How realistic is it to get a job with a very good wage?

Chiyo

I grew up with a work-shy single parent, and most of my friends work minimum wage jobs. I think the highest wage that I know of amongst my friends is 24k pa.

I haven’t had a great start to life and I feel like a very good wage is completely out of my reach, that it’s just a world away and not a realistic dream for me to have.

So how realistic is it? I’m intelligent enough and excel in all core subjects, but I have social anxiety and low self esteem so I’m not charismatic and definitely can’t sell myself to employers. Is the poverty cycle breakable for somebody like me, and is it ‘easy’ to do so long as I’m happy to put in all the hard work?

Any job suggestions would be really helpful too, no detail too small. I planned to head into finance as an ‘easy in’, but keep reading that the average wage is only about 30k pa.

Thanks

Savvy_Sue

How old are you, what qualifications do you have, whereabouts in the country are you, how hard are you prepared to work?

And it depends on your definition of a 'very good wage': if most of your friends are on less than £24K, 30K certainly looks better - but remember, it's an average, so there will be people 'in finance' earning a lot more, and a lot less. 

And 'finance' covers SUCH a huge range of jobs - banking, insurance, accountancy ... 

Are you getting help with the social anxiety and the low self esteem? Because a poor start in life needn't hold you back - but it will if you let it. 

You're intelligent and you're doing well at - school? So never forget that you're not limited by what you've seen growing up. 

Dakta

A good paid job is subjective - if you have an earning partner or get the mortgage paid off or whatever you can be quite wealthy with not a lot

so what is a good wage for you?

It's hard to give specific advice but one bit I would offer is don't containerise yourself, judge yourself as not worthy or anything like that - a lot of high earners wing it. Seriously, success does rely on skill but its just as much a mindset, so if you let the anxiety set the bar you'll limit yourself. Things like anxiety and imposter syndrome are genuine yet needless career limiters (and in some cases killers) and I've seen some big brains falter because of it.

What you likely need is a bit of a break, and an idea of where you want to go - once you know that you can look at ways to encourage opportunities, in my case i took some certifications which didn't themselves stand for much but when an opportunity arose I was able to leverage those and seize it. 

Sandtree

Chiyo said:

Any job suggestions would be really helpful too, no detail too small. I planned to head into finance as an ‘easy in’, but keep reading that the average wage is only about 30k pa.

First of all what are you defining as "finance", the industry as in banking, insurance, wealth management, or the function as in FP&A, accounting, accounts receivable etc?

Whichever you choose there are people on little more than minimum wage and people on £200k plus salary and package on top. 

Whoever you are there is an element of luck in where you get in life... no matter how hard you work, how bright you are etc. If you are lucky to be born in the right circumstances the level of luck required may be lower (or you get more rolls of the dice) but its not guaranteed and I know people with the silver spoon who've tried and haven't struck gold and others who had more humble beginnings who have telephone number type incomes.

Chiyo

@Savvy_Sue I’m mid twenties, no worthwhile qualifications and I’m in Manchester. I’m willing to put the time and effort in but I’m also a single parent to a preschooler and have some health issues that affect my energy levels, so this will affect what I’m able to achieve. I’m optimistic though that the illness will improve with time and I’m certain that I don’t want any more children so these should be less of an issue as time goes on.

I suppose having more than £1,000 left after a mortgage and other bills would be perfect for me, so maybe 40k-50k?

I planned to do an economics degree and see what was best from there, but now I’m not so sure.

I’m getting counselling and trying to change my mindset regarding anxiety, I know I’ll feel better eventually but I doubt it will ever quite go away.

Sorry, I meant that any education setting I’ve been in I’ve always found English, Maths, Science etc very easy to grasp. I just meant that I don’t have difficulty with academics so that wouldn’t stop me from pursuing anything or getting a degree done.

Chiyo

@dakta thank you. I’m becoming more and more aware of this and it’s really helpful to hear it confirmed wherever possible.

Do you mind me asking if you feel that you’re doing well now, have you gotten to a position that you’re happy with in life in the end?

MovingForwards

For me it's not about the money, but how much satisfaction I get from the role. I do occasionally take paycuts to secure a more interesting position, gain more skills and open bigger doors. 

I'm from a single parent on benefits family following a divorce, had no support or encouragement to do well and get a career behind me, just constant belittling and other things.

I left the family home before I was 18, went to night school, gained enough confidence to aim higher, before moving on to my professional qualifications and career, then up the ladder. My parent kept knocking what I was doing and thought I was wasting my time. 

Now I'm establishing my second career in finance, therefore another 'professional' career, but off the back of my original career. I also have a lot of health issues, but even more determination.

What things take your fancy and how can you do them round your health / little one? 

Savvy_Sue

Do your current qualifications include Maths and English Language at whatever is now equivalent to the old GCSE at grade C or above? 

If they do, that's worthwhile. If not, start there ...

littlegreenparrot

Chiyo said:

@Savvy_Sue I’m mid twenties, no worthwhile qualifications and I’m in Manchester. I’m willing to put the time and effort in but I’m also a single parent to a preschooler and have some health issues that affect my energy levels, so this will affect what I’m able to achieve. I’m optimistic though that the illness will improve with time and I’m certain that I don’t want any more children so these should be less of an issue as time goes on.

I suppose having more than £1,000 left after a mortgage and other bills would be perfect for me, so maybe 40k-50k?

I planned to do an economics degree and see what was best from there, but now I’m not so sure.

I’m getting counselling and trying to change my mindset regarding anxiety, I know I’ll feel better eventually but I doubt it will ever quite go away.

Sorry, I meant that any education setting I’ve been in I’ve always found English, Maths, Science etc very easy to grasp. I just meant that I don’t have difficulty with academics so that wouldn’t stop me from pursuing anything or getting a degree done.

It would be worth looking at Apprenticeship opportunities rather than a degree. You're earning, building relationships and work skills, and of course training is paid for. 

There are no age barriers for apprenticeships. I know it is possible to do AAT (accountancy) quals as an apprentice, banks and the like are bound to be running them. 

TELLIT01

Walking into a job with a very good wage, without the relevant experience is between difficult and impossible.  However, if you are willing to start on minimum wage and apply yourself to the job, it is certainly still possible to climb the ladder.

jimpwarsop

Chiyo said:

I grew up with a work-shy single parent, and most of my friends work minimum wage jobs. I think the highest wage that I know of amongst my friends is 24k pa.

I haven’t had a great start to life and I feel like a very good wage is completely out of my reach, that it’s just a world away and not a realistic dream for me to have.

So how realistic is it? I’m intelligent enough and excel in all core subjects, but I have social anxiety and low self esteem so I’m not charismatic and definitely can’t sell myself to employers. Is the poverty cycle breakable for somebody like me, and is it ‘easy’ to do so long as I’m happy to put in all the hard work?

Any job suggestions would be really helpful too, no detail too small. I planned to head into finance as an ‘easy in’, but keep reading that the average wage is only about 30k pa.

Thanks

Become a plumber. £40k no work on Fridays.