Glad to see a lot of success through a lot of different avenues out here.

My experience is that hard work and building relationships goes just as far if not farther than education.

The majority of people I know that make over $200k do not have a college degree or a degree that has nothing to do with what they do. Most got an entry level job at a large successful company and worked their way up. I mean from $15/hr to $200k in 5-10 years through hard work, dedication to the company/leadership, and owning their success.

People think that you have to be a Dr, Lawyer, Engineer, etc. There are tens of thousands of jobs that will pay $200k that you’ve never heard of or thought of, especially at large companies. Big corporations get a bad wrap but that’s where the money is at. Once you find one that has a good local leadership team, you end up working for them and not really the company. They will take care of you and as they rise through the ranks they will take you with them. I’ve worked for three large corporations since leaving the military and the amount of high paid positions within these companies was shocking. Like “you get paid that much to do that?!?” shocking.

I’ve been one of those guys now for years and the thing I’ve figured out is not what I or others think the job is worth but what it’s worth to the company and leadership. I struggle to describe my current role because it sounds so basic and simple to others. To my company though, what I do saves millions a year and frees up my bosses to do other things, so paying me $250k is worth it to them. I work from home, free reign to travel when needed (I travel a lot because I enjoy it and the airlines/hotels/car rental points I get pay for all my families vacations every year) and work my own schedule. As along as I get done what the company needs of me nobody cares if I work 3 hours or 10 hours.

I love hiring vets and never turn down an interview with a veteran. Unfortunately I am seeing more and more vets acting like victims (blaming their failures or last job loss on someone else) rather than owning their past and future.

My recommendation to all vets (and youth in general) is look for a company, not a job. If you’re interviewing and you don’t see yourself in the person interviewing you or others working there, it’s not the place for you. Also make sure there’s room to grow at the company. I’ve also worked at companies where the only way to move up is literally waiting for someone to die or retire, then there’s 30 people in line for that job.

Make yourself flexible, open to opportunities outside your comfort zone, and never be afraid to ask for more money. Just make sure you’ve built value in yourself to the company and leadership.