u/UnhappyPresent7544

I'm trying to figure out my next career move while I finish my studies, so I've been browsing a lot of finance and career-related subreddits for ideas.

In almost every thread, I see people very casually talking about salaries of $120k+. Sometimes it's $250k or even $350k, from people working jobs that sound made up, and often not things that need long years of study like medicine or engineering.

How are all these people making these numbers? I'm from Canada and I've never seen money come this 'easily'. Is this just an American thing where people suddenly find themselves wealthy? I mean, if they were all surgeons, I'd get it, but I see these numbers all the time in fields like tech, consulting, and even marketing. Seriously?

Look, I know I'm a reasonably intelligent person, and I had the opportunity to study something I'm passionate about, so I chose ecology and conservation. I'd be over the moon if my salary hit $50k when I graduate, and I'd feel successful if I reached $80k within 6 years.

I know that money isn't everything, but seeing these numbers all the time makes me start to doubt the path I've chosen for myself and feel like I'm so far behind.