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Want To Get Rich In Today’s Economy? Consider These Careers

Here's some good advice even in an uncertain economy. Getty

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As I mentioned in yesterday’s newsletter, becoming a multi-millionaire is apparently easier if you choose the right university. But no matter which college you attend, a lot of your ability to earn a lucrative living depends on what you study.

With the economy heading further into uncertainty, experts have narrowed down the safest bets for future income — and it includes a lot of engineering. In fact, six of the seven career paths with a median salary of $70,000 or more within five years of graduation directly involve this broad discipline.

Here they are, starting with the highest expected income:

  • Chemical engineering
  • Computer engineering
  • Computer science
  • Aerospace engineering
  • Electrical engineering
  • Industrial engineering
  • Mechanical engineering

But if engineering doesn’t interest you or suit your skillset, don’t worry. There are plenty of other careers that seem to have a bright future.

Even with all the recent headlines about Silicon Valley layoffs, nearly half of the top 25 jobs are tied to the tech sector, such as developer, product manager, and data engineer.

A number of major companies — from Boeing to Chipotle — are also expected to ramp up hiring over the course of the next year. You’ll also probably have some luck finding jobs that require skilled labor, such as plumber, heating and air conditioning repair, and electrician.

Although these recommendations might help job seekers make the most informed decisions, it’s important to note that the aftermath of COVID-19 and a looming recession could mean that all bets are off.

As JP Morgan Asset Management Chief Global Strategist David Kelly said of the pandemic: “It’s upended all of our lives. You were having this extraordinary excess demand for workers throughout last year and going into this year; that means that it’s very hard to judge labor market dynamics from here.”

Chris Agee
Chris Agee February 24th, 2023
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