What does it take to earn a six figure income? In today’s economy, it means not just working hard, but also working hard in the right area. And, like anything, it takes a bit of luck as well Despite utterances to the contrary from naysayers, pessimists and television talking heads, hard work still brings rewards.
We love to tell the story of the high school dropout who becomes a millionaire, but the fact is that working hard and being patient still pays off. Or, as my dad used to say, the hard you work, the luckier you get. It’s still a fact that as your education increases your income will as well.
College graduates earn more than those with just a high school diploma, and an advanced degree will increase your chances of earning a six figure income even more. But hard work alone does not guarantee a six figure income. To reach that lofty goal, you need to study in the right kind of area. Earning a doctorate in medieval languages is hard work, but no one will be knocking on your door to offer you a six figure income. But to earn an advanced degree in the right area and that kind of income is within reach. One area which will almost certainly lead to a six figure income is what is called the STEM areas – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Because these degrees are so hard to earn, the compensation for successful STEM degrees almost certainly guarantees a good income.
Earning these types of degrees means lots of studying, an aptitude for math, and lots of time spent in the laboratory. And there are many weekend nights when you are studying while your friends are partying. But, as with anything, a little bit of luck helps. If you latch on to a weak company – think Eastman Kodak, for example – and your chances of that kind of income goes down. Furthermore, you might become part of a program that is about to close its doors, as what happened to many of the engineers who worked on the space shuttle. But those with a STEM degree have little to fear, because the next new technology company is just around the corner, looking for someone with those skills. Think about those engineers at Apple, Google or Facebook. They need works with STEM skills. And, they are happy to offer you, your desired income.
These are just a few ways for you to earn a six figure income, but you don’t have to be a top level executive. There are many proven ways that this can be done with out all the time and money spent on degree.
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