Before I quit corporate life to go to medical school last August, I was an executive speechwriter/marketing communications strategist-consultant, and I made a very good salary in the low six-figures for part-time work, but I'd done that work for a long time and worked my way to the top of that field. I had 20 years of professional writing experience behind me and three degrees. I was also 44 when I left that job, so I was fairly well along in my career.

Stay in school, kids. It makes a difference.