For those on 6 (or almost 6 ) figure salaries - how old are you, what do you do, and how did you get into it?

[savebuckbeak]

Just the above. Curiosity is all!

If I have the urge to send a quick fire email response I often clear the address bar so I can’t send it by accident. I then type it and save it as a draft (and usually then delete it!!).

All of these involve law, IT or STEM subjects. Rare that an arts degree leads to six figures (goes and cries in corner)

My undergrad is in English. I just hired a designer on £65k (not six figures, I know) and that's a junior position. There's hope for humanities yet!

@gwenneh did you/they they have any other training post degree? I have an English undergrad and would like to look into this

Such an interesting thread. What do I see as key to getting and staying here here?

I'd say common sense, ability to be decisive and to always accept responsibility for your actions - and prepare solutions if needed - are key to getting ahead.

What people often look for in senior (read expensive) positions is gravitas. They have to believe in you from how you present yourself. If you dither or shy away from raising issues they will roll over you. Mostly men, but not all.

Always take a seat at the table. Someone needs to sit at the top, if you deselect yourself, so will they.

Look at the whole picture and show that you do. Most people can only see their small space.

Know your worth. Many years ago I made it very clear in interviews or meetings with new colleagues that I don't do food. That i eat it but do not order or organize it, neither at home or work.

You can say anything if you say it kindly and honestly. Radical candor. So much time wasted beating about the bushes. If someone needs to hear how they let you down, or took the wrong direction in a project, tell them. Don't leave them guessing.

Hold people accountable. Including yourself.

Lastly, I have hired literally hundreds of people, many of them highly regarded lawyers, and the men ask for more money 90% more than the women. Why do we do that?

My degrees are both in philosophy! (But sadly my actual work has nothing to do with philosophy, except perhaps involving a keen eye for detail.)

I do; I have an MBA.
The new hire does not, just a standard undergrad degree, a few months' internship, and a stunning portfolio.

I'd love to learn more. Would you mind if I messages you?

My undergrad degree was in MFL for what it's worth.

I am age 39 female.

Started as a mortgage broker in 2007 age 24 for a corporate company. Fell into it as I was offered a job with a decent salary and found a house to buy however the job got canned before I started. I went to the mortgage meeting without an actual job but asked what he did as it looked interesting and he got me an interview. 3 interviews later I got the job. Starting salary was 16k. About 2 years in I got I had a big break by sheer luck and did a mortgage for someone buying via a housing association and ended up being on their recommended broker list and it just grew from there - I now work with three housing associations recommending me. Went self employed 4 years ago which is what made the big income difference. year 1 of self employment hit 6 figures and now in low 200's.

have a stay at home husband as have two young kids.

I really enjoy the challenge of the job - I originally wanted to be a teacher but that didn't pan out. Probably for the best

Placemarking!

Name changed for this.

First person in my family to go to university, so no golden spoon in my mouth, but parents were supportive and encouraged high standards in education.

Went to a very good state school until GCSEs, then a crappy comprehensive for A-levels as my family moved area, but still did ok.

Degree, PhD and Postdoc all in good universities in STEM subject.

Scientific career in Pharmaceutical Industry, becoming head of department upon returning to work after my second child, after a massive argument with the CEO who told me when I announced my pregnancy that he was going to put someone else in that job because I was pregnant - yes, those exact words. I wasn’t having that and told him so in no uncertain terms.

Was on just under 100K in that dept head role and worked 4 days a week. After a management change (the new Mgmt was even worse than that CEO!) I changed company, still in Pharma but in a Business Development role.

Title now is VP Business Development. Tripled my income with that move, made the move in my mid-40s. Higher salary, equity and an uncapped bonus scheme. Likely north of £400K this year, it’s been a very good year so far.

My current role is considerably less stressful than my previous lower paid one, the pay to stress ratio is best I have had in my life. But I did work hard to get here.

My next move should be C-suite and I get head hunted regularly for CBO and even CEO positions. But my work life balance is so good right now I am not sure if I want the change. Maybe in a few years.

I work from home, though do travel a lot on business. I have a cleaner and outsource anything that can be outsourced. My kids go to after school clubs and I pick them up from school once a week. My husband is an equal partner in all household duties and shares the mental load.

I agree with others who say getting on with people is super important to build a strong network. But stand your ground when it matters - eg my promotion mentioned above.

Also, always point out your achievements to your manager. Don’t assume they know. It is as simple as ‘well there was this problem and I solved it by x,y and z.’ They may not have even known there was a problem if you silently fixed it. It’s easy for achievements to be overlooked, so point them out and don’t be modest!