so get this, i am a 24 year old from middle class suburb who went to a state school, got OK grades but nothing special, graduated with a BA, and about a year after school ended up with a decent start to a career (in a field unrelated to my major) making about 40k a year with a fair amount of growth potential if i play my cards right. compared to most of my peers from town id say im doing pretty well and out of those who went to college id say im somewhere in the middle in terms of immediate career success.
oddly enough, i was watching american psycho and it got me thinking of the "yuppie" culture. these guys were supposed to be mid to late twenties, not too far off from my age, and were insanely successful and wealthy executives. it got me thinking: how does one become so successful so young? i dont mean hypothetically, i mean in reality. my guess is that most of these "yuppies" were born somewhat wealthy or connected in the first place. i come to this conclusion because i dont really know anybody from my town, no matter how smart they were or what school they went to, who has become that successful so early in life. anyobdy ive encountered at this career level are always much older and seemed like they worked hard most of their lives to get there. so it seems as though these young executives are extremely rare and most likely were born into an upscale urban life in the first place. i know this may not always be the case and i do believe that talent, intelligence and hardwork can lead to upward mobility, but this just doesnt seem realistic to me. anybody have any insight into this?
i guess i am asking because it makes me feel like im getting older and thinking "should i be more successful at this point in my life?" or am i on par with most people from my generation (which, i know, seems to extend adolescence like none other before us – though i dont think it is completely our fault, but thats another discussion) ?
Both of your big observations are spot-on: hard work + connections. And having an outgoing personality along with good looks is a plus too (physical appearance matters, despite our social progress…being an attractive white male is statistically more beneficial than any other combination of features.)
Hard work is important. Connections only go so far until real talent has to start keeping up. Like, knowing a McDonalds corporate employee might help you become a location manager, but it won’t get you into regional or corporate positions without having the relevant experience or education as applicable. Business students who are the most driven, who participate in student government and major student organizations, who achieve high grades, who have accumulated experience, and who use their school and community involvement to meet various people, have the best shot at become a wealthy yuppy. Companies definitely do want to snatch up the most talented people.
The major companies that employ these yuppies are willing to pay a lot for the talent that they seek. So a 24 year old doesn’t have to be a top executive to earn a great salary. And it’s not necessarily just business careers that can pay great either. A friend of a friend of mine was earning about $800 a day at age 26 doing some sort of tech consulting for companies like HP.
In a nutshell:
Great talent in demanded fields pays well, and having connections is an easy way into great jobs as long as the person is actually capable of doing it.
For what it’s worth, I think you’re doing just fine. Business is the most popular degree; more students choose that major than any other. So you can imagine how many young recent graduates are out there vs. the number of wealthy 25 year olds. Wealthy yuppies are only one segment of the total yuppy population in any given city; not every young professional is making mad bank, and it’s definitely true that some of them are riding their wealthy parents’ coattails to at least some extent.
Add onto that the still-awful unemplyoment rate, and the fact that you have a promising career in front of you is doubly good compared to other people.
July 18th, 2011 at 4:26 am
Both of your big observations are spot-on: hard work + connections. And having an outgoing personality along with good looks is a plus too (physical appearance matters, despite our social progress…being an attractive white male is statistically more beneficial than any other combination of features.)
Hard work is important. Connections only go so far until real talent has to start keeping up. Like, knowing a McDonalds corporate employee might help you become a location manager, but it won’t get you into regional or corporate positions without having the relevant experience or education as applicable. Business students who are the most driven, who participate in student government and major student organizations, who achieve high grades, who have accumulated experience, and who use their school and community involvement to meet various people, have the best shot at become a wealthy yuppy. Companies definitely do want to snatch up the most talented people.
The major companies that employ these yuppies are willing to pay a lot for the talent that they seek. So a 24 year old doesn’t have to be a top executive to earn a great salary. And it’s not necessarily just business careers that can pay great either. A friend of a friend of mine was earning about $800 a day at age 26 doing some sort of tech consulting for companies like HP.
In a nutshell:
Great talent in demanded fields pays well, and having connections is an easy way into great jobs as long as the person is actually capable of doing it.
For what it’s worth, I think you’re doing just fine. Business is the most popular degree; more students choose that major than any other. So you can imagine how many young recent graduates are out there vs. the number of wealthy 25 year olds. Wealthy yuppies are only one segment of the total yuppy population in any given city; not every young professional is making mad bank, and it’s definitely true that some of them are riding their wealthy parents’ coattails to at least some extent.
Add onto that the still-awful unemplyoment rate, and the fact that you have a promising career in front of you is doubly good compared to other people.
References :