Yes, starting salaries for technical degrees are decent, but you’re not an engineer. Human resources, public relations, marketing, sales and the rest of your soft skilled peers are probably going to earn a little over $40,000/ year starting out if you find a good company and a position that isn’t considered “cool” – in which case you’re likely to earn less.
Sure, that sounds like a lot to a poor college student, and don’t get me wrong, it’s easily enough to live on, but what if you want more? What if you want to have a little mulah instead of just acting like you do?
The answer – start a business. No, don’t quit your job or freak out because it’s well beyond your grasp to do something so complicated and time consuming. It isn’t, and you don’t have to quit your day job. Ideally your small business can be maintained after work or on weekends. Of course you could always just get a night job in a restaurant or bar, but that can’t go on your resume and you wont learn a thing.
Don’t know what to do? Use what you already know.
Marketing/PR Professionals - You know how to write. You know how to sell. You’re young and know how to relate to your peers. Why not offer freelance writing/marketing/PR services to local startups? Get that Web site up and start cold calling and networking! Besides, it’s more fun than watching Grey’s on a Thursday.
Sales – I guarantee there are a multitude of people in your town with an idea that don’t know how to sell it. Find them! Craigslist and bulletin boards in the corner of every business are littered with people toting their idea and looking for someone to help sell it. For example: a writer starts a local magazine and needs to find businesses willing to distribute the magazine. Your sales savvy persona snaps up the writer and his mag and takes it home. You demand an big commisssion and go home happy. It sounds dumb but it’s real. Be creative.
Human resources – Sorry, you’re outta luck!
Truth be told. You can make money at anything as long as you’re ready to creatively put yourself out there.
Want more ideas? Entrepreneur Magazine’s Business Idea Center
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