patrick.net

I'll start

1)Chemical Engineering
2) Liked chem and physics but didn't want to be stuck in a lab all day.
3) Yes.
4) Yes.
5) low six figures.

Psychology/English
I wanted to do research in Parapsychology or be a therapist.
No, I put myself through college working in a mental hospital and became disillusioned, plus the money was bad.
I ended up at a Fortune 500 company in sales/marketing management and a director at another company. Stressful but enjoyable.
Low 6 figures, but that was a while back. Retired early.

I started in Electrical Engineering, because back in the day, they earned the most with the exception of nuclear engineers. Got my BS.

I couldn't stand the spergishness of my fellow enginerds and switched to Statistics for my MS. Stayed in college too long, largely because every time I graduated, it was an economic downturn, and as studies have proved, those who enter the workforce during a downturn never recoup the depressed wages vs. those who are hired during the booms. Another enabler was that back in the day, college was $1K a year.

I considered law and medicine (which I'm pretty good at in an amateur capacity), but figured I couldn't work 72 hours without sleep or whatever the fuck these professions superfluously inflict on the fresh meat. What I've learned is that perversely, that which you do to live gets old quickly. Those things you do for hobbies retain the joy and satisfaction you first experienced.

I work in finance now, because there is largely no real industry in the US. I hate it - it's being overrun by OCD chindians.

I've never made 6 figures - since the 'naughties, my investment "income" exceeds my salary.

My son is taking BOCES (high school trades in the PRNY) for electrical. Both my wife and I believe that higher education is fucked, and unless you are a 3+ sigma genius, it's not worth the pussy or the $$$$$$$ to go to college these days. It's all credentialism, and an Ivy League shingle is the ultimate credential.

Careers are bullshit for the vast majority of people. It's better to diversify - learn to play an instrument (this is very helpful for sperg men), learn to sail, martial arts (no matter how weird), cycling, bowling, etc.. Hobbies, especially social hobbies, sustain men. Above all, learn how to invest, and don't piss away your money or your talent.

Corporate land is a vile pit of poison. If you're a psychopath or a really good liar, you'll do well. Geniuses have a place, but they are subordinate to the psychos.