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Coach
Anyone work at GE or GE healthcare?
We’re looking for a Chicago brand strategist, 3-5 years experience. Will consider 5+, but salary is capped at $85k. Click link, read job description DM me if interested.
LinkedIn à https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/cap/view/1596879751/?pathWildcard=1596879751&trk=mcm
Merge.com à https://myelincommunicationsdbamerge.applytojob.com/apply/YT7dRHYHzt/Brand-Strategist
Rising Star
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Disney Streaming Services I completed my interview process with DSS early last week, and was reached out by recruiter that all rounds were strong hires, and they are extending an offer. We set a time to talk on Friday about the offer. However, the announcement of targeted hiring freeze happened on Friday. I was ghosted with no call. What should I expect now? Would I still have chance to be offered?
Thank you and we’re done!
Rising Star
Is EY GDS providing any joining bonus ?
I know the week just started but
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Chief
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New to Fishbowl?
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
At 30, I was making ~$80-95k / yr as a Sr Strategist (3-4 yrs into the biz) in the Midwest and probably only had $20-30k between a 401k, IRA, and a Roth IRA. Guesstimating because it’s been 20+ years. Also, keep that in mind for comparison.
That said, I cannot stress this enough… get comfortable with maxing out your contributions to 401ks and Roth IRA. EVERY. SINGLE. YEAR.
Be ruthless with getting use to living on less early on, so you can have a lot more later on.
I haven’t been part of a big agency or in a position to invest in either for years now after “aging out” of FTE roles. But because I contributed the max for my first 15 years in the business, compounding returns, and increases in the stock market, I have over $1M now.
Not enough to retire comfortably YET, but is at least a solid foundation to help me get by. And I still have another 10+ years to work.
👏👏👏
Comparison is the thief of joy
Not comparing. Nobody has ever spoken to me about it, so trying to understand
Chief
Age 30 in 2018:
$62k salary
$12k 401k
Senior CW in a midwest (non Chicago) market.
Age 36 in 2025:
$225k salary.
$88k 401k (and contributing more aggressively)
CD in a coastal market.
Could be also san san fran, boston or seattle . Though probably ny / la
200k back then.
Had about 200k in retirement
Now I’m 40 and have 1.5million
🫨
55k, $0.
40. 100k, $0.
That's what I'm talking about!
Holy shit I do not get paid enough
90K
50K in 401K.
Maxing out is hard when you need every dollar to live.
At 30, I was making 100K in tech in NY (2016). I had nothing in retirement (I spent my 20s mired in student loan debt and from a broke family). I’m 38 now and I have 250K in retirement, 40K in an index fund, and 30K in emergency savings.
$75k salary and $20k in retirement. Behind on both fronts but wherever you are keep learning, growing, and pushing forward.
Comparison is the thief of joy 😭
I was making about $37,000/yr. (before bonus) as a senior copywriter for a small ad agency in Portland, Oregon. That was in 1990, which would be about $90,000 in today's dollars. Not too shabby.
I don't remember what my 401(k) balance was at the time, but I am now happily retired, traveling as much as possible, snd enjoying life. My 401(k) is doing well and my health is excellent. Life is good.
And I don't miss the advertising business at all. Social media ruined it, but that's a discussion for another time.
Know I’m not 30 but commenting to follow this post: 24 years old, 62k, 18k in 401k
same here 27, 130k, 39k in 401k
Currently 30. 100k, and nothing in a real retirement account but ~240k in liquid assets and investments.
A few well timed exits, and DINKs. No not in tech, I’m at a traditional creative agency.
Chief
At 30 I made $120k and had $250k in 401k and other investments. 20 years later I have $5MM in retirement including investment property. Start saving now - save the max so at 50 you know you’ll be ok when you’re let go and can’t find a job for a year. Good luck!
30: $75k. $0 (maybe like $2k)
41: $210k. $650k in retirement/after tax investments and $20k in real estate income from a rental I bought.
At around 32/33 I realized I was at zero net worth and in debt, and made the next 9 years a major focus on personal finances. You gotta do the work (and some sacrifice) to create that margin and then know what to do with it.
$32,500. $0 in retirement. I have since quit that job and have not earned any more annually since. Same amount in retirement.
oh this comment section is making me feel so bad LOL.
i'm currently 30, making $55K and have $5K in my 401k.
I just started in advertising at 30. Think I started at 55k in nyc (2016)
At 30yrs I was making $80k in 2020 with probably around $60k in my 401k.
I’m in a medium sized market
At 30 I was making around $65k and had a net worth of about the same. I’m 42 now and have 1.3 million.
Chief
👆🏾 This. Live below your means and save. I don’t feel like I ever deprived myself - I traveled etc. But today I have the freedom of knowing that if I’m laid off— I’m fine. As a 50 year old woman in advertising, that’s priceless.