I’m a Career Expert: 3 Best First Jobs To Set Yourself Up for a Comfortable Retirement

Posted by author November 8, 2024 Jobs

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Deciding on a career direction in college can be a challenge. If you’re like most people, you want a job that you’ll enjoy — that also offers decent pay and upward mobility.

Many people spend years testing out a variety of career options, which can be helpful but causes a delayed start. If you’re hoping to graduate from college and jump on a career path that offers a decent salary and the ability to save for retirement, it’s important to have a plan.

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GOBankingRates talked to a career expert to find out which entry-level jobs can set you up for long-term success. Keep reading to learn which first jobs you might want to consider.

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“Junior accountants have a well-defined career path with opportunities for promotions to senior accountant, accounting manager, financial analyst or even CFO,” said business coach Heidi Cortez. She added that each new career level brings greater pay and responsibilities.

“Pursuing certifications such as CPA — certified public accountant — or CMA — certified management accountant — can also unlock higher-paying positions and senior roles, giving accountants access to significantly higher salaries and retirement benefits,” she said.

She noted that since accounting is an essential business function, it offers income stability — even in times of economic downturn.

“Accountants have predictable cycles in their work, too, especially during tax season, quarterly filings and financial reporting periods,” she said. “This provides a steady workload and regular opportunities for overtime pay, bonuses and additional income.”

Another major consideration is that many clients remain with the same accountant as they grow their business or personal wealth, creating long-term, high-value relationships. This continuity can also lead to opportunities for independent consulting or private practice later on.

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“Early career projects contribute to a portfolio that helps attract more clients,” Cortez said. “A strong portfolio establishes credibility and can lead to referrals, steady freelance work and retained clients over time.”

While great work matters in all fields, it can be especially beneficial in a field like graphic design.

“Satisfied clients often return for new projects or refer others, and this can provide a steady stream of freelance work, which can supplement full-time income and be invaluable in retirement,” she said. “And as designers build skills in areas like web design, animation or 3D modeling, they can offer more specialized, higher-paying services that are in demand and increase income potential.”

Additionally, she said it’s not uncommon for design firms and agencies to offer retirement benefits like 401(k) plans, pensions and profit-sharing.

“Consistently contributing to these plans, while also receiving [an] employer-matching [contribution], can build a robust retirement fund,” she said. “And with years of experience, a designer can start their own studio or consultancy, giving them control over client selection, rates and workflow, leading to higher income potential.”

Designers who evolve into business owners then have the option to hire others, possibly generating passive income and creating business equity that can be invaluable in retirement, she said.

“Lastly, but even more important, graphic design skills are transferable across industries, allowing for flexibility in the job market,” she said. “Designers can work in technology, media, healthcare, e-commerce or finance, ensuring employment even in times of economic uncertainty.”

Nearly every company needs human resources, making it a solid career path. Given this, it’s not surprising that HR coordinator landed on Indeed’s list of the “Top 25 Entry-Level Jobs That Require a Degree.”

HR coordinators are responsible for tasks like healthcare plan enrollments, payroll, conducting background checks and new employee onboarding. As an entry-level role, they may also need to perform administrative functions, like emailing candidates and maintaining employee records.

The size of the HR department is different at every company, which can impact the specific job hierarchy, but it’s possible to work your way up to vice president of HR or chief HR officer in many companies.

Many companies employing an HR staff will also offer retirement packages. HR professionals can also be selective when it comes to choosing an employer — i.e., looking for one that offers competitive features like employer-match and pensions — because just about every mid- to large-sized company has an HR department.

Editor’s note: Average salary information was sourced from Indeed and is accurate as of Nov. 5, 2024.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: I’m a Career Expert: 3 Best First Jobs To Set Yourself Up for a Comfortable Retirement