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They became lawyers, business owners, CEOs, curators, actors, a cartoonist, authors, insurance VP, consultant, editor, and a clock maker.
Probably some more when I have time to think about them for a while.
Oops left off bank teller, payables accountant for a builder, Mom, church evangelism director, Mom, substitute teacher, Mom, and now assistant librarian. (My wife - dual degree in Communication and English). Her degrees came in most useful in the Mom job I think.
That's true. Law firms are sweat shops and it's very easy to burn out. In fact, that's what happens to the overwhelming majority of people who go that route.
The few who make it to partner end up raking in tons of money though. Very darwinian.
Both statements are generalizations that are as often untrue as true. It depends on the firm, practice and type of law. It also depends on how you define "burn out" Of the hundreds of lawyers I have known, about 2% of them leave the practice of law before retirement. However many are burned out and no longer like practicing law. I am sure that is probably true of most jobs, do the same thing for 25 years and you will probably get sick of it.
Both statements are generalizations that are as often untrue as true. It depends on the firm, practice and type of law. It also depends on how you define "burn out" Of the hundreds of lawyers I have known, about 2% of them leave the practice of law before retirement. However many are burned out and no longer like practicing law. I am sure that is probably true of most jobs, do the same thing for 25 years and you will probably get sick of it.
My father was a lawyer and absolutely despised the field by the end of his career. I think that was the major factor in his decision to retire early (50s) rather than continue working even though it wasn't a great decision financially.
To the earlier poster's comment: Very few people make it to partner at the "big law" firms. You can not assume that just because someone gets a job at one of these firms they can just stay on the treadmill and move up to partner. Last time I checked most people only last 3-4 years at the "big law" firms due to some combination of "burn out" and the "up or out" evaluation system. Those who leave often make substantially less than those who are able to stay at a big firm.
One thing I have noticed among my friends is there is a much wider variation of both jobs and incomes among the liberal arts degree holders vs. the STEM degree holders I know.
I know liberal arts degree holders who are under-employed and I know ones who are making 7 figures.
Among the STEM degree holders I know, most are making at least $50k. But their earnings in STEM fields seem to top out around $150k, unless they are a doctor or have an MBA from a top school. This is also the pattern I see among people with more "vocational" degrees such as nursing, physical therapy, or accounting.
The people who I see really struggling are those who dropped out of college. It doesn't matter what your major was then.
On the other hand, among the people I know, the big differentiator between the people who are making $200k plus and those who are not is the ones who are above that seem to have an MD or DDS, or an JD or MBA from a top school. Undergrad degree doesn't matter as much.
I celebrated my 8 year anniversary yesterday of graduating college with the bachelors degree in history I have. I still haven't made 30K a year yet.
Honestly, I don't know what to tell you Tyhoyarbie. I have known history majors that have made over 30k but they did have to struggle first. Have you tried non profits? Do you live in a small town? That does make a difference.
My cousin's husband-Lawyer
My cousin-SAHM
My brother-Teacher
My SIL-Was a lawyer, now she is a personal trainer
My SIL-Was a banker, now a lawyer
My BIL-Bond trader
My friend -Doctor
My frend -Church music director/Piano teacher
My friend-Was a political consultant, now he is with a software company
My friend-Works at a bank in bank security
Some make more money than others but nobody is living in their parents basement
Among the STEM degree holders I know, most are making at least $50k. But their earnings in STEM fields seem to top out around $150k, unless they are a doctor or have an MBA from a top school. This is also the pattern I see among people with more "vocational" degrees such as nursing, physical therapy, or accounting.
I'd say that a person who has maxed out at $150K/year from their job alone has probably figured out how to generate an additional $50K/year to $100K/year from investments, part-time income, rental properties and other sources.
Honestly, I don't know what to tell you Tyhoyarbie. I have known history majors that have made over 30k but they did have to struggle first. Have you tried non profits? Do you live in a small town? That does make a difference.
Nope, I live in Dallas. Too many people looking for a decent paying job and not enough jobs.
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