Squandered elite education

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if OP attended a school that was not super pre-professional? I was a MC kid who went to a top 10 in the late aughts. Agreed that the internet became a HUGE resource at the turn of the century and I buy that getting this information would have required some - but not exhaustive - effort to obtain via visiting the career center etc in the late 90s. But even if I hadn't had the internet around, I was in clubs and classes where affluent students talked about finance/consulting/the path to professional school. I saw students walking around on campus in suits every winter/spring. It was just really hard to miss.

Maybe OP went to a school where most of the class wasn't that interested in Goldman/McKinsey/Harvard Law? And there was a huge emphasis on more do-gooder work? I could see that being the vibe at Brown or a SLAC.

Also OP, I wouldn't let DCUM convince you that everyone who goes to an elite school earns $500K+. I'm a late 30s HYS grad making $225K in house after several years in Big Law. Hoping to make the leap to $300K+ in a few years when my kids are older. My former classmates making $500K are in big law. Even the in house lawyers aren't really there yet. If I had to guess, I would say most of my class, including public interest, are $100-300k range, again outside of Big Law. My friends who went to more normal schools are probably $50k-150k. So I wouldn't agree that anyone with a college degree, moderate effort, and a pulse makes $200k easy. It's a lot harder than that.

I’m sorry but I make a little more than $200k and I’m in my early thirties. It wasn’t that hard at all.

Awesome. Tell us exactly how you did it. Preferably step by step. Since it worked for you, and “wasn’t that hard at all” it should be easy for absolutely everyone to replicate your success! Right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if OP attended a school that was not super pre-professional? I was a MC kid who went to a top 10 in the late aughts. Agreed that the internet became a HUGE resource at the turn of the century and I buy that getting this information would have required some - but not exhaustive - effort to obtain via visiting the career center etc in the late 90s. But even if I hadn't had the internet around, I was in clubs and classes where affluent students talked about finance/consulting/the path to professional school. I saw students walking around on campus in suits every winter/spring. It was just really hard to miss.

Maybe OP went to a school where most of the class wasn't that interested in Goldman/McKinsey/Harvard Law? And there was a huge emphasis on more do-gooder work? I could see that being the vibe at Brown or a SLAC.

Also OP, I wouldn't let DCUM convince you that everyone who goes to an elite school earns $500K+. I'm a late 30s HYS grad making $225K in house after several years in Big Law. Hoping to make the leap to $300K+ in a few years when my kids are older. My former classmates making $500K are in big law. Even the in house lawyers aren't really there yet. If I had to guess, I would say most of my class, including public interest, are $100-300k range, again outside of Big Law. My friends who went to more normal schools are probably $50k-150k. So I wouldn't agree that anyone with a college degree, moderate effort, and a pulse makes $200k easy. It's a lot harder than that.

I’m sorry but I make a little more than $200k and I’m in my early thirties. It wasn’t that hard at all.

Would love to hear your journey from LMC roots to a high paying career. What field/job?

$200k is not a "high paying career". It's pretty standard pay for your 30s so long as you have a college degree and aimed for jobs with higher comp vs lower comp. Like, did you do a marketing or museum internship during college? Or did you look for a data analyst summer job for a middle of the road company? the latter jobs weren't any more competitive than the former out of college, though a little less glamorous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if OP attended a school that was not super pre-professional? I was a MC kid who went to a top 10 in the late aughts. Agreed that the internet became a HUGE resource at the turn of the century and I buy that getting this information would have required some - but not exhaustive - effort to obtain via visiting the career center etc in the late 90s. But even if I hadn't had the internet around, I was in clubs and classes where affluent students talked about finance/consulting/the path to professional school. I saw students walking around on campus in suits every winter/spring. It was just really hard to miss.

Maybe OP went to a school where most of the class wasn't that interested in Goldman/McKinsey/Harvard Law? And there was a huge emphasis on more do-gooder work? I could see that being the vibe at Brown or a SLAC.

Also OP, I wouldn't let DCUM convince you that everyone who goes to an elite school earns $500K+. I'm a late 30s HYS grad making $225K in house after several years in Big Law. Hoping to make the leap to $300K+ in a few years when my kids are older. My former classmates making $500K are in big law. Even the in house lawyers aren't really there yet. If I had to guess, I would say most of my class, including public interest, are $100-300k range, again outside of Big Law. My friends who went to more normal schools are probably $50k-150k. So I wouldn't agree that anyone with a college degree, moderate effort, and a pulse makes $200k easy. It's a lot harder than that.

I’m sorry but I make a little more than $200k and I’m in my early thirties. It wasn’t that hard at all.

Would love to hear your journey from LMC roots to a high paying career. What field/job?

$200k is not a "high paying career". It's pretty standard pay for your 30s so long as you have a college degree and aimed for jobs with higher comp vs lower comp. Like, did you do a marketing or museum internship during college? Or did you look for a data analyst summer job for a middle of the road company? the latter jobs weren't any more competitive than the former out of college, though a little less glamorous.

$200,000 puts you in the top 5% of earners in the US. Possibly higher if your comparing yourself with other POC, other women, or even other people in their 30s. Who exactly is this “standard” for, PP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if OP attended a school that was not super pre-professional? I was a MC kid who went to a top 10 in the late aughts. Agreed that the internet became a HUGE resource at the turn of the century and I buy that getting this information would have required some - but not exhaustive - effort to obtain via visiting the career center etc in the late 90s. But even if I hadn't had the internet around, I was in clubs and classes where affluent students talked about finance/consulting/the path to professional school. I saw students walking around on campus in suits every winter/spring. It was just really hard to miss.

Maybe OP went to a school where most of the class wasn't that interested in Goldman/McKinsey/Harvard Law? And there was a huge emphasis on more do-gooder work? I could see that being the vibe at Brown or a SLAC.

Also OP, I wouldn't let DCUM convince you that everyone who goes to an elite school earns $500K+. I'm a late 30s HYS grad making $225K in house after several years in Big Law. Hoping to make the leap to $300K+ in a few years when my kids are older. My former classmates making $500K are in big law. Even the in house lawyers aren't really there yet. If I had to guess, I would say most of my class, including public interest, are $100-300k range, again outside of Big Law. My friends who went to more normal schools are probably $50k-150k. So I wouldn't agree that anyone with a college degree, moderate effort, and a pulse makes $200k easy. It's a lot harder than that.

I’m sorry but I make a little more than $200k and I’m in my early thirties. It wasn’t that hard at all.

Would love to hear your journey from LMC roots to a high paying career. What field/job?

$200k is not a "high paying career". It's pretty standard pay for your 30s so long as you have a college degree and aimed for jobs with higher comp vs lower comp. Like, did you do a marketing or museum internship during college? Or did you look for a data analyst summer job for a middle of the road company? the latter jobs weren't any more competitive than the former out of college, though a little less glamorous.

This isn’t at all aligned with my experience. I’m in my 50s, Ph.D. in a lucrative STEM field, and have lots of professional colleagues with similar hard-working, top institution backgrounds. Few of us make over $200K, and nobody in their 30s does.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if OP attended a school that was not super pre-professional? I was a MC kid who went to a top 10 in the late aughts. Agreed that the internet became a HUGE resource at the turn of the century and I buy that getting this information would have required some - but not exhaustive - effort to obtain via visiting the career center etc in the late 90s. But even if I hadn't had the internet around, I was in clubs and classes where affluent students talked about finance/consulting/the path to professional school. I saw students walking around on campus in suits every winter/spring. It was just really hard to miss.

Maybe OP went to a school where most of the class wasn't that interested in Goldman/McKinsey/Harvard Law? And there was a huge emphasis on more do-gooder work? I could see that being the vibe at Brown or a SLAC.

Also OP, I wouldn't let DCUM convince you that everyone who goes to an elite school earns $500K+. I'm a late 30s HYS grad making $225K in house after several years in Big Law. Hoping to make the leap to $300K+ in a few years when my kids are older. My former classmates making $500K are in big law. Even the in house lawyers aren't really there yet. If I had to guess, I would say most of my class, including public interest, are $100-300k range, again outside of Big Law. My friends who went to more normal schools are probably $50k-150k. So I wouldn't agree that anyone with a college degree, moderate effort, and a pulse makes $200k easy. It's a lot harder than that.

I’m sorry but I make a little more than $200k and I’m in my early thirties. It wasn’t that hard at all.

Would love to hear your journey from LMC roots to a high paying career. What field/job?

$200k is not a "high paying career". It's pretty standard pay for your 30s so long as you have a college degree and aimed for jobs with higher comp vs lower comp. Like, did you do a marketing or museum internship during college? Or did you look for a data analyst summer job for a middle of the road company? the latter jobs weren't any more competitive than the former out of college, though a little less glamorous.

Way to put others down. We are all very impressed by how you don't consider $200k to be high paying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if OP attended a school that was not super pre-professional? I was a MC kid who went to a top 10 in the late aughts. Agreed that the internet became a HUGE resource at the turn of the century and I buy that getting this information would have required some - but not exhaustive - effort to obtain via visiting the career center etc in the late 90s. But even if I hadn't had the internet around, I was in clubs and classes where affluent students talked about finance/consulting/the path to professional school. I saw students walking around on campus in suits every winter/spring. It was just really hard to miss.

Maybe OP went to a school where most of the class wasn't that interested in Goldman/McKinsey/Harvard Law? And there was a huge emphasis on more do-gooder work? I could see that being the vibe at Brown or a SLAC.

Also OP, I wouldn't let DCUM convince you that everyone who goes to an elite school earns $500K+. I'm a late 30s HYS grad making $225K in house after several years in Big Law. Hoping to make the leap to $300K+ in a few years when my kids are older. My former classmates making $500K are in big law. Even the in house lawyers aren't really there yet. If I had to guess, I would say most of my class, including public interest, are $100-300k range, again outside of Big Law. My friends who went to more normal schools are probably $50k-150k. So I wouldn't agree that anyone with a college degree, moderate effort, and a pulse makes $200k easy. It's a lot harder than that.

I’m sorry but I make a little more than $200k and I’m in my early thirties. It wasn’t that hard at all.

Would love to hear your journey from LMC roots to a high paying career. What field/job?

$200k is not a "high paying career". It's pretty standard pay for your 30s so long as you have a college degree and aimed for jobs with higher comp vs lower comp. Like, did you do a marketing or museum internship during college? Or did you look for a data analyst summer job for a middle of the road company? the latter jobs weren't any more competitive than the former out of college, though a little less glamorous.

It’s obvious you are motivated solely by pay, and used the internet to guide your career choice. Which isn’t applicable to the OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if OP attended a school that was not super pre-professional? I was a MC kid who went to a top 10 in the late aughts. Agreed that the internet became a HUGE resource at the turn of the century and I buy that getting this information would have required some - but not exhaustive - effort to obtain via visiting the career center etc in the late 90s. But even if I hadn't had the internet around, I was in clubs and classes where affluent students talked about finance/consulting/the path to professional school. I saw students walking around on campus in suits every winter/spring. It was just really hard to miss.

Maybe OP went to a school where most of the class wasn't that interested in Goldman/McKinsey/Harvard Law? And there was a huge emphasis on more do-gooder work? I could see that being the vibe at Brown or a SLAC.

Also OP, I wouldn't let DCUM convince you that everyone who goes to an elite school earns $500K+. I'm a late 30s HYS grad making $225K in house after several years in Big Law. Hoping to make the leap to $300K+ in a few years when my kids are older. My former classmates making $500K are in big law. Even the in house lawyers aren't really there yet. If I had to guess, I would say most of my class, including public interest, are $100-300k range, again outside of Big Law. My friends who went to more normal schools are probably $50k-150k. So I wouldn't agree that anyone with a college degree, moderate effort, and a pulse makes $200k easy. It's a lot harder than that.

I’m sorry but I make a little more than $200k and I’m in my early thirties. It wasn’t that hard at all.

Would love to hear your journey from LMC roots to a high paying career. What field/job?

$200k is not a "high paying career". It's pretty standard pay for your 30s so long as you have a college degree and aimed for jobs with higher comp vs lower comp. Like, did you do a marketing or museum internship during college? Or did you look for a data analyst summer job for a middle of the road company? the latter jobs weren't any more competitive than the former out of college, though a little less glamorous.

This isn’t at all aligned with my experience. I’m in my 50s, Ph.D. in a lucrative STEM field, and have lots of professional colleagues with similar hard-working, top institution backgrounds. Few of us make over $200K, and nobody in their 30s does.

Really? All the CS PhDs I know are rolling in it...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if OP attended a school that was not super pre-professional? I was a MC kid who went to a top 10 in the late aughts. Agreed that the internet became a HUGE resource at the turn of the century and I buy that getting this information would have required some - but not exhaustive - effort to obtain via visiting the career center etc in the late 90s. But even if I hadn't had the internet around, I was in clubs and classes where affluent students talked about finance/consulting/the path to professional school. I saw students walking around on campus in suits every winter/spring. It was just really hard to miss.

Maybe OP went to a school where most of the class wasn't that interested in Goldman/McKinsey/Harvard Law? And there was a huge emphasis on more do-gooder work? I could see that being the vibe at Brown or a SLAC.

Also OP, I wouldn't let DCUM convince you that everyone who goes to an elite school earns $500K+. I'm a late 30s HYS grad making $225K in house after several years in Big Law. Hoping to make the leap to $300K+ in a few years when my kids are older. My former classmates making $500K are in big law. Even the in house lawyers aren't really there yet. If I had to guess, I would say most of my class, including public interest, are $100-300k range, again outside of Big Law. My friends who went to more normal schools are probably $50k-150k. So I wouldn't agree that anyone with a college degree, moderate effort, and a pulse makes $200k easy. It's a lot harder than that.

I’m sorry but I make a little more than $200k and I’m in my early thirties. It wasn’t that hard at all.

Would love to hear your journey from LMC roots to a high paying career. What field/job?

$200k is not a "high paying career". It's pretty standard pay for your 30s so long as you have a college degree and aimed for jobs with higher comp vs lower comp. Like, did you do a marketing or museum internship during college? Or did you look for a data analyst summer job for a middle of the road company? the latter jobs weren't any more competitive than the former out of college, though a little less glamorous.

This isn’t at all aligned with my experience. I’m in my 50s, Ph.D. in a lucrative STEM field, and have lots of professional colleagues with similar hard-working, top institution backgrounds. Few of us make over $200K, and nobody in their 30s does.

Really? All the CS PhDs I know are rolling in it...

Did you read any of this thread??

[Anonymous]

i did not read all the posts. but op you sound so very very normal. i remember thinking getting into a highly selective school was some grand ticket (pure 20-something naivety). i also in hindsight squandered lots of opportunities while there to both take some risks and really learn and grow. but smart ivy league grads who are gainfully employed but not next level wealthy are so extremely extremely widespread/commonplace. you just notice/focus on the extra successful peers more. some of its luck. some of its connections. sometimes its a skillset beyond being academically high achieving. but yes the grass is not always greener. let it go. no reason to be forever dissatisfied.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:i did not read all the posts. but op you sound so very very normal. i remember thinking getting into a highly selective school was some grand ticket (pure 20-something naivety). i also in hindsight squandered lots of opportunities while there to both take some risks and really learn and grow. but smart ivy league grads who are gainfully employed but not next level wealthy are so extremely extremely widespread/commonplace. you just notice/focus on the extra successful peers more. some of its luck. some of its connections. sometimes its a skillset beyond being academically high achieving. but yes the grass is not always greener. let it go. no reason to be forever dissatisfied.

Do you mind talking more about this? Just curious.

[Anonymous]

I didn't even attend Ivies (former UVA grad) and I am making 275K/yr working for the Federal government as a SME in Cybersecurity at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). I am in my 30's and most of my former classmates are making a lot more in the private sector.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:i did not read all the posts. but op you sound so very very normal. i remember thinking getting into a highly selective school was some grand ticket (pure 20-something naivety). i also in hindsight squandered lots of opportunities while there to both take some risks and really learn and grow. but smart ivy league grads who are gainfully employed but not next level wealthy are so extremely extremely widespread/commonplace. you just notice/focus on the extra successful peers more. some of its luck. some of its connections. sometimes its a skillset beyond being academically high achieving. but yes the grass is not always greener. let it go. no reason to be forever dissatisfied.

This is so true. I worked my ass off to get into an Ivy and thought I wouldn’t have to work hard after that. Now I love my job but people from midtier schools have the same job as me with the same pay. It’s ok though, I’m very happy with what I have. I just wish I knew I could have relaxed a little more in high school and gone to a cheaper college to achieve the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I didn't even attend Ivies (former UVA grad) and I am making 275K/yr working for the Federal government as a SME in Cybersecurity at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). I am in my 30's and most of my former classmates are making a lot more in the private sector.

Why do all these 30 year olds keep posting? You had a rich repository of information about COL and career paths on the internet to guide you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i did not read all the posts. but op you sound so very very normal. i remember thinking getting into a highly selective school was some grand ticket (pure 20-something naivety). i also in hindsight squandered lots of opportunities while there to both take some risks and really learn and grow. but smart ivy league grads who are gainfully employed but not next level wealthy are so extremely extremely widespread/commonplace. you just notice/focus on the extra successful peers more. some of its luck. some of its connections. sometimes its a skillset beyond being academically high achieving. but yes the grass is not always greener. let it go. no reason to be forever dissatisfied.

This is so true. I worked my ass off to get into an Ivy and thought I wouldn’t have to work hard after that. Now I love my job but people from midtier schools have the same job as me with the same pay. It’s ok though, I’m very happy with what I have. I just wish I knew I could have relaxed a little more in high school and gone to a cheaper college to achieve the same.

#booksmart

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I didn't even attend Ivies (former UVA grad) and I am making 275K/yr working for the Federal government as a SME in Cybersecurity at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). I am in my 30's and most of my former classmates are making a lot more in the private sector.

No one makes $275k / year in the federal government unless you are a contractor or a senior SES. If a contractor, you're a second class citizen to the fed workers and your salary can change at the next re-compete.

By the way, salaries for cybersecurity and IT folks in general plateau in your 30s and 40s, and job security is low into your 50s. The young kids coming up are always going to be pushing you out of your job.