brip blap - Latest Comments in 8 steps to a six figure career

Re: 8 steps to a six figure career

ericwentworth — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 13:08:02 -0000

Hi Steve,

Well, I also believe that a part of life planning is responding and taking
action on the serendipidous chance occurences in life if they present
opportunity. Despite all the goals and plans we make, sometimes pure luck
can grab you and push you in a new direction.

I recall speaking with a woman who made millions simply by taking a
"temporary" job with a new company called Microsoft. Her original plan in
life was to become a veterinarian. But the wealth she came by through luck
enabled her to eventually found several philanthropic
organizations---incluiding a pet rescue non-profit.

Iti is an interesting subject of discussion.

Best regards,

Eric

Re: 8 steps to a six figure career

ericwentworth — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 12:59:40 -0000

Re: 8 steps to a six figure career

bripblap — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 06:59:24 -0000

@ericwentworth: Thanks so much! Those are some great points, and I guess the common thread throughout them is that people let events happen to them, rather than making events happen FOR them. I wouldn't say I'm perfect - certainly I've let events steer me more often than I'd like - but I certainly think I have done my best to take control of the events I can control, and that feeling of being in control makes me (and everyone, I think) happier.

Re: 8 steps to a six figure career

ericwentworth — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 14:45:49 -0000

This is some of the best common-sense advice I've read on this subject. It's easy to see why you have been successful yourself.

Most people "drift" into their life. They choose a career just to make money or because their dad did well in the same profession or because someone offered them a job.

They marry for sex or companionship or because of an unplanned pregnancy. They date few people (the average is just 12 "serious" dates before marriage out of millions of prospects).
They have kids because (oops!) their wife or girlfriend "happened" to get pregnant.

They live where they were born or where a job took them---not in a place that is in tune with their personality or future plans.

It's no wonder that 47% of workers hate their job or that half of marriages end in divorce.

Through ignorance, laziness, inertia, or lack of planning most lives are directionless---and not fully realized.

Love your posts!

Re: 8 steps to a six figure career

Rishikesh — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:50:58 -0000

Really a Great Post...

Re: 8 steps to a six figure career

Abhishek — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:49:02 -0000

Making 6 figure Income sounds good..but achieving that requires a lot of discipline and patience. Nice post.

Regards,
Abhishek

Re: 8 steps to a six figure career

Glasgow Dental Implants — Thu, 07 May 2009 05:37:59 -0000

Getting six figure is really a great achievement. But needs really hard work for it.

Re: 8 steps to a six figure career

shawn — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 20:05:33 -0000

I think your advice sounds solid for someone who wishes to be in a corporate type job, however there are plenty of jobs that are capable of six figures that may fall into someones dream job. My wife is a great example of that. She is a registered nurse, with 3 years on the job. She will finish this year over 90k a year. Granted that is with overtime but that is also only a two year degree. She is going back to school now for her bachelors and masters, which when she is done will bring over 100k with no overtime. As I said now she is making her money with overtime, but only 48-56 hours a week, and with their schedule that is only 4-5 days a week. I guess everyone has different ways to achieve that goal....

Re: 8 steps to a six figure career

Nabloid.com — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 20:00:32 -0000

I agree! I went to a local college for my degree in business and entrepreneurship and most of my night classes were taught by businessmen/women that were quit successful (a few multi-millionaires) in the business world! They taught because they loved it, and the fact that it was a paying gig didn't hurt - though many didn't exactly need the money.

You'd be surprised how fulfilling many of them claimed the experience to be... I guess teaching the next generation and implanting ideas and knowledge is quite rewarding for some. It also gave them a chance to become reinvigorated with that spark of interest and in communicating with the next gen they leaned things too. Learning often isn't a one way street.

One of my professors owned a private consulting business that was closed to new clientèle (she had enough clients) and she also wrote a textbook on business plans and consulting. SO she had several different creative outlets... while still being a high paid consultant. It's also a neat way to diversify an income... book royalties, teaching job at a college, and consulting practise. I think she was charging somewhere between 250 and 500 an hour, and she had enough clients she didn't need or want more. I think her writing the textbook and teaching at a college also gave her credibility to get those high paying consulting gigs, though she was certainly an expert and was probably worth every penny and more..

Re: 8 steps to a six figure career

Nabloid.com — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 19:51:41 -0000

I've read the book and think many people are doing similar things. I know some people that own internet forum's and almost don't have to work and still make six figures. That said, we can't all live the 4 hour work week lifestyle. In fact, if it worked so well and was so simple, my queston would be... why aren't you doing it? And if you are, congrats!

Re: 8 steps to a six figure career

Nabloid.com — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 19:48:10 -0000

I've never wanted to be called a cow more in my life than after reading your comment... LOL!

I've seen the book, but haven't got around to reading it yet.

Re: 8 steps to a six figure career

Jackjumper — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 01:40:32 -0000

Hmm well what i found out is that it appears to be not what you know so much as who you know. While yes you still need a bachelors degree in finance, acounting or business its the connections you make. Which is why a masters is beneficial because of the people you meet, thats why you have to choose a school with a well respected reputation and large alumini program.

Re: 8 steps to a six figure career

Mcbabyx11 — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 22:57:11 -0000

Okay thanks. So basically the money is in the big cities. I also found human resource management to pay well when I researched it but I still don't know. Thanks so much for your advice

Re: 8 steps to a six figure career

bripblap — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 22:10:05 -0000

I think accounting doesn't require an excessive amount of education, mcbabyx11. I'd probably recommend accounting or finance. Other professions that would have a high likelihood of paying off well, but would require more education would be pharmacy, medicine, law, engineering. But remember that it's probably going to be more about other choices than about your major. If you get an accounting degree with a 2.0 average and stay in a small town, your earning will be less than a 4.0 in a big city, for example.

Re: 8 steps to a six figure career

Mcbabyx11 — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 13:45:25 -0000

Hi!
I am a high school sophomore in ga
Gifted certified taking ap classes and excell in math and language arts
I am also a socialite ans love people
My goal is to make 6 figures within 5 years of graduating college.
What do you think is a good field of work to be in to accomplish those goals without a thousand years of college?

Re: 8 steps to a six figure career

deepali — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 10:58:01 -0000

actually, i think plonkee is right. the major doesn't matter - it's the grades that you get into the cushy consulting gigs. except for accounting. :)

major in what you want (and are good at) + take some basic skills-type classes (ie, stats) + awesome gpa + good interviewing skills = cushy job.

i can only think of one person who actually got a "useful" major that ended up in i-banking, consulting, etc. most of my friends have undergrad degrees in "government", "art history", "culture and politics", "english", etc. but they also had 3.8+ gpas.

the same applies for some graduate degrees - if you want to go to law school (after which you will start out with 6 figures), your major doesn't matter. they love the phil majors.

i am not sure the masters degree is so distinguishing anymore. they are a dime a dozen here - a useful way to put off working for another year or so. i think where the masters is useful is the connections you create (ideally).

and i am 100% in agreement with the "weird job"!

Re: 8 steps to a six figure career

Manish Kapoor — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:05:42 -0000

Although success is not a guarantee, it is useful to have a plan of action to help you achieve your career goals.

Re: 8 steps to a six figure career

Jerrold — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:40:42 -0000

I would add another step to the list: don't get depressed.
I was depressed, anxious, and/or suicidal throughout college and could barely hold myself together enough to graduate with a worthless English degree just go get a piece of paper. Luckily I can survive on a low income because I am never planning on getting married or having children. I am surprised the suicide rate is not higher.

Re: 8 steps to a six figure career

JA — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 21:02:32 -0000

Umm....you don't make "well over" 6 figures unless you make millions or billions or trillions, etc. a year. (7 figures equals 1 million.)

Re: 8 steps to a six figure career

Dividend growth investor — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 17:25:20 -0000

I totally agree with your points. I disagree about number 2 though. I have tried this and I did stand out.. I was informed that because I didn't have the required major I was not eligible even for an interview.
But you could still stand out in an interview. If you did something out of the ordinary. However the most important thing to do is establish a good relationship with the interviewer from the start. Find a common ground and you will most likely succeed.. And last but not least - networking is important. Build a list of contacts and try to make them help you in your job search.

Re: 8 steps to a six figure career

JD — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 13:56:52 -0000

What is the big deal about six figures any more? I graduated college 5 years ago and I'd say about 70% of my college friends as well as myself were making six figures our first year out of school. The other 30% probably started making 6 figures by the next year or they are in jobs that they aren't really doing for money (like something in the arts or public service). This is in NY. But seriously, I'm pretty sure that even our receptionist makes over $100K. Its not a lot of money at all. The new "six figure income" is $500K, and the new "million dollar net worth" is now $5 million.

Re: 8 steps to a six figure career

Know The Ledge — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 22:34:20 -0000

This is very good career advice, and I enjoyed matching up what's in your list to what I've been able to do in my own career. I moved frequently once my stay had been long enough, and it has always ended up being a positive (and profitable) move. I also went back to get an advanced degree and certifications and they opened up a lot of doors for me.

But out of all of them I think the ability to sell yourself is the most important. I never started to achieve any of the success I have in my career until I learned how to present myself in a desirable way to potential employers.

Re: 8 steps to a six figure career

Steve — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 23:44:38 -0000

Rich - feel free to share your story, it sounds impressive. I'm sure there are always exceptions to the rule. Many people would be interested to know how you turned a history degree into 100k, so feel free to share the secret. I wouldn't say I've settled - I was making six figures after 6 years, not 1, so you have me beat there, but in general it turned out pretty well for me.

Re: 8 steps to a six figure career

Rich — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 17:03:52 -0000

Horrible,
My major is History and it took me 1 year (not 14) to earn 100k, have health insurance and travel on the company's money. The people who have to slave for 14 years to make this money are the ones who don't take risks and get a safe corporate job. Never settle like this guy.

Re: 8 steps to a six figure career

telly — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 13:36:09 -0000

Very interesting post (the # of comments are proof!) and I really appreciate the insight from a 6-figure perspective. Congrats...your hard work has indeed paid off and I'm glad to see you're reaping the fruits of your labour. ;)

I'd love to be in the 6 figure club myself but I'm settling for being close (maybe in a couple years) and never having worked more than 40 hrs a week since I graduated from engineering 8 years ago. I think that might be why I'm still in the high 5's. :)

I think you're right though, had I put in more effort, moved companies at least once, etc., I'd likley be earning a lot more but I've taken the lazy route so I really can't complain.

Keep enjoying your 'new' career!