2 answers
Jenna
Student
Amherst, Massachusetts
1
Question
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Questions about college and careers
How are college and the top one percent related? Do you have to obtain a good education to make lots of money?
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2 answers
Dawnyale Oliver, MBA, PHR
Senior Recruiter
35
Answers
Fort Worth, Texas
Updated
Dawnyale’s Answer
Hello Jenna,
When it comes to wealth, I think those who are not born into it must truly understand what they're good at and know it inside and out, through and through. For some careers, that will require education, and for others, it will require a lot of self-teaching and charisma. When it comes to success in a certain field, it's important to be more dedicated to it than most. Not all doctors and lawyers are in the top 1%, but those who truly know their craft better than the vast majority generally are. Most entertainers do not have advanced education, however they know what their target audience wants and they have done what it takes to meet those demands in order to find success.
I also believe you must define what rich or wealthy means to you. Are you simply trying to create enough income so that you will be able to comfortably retire, or are you wanting to financially support you future children and grandchildren? Also, it's important to know that most who make exorbitant amounts of money typically work hours most of us would not want to work. If you enjoy taking vacations every few months, or do not feel you would want to work on the weekends, these are luxuries that most who are building their wealth cannot afford. For many, simply having a career they enjoy, having a home and being able to take summer and winter vacations is sufficient for them to have a wonderfully fulfilling life.
In closing Jenna, I truly hope my thoughts helped you with making your decision about any next steps toward your goals. I'm in my late 30s and I do not regret going to college at all. It helped me meet wonderful friends, learn more about life and myself and direct me toward aspects of my personality that were previously hidden prior to the right challenges pulling them out. However, I do think that college should be pursued when you really want to do it and have properly prepared for it. I wish you the best of luck in your future!
- Dawn
When it comes to wealth, I think those who are not born into it must truly understand what they're good at and know it inside and out, through and through. For some careers, that will require education, and for others, it will require a lot of self-teaching and charisma. When it comes to success in a certain field, it's important to be more dedicated to it than most. Not all doctors and lawyers are in the top 1%, but those who truly know their craft better than the vast majority generally are. Most entertainers do not have advanced education, however they know what their target audience wants and they have done what it takes to meet those demands in order to find success.
I also believe you must define what rich or wealthy means to you. Are you simply trying to create enough income so that you will be able to comfortably retire, or are you wanting to financially support you future children and grandchildren? Also, it's important to know that most who make exorbitant amounts of money typically work hours most of us would not want to work. If you enjoy taking vacations every few months, or do not feel you would want to work on the weekends, these are luxuries that most who are building their wealth cannot afford. For many, simply having a career they enjoy, having a home and being able to take summer and winter vacations is sufficient for them to have a wonderfully fulfilling life.
In closing Jenna, I truly hope my thoughts helped you with making your decision about any next steps toward your goals. I'm in my late 30s and I do not regret going to college at all. It helped me meet wonderful friends, learn more about life and myself and direct me toward aspects of my personality that were previously hidden prior to the right challenges pulling them out. However, I do think that college should be pursued when you really want to do it and have properly prepared for it. I wish you the best of luck in your future!
- Dawn
Michael Marek Sparrow
Learning and Development Program Manager
6
Answers
Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Some degrees will definitely enable you to make a great deal of money (Law, Business, Medicine, Engineering), but in my experience, the people in the "1%" are mostly people who inherited their wealth from family. There are of course exceptions. There are also a great deal of entrepreneurs who came from low socio-economic backgrounds that are now very wealthy that have no formal education.
If your goal is to attain as much wealth as you can during your career, I would look into the examples I posted above. That being said, you should also balance that with your own personal values and mental health.
If your goal is to attain as much wealth as you can during your career, I would look into the examples I posted above. That being said, you should also balance that with your own personal values and mental health.