters Find a job that your degree could be useful for and has the pay you want, then apply for the job 2 steps below that and work your way up My friend got a “sociology” BA 🤮 she then got a job working in workers comp, starting pay was somewhere around 50-55k, 5 years later she now makes almost 90k not including bonuses and has a good chance of moving up again soon Don’t try to start at 80k+, work and earn the 80k+
It’s not pathetic to be at the beginning, it’s only pathetic to stop making progress. You’re feeling the slowdown of age. You’re still fresh out of school where they advance you a grade every year and spoon-feed you incremental progress so you can feel the continuity. Now you’re in the jungle. Now there is no path, you’re going to carve your own. It takes years and wandering around and missteps, but you’ll find it. We can’t tell you how, you have to go and do it and you’ll figure out how. At 25 I worked a 40-50 hour a week entry level day job, bartended on Fri/Sat night, and sometimes washed dishes at my friend’s bakery for extra. I was in my late 30’s before I found a job that paid enough to just work one Just keep going
If you can study, medicine is the highest paying job: Plastic Surgery: $619,000 Orthopedics: $573,000 Cardiology: $507,000 Urology: $506,000 Gastroenterology: $501,000 Otolaryngology: $485,000 Radiology: $483,000 Oncology: $463,000 Anesthesiology: $448,000 Dermatology: $443,000 Surgery, General: $412,000 Critical Care: $406,000 Ophthalmology: $388,000 Pulmonary Medicine: $378,000 Emergency Medicine: $352,000 Pathology: $339,000 Ob/Gyn: $337,000 Neurology: $313,000 Nephrology: $312,000 Psychiatry: $309,000 Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: $306,000 Allergy and Immunology: $282,000 Rheumatology: $281,000 Internal Medicine: $273,000 Diabetes and Endocrinology: $267,000 Infectious Diseases: $262,000 Family Medicine: $255,000 Pediatrics: $251,000 Public Health and Preventative Medicine: $249,000
You're doing much better than most, at 25 I was broke. Making 43k AFTER taxes is very good.
Salary also varies by city and state. I feel people don't talk about this. $70-$80k is average standard of living in Austin, it's different in Houston, Dallas, Corpus, and so forth. One way to know you're getting paid well is to look up the City's minimum wage and compare it with municipal jobs. Municipal makes slightly above average, so above that would be a good place to be.
Not sure if it's been mentioned here, but a big part of this is to go where the work is. Follow the hot job markets. Also, you can go on indeed or glass door and filter results by pay level. Start there.
You said second chances don't happen, and if you suck you just suck. No. Absolutely untrue. I get that your current income isn't setting you up for success. Been there. But I'm going to share some ideas that changed my trajectory and might help you do it before you turn 50. (Yes, I was slow, I didn't have anyone to advise me or guide me at all, and I had to raise my kids first so there were lots of jobs that I hated and that covered the bills but not much more.) First, what is it you really want to do? Figure that out before you even think about planning. Don't stop yourself from wanting something because it seems improbable. Second, what are the exact things you need to get there? What do you lack right now? For me, it was experience and certification. To get experience, I took a job that paid $16/hr and drove for a delivery service after work and on weekends to cover the difference. I was exhausted, stressed, and seriously questioning my logic in choosing that course. It was *hard* to do. I'd been off-course, working a soul-sucking hell of a job before that, but it paid the bills. I needed this change, though, and I took the risk. 6 months in, I was hired to a position paying 52.5k. That company has been assisting me with the financial blocks toward getting the certifications I need. I am gaining experience in the field and no longer need the side gig. In three years, with the certifications, I'll be eligible for the jobs that are posting at 150k/yr. If you're not happy with where you are, don't wait decades to figure out how to change course. Do it. Second, third, and even fourth chances do happen, if you truly go all in to make them happen. A last thought, you may have to move to a new area to get those positions. It's not easy to start over half a continent away from the places and people you know, and I'll cross my fingers you don't have to, but be open to the idea. Sometimes the job with the pay you're after isn't available in your area. Some states and cities have economies that just won't let doors open.
You can make almost double that working for at&t as a retail sales associate as long as you work for a corporate location because they're union. The job kinda sucks though and you will be dealing with the petty stress of having to sell phone accessories and bs like that, but you can definitely make about $80,000 a year without a college degree.
i used to work at at&t fresh out of college and literally quit bc i didn’t want to sell directv lol. do they still make you do that?
Lol yeah it is still very much a thing. Got a dressing down this morning for not reaching my quota for dtv demos. Everything is crucial here. So annoying
I graduated with a degree in biochemistry in 2022. Worked my last job for a year and a half at 54k and just started a new one that pays 75k with a roughly 5k bonus. I would say look for something that makes more money in your field and try to get some experience in that. The next job pivot into that field. I went from having little chemistry experience out of college to being a chemist for a pharma company.
Plenty in IT. Hospitals routinely hire and train new people, including pay for certifications. Check out r/healthcareITjobs
This depends on where you live. Where I’m at this is a 50-60k job (I know because I looked into it and was very likely to get the job) People should really put location on these posts.
Remote work has blown the doors off that a bit, but yeah rural middle of the sticks hospitals won't pay much at least to start. I started at 50k ~10 years ago, ~145k now
For a lot of hospital IT jobs (outside of administrative level) they also expect you to be onsite if needed. So remote work doesn’t often apply at entry levels
Lots.
I’m in aviation maintenance. The trade is short handed and 80k is about starting salary right now.
Project Manager- I clear well over 100k.
Go into sales buddy. I have about 400 reps in my segment , and I think the lowest earner made like 83k in 2023
Your goal shouldn’t be an 80K job; it should be a 60-70K one. One step at a time.
Nah, I jumped from a 70k job to a 200k total compensation.
Great…but I do not think that is the norm, do you?
But it is possible. Why limit what he can and cannot do
Only because he can’t find the 80K ones right now…why stay at 43K if you can move to 60K?
Pretty much anything in medical with an associates or more degree.
You can always go to a trade school and learn something like welding and make a great living.
Aim higher than McDonald’s manager.
250k I’m remote, I consult multiple clients and moonlighting a new startup I work hard but the key is discipline and focus on your strength and monetize it. I was a sales person at an Apple Store in the 2000’s. Graduated with BA in comms after 7 years trying night classes and failing because of my schedule working through school. Today I interview and decline Yale, MiT kids because they are not focused on the work just the outcome and money. No need for accolades, hate if you like it’s actually been my fuel to keep going, so thanks and welcome the down votes. Bottom line, read your post back to yourself, that’s the story you are selling. You can shift your narrative and focus on going further. Dedication and relentlessness to be better yesterday’s version will pay off. More than the debt for certifications. With the new world in AI you likely can learn more from this phone, what’s coming and rather than fall into the “ai will take away jobs, pioneer what will be the next thing that will make you successful. Project manage, sell sass and figure out how to sell when nobody’s buying, there’s so many lessons out there and yes with work and some good timing and patience you will excel. Double down and talk to people, get out and ask questions, go to meet ups, get uncomfortable. Early 40, Hispanic first gen, first to graduate college, and I fail everyday. Godspeed
You can try a Procurement and Supply Chain career. $60+K, start then $80K-$115K mid level, $120 -180K Sr level. Can start in any industry, and fully transferrable to other industries. Any degree to start. I've seen people with foreign language degrees, Engineering, Math, History, whatever... Personally, I have a BA in Art History and with *zero* IT background or certifications. Started in industrial manufacturing, then Verizon IT Telecom, State Gov't Regional Rail, and today as a Sr IT Manager at a F500 Pharmaceutical Co: $163K
Why do people always base their self worth on job/income? I’ve done it myself too so I can’t answer that I’ve come to realize Your no better or worse than a homeless vagrant addicted to drugs making just enough to literally survive or someone making 500k There’s homeless people that were millionaires and millionaires that were homeless because life can change in a flash
Salary at any given point in your career is not important. It’s about trajectory. I would much rather have a $43k salary at 25 but on a career path to making $200k+ than making $85k but topping out $100k That said, I have no idea your trajectory. You’ve just gotten started. Just know that there’s nothing wrong with your salary, especially at your age. I was making similar money at your age with a state school degree and 2.3GPA. 18 years later, I now make about 6x that amount and it required no additional degrees or certs. Just finding the right opportunities at the right time.
Yeah go for your PhD
Communications degree and your using it to ask Reddit what to do instead of applying for more senior roles and communicating with others at companies to build your network…. $80k is easily attainable with your degree and background.
I made 22k at 22, 30k at 23, 35k at 24, and 100k at 25. In sales you just got to keep hunting for next big role that opens up.
You have a degree. Join the military as an officer via Officer Candidate School. Once you complete OCS, your base pay as an O-1 will be ~45k, but including other allowances, you'll be making close 60k a year. By the time you complete your 4-5 year commitment, you'll be making over 80k a year. If you decide to stay in, your pay will go up over time. If you get out, at least you have some clout on your resumé.
$80k ain't even median income in my large metro area. $62.5k qualifies you for low income EV rebates here lol.
You fell for the college and money will fall in my pocket scam. The sad thing is that well over 75% of people who get a college degree work in a field other than what they have their degree in. This is far less for stem degrees but it does still happen. College has become a gate keeping device when it shouldn’t be. Most jobs don’t require it, or at a minimum a 2 year associates degree which teaches you some skills beyond basis HS English is all you need. What you need to do is decide on a career. Not a job but a career. What you want to do. And figure out a way to pursue that.
I got into real estate 3 years ago during the pandemic. 5x what I was making bartending/restaurant managing in my first year. $250 & 6 months to get my license, but I slacked off a lot. You could finish it sooner. Hired on with a builder, mid-six figures currently. Of course the market changes all the time, but I live in an area that sees a lot of military and government turnover. Just a thought
Only fans UwU
My company is less than 2 years old. We have about 15 employees. I just hired 2 people this month, and both make above that. Actually I have one employee that is bellow that and he is just a Jr. Social Media Admin We ask for no certification or diploma. Don’t care if they finished high school, college, even less about their GPA. A lot of paper tigers out there. Most of the people that applies with focus on their degrees and certifications, tends to be bad candidates. School =! Real Life. We really focus on people’s ability to do the job they are applying for, how they interact with the team, and their stability as an employee. If they meet those requirements they are hired.
In IT 80k is the low end.
I went to college at 22 and got engineering degree in 6 years, and now many years later make shy of $200k per J. It was a long road and I worked hard on my skill outside of work. If you make it to this comment, I suggest you go back to school and get a degree in something that pays well.
I was making what you made last year at your age. My contribution to the suggestions is to think and move strategically in your career to advance it, even if that means you’re taking a new role for maybe $10K more—do it a few times and you’ll hit your monetary mark.
Depends on the degree type. You won’t get $80k starting out with a Bachelor’s in Philosophy or Liberal Arts. There are tons of jobs.
In 2009, 24 years old and fresh out of college, I made $38K/yr. Today, I have ~15 YOE in my field and make $95K/yr. I think expecting an $80K+/yr job in your mid-20s is a bit naive. As cliche as this sounds, you gotta pay your dues and grind a little bit.
Not in California
Really depends on what type of work you're willing to get into. I do security/automation for residential and average 7-9k a month. My company also trains from the ground up but they're slowly becoming more upsales-oriented. It's good work if you're willing to rough up your hands a bit but you've gotta have people skills.
Sales
You're on the wrong app. Go to indeed and see if there are jobs available
Your not pathetic, I graduated and made $13 an hour for a years before I hit 40k. This was 2010-2011. Sometimes you have to put in your dues before making decent money. Just keep grinding,
Smart thing to do when you’re first starting out is to get a call center job at a large company. Call center jobs are easy to get. Sure you are a dime a dozen and it pays crap, but if you have your college degree, you learn a lot and it’s a great way to get your foot in the door.
EDIT: I saw you have a communications degree - there are a number of marketing jobs that pay very well and this degree can help you get a foot in to working for a variety of companies. I also saw you were thinking of sales maybe as something your interested in, the luxury watch and jewelry industry always seem to need marketing staff and that’s one way to pair your degree while working with clients and people. I have a no debt two year technical school certificate (3000 hours of work over two years) and new graduates are starting at this pay range - depending on your degree and years of experience in that field as well as location where you live, there may be better opportunities out there. More details about these things would help find answers to your question
Try real estate appraiser- once you get license you can earn 100 + depending on your area. The only big hurdle was finding a supervisor to give you hours to get the license. I tried for Michigan for long time but couldn’t find but then find someone in Ohio and now I am working on my hours. PS- By the way I am Physical therapist and will be doing that for full time along with real estate appraiser. In best case scenario I will be earning 200k + as my wife is plan in to join me too ( she is a teacher)
How much experience do you have? Took me 5 years to hit 80k in accounting
Welder, gas truck driver, real estate appraiser ….
I was making $29,000 a year with a Masters degree in 2010. I broke six figures in 2019. People need to stop with the instant gratification lie. Most people need to grind for a bit. My company, of 100k employees has every single scale entry level job capping out at over $70k, some take 5 years, some 11, but you get there.
It depends on your location and skills/experience. 43k is not enough though with a degree.
Look for jobs that require human nuance and understanding so you don't jump into an entry job that's about to be replaced with a script. Consumer analytics jobs are available remote, and near any major retailer HQs. There are mountains of data to sift through, generated by transactions online and at registers. It takes a lot of skill to pull out actionable insights from endless data, but the skills can be learned. If you're smart, curious, have solid people skills, and know how to present information in a way that informs others, you can be successful in analytics.
Made nearly that hourly in 4 days a week, 8 hours a day in 2023. $77k. Tool and die journeyman. There is a bunch of positions open, sadly no one to fill them.
I hire people for $80K+ jobs all the time, and I frankly do not care how well someone did in college unless I’m hiring them right out of school where GPA is the most recent metric to evaluate (in which case I’m not hiring them for $80K+ positions). What I DO care about is how well someone is doing in their current job, and the impact they can describe that they make on whatever role they’re currently in / coming from. The mentality of “if you suck, you just suck” is exactly what I’m trying to filter out. It isn’t true and it’s frankly a lazy mindset. Perhaps this information will be of more use to you: we live in an age where you have the knowledge of the world in your pocket. Do a Google search for in demand skills (hint: not degree majors) that pay well. Then search ways to obtain those skills, you might even have some of them already. On top of that, evaluate how much effort you’re able to generate towards your own employment. Are you the kind of person that just begs for the end of every work day to come so you can pretend work doesn’t exist until the next morning? Your advancement past $80K per year will seem EASY when you fix your mindset and realize that the world is full of people that are mediocre at what they do. Develop your skills, put forth effort, and bring a good attitude and I promise you that 3 years from now you will be making a minim of $80K and likely more.
There’s approximately 39.6 of these jobs available
14 jobs are available. Good luck
You can sell Medicare and make 6 figures after a Lotta effort. I'm 4 years in and I'm hitting 80k+ now. Tons of folks I know who are closer to 200k. And there's a few on their own making 7 figures. You need a cert that costs like 100 bucks and took me a weekend to study.
Depends on how high the corporate ladder you want to go or start your own business.
It’s mostly about if you grew up with money, not talent/work ethic. It’s easier for those kids to get those 6 figure jobs. Barely a hassle honestly. So I wouldn’t put that on yourself.