i wish this thread was being taken seriously, especially from the non stem fields. My rising sophomore would benefit from this knowledge as he is applying to internships now for next summer. He needs some realistic job expectations.

Share information is very useful. He doesn't have a set career path planned.

Bored folks please don't clog chats with your rants

Can't deny that the cream of the crop of current college graduates are going to start out at six figure salaries, even if it's just $104k, which means they are making more money than many experienced middle aged people with master's degrees. And if you start out in the six figures, you are embarking on a life trajectory that is quite different from someone starting out at 50k. Despite that the person making 50k isn't necessarily less intelligent. All due to choices and decisions.

I try to pass on this lesson to the young people I know. They never listen.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please include year of graduation, university (or type), industry (or even company)

Would be interested to see outcomes after all the stress kids and parents (emphasis on latter) go through when it comes to getting into college

My last kid to graduate from college did so in 2020, and she started at $45K. She's only now at $50K, but she's got a year to go to finish her master's degree & then can hopefully get a higher-paying and more fulfilling job. I typically stay away from these threads because they're depressing, but I figured maybe someone out there can take solace in the face that low salaries are also in the mix.

Take solace in the fact that people are on here lying their a$$es off.

Anonymous wrote:DC graduated from a public university in 2023. They had already run the hiring gauntlet with several law enforcement entities during their senior year and went right into one of their academies. The salary was +/- $65,000 in the academy. They started getting paychecks three weeks prior to their academy report date. After the six month academy they did field training for months before they were released to work independently. During the first year they received two raises that increased their salary about $9,000. Last year they started earning overtime and that has dramatically increased their total compensation. They will receive at least one 5% raise per year. It amazes me that young adults struggling to find work aren't looking more seriously at law enforcement.

My DS is interested in law enforcement, and is in his junior year. Can you share a bit more about which ones your DC looked into, where they ended up, major, that kind of thing?

Anonymous wrote:DC and friends mostly got mid to high six figures TC as fresh graduates from MIT majoring in math, cs, physics etc. they’ll be doing AI research (think OpenAI), quant trading etc.

BS. Mid-to-high six figures means they're earning over $500k/yr. Or do you not know that six figures goes from $100,000 to $999,999?

DC graduated from a public university in 2023. They had already run the hiring gauntlet with several law enforcement entities during their senior year and went right into one of their academies. The salary was +/- $65,000 in the academy. They started getting paychecks three weeks prior to their academy report date. After the six month academy they did field training for months before they were released to work independently. During the first year they received two raises that increased their salary about $9,000. Last year they started earning overtime and that has dramatically increased their total compensation. They will receive at least one 5% raise per year. It amazes me that young adults struggling to find work aren't looking more seriously at law enforcement.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC and friends mostly got mid to high six figures TC as fresh graduates from MIT majoring in math, cs, physics etc. they’ll be doing AI research (think OpenAI), quant trading etc.

For things related to AI, it's like the NBA right now. The numbers are insane.

I have a mechanical engineering major at a T20. Not AI. But after the sophomore year internship, DC is looking at $180,000+ starting, plus bonus. In an engineering capacity, not finance. Still has two years to go, but that's what's on the table now.

Yeah top STEM talents are paid like professional athletes now. They can easily crack a few millions in compensation with a few YOE.

Comparing talented STEM majors to pro athletes is a disservice to these students. They are getting high six figures plus bonus/RSU which can equal maybe $250k to $600K at the higher end, while pro athletes are raking in millions. They also have to live in HCOL cities typically and have to meet certain lifestyles to network with peer group. Given there is no backstop in US for anyone when they get unemployed or wish to retire then a good amount also should be saved, which leaves them with very little.

I’m not talk about an average CS graduate, but those who are capable of doing AI research (not engineering) or quant trading. They’re making millions if not tens or hundreds of millions. Google Meta MSL recent recruits.

You know zero people who've landed one of these poaching offers, just like you know zero professional athletes.

It’s a stretch to assume that and it has nothing to do with the info I provided which is fact.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC and friends mostly got mid to high six figures TC as fresh graduates from MIT majoring in math, cs, physics etc. they’ll be doing AI research (think OpenAI), quant trading etc.

For things related to AI, it's like the NBA right now. The numbers are insane.

I have a mechanical engineering major at a T20. Not AI. But after the sophomore year internship, DC is looking at $180,000+ starting, plus bonus. In an engineering capacity, not finance. Still has two years to go, but that's what's on the table now.

Yeah top STEM talents are paid like professional athletes now. They can easily crack a few millions in compensation with a few YOE.

Comparing talented STEM majors to pro athletes is a disservice to these students. They are getting high six figures plus bonus/RSU which can equal maybe $250k to $600K at the higher end, while pro athletes are raking in millions. They also have to live in HCOL cities typically and have to meet certain lifestyles to network with peer group. Given there is no backstop in US for anyone when they get unemployed or wish to retire then a good amount also should be saved, which leaves them with very little.

I’m not talk about an average CS graduate, but those who are capable of doing AI research (not engineering) or quant trading. They’re making millions if not tens or hundreds of millions. Google Meta MSL recent recruits.

You know zero people who've landed one of these poaching offers, just like you know zero professional athletes.

Anonymous wrote:Stats of job/salary not complete unless you also post how many hours/week of work.

My oldest graduated in 2022 with a degree in Data Analytics. He went to a W&M. His starting salary was $85K and he works for a large Beltway bandit firm as a govt contractor doing project management work. He’s been promoted a couple of times and is now at $105K. He works remotely 90% of the time - he’s supporting an agency with worldwide locations and 10% of the time he’s traveling to one of the sites. As a govt contractor, he only works 40 hours a week. He has several friends who work in private industry and they work 50-60+ hours a week. He often comments on how good he has it.

My middle DC just graduated with a math and secondary education degree from a middling private college. He will be teaching high school math at a private high school. His starting salary is $56K. He is required to be in school 8 hours a day (7:30 - 3:30.). I imagine he’ll be working in the evenings doing prep & grading. But he is only working 9 months a year.

Anonymous wrote:This thread is making me feel terrible. I’m a math/cs major from a T30, but plan to become a teacher, so I really only expect 50k. Feels like I’m behind everyone and doing something wrong.

$200k and I'm 54. Along with my spouse making about $140k and living in NOVA. Own a house and sending two kids to college and have $2.0MM in retirement. You'll be fine and probably be making more than us in 5-10 years.

Anonymous wrote:This thread is making me feel terrible. I’m a math/cs major from a T30, but plan to become a teacher, so I really only expect 50k. Feels like I’m behind everyone and doing something wrong.

Hey dont worry, I am 47 years old, considered quite successful in my (nonprofit) field, and making not that much more - but I am not focused on money as #1 priority

Anonymous wrote:This thread is making me feel terrible. I’m a math/cs major from a T30, but plan to become a teacher, so I really only expect 50k. Feels like I’m behind everyone and doing something wrong.

First, a thread cannot make you feel anything. You are perhaps feeling envy as you read these messages. Pursue teaching. You can always change later if you really want to. My son graduates last year, is making $110k in finance and works till midnight or 2 am, weekends, etc. No time to workout or do much of anything fun. Everyone makes their own path. Best wishes to you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stats of job/salary not complete unless you also post how many hours/week of work.

What’s gonna happen if it’s incomplete? Any penalty?

What???
Are you ok??

Anonymous wrote:Stats of job/salary not complete unless you also post how many hours/week of work.

What’s gonna happen if it’s incomplete? Any penalty?

Anonymous wrote:Please include year of graduation, university (or type), industry (or even company)

Would be interested to see outcomes after all the stress kids and parents (emphasis on latter) go through when it comes to getting into college

My last kid to graduate from college did so in 2020, and she started at $45K. She's only now at $50K, but she's got a year to go to finish her master's degree & then can hopefully get a higher-paying and more fulfilling job. I typically stay away from these threads because they're depressing, but I figured maybe someone out there can take solace in the face that low salaries are also in the mix.