r/financialindependence • u/fidgit86 • Aug 13 '21

What do you do that you earn six figures?

It seems like a lot of people make a lot of money and it seems like I’m missing out on something. So those of you that do, whats your occupation that pays so well?

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u/BimboBuggins Aug 13 '21

Yup, just got my first job out of college and am making 190k total comp. Feels kinda dirty given everyone else I know in college who didn't do CS is struggling like mad to find any relevant job, let alone one that pays decently.

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u/techmagenta Aug 13 '21 edited Aug 13 '21

It’s insanity. My SO is also a software engineer (5ish year experience). Our combined compensation is 600k yearly. She’s not interested in FIRE unfortunately, so I save 40% of my pay check and she spends a lot of money on things like jewelry and purses. Even with her low savings rate she still eclipses me though, which is nice.

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u/ArtFUBU Aug 13 '21

I am trying to do software engineering. I was even a jr web dev for 2 years. It's hard man. I'm not a dumb person but I expect only 10 percent of the population is really capable of serious software engineering...and then you also have to be trained AND like it to do it well. I got a taste of how hard it was until I was let go. It just doesn't come naturally to me but I enjoy solving stuff.

I was making decent money and hope it will just come with time/experience but I am trying to study more about technologies while programming to get into cyber security because I know for a fact development won't be a thing for me 20 years from now. At least from what I understand about cybersecurity, it's less programming and more about process/tech accounting essentially.

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u/Scryptiid Aug 13 '21

I may not have much to add here, but I work as just a basic network tech, with a degree in CIS but focused my studies on Cybersecurity. I thought it was where I wanted to be, and loved my first year of schooling. Mostly networking, hardware, and the framework necessary for understanding more advanced concepts. Second year was an absolute kick in the teeth when I got to even basic software work. Never in my life have I needed to study. I just absorbed anything I read and intuitively understood nearly every area of school, until software. Even the most basic introductory programming course just broke me completely. There’s definitely something special about the minds of people good at software engineering, programming, and architecture. I don’t have whatever that ability is to make something functional from an abstract idea.

My security studies involved minimal software, but it’s not any less tedious, and there’s a lot of information you just have to know. I got tired of acronyms and policies and procedures that all got thrown away the second I started working. I’m considering a career change but I almost want to abandon tech entirely. Seems like all the money is in software, and I’m not one of those that is capable, nor do I like it.

I’ll never experience anything as hellish as Java again, I’m convinced.

Again, I’m a bit of a nobody, but it’s just interesting to see all these perspectives.