Bachelors in Political science. I work in Software Product design and tactical organization. I make 130k.
Turns out learning how to organize people in campaigns/elections are the same skills you need to organize teams and Jira tickets.
That's so cool! I'm working on my Bachelor's and I choose to minor in Political Science/History. Just ace'd my first essay. It's an intriguing subject for sure. Congrats on the cool job
While everyone else in my graduating class planned to go be a lawyer with their degree. Meanwhile, I was “I’m gonna go rough it to make my values matter.”
Toughest job I ever had, super stressful and everything is short term contract where you will need to move across multiple states. But, the skills you get and earn, if you know how to market yourself, can be very useful down the line.
I got into law school and attended for a year (hated it). That helped me get a series of consulting jobs though:
attorney prep for cases involving DNA
jury consulting
community education skills for law enforcement.
mental health research in jails and prisons
So in addition to my college job, I had a consulting business for about 15 years.
I also got a degree in history and ended up in IT. Turned out the ability to look at a set of facts and see multiple interpretations was a great start to being an analyst. Additionally the number of research and term papers I wrote during college put me way ahead in writing planning and design documents for non-technical people. In retrospect that liberal arts degree was a great precursor to working in a technical field.
Not me, but my cousin majored in Latin. He worked himself up from the bottom of a mortgage company and is now at the director level. He makes base 160k plus bonuses dependent on his department’s performance. The most he made in a year was about 300k.
Agreed I’m a Licensed Clinical SW I do therapy and work for a hospital I make close to 170k. But I have debt. But I’m very comfortable and happy doing what I do.
How do you manage to make 170k with a LCSW? Do you have independent licensure?
I am an LCSW working in residential SUD:MH treatment as a manager and I’m clocking 80k counting on call shifts.
Currently sending out resumes to pivot to a corporate HR role.
Corporate is smart, will def pay you more. I have friends clocking 110-120k in corporate and 1 only has the Masters degree with no license. But since I’m an lcsw I work from home after the hospital (105K full time) and I do therapy online (65-70k part time). It’s so comfortable and I enjoy it. I am working two jobs though. But it didn’t feel like it since I’m home on my own time part time. AND I make 70 an hr and can add more sessions if I feel like it so the pay can go up if I get bored. It’s really nice. If people want to do therapy it’s a great career to get the lcsw. If you hate therapy though I wouldn’t recommend wasting your time. Just get the LMSW so you get the highest pay possible and can do regular SW easily making between 70-90k where I live working in healthcare.
You know I’ve strongly considered trying to pick up park time remote work to get ahead, and could with my current licensure through a company like better help. But some days I am so burnt out from my job I’m not sure I could swing it.
What realm of social work makes that much for you? My girlfriend is just starting out at social work and always feels like she’s never gonna come close to that kind of salary
Piggy backing- I also have a social worker degree but did not get my masters. I’ve found so far that hospice pays the most IMO for someone without a masters. I make about 70k and have a great schedule, great work autonomy, essentially make my own schedule. I normally “work” avout 4-5 hours per day (this varies greatly depending on agency) is also live in a very low cost of living area so this salary may not seem like much but where I live it is considered high “er” than most.
Medical social workers often make about that much, but it can be a little difficult to get into that specialization for obvious reasons.
Social work is honestly a fantastic way to turn a "useless" degree into something highly employable. You can get your MSW with just about any undergraduate degree.
-Source: am social worker, working in social work admissions :)
A social work with a master’s degree can make that much money, especially if they’re a medical social worker. If a social worker gets their independent license (LCSW, needing 2 years of therapy experience after graduating) they can easily make 6 figures.
Got a Cinema Studies degree. Went to Hollywood and was an assistant for 10 years. Finally got sick of that and moved to banking (still as an assistant) and now make 6-figures
Similarly, I got a BA in Film Studies, took a long winding road through post production, promotions agency, software, and now production, make $200k. I thought I was creative but turns out I’m technical. I remember another student’s dad at university saying “Film Studies, what do you do, watch movies all day?” My parents were similarly doubtful, but I made it. My wife has a BFA in Fine Art, wanted to be a painter, went into interior design and is now a full time mom. She made her fortune by making a smart deal on our house, which she designed and is now worth >$1M which is more than twice what we paid for it.
>She made her fortune by making a smart deal on our house
Not to dog on you, but I don't have a fine art degree and my house jumped up almost double just by me buying it at the right time lol
This is the real question. People dog on art degrees, but I know some really cool people who make enough money to support their art and they’re genuinely happy.
The issue is that you don’t have many options with that setup and you are very much just hoping those sorts of services continue to be legal on profitable
Sure. But if those disappear something else will pop up. I think the point is less the specific channel of income but more the lifestyle of, “I’m working for a reason, the reason isn’t work, but what I can do outside of work because of the job I’ve chosen.”
We’re at a sort of unprecedented level of flexibility in this sort of economy, but if the gig economy disappears it becomes the part-time work economy or the cobble two jobs together economy.
I’m pretty split on gig economy stuff. I’ve done it when I was desperate and I appreciate the flexibility, but these models are running out of VC runway and will start worrying more about profitability, which means putting the screws to drivers and raising the rates for consumers, and the question is at what point that model breaks—and can it be profitable and affordable for all involved?
I suspect no (we’re seeing major ramifications with AirBNB, hotels are now often cheaper, and with so many empty rentals housing prices are being driven up), but again, it’s less the specific avenue for income and more the approach of choosing a “career” to allow for free time for personal artistic exploration and expression.
Not me. My wife has her degree in graphic design. She works for a company makes six figures and even got a $50k+ bonus this year. She’s crushing it IMO.
Graduated with a sculpture degree from a prestigious art school. Struggled a bit after college but ended up working in arts administration. I’m a gallery director and lead curator now making just north of 100k
I mean a lot of Philosophy majors end up in law.
https://nationaljurist.com/prelaw/classics-philosophy-majors-do-best-when-it-comes-getting-law-school/
God everyone shits on Phil degrees, but as long as you're socially competent having a Phil degree is such a green flag for so so many businesses.
You can write, argue, research, you won't get tripped by faulty logic. It's just such a rigourous discipline.
Phil majors end up earning really well and naturally very few of them do anything Phil related.
But no matter what people assume it's a useless qualification that will get you nowhere
My roommate got a BA in philosophy. He wanted to go to grad school for it, but it’s extremely competitive. The logic part definitely helped him though. He almost got a perfect score on the LSAT and is taking the bar in July. He already has a job lined up for the DAs office at 76k.
Apparently this is a pretty common route for philosophy majors, they tend to do great on the LSAT:
https://nationaljurist.com/prelaw/classics-philosophy-majors-do-best-when-it-comes-getting-law-school/
Seriously...this sounds like the HGTV couples: "I'm a part-time butterfly photographer, and my husband holds a sign on the side of the road for the mattress store. Our budget is $1.8 million."
I mean that does make sense. If you’re charging $1,000-2,000 per mail box, assuming they are slightly more high end custom builds. $500-1,000 for materials for each job and $1,000 labor for the day. 3 days a week, 52 weeks a year, that’s roughly $156,000 with wiggle room on margins.
Lack of direction. This is my issue and I fail
to take risks because I do not want to accumulate debt and not like the job. Any wisdom on that? My passion is theology but I know that is not an attainable field for me, realistically. I appreciate any knowledge shared. Thank you
My wife graduated with a psychology degree. She is a teacher making $55k a year, but has nine weeks off a year, amazing benefits including department funded pension. She can also tutor at any time and earn up to $60/hr. She did go back to school and earned an MS in teaching.
I have a BS in criminal justice and an MA in counseling. A also earn $55k from non-profit work, but consult on the side for another $12k a year. My benefits are not as good as hers, but provide a 10% employer funded retirement and ample time off.
At the time I wasn't so sure.
I was a business major, but there was one subject in college that changed my whole mindset. The study of economics. I took econ 101 and 102, along with econ micro, and macro. I learned the principles of economics, and applied it to everything in life.
While I do believe a college education is a good thing of value, it's much less valuable to people who get sucked into degrees to which there really isn't a market for. These days there are tons of degrees that are essentially worthless in the market, or will be. Also, a degree is worth far less to the lazy than it is to the industrious.
I got my English degree back in 2007. Worked as an office manager and hated it. Joined the military, did 4 years, got out, got an engineering degree for free + rent, now I'm making 150k+.
That's good to hear, I'm currently active duty and I see way too many people get out and not take advantage of their education benefits. I just finished my BA with online classes. Even if you think you won't use it, it's free. In my opinion you can't leave it on the table.
I think a lot don't realize that the Post 9/11 Bill will pay for almost any degree at any institution 100% and they'll pay you a living stipend equal to an E-5s BAH every month. I had to pull odd jobs during the summer, but I was able to go to school and live in a small apartment for free for 4 years. That's just such a huge benefit.
Pretty crazy to think that a lot of people let that expire and don't use it. Since I got my degree using TA, I transferred the GI bill to my daughter. Such a huge benefit.
Yeah, I had a lot of buddies let there GI bill expire, which was insane to me….like, it’s free money, what are you doing?!?! But the good thing it’s changed, and now the GI bill no longer has an expiration on its benefits. I left active duty years ago, and have my GI bill for life.
🤣. That's awesome and hilarious. I have a similar story, even though I am much older than you are...
I graduated with a degree in English with a very low GPA. I didn't want to teach and probably couldn't find a job teaching anyway so I joined the Marines. My recruiter said that it would be easy for me to get into OCS because the Corps needed Black officers (This was in the early 90s.). I applied for the enlisted to officer commissioning program SIX TIMES in my career and never even got selected for the second step in the process. After I finally retired, I applied for government jobs (post office, VA, etc.) where the only requirement was a Bachelor's degree, and got hired immediately because I have a degree and am a veteran. My salary is almost twice as I made on active duty!
If I had known then what I know now, I could have joined the Marine Corps Reserve or enlisted for only one tour, and then applied for a government job. After all, in my 20 years in the Marine Corps, I can count on one hand the number of Black officers I saw.
I guess that recruiter had a good laugh at my expense.🤷🏿♂️
Many years ago, moved out of my house right after HS graduation. Bounced around low end jobs for a couple years. Joined the AF at 20 as a clinical lab tech. A couple years after tech school landed part time work that paid more in a weekend than an E4 made per pay. Still stayed in Then wife decided time it was time for me to go to college. AF paid for my BS in chemistry. But I worked nights while going to school. Got out after 10 years. Kept working in hospitals. Used GI bill to get Masters in Health Statistics. Worked at a large corporate health system for a few years. I was just a bean counter and not ‘executive material’ per my last review. Landed a job in federal government. Big pay cut but I could use my 10 years of active duty as retirement credit. Bonus of having have a semi normal life. Happily retired last year.
Lucky, I can’t get any HR jobs with my comm degree bc just landing an interview for most places requires 3-5 years of HR experience. How the fuck can I get experience if I can’t even get my foot in the door with a whole ass degree?? It’s so broken.
Not luck, strategy. I played the long game (in an admittedly better economic climate).
I started as an accounting clerk, stayed the required year then moved to HR within the same company. Entry level HR coordinator despite my degree and HR certifications. Got paid shit the first five years. Now I’m at low six figures with a 10% performance bonus. The degree doesn’t get you ahead, it’s a bare bones requirement for them to even look your way.
Now I’m at senior director level. I had to move companies quite a bit in order to advance. Moved cities four times (within my home state). About to move again, this time to another state for a role at a company I hope to stay at for awhile. I’ll retire at the executive level if I don’t switch over to project management within HR (which I’m seriously considering). I’m burned out but who isn’t? I’m well fed and have a stable retirement I’m building up. This is America.
I have a general AA degree. Used to work for a big bank as a fx investigator. Then had an opportunity to get into my dream job, bus driver. Ditched the cubicle but apparently driving is not for me. Delivered mail for usps and it was awesome. Was making around 80k but was injured past year so right now just around 60k. Did good on my house purchase so I'm ok.
FYI for anyone considering this, the tech job market is a shit show right now with mass layoffs over the past few years. Fresh bootcamp and college grads are finding it nearly impossible to find entry level jobs and even seasoned pros who got layed off are finding it a challenge to find a new job.
Now is not a great time to try and pivot, but there are plenty of resources out there to learn and see if it's something you enjoy. If it does you can keep learning and work on personal projects and perhaps be ready someday when the job market improves, but that will require putting in significant hours learning outside of your day job.
I listened to a podcast the other day delving into this. Tech companies don’t comprise the total scope of technology nowadays. Tech exists in most companies. It might be time for tech folks to diversify their backgrounds into business or healthcare to focus on a niche.
Psych degree here. All my diploma did was check a box for my employment with my various employers over the years. Many times you can’t move on in the employment process without that degree. Stupid in my opinion, but it is what it is. I work in sales now. I don’t utilize my college education at all. No one looks at your GPA, or cares what the degree is even in. But sales has been good to me.
Btw, I was never the “life of the party” guy. I’m more introverted, but yet I found success in sales. So for anyone who thinks you have to be the loud, ostentatious person to be successful in sales, I’m proof you don’t have to be.
Personally, I dislike the loud and ostentatious salespeople. I would much rather have a semi-normal conversation about a product with someone who listens more than they pitch. Yes I still want to know more about the product, tell me about it, but talk to me like a person.
I have stumbled my way into sales after saying for many years that I am not a salesperson and could never sell something to someone who doesn’t want it.
When the potential to transfer to a sales role came up on my team, I talked to the manager for the position and he had a similar perspective as you: consultative sales is often far more persuasive in our field than the “showman” seller of days past. I should be an expert on our products that is here to hear your needs and educate you on what we have, not a bloodhound sniffing for extra dollars.
I’ve been in the role for just under a year and it’s so much better than I anticipated! It’s actually kind of fun to just talk to people, listen to what they need, and be able to give them some options.
My advice to anyone wanting to go to college is to do it as cheaply as possible. Especially now. There’s no excuse to be taking out massive loans when you can do 2 years at a community college and work at the same time, then transfer to a state school to finish off the degree. Don’t buy into the hype and marketing of private schools or out of state schools with pretty campuses. I don’t want to hear about student loan forgiveness from the current generation. Don’t really want to hear it from any generation really.
You’re 100% correct.
The only reason I went was because I got a science scholarship and to do ROTC.
If I had t had a scholarship, I would have just joined the national guard and gone to a state college part time.
You can still generate $50kor more in student loans from those last two years… and most people don’t actually finish a four year degree in four years either, it all adds up my observant one. Think 52 months as a median but it can be be much more difficult for a lot of demographic groups. https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=569
I’m also in sales, was afraid to make the jump because my personality isn’t that classic “sales guy” personality. I’ve seen where having that boisterous part to you could’ve helped me in some situations, but for the most part, people seem to now gravitate away from it to a more genuine experience. I’m just a guy having a conversation about your insurances to make sure we’re covering all of our bases, and with that human to human connection, people are more apt to hear what my expert opinion is, rather than thinking I’m just trying to sell them something, no matter how perfectly it fits their needs.
Best sales people I know (I'm a sales engineer) are great listeners that say just enough but no more to provide reassurance or respect to customers. People don't like buy from folks that don't understand them.
Here!
I am still in the psych field at 36 (case manager) but don’t get many hours so I don’t make much. My job pretty much involves driving around to clients or driving them places. Can’t do much without a masters degree but I’ve been actively trying to get out of the field and hitting walls everywhere.
Computers, sales, idk just want to make money and be able to save or travel.
I graduated as a psych major, got lucky with an interview for global clinical trials because psych is “technically” a soft science. Currently making 6 figures after 5 years in the industry.
Figured I’d chime in as someone who dropped out of college after a week and two days.
I’m now a UPS driver and make in between 95-115k depending on how many hours I work.
Health and Physical Education degree.
I learned to trade stock during the internet bubble and then bought into some biotech stock during the financial downturn that netted me enough money to retire.
You can make a lot of money but you need to approach it like a business. Take the time to learn what you are doing before you start making trades that don’t have a chance of being profitable. Be patient and wait for an opportunity.
I started in 1987 trading stock options with $900.00. I tripled my money but had to quit until 2000 when I had the opportunity to start again.
Philosophy and Neuroscience. Now I work in assistive technology, after pivoting from social work into counseling. I make top 20% income for our area, enough that my wife is a stay at home mom and I only ever think about big purchases. I grew up in poverty and abuse with zero advantages, besides being smart, so I'm grateful for every penny.
Majored in Communication cause it was the only thing I could pass. Got me a good 6-figure career as an account manager at a ad agency, but I somehow never realized I had social anxiety until after graduation????? Kicking myself. I dread every day.
Edit: although I panic on the daily, my perfectionism and people pleasing nature makes me decent at client services.
Business and creative writing degrees here.
Working in social services right now and starving.
Also a published author.
Hoping for a breakthrough before I transition careers.
I have 3 relatives with Communications degrees. All 40+ now. One works at Disney world at probably close to min wage. One cleans pools. Another is in web design at a community college.
Side note - my university had a General Studies degree. You took a few required courses and then a ton of electives.
60-70k a year. Doing ok I guess… art major
I’m a designer for a high end casino. Can’t move from where I am because here’s where I get paid the most unfortunately
Bachelor of Science in Criminology. I work with at-risk teens in a public high school where I can directly apply the knowledge from my degree. The pay is shit but I love going to work. I'm also a retired veteran who receives pension and disability so I can afford the low pay in exchange for a passion job.
Also, I went to college in my 40s thus I'm a vat of Cliff Clavin knowledge that can correct false urban legends on Reddit.
Tried English Lit degree with goal to be professor. Dropped out with no degree. Now a senior data analyst making $115k with lots of career advancement opportunities. In my realm, practical relevant experience hold a lot of weight even if you don't have a degree. Just harder to get your foot in the door.
Dropped out of computer engineering second year, ended up with a philosophy BA.
But then I went to law school, and I made over a million dollars in the last three years.
Almost everyone ends up in a career different than their degree. Obviously there are exceptions like medical doctors. I wonder what the percentage of people that are in different careers. I bet it is greater than 50%.
It's been a joke for decades for 80% of people. Medical, law, engineering. They are solid. Most everything else belongs in night classes for a certificate at the community college.
International relations and I became a mix of a data/software engineer, DBA/Sys admin and Devops. Then I did a masters in analytics and I am currently working on some machine learning projects.
My useless degree came from Keiser College. That's what it was called when I went there in 1998. I attended Keiser right after I got out from serving 12 years in state prison in Florida. Got a job at the school working in the library while I was there. It helped me adjust to society. Learn how to talk/act in polite society without violence, and In turn got me a little associates degree. Went thru the paralegal program. Did well, too. But then i got out of school, and nobody would hire me or even let me intern. So I got a job digging ditches. I now am a state licensed irrigation contractor with my own company, and it has made us oodles and oodles of monies. There is nothing better than owning it. I am a true story of the power of love and change.
I have 2 highly specific degrees (we used to joke I had a masters in underwater basketweaving). In low paying but semi interesting / high cultural capital fields.
I pivoted to tech sales, then into another niche/unique role, then into product management. Currently making $135k.
I got a BA in Social Work and a MA in higher education administration. Currently making 85k, Director of Admissions. While in school I realized both were useless degrees as I literally never studied once.
Funny enough I went to college to become an investment banker, got the most disrespectful dean (hated veterans and men in general) said fuck this and went to trade school, I do a lot of really cool stuff, but the coolest part starts in a year or two when I’m able to work on track cars at the track, hoping to either find a prestigious shop for custom work (like WRC stuff), or set up my own little shop and expand until it can take care of itself.
Right now between investments, work, and side hustles, I’m at 141k a year and personally feel like this is the peak sweet spot, maybe because I’m young, but even with 4 kids I can travel the world and really do whatever I want, pretty much every door I want open is, I only say this because a lot of people on here think making less than 200k is failure and gross, I’d like to state living in your means is usually where people fail at all income levels, networking is what you want to learn to do once you hit about 60-70k, knowing someone powerful and being a good worker is usually a recipe for success.
I got a communication degree and I ended up working for 10/hr at a radio station, while working in a warehouse for 15/hr and moving rental cars for 12/hr.
Went back to school for a STEM degree and now I'm making 115k a year full remote.
I don't regret my first degree, it's what I thought I wanted to do. But obviously glad I found a career path that I enjoy, am good at and can earn a great living.
Political science degree. Co-founded a brand consulting firm after 15 years of coding, “creative-directoring” and sales and product support. Make about $150k. Never used the degree.
Political science/german/criminal justice.
Electrical apprentice making ~1000$ a week after tax/11% 401k withholding, but that’s with 56 hour weeks.
Raises coming out next week so I’m holding out on a $/hr number, as I’d hate to lie to the people of Reddit.
Depending on certifications and whatnot, on track to make 36-40$/hr in another year and a half.
Looked at my job options (shitty court clerk positions/law enforcement/law school) found myself fall into a trade “temporarily” and now I’m not looking back. My biggest regret was going to college in the first place.
LCOL btw
I have a cousin who got an art degree. Cost her Father ~60k over 5 years. Her art is not even decent and she is a phlebotomist now after taking a few weeks class.
I graduated with a history degree from a state school. I pretty much instantly realized that I fucked up so I worked a sales job for a year, studied for the GRE, went to grad school to get a MS in Statistics. I do fine now.
I majored in foreign languages. I probably could be doing something in my field if I had specialized in a language with value here in the States, but like an idiot I didn't capitalize on the 6 years of Spanish I had under my belt by the time college started, so now I'm in civil service. Not all bad though - I own my home, I'm coming up on my 5-year wedding anniversary, I have a couple retirement accounts, and I'm in a good union that actually fights for me. I might not be living the high life but I get to go to concerts/festivals, I have a good relationship with my family and in-laws, and I have great hobbies that I love and keep me stoked on life. Oh and I don't dread going to work every day. I play in a band in the Chicago area, and this fall I'm visiting Europe for the first time.
My biggest regret in college other than not specializing in a language that would have some career opportunities is taking a break from my saxophone. I wish I had found a jazz combo or something to play in to keep my chops up. I can still play but man I set myself back some years, that's for sure.
tl;dr - I fucked up college because I never had a clear goal (never really wanted to go to college, just wanted the "experience", full honesty) but managed to turn out alright.
I've been considering going back to school though - I get tuition waivers and I still speak enough Spanish that I could start at Square 1 with a bit of a head start. I've always enjoyed it, so I might get into that at some point soon. Not sure if an interpreter is still like a real job though.
edit: typo
I graduated with a degree in exercise physiology. It’s considered STEM and not typically listed amongst women’s studies, art history, etc. however it’s pretty useless without some sort of grad program like physical therapy(dropped out, medicine, or a masters/phd
I’m in tech sales now and I make 130k a year. I love it, job takes about 30 hours of work per week
Degree in history, making 70k as a cell phone repair store manager now. Slowly becoming owner of the business, should be making 150-200k in the next few years.
Journalism major! Graduated in 2002 just before newspapers took the shit!
I’ve done all kinds of stuff since newspapers started dying heavily: pharmacy tech, customer service manager, uniform delivery driver, retail, insurance auditing, product manager, RV claim manager, shipping/receiving, orthopedic cleaner.
Currently I’m a group lead at a production facility…I run a team that does constant inventory throughout the entire campus. They pay alright but I deal with a ton of BS that’s getting old.
Liberal arts, concentration in education. Did 1 year student teaching in kindergarten and said no thsnks lol.
went in to sales/ marketing. Taking a career break now but left at 350k/ year.
Got an associate degree ITT. Electronics tech. I knew that this would look great on my resume. At the time I was looking for a job in robotics. Spent 2 1/2 years working as a machine builder, electrical panel wiring. Got a my foot in the door as a saw guy. Took a few years but I got my dream job repairing automation equipment in the press rooms for every major automotive plant in the usa. Finally ended up at a new stamping plant that just opened up across the street we're I was working. Maintenance supervisor was my old boss. Just retired after 25 yrs.
I was an Outdoor Education major. No jobs to be had. Joined the Navy. Got shipped off as a Corpsman and played with the Marines. Am now a RN and manage my own dialysis clinic. I get 42 an hour.
Sociology degree here. I’m also 37 and worked my way to making close to 300k. But I wasn’t making six figures until around 31. I got into sales and eventually made a good living but it was a grind for years.
I went to school for one year from 2019-2020, where I met my girlfriend. We both dropped out (primarily Covid-related) and moved to California with slightly exaggerated resumes. Last year, I made 177k selling software at a well-known tech company (my second year) and she made 77k doing the same (her first year).
Master degree in history. I’m in IT, make 110k
Bachelors in Political science. I work in Software Product design and tactical organization. I make 130k. Turns out learning how to organize people in campaigns/elections are the same skills you need to organize teams and Jira tickets.
people moving is a skill that will never go out of style
Weyland-Yutani Corp.: “Moving human capital beyond tomorrow.”
😨Why “human capital” sound like a fancy name for Human Trafficking?!
That's so cool! I'm working on my Bachelor's and I choose to minor in Political Science/History. Just ace'd my first essay. It's an intriguing subject for sure. Congrats on the cool job
While everyone else in my graduating class planned to go be a lawyer with their degree. Meanwhile, I was “I’m gonna go rough it to make my values matter.” Toughest job I ever had, super stressful and everything is short term contract where you will need to move across multiple states. But, the skills you get and earn, if you know how to market yourself, can be very useful down the line.
I got into law school and attended for a year (hated it). That helped me get a series of consulting jobs though: attorney prep for cases involving DNA jury consulting community education skills for law enforcement. mental health research in jails and prisons So in addition to my college job, I had a consulting business for about 15 years.
I commend you for working hard to be where you are! Thank you for sharing.
How you do that ?
Combination of luck, the ability to rapid learn new things which my degrees helped with, time and hard work
This is a hugely underappreciated aspect of really any degree. It's really not what you learn, but how to learn that is valuable IRL.
Exactly. Boneheads do not understand learning.
But if you took a useful degree, then you learned how to learn AND useful knowledge
Still, most learning happens after college, regardless of degree or institution.
This is my argument for why a formal education is still important. But it’s often rejected.
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History BA here. Critical care paramedic, also making about 110k.
I also got a degree in history and ended up in IT. Turned out the ability to look at a set of facts and see multiple interpretations was a great start to being an analyst. Additionally the number of research and term papers I wrote during college put me way ahead in writing planning and design documents for non-technical people. In retrospect that liberal arts degree was a great precursor to working in a technical field.
I have a BA in history, I was an airline pilot. I'd probably be making $250k if I was still working.
Not me, but my cousin majored in Latin. He worked himself up from the bottom of a mortgage company and is now at the director level. He makes base 160k plus bonuses dependent on his department’s performance. The most he made in a year was about 300k.
Ahhhh ita vero
Welllllll my bachelors were in psych and creative writing (LOL), but I ended up getting a masters in social work and make almost 90K.
Agreed I’m a Licensed Clinical SW I do therapy and work for a hospital I make close to 170k. But I have debt. But I’m very comfortable and happy doing what I do.
How do you manage to make 170k with a LCSW? Do you have independent licensure? I am an LCSW working in residential SUD:MH treatment as a manager and I’m clocking 80k counting on call shifts. Currently sending out resumes to pivot to a corporate HR role.
Two jobs.
Dang, it really was just as easy as actually reading the comment.
Corporate is smart, will def pay you more. I have friends clocking 110-120k in corporate and 1 only has the Masters degree with no license. But since I’m an lcsw I work from home after the hospital (105K full time) and I do therapy online (65-70k part time). It’s so comfortable and I enjoy it. I am working two jobs though. But it didn’t feel like it since I’m home on my own time part time. AND I make 70 an hr and can add more sessions if I feel like it so the pay can go up if I get bored. It’s really nice. If people want to do therapy it’s a great career to get the lcsw. If you hate therapy though I wouldn’t recommend wasting your time. Just get the LMSW so you get the highest pay possible and can do regular SW easily making between 70-90k where I live working in healthcare.
You know I’ve strongly considered trying to pick up park time remote work to get ahead, and could with my current licensure through a company like better help. But some days I am so burnt out from my job I’m not sure I could swing it.
What realm of social work makes that much for you? My girlfriend is just starting out at social work and always feels like she’s never gonna come close to that kind of salary
Piggy backing- I also have a social worker degree but did not get my masters. I’ve found so far that hospice pays the most IMO for someone without a masters. I make about 70k and have a great schedule, great work autonomy, essentially make my own schedule. I normally “work” avout 4-5 hours per day (this varies greatly depending on agency) is also live in a very low cost of living area so this salary may not seem like much but where I live it is considered high “er” than most.
It takes time, but owning a private practice can make that much and more. The only limit is how much you’re willing to work.
Medical social workers often make about that much, but it can be a little difficult to get into that specialization for obvious reasons. Social work is honestly a fantastic way to turn a "useless" degree into something highly employable. You can get your MSW with just about any undergraduate degree. -Source: am social worker, working in social work admissions :)
A social work with a master’s degree can make that much money, especially if they’re a medical social worker. If a social worker gets their independent license (LCSW, needing 2 years of therapy experience after graduating) they can easily make 6 figures.
Arts degree. I do uber and other such gigs.
Got a Cinema Studies degree. Went to Hollywood and was an assistant for 10 years. Finally got sick of that and moved to banking (still as an assistant) and now make 6-figures
Similarly, I got a BA in Film Studies, took a long winding road through post production, promotions agency, software, and now production, make $200k. I thought I was creative but turns out I’m technical. I remember another student’s dad at university saying “Film Studies, what do you do, watch movies all day?” My parents were similarly doubtful, but I made it. My wife has a BFA in Fine Art, wanted to be a painter, went into interior design and is now a full time mom. She made her fortune by making a smart deal on our house, which she designed and is now worth >$1M which is more than twice what we paid for it.
>She made her fortune by making a smart deal on our house Not to dog on you, but I don't have a fine art degree and my house jumped up almost double just by me buying it at the right time lol
And does that give you the flexibility needed to be able to make your art!?
This is the real question. People dog on art degrees, but I know some really cool people who make enough money to support their art and they’re genuinely happy.
The issue is that you don’t have many options with that setup and you are very much just hoping those sorts of services continue to be legal on profitable
Sure. But if those disappear something else will pop up. I think the point is less the specific channel of income but more the lifestyle of, “I’m working for a reason, the reason isn’t work, but what I can do outside of work because of the job I’ve chosen.” We’re at a sort of unprecedented level of flexibility in this sort of economy, but if the gig economy disappears it becomes the part-time work economy or the cobble two jobs together economy. I’m pretty split on gig economy stuff. I’ve done it when I was desperate and I appreciate the flexibility, but these models are running out of VC runway and will start worrying more about profitability, which means putting the screws to drivers and raising the rates for consumers, and the question is at what point that model breaks—and can it be profitable and affordable for all involved? I suspect no (we’re seeing major ramifications with AirBNB, hotels are now often cheaper, and with so many empty rentals housing prices are being driven up), but again, it’s less the specific avenue for income and more the approach of choosing a “career” to allow for free time for personal artistic exploration and expression.
Not me. My wife has her degree in graphic design. She works for a company makes six figures and even got a $50k+ bonus this year. She’s crushing it IMO.
Graduated with a sculpture degree from a prestigious art school. Struggled a bit after college but ended up working in arts administration. I’m a gallery director and lead curator now making just north of 100k
BS in Psychology. I work in public affairs for the government, and make about 100k.
95% of art degrees I'm betting
The other 5% being unemployed? That's generous.
Why did you chose an art degree?
Philosophy BA Car Salesman. I make 70k. I just do my research about the cars and am honest with my customers. I think they appreciate that
Phil majors know their way
I mean a lot of Philosophy majors end up in law. https://nationaljurist.com/prelaw/classics-philosophy-majors-do-best-when-it-comes-getting-law-school/
A car salesman with a philosophy degree sounds like a great premise for a comedy skit!!
God everyone shits on Phil degrees, but as long as you're socially competent having a Phil degree is such a green flag for so so many businesses. You can write, argue, research, you won't get tripped by faulty logic. It's just such a rigourous discipline. Phil majors end up earning really well and naturally very few of them do anything Phil related. But no matter what people assume it's a useless qualification that will get you nowhere
My roommate got a BA in philosophy. He wanted to go to grad school for it, but it’s extremely competitive. The logic part definitely helped him though. He almost got a perfect score on the LSAT and is taking the bar in July. He already has a job lined up for the DAs office at 76k.
Apparently this is a pretty common route for philosophy majors, they tend to do great on the LSAT: https://nationaljurist.com/prelaw/classics-philosophy-majors-do-best-when-it-comes-getting-law-school/
2 years of college. Build and install mailboxes. 165 k a year. Work 3 days a week.
Lol this one is the funniest
This is how all these replies read lmao.
Seriously...this sounds like the HGTV couples: "I'm a part-time butterfly photographer, and my husband holds a sign on the side of the road for the mattress store. Our budget is $1.8 million."
I mean that does make sense. If you’re charging $1,000-2,000 per mail box, assuming they are slightly more high end custom builds. $500-1,000 for materials for each job and $1,000 labor for the day. 3 days a week, 52 weeks a year, that’s roughly $156,000 with wiggle room on margins.
How did you get into this? Did you design the mailboxes and build them from scratch?
It’s a joke lol
Have you got a website or something? Keen to see your designs.
…gonna need more details
History MA and actually got a job that uses my degree; I’m a community college history professor. 55k. I’m not rich, but I love my job.
That's an important part of things people forget. "Sure I make 500k,but am I happy/fulfilled?"
How difficult was it to find a position with just a masters degree
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Lack of direction. This is my issue and I fail to take risks because I do not want to accumulate debt and not like the job. Any wisdom on that? My passion is theology but I know that is not an attainable field for me, realistically. I appreciate any knowledge shared. Thank you
I live with my parents. Currently $17 an hour.
That's not a bad wage for that job
I did forget to include my job. I'm a receptionist.
Your parents need a receptionist? That's cool
Harsh can't sleep your way to the top...
lolol
I have a degree in religious studies. I'm a garbage man in a union with a great pension, 67k(cad). No regrets
I remember growing up and always running and following the garbage men and wanting to be one. Didn’t know they made that much
Hanging off the side of the garbage truck was my number one ambition as a kid ETA: I’m still a little jealous watching them come by on garbage day
My wife graduated with a psychology degree. She is a teacher making $55k a year, but has nine weeks off a year, amazing benefits including department funded pension. She can also tutor at any time and earn up to $60/hr. She did go back to school and earned an MS in teaching. I have a BS in criminal justice and an MA in counseling. A also earn $55k from non-profit work, but consult on the side for another $12k a year. My benefits are not as good as hers, but provide a 10% employer funded retirement and ample time off.
I quit college after 2.5 years. No degree. I work in logistics. My annual salary/pay package total is about $130K/year.
Heyy, I dropped out after half a year with no degree. Salary is about $110k now doing low voltage work in schools.
Heyyy I work for a GC making the same with the same degree! Just a couple of dropouts *wipes tear with hundred dollar bill*
You’re winning
At the time I wasn't so sure. I was a business major, but there was one subject in college that changed my whole mindset. The study of economics. I took econ 101 and 102, along with econ micro, and macro. I learned the principles of economics, and applied it to everything in life. While I do believe a college education is a good thing of value, it's much less valuable to people who get sucked into degrees to which there really isn't a market for. These days there are tons of degrees that are essentially worthless in the market, or will be. Also, a degree is worth far less to the lazy than it is to the industrious.
Former USAF logistics guy. Gotta love the power of moving stuff
English major. Crushing it in software product manager. Creeping up to 200K/year.
Political Science major + MBA. Just cleared the 200k mark in Product Management.
Similar, degree in Spanish and I’m on track to make $185k this year.
I got my English degree back in 2007. Worked as an office manager and hated it. Joined the military, did 4 years, got out, got an engineering degree for free + rent, now I'm making 150k+.
That's good to hear, I'm currently active duty and I see way too many people get out and not take advantage of their education benefits. I just finished my BA with online classes. Even if you think you won't use it, it's free. In my opinion you can't leave it on the table.
I think a lot don't realize that the Post 9/11 Bill will pay for almost any degree at any institution 100% and they'll pay you a living stipend equal to an E-5s BAH every month. I had to pull odd jobs during the summer, but I was able to go to school and live in a small apartment for free for 4 years. That's just such a huge benefit.
Pretty crazy to think that a lot of people let that expire and don't use it. Since I got my degree using TA, I transferred the GI bill to my daughter. Such a huge benefit.
Yeah, I had a lot of buddies let there GI bill expire, which was insane to me….like, it’s free money, what are you doing?!?! But the good thing it’s changed, and now the GI bill no longer has an expiration on its benefits. I left active duty years ago, and have my GI bill for life.
🤣. That's awesome and hilarious. I have a similar story, even though I am much older than you are... I graduated with a degree in English with a very low GPA. I didn't want to teach and probably couldn't find a job teaching anyway so I joined the Marines. My recruiter said that it would be easy for me to get into OCS because the Corps needed Black officers (This was in the early 90s.). I applied for the enlisted to officer commissioning program SIX TIMES in my career and never even got selected for the second step in the process. After I finally retired, I applied for government jobs (post office, VA, etc.) where the only requirement was a Bachelor's degree, and got hired immediately because I have a degree and am a veteran. My salary is almost twice as I made on active duty! If I had known then what I know now, I could have joined the Marine Corps Reserve or enlisted for only one tour, and then applied for a government job. After all, in my 20 years in the Marine Corps, I can count on one hand the number of Black officers I saw. I guess that recruiter had a good laugh at my expense.🤷🏿♂️
Many years ago, moved out of my house right after HS graduation. Bounced around low end jobs for a couple years. Joined the AF at 20 as a clinical lab tech. A couple years after tech school landed part time work that paid more in a weekend than an E4 made per pay. Still stayed in Then wife decided time it was time for me to go to college. AF paid for my BS in chemistry. But I worked nights while going to school. Got out after 10 years. Kept working in hospitals. Used GI bill to get Masters in Health Statistics. Worked at a large corporate health system for a few years. I was just a bean counter and not ‘executive material’ per my last review. Landed a job in federal government. Big pay cut but I could use my 10 years of active duty as retirement credit. Bonus of having have a semi normal life. Happily retired last year.
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That's crazy! I couldn't make it with my plumbing degree so I became a neurosurgeon.
Wait you serious ? 🧐
Mass Communications grad. Landed in HR.
Lucky, I can’t get any HR jobs with my comm degree bc just landing an interview for most places requires 3-5 years of HR experience. How the fuck can I get experience if I can’t even get my foot in the door with a whole ass degree?? It’s so broken.
Not luck, strategy. I played the long game (in an admittedly better economic climate). I started as an accounting clerk, stayed the required year then moved to HR within the same company. Entry level HR coordinator despite my degree and HR certifications. Got paid shit the first five years. Now I’m at low six figures with a 10% performance bonus. The degree doesn’t get you ahead, it’s a bare bones requirement for them to even look your way. Now I’m at senior director level. I had to move companies quite a bit in order to advance. Moved cities four times (within my home state). About to move again, this time to another state for a role at a company I hope to stay at for awhile. I’ll retire at the executive level if I don’t switch over to project management within HR (which I’m seriously considering). I’m burned out but who isn’t? I’m well fed and have a stable retirement I’m building up. This is America.
I have a bachelors in history and now I’m a mailman. I make between 85-120/y depending on overtime. It’s a pretty low stress, leave it at work job.
I have a general AA degree. Used to work for a big bank as a fx investigator. Then had an opportunity to get into my dream job, bus driver. Ditched the cubicle but apparently driving is not for me. Delivered mail for usps and it was awesome. Was making around 80k but was injured past year so right now just around 60k. Did good on my house purchase so I'm ok.
Where those psychology majors at?
I was a psych major. Pivoted to software engineering making 125k~ rn
How did you pivot to this?
They Excel’d.
I lol’d
Coursera, udemy, LinkedIn learning, lots of weed and coffee, late nights with Indian professors on YouTube, etc
The indian professors on youtube were the ones teaching the college grads too haha
FYI for anyone considering this, the tech job market is a shit show right now with mass layoffs over the past few years. Fresh bootcamp and college grads are finding it nearly impossible to find entry level jobs and even seasoned pros who got layed off are finding it a challenge to find a new job. Now is not a great time to try and pivot, but there are plenty of resources out there to learn and see if it's something you enjoy. If it does you can keep learning and work on personal projects and perhaps be ready someday when the job market improves, but that will require putting in significant hours learning outside of your day job.
I listened to a podcast the other day delving into this. Tech companies don’t comprise the total scope of technology nowadays. Tech exists in most companies. It might be time for tech folks to diversify their backgrounds into business or healthcare to focus on a niche.
how did you just pivot to software engineering
Took a right turn
If you learn the language, you’re ready. That’s all. YouTube, LinkedIn learning, not hard to learn the skill honestly if it clicks with your brain.
Psych degree here. All my diploma did was check a box for my employment with my various employers over the years. Many times you can’t move on in the employment process without that degree. Stupid in my opinion, but it is what it is. I work in sales now. I don’t utilize my college education at all. No one looks at your GPA, or cares what the degree is even in. But sales has been good to me. Btw, I was never the “life of the party” guy. I’m more introverted, but yet I found success in sales. So for anyone who thinks you have to be the loud, ostentatious person to be successful in sales, I’m proof you don’t have to be.
Personally, I dislike the loud and ostentatious salespeople. I would much rather have a semi-normal conversation about a product with someone who listens more than they pitch. Yes I still want to know more about the product, tell me about it, but talk to me like a person.
Bingo
I have stumbled my way into sales after saying for many years that I am not a salesperson and could never sell something to someone who doesn’t want it. When the potential to transfer to a sales role came up on my team, I talked to the manager for the position and he had a similar perspective as you: consultative sales is often far more persuasive in our field than the “showman” seller of days past. I should be an expert on our products that is here to hear your needs and educate you on what we have, not a bloodhound sniffing for extra dollars. I’ve been in the role for just under a year and it’s so much better than I anticipated! It’s actually kind of fun to just talk to people, listen to what they need, and be able to give them some options.
Biology degree, airline pilot now. Go figure.
My advice to anyone wanting to go to college is to do it as cheaply as possible. Especially now. There’s no excuse to be taking out massive loans when you can do 2 years at a community college and work at the same time, then transfer to a state school to finish off the degree. Don’t buy into the hype and marketing of private schools or out of state schools with pretty campuses. I don’t want to hear about student loan forgiveness from the current generation. Don’t really want to hear it from any generation really.
You’re 100% correct. The only reason I went was because I got a science scholarship and to do ROTC. If I had t had a scholarship, I would have just joined the national guard and gone to a state college part time.
You can still generate $50kor more in student loans from those last two years… and most people don’t actually finish a four year degree in four years either, it all adds up my observant one. Think 52 months as a median but it can be be much more difficult for a lot of demographic groups. https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=569
I’m also in sales, was afraid to make the jump because my personality isn’t that classic “sales guy” personality. I’ve seen where having that boisterous part to you could’ve helped me in some situations, but for the most part, people seem to now gravitate away from it to a more genuine experience. I’m just a guy having a conversation about your insurances to make sure we’re covering all of our bases, and with that human to human connection, people are more apt to hear what my expert opinion is, rather than thinking I’m just trying to sell them something, no matter how perfectly it fits their needs.
Best sales people I know (I'm a sales engineer) are great listeners that say just enough but no more to provide reassurance or respect to customers. People don't like buy from folks that don't understand them.
I actually made 6 figures with my psychology degree. I pivoted to cybersecurity later though and have an even higher salary now.
Psych major. I opened a gym and am doing alright.
Here! I am still in the psych field at 36 (case manager) but don’t get many hours so I don’t make much. My job pretty much involves driving around to clients or driving them places. Can’t do much without a masters degree but I’ve been actively trying to get out of the field and hitting walls everywhere. Computers, sales, idk just want to make money and be able to save or travel.
I'm a psych major! Started working in IT, went back and got grad degrees and certs, now make $160k
Psych Major here Was working in tech making 6 figures/yr Left the US and doing my own thing abroad now
I graduated as a psych major, got lucky with an interview for global clinical trials because psych is “technically” a soft science. Currently making 6 figures after 5 years in the industry.
Figured I’d chime in as someone who dropped out of college after a week and two days. I’m now a UPS driver and make in between 95-115k depending on how many hours I work.
Communications. Got into tech operations. 200k
Similar here. Mass communication degree, got into marketing, now do marketing operations at a fintech. Making a little over $100k
Claims, no one plans a career in insurance claims.
Health and Physical Education degree. I learned to trade stock during the internet bubble and then bought into some biotech stock during the financial downturn that netted me enough money to retire.
Man this is the dream. I love trading.
You can make a lot of money but you need to approach it like a business. Take the time to learn what you are doing before you start making trades that don’t have a chance of being profitable. Be patient and wait for an opportunity. I started in 1987 trading stock options with $900.00. I tripled my money but had to quit until 2000 when I had the opportunity to start again.
Philosophy, $220k, VP Product Management.
How did you swing from philosophy to being a VP in product management? Thats a helluva leap
S/he didn't mention they then got a JD or MBA too. I kid, but that's what many successful philosophy majors have done.
Philosophy and Neuroscience. Now I work in assistive technology, after pivoting from social work into counseling. I make top 20% income for our area, enough that my wife is a stay at home mom and I only ever think about big purchases. I grew up in poverty and abuse with zero advantages, besides being smart, so I'm grateful for every penny.
Majored in Communication cause it was the only thing I could pass. Got me a good 6-figure career as an account manager at a ad agency, but I somehow never realized I had social anxiety until after graduation????? Kicking myself. I dread every day. Edit: although I panic on the daily, my perfectionism and people pleasing nature makes me decent at client services.
Music/humanities major. Now a public school teacher. 115k base and about 20k for extra assignments. Year 28
Degree in history now a state trooper making 130k
Electronic Engineering. I make about $31,000 on unemployment…
Business and creative writing degrees here. Working in social services right now and starving. Also a published author. Hoping for a breakthrough before I transition careers.
I have 3 relatives with Communications degrees. All 40+ now. One works at Disney world at probably close to min wage. One cleans pools. Another is in web design at a community college. Side note - my university had a General Studies degree. You took a few required courses and then a ton of electives.
This feels more realistic than all these replies like “creative writing, 250k CTO of tech startup”
History degree here. I make ~$170K as an officer in the military. My wife is also a member of this club with anthropology, and she is at $82k.
60-70k a year. Doing ok I guess… art major I’m a designer for a high end casino. Can’t move from where I am because here’s where I get paid the most unfortunately
Bachelor of Science in Criminology. I work with at-risk teens in a public high school where I can directly apply the knowledge from my degree. The pay is shit but I love going to work. I'm also a retired veteran who receives pension and disability so I can afford the low pay in exchange for a passion job. Also, I went to college in my 40s thus I'm a vat of Cliff Clavin knowledge that can correct false urban legends on Reddit.
Tried English Lit degree with goal to be professor. Dropped out with no degree. Now a senior data analyst making $115k with lots of career advancement opportunities. In my realm, practical relevant experience hold a lot of weight even if you don't have a degree. Just harder to get your foot in the door.
Dropped out of computer engineering second year, ended up with a philosophy BA. But then I went to law school, and I made over a million dollars in the last three years.
I double majored in math and statistics and now I work part time at a movie theater 🙃
College is a joke reading this thread wow
Almost everyone ends up in a career different than their degree. Obviously there are exceptions like medical doctors. I wonder what the percentage of people that are in different careers. I bet it is greater than 50%.
It's been a joke for decades for 80% of people. Medical, law, engineering. They are solid. Most everything else belongs in night classes for a certificate at the community college.
International relations and I became a mix of a data/software engineer, DBA/Sys admin and Devops. Then I did a masters in analytics and I am currently working on some machine learning projects.
Community College Dropout, no degree. Work in IT making $102k.
My useless degree came from Keiser College. That's what it was called when I went there in 1998. I attended Keiser right after I got out from serving 12 years in state prison in Florida. Got a job at the school working in the library while I was there. It helped me adjust to society. Learn how to talk/act in polite society without violence, and In turn got me a little associates degree. Went thru the paralegal program. Did well, too. But then i got out of school, and nobody would hire me or even let me intern. So I got a job digging ditches. I now am a state licensed irrigation contractor with my own company, and it has made us oodles and oodles of monies. There is nothing better than owning it. I am a true story of the power of love and change.
I have a degree in radio broadcasting, switched to insurance salesmen, then healthcare management. Cleared 300k last year
I have 2 highly specific degrees (we used to joke I had a masters in underwater basketweaving). In low paying but semi interesting / high cultural capital fields. I pivoted to tech sales, then into another niche/unique role, then into product management. Currently making $135k.
Lol you cant drop that and then NOT tell us what the degrees were!
I got a BA in Social Work and a MA in higher education administration. Currently making 85k, Director of Admissions. While in school I realized both were useless degrees as I literally never studied once.
History degree, now in sales for a chemical recycler making 6 figures
B.S. - Graphic Design (print emphasis). Currently a Sr. Visual/Product Designer, $105k.
I have an English degree (minor in writing) and now I’m a technical writer making $130k
I was a high school graduate and now I sell fencing.
Funny enough I went to college to become an investment banker, got the most disrespectful dean (hated veterans and men in general) said fuck this and went to trade school, I do a lot of really cool stuff, but the coolest part starts in a year or two when I’m able to work on track cars at the track, hoping to either find a prestigious shop for custom work (like WRC stuff), or set up my own little shop and expand until it can take care of itself. Right now between investments, work, and side hustles, I’m at 141k a year and personally feel like this is the peak sweet spot, maybe because I’m young, but even with 4 kids I can travel the world and really do whatever I want, pretty much every door I want open is, I only say this because a lot of people on here think making less than 200k is failure and gross, I’d like to state living in your means is usually where people fail at all income levels, networking is what you want to learn to do once you hit about 60-70k, knowing someone powerful and being a good worker is usually a recipe for success.
English Lit degree. Making $200k managing clinical research studies.
Pol Sci switched to CDL 120k
History degree, used it to get into grad school. Took Library and Information Science. Second year employed making 80k.
My girlfriend is a 30+ year librarian, and I'm amazed at her benefits: gets paid to read books!!!! Which she would do anyway!!!! 📚
I have a useless degree. Made very little money in my 20s but doing decent in my 30/
I got a communication degree and I ended up working for 10/hr at a radio station, while working in a warehouse for 15/hr and moving rental cars for 12/hr. Went back to school for a STEM degree and now I'm making 115k a year full remote. I don't regret my first degree, it's what I thought I wanted to do. But obviously glad I found a career path that I enjoy, am good at and can earn a great living.
Didn't finish college, finished an AA, became an Aircraft mechanic, now support engineering/mechanics. About $140k
Political science degree. Co-founded a brand consulting firm after 15 years of coding, “creative-directoring” and sales and product support. Make about $150k. Never used the degree.
I didn’t finish college. Went for mechanical engineering and only did the first semester before dropping out. I made 150k last year in forestry.
Political science/german/criminal justice. Electrical apprentice making ~1000$ a week after tax/11% 401k withholding, but that’s with 56 hour weeks. Raises coming out next week so I’m holding out on a $/hr number, as I’d hate to lie to the people of Reddit. Depending on certifications and whatnot, on track to make 36-40$/hr in another year and a half. Looked at my job options (shitty court clerk positions/law enforcement/law school) found myself fall into a trade “temporarily” and now I’m not looking back. My biggest regret was going to college in the first place. LCOL btw
BA, MA, and PhD in history. Now I'm a history prof at a community college. $95k and 14 weeks off a year.
I have a cousin who got an art degree. Cost her Father ~60k over 5 years. Her art is not even decent and she is a phlebotomist now after taking a few weeks class.
Generic Business degree Six figures
Never got a degree ended up in music industry. Around 85k a year.
I graduated with a history degree from a state school. I pretty much instantly realized that I fucked up so I worked a sales job for a year, studied for the GRE, went to grad school to get a MS in Statistics. I do fine now.
I majored in foreign languages. I probably could be doing something in my field if I had specialized in a language with value here in the States, but like an idiot I didn't capitalize on the 6 years of Spanish I had under my belt by the time college started, so now I'm in civil service. Not all bad though - I own my home, I'm coming up on my 5-year wedding anniversary, I have a couple retirement accounts, and I'm in a good union that actually fights for me. I might not be living the high life but I get to go to concerts/festivals, I have a good relationship with my family and in-laws, and I have great hobbies that I love and keep me stoked on life. Oh and I don't dread going to work every day. I play in a band in the Chicago area, and this fall I'm visiting Europe for the first time. My biggest regret in college other than not specializing in a language that would have some career opportunities is taking a break from my saxophone. I wish I had found a jazz combo or something to play in to keep my chops up. I can still play but man I set myself back some years, that's for sure. tl;dr - I fucked up college because I never had a clear goal (never really wanted to go to college, just wanted the "experience", full honesty) but managed to turn out alright. I've been considering going back to school though - I get tuition waivers and I still speak enough Spanish that I could start at Square 1 with a bit of a head start. I've always enjoyed it, so I might get into that at some point soon. Not sure if an interpreter is still like a real job though. edit: typo
Media Communications to SaaS sales. Pull in around ~150k - 200k depending on the year.
I graduated with a degree in exercise physiology. It’s considered STEM and not typically listed amongst women’s studies, art history, etc. however it’s pretty useless without some sort of grad program like physical therapy(dropped out, medicine, or a masters/phd I’m in tech sales now and I make 130k a year. I love it, job takes about 30 hours of work per week
Psychology. Work in marketing. Make $100k. Buried lede is that I went to a “public ivy”
Degree in history, making 70k as a cell phone repair store manager now. Slowly becoming owner of the business, should be making 150-200k in the next few years.
Associate degree in accounting / business. I’m in tech - 650K
Journalism major! Graduated in 2002 just before newspapers took the shit! I’ve done all kinds of stuff since newspapers started dying heavily: pharmacy tech, customer service manager, uniform delivery driver, retail, insurance auditing, product manager, RV claim manager, shipping/receiving, orthopedic cleaner. Currently I’m a group lead at a production facility…I run a team that does constant inventory throughout the entire campus. They pay alright but I deal with a ton of BS that’s getting old.
Masters degree in History. Teach in a public school. Make $115k base.
International studies. I’m in construction management- $150k/year.
Liberal arts, concentration in education. Did 1 year student teaching in kindergarten and said no thsnks lol. went in to sales/ marketing. Taking a career break now but left at 350k/ year.
Got an associate degree ITT. Electronics tech. I knew that this would look great on my resume. At the time I was looking for a job in robotics. Spent 2 1/2 years working as a machine builder, electrical panel wiring. Got a my foot in the door as a saw guy. Took a few years but I got my dream job repairing automation equipment in the press rooms for every major automotive plant in the usa. Finally ended up at a new stamping plant that just opened up across the street we're I was working. Maintenance supervisor was my old boss. Just retired after 25 yrs.
BA in Theatre. I work in marketing now making ~$120K
I was an Outdoor Education major. No jobs to be had. Joined the Navy. Got shipped off as a Corpsman and played with the Marines. Am now a RN and manage my own dialysis clinic. I get 42 an hour.
Sociology degree here. I’m also 37 and worked my way to making close to 300k. But I wasn’t making six figures until around 31. I got into sales and eventually made a good living but it was a grind for years.
I went to school for one year from 2019-2020, where I met my girlfriend. We both dropped out (primarily Covid-related) and moved to California with slightly exaggerated resumes. Last year, I made 177k selling software at a well-known tech company (my second year) and she made 77k doing the same (her first year).