Today, on Memorial Day 2025, we solemnly honor the courageous U.S. troops who gave their lives defending our nation’s freedom. From the battlefields of World War II to modern conflicts, their sacrifice ensures our liberty. Let us hold their families in our hearts and commit to keeping their legacy alive. #MemorialDay #HonorTheFallen

Four Dirty Jobs Nobody Wants, But Pays Well @Forbes In many upscale towns around the US, there is an expectation that their children will go to college and work in a white-collar profession. For the kids who don’t follow this path, they are looked down upon. It’s not fair or right, but it happens. However, this mindset may be slowly changing. The plan to go to college and everything will work out well, is stalling. Soaring tuition costs, and an oversaturated job market for college degree-holders, shows that there has to be a change. There is a growing demand for skilled trades. Parents may start thinking about suggesting their children to take a look at vocations such as plumbing, electrical work, or other so-called less prestigious but well-paying jobs. These paths offer financial stability, job security, and personal fulfillment. They don’t have to deal with the overwhelming burdens of college debt or competing with artificial intelligence (AI) for a job. “Dirty jobs” remain relatively unpopular among both college graduates and non-graduates. These roles are often physically demanding, hazardous, and socially stigmatized. For many families, especially middle and upper middle class parents, they see working in the trades as the last resort. Putting aside the unfortunate view, many of these jobs provide competitive salaries and job security due to persistent labor shortages in the trades sector... forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2…

Big Layoffs Are Hitting These Sectors The Hardest via @Forbes Layoffs have surged across an array of industries. Some of the problems are caused by a volatile economic landscape. President Trump’s initial tariff policy put a scare into both corporate executives and consumers. Additionally, technological advancements such as artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, are changing the workplace. Corporate restructurings due to changing circumstances added to the trend of layoffs. With more than 221,812 jobs eliminated in the first months of the year, workers and companies alike are forced to confront an ever changing challenging environment. Layoffs in 2025 are reshaping the workforce. Government, tech, retail, accounting, manufacturing, and logistics have been dealing with the biggest cuts. Driven by tariffs, cost-cutting, AI adoption, and federal downsizing, these layoffs show a shift in the economy. For workers, they’ll need to stay proactive with upskilling, networking, and building financial resilience to navigate this storm. The layoff wave has spared few industries. Some sectors have borne the brunt more than others. Approximately one-third of layoffs stem from the government sector or related industries. Driven by federal workforce reductions under the Trump administration, agencies like the National Park Service (1,500 layoffs), U.S. Geological Survey (1,000), and the Bureau of Reclamation (100–150) are implementing significant reductions in force (RIFs)... forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2…

From Riches To Rags, Millionaires And Billionaires Who Lost It All @Forbes The media loves celebrating the meteoric rise of millionaires and billionaires. It’s a feel good story. They highlight their lavish lifestyles and business triumphs. Sometimes it seems that everyone is doing fabulously well, and we’re missing out. Not everyone has a happy ever after story. Those who amassed vast fortunes only to lose some or all of their wealth are less frequently told. These tales of financial downfall, driven by poor investments, fraud, economic crises, or personal missteps, offer valuable lessons about the fragility of wealth. Here’s the stories of some formerly prominent millionaires and billionaires who lost it all or nearly everything... forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2…

Million-Dollar Careers, The Elite Seven Figures Club via @Forbes Many people want to succeed in their careers. Some struggle, and others find ways to do well. There is a small segment of the population who were able to amass financial fortunes for their efforts. Earning an annual income of $1 million or more is a remarkable achievement. This milestone is attainable, but rare. Less than 0.5% of U.S. households earn over $1 million annually, according to the U.S. Census Bureau data and recent payroll analyses. In high-earning regions such as the San Francisco Bay Area, only about 0.54% of employees reach this threshold. Certain industries are constructed to produce high earners. A confluence of factors like economic dynamics, market demand, having the right skills and being in the right place at the right time helps. The finance sector, encompassing the stock market, hedge funds, and private equity, is a money generating powerhouse. Hedge fund managers who oversee portfolios with assets exceeding $250 million can earn between $500,000 and $3 million annually. This is how it works. Hedge fund managers traditionally are compensated under what is called a "2 and 20" fee structure. This entails a charge of a 2% annual management fee on the fund's assets under management (AUM) and a 20% performance fee on the fund's profits... forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2…

What Families Need To Earn In New York City, New Jersey, Los Angeles, And San Francisco To Be In The Middle Class @Forbes Who hasn’t taken a peak on @zillow  to see how much their neighbors home is valued? Americans are status conscious. When we meet people at social engagements, the conversation usually turns to ‘what do you do for a living?’ The real reason for this is that they want to get an idea of how much they make, based upon their profession. There’s an inner desire to know where you fit in financially, relative to family, friends, and coworkers. To provide some color, the following will offer insights into what you need to earn to be considered in the middle class, with data from GOBankingRates, SmartAsset, FOX 5 New York, Zillow, Pew Research Center, Sacramento Bee, and other sources. It's not the best time to talk about salaries and compensation in this current economy. The middle class in the US is contending with high inflation and costly living expenses. The stock and bonds markets have been bouncing around due to chaos surrounding President Trump’s tariffs policies... forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2…

Be Prepared, Your New Boss May Be AI @Forbes Artificial intelligence (AI) is getting infused in most everything. Now it looks like AI may take over corporate leadership. Some companies have already tested AI as bosses, managers, or ultimately CEOs. While it feels uncomfortable, it makes sense. AI works around the clock, no coffee breaks or vacations. AI offers emotionless data-driven decisions, and lacks human emotions when it comes to cut costs and enacting layoffs. The big question is, can an algorithm lead a team, inspire employees, or navigate the complexities of the human workplace? As AI becomes more sophisticated, companies are exploring its potential as a leader. A handful of businesses have already taken the bold step of appointing AI as a CEO or manager. These experiments raise fundamental questions about the future of leadership, the limits of automation, and the evolving partnership between humans and machines. Recent McKinsey surveys show that organizations are increasingly using AI for routine managerial tasks, with adoption rates accelerating in 2024 and 2025, especially for functions like scheduling, analytics, and workflow approvals. Additionally, AI’s impartiality appeals to firms aiming to reduce human biases in decisions like hiring or resource allocation, as noted in a 2023 The Wall Street Journal report on AI in management. The Society for Human Resource Management and other HR experts emphasize that emotional intelligence (EI) is crucial for effective people management and leadership. Leadership requires navigating ambiguity, fostering trust, and inspiring creativity, areas where AI, even advanced generative models, falls short... forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2…

How To Handle Unrelenting Stress At Work @forbes Handling stress effectively is key to feeling better. Try some yoga inspired techniques. Practice deep breathing. This calls for inhaling for four seconds, holding your breath to the count of five, then slowly exhaling. The process will help calm you down. Everyone needs some breaks. Step away from the desk, and take a short walk outside. Don’t be afraid to set some boundaries when you’re feeling overrun with work. Turn off notifications after hours. Let your colleagues know that you need some time to disconnect. Seek out social support. This could be confiding in a trusted colleague or joining a workplace wellness group. Even if it’s uncomfortable, sharing your experiences can make you feel better. The odds are high that others likely feel the way you do. It may be time to redefine success. If stress is driving you crazy, pivot away from the cultural obsession with constant productivity. Focus on what brings you joy and happiness. Set aside time for family, a hobby, and social activities outside of work. Schedule non-negotiable “me time” daily. Allocate time to read, listen to music or anything that helps you decompress. Build a support network outside of work. Join a local community group or volunteer for a cause that you’re passionate about. Try connecting with family and old friends. Find people who share the same interests. It could be joining a pickleball group or coaching your kids’ basketball team. If nothing seems to help, set up a meeting with your direct supervisor or Human Resource representative. Let them know that you feel stressed out, and need some help, guidance and advice. Check to see if the company has an Employee Assistance Programs that provide free counseling or stress management workshops. As a last resort, consider seeking out a new job. A change of place may make all the difference in your mental health and emotional well being. If the feelings of stress don’t subside, seek out professional help... forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2…

How To Succeesfully Navigate The Three Stages Of Your Career @Forbes After graduating college, there is a mixture of exhilaration, and fear. This is not one of the best job markets for young adults. A 2024 report by the BurningGlass Institute and Strada Institute for the Future of Work, titled “Talent Disrupted,” found that 52% of recent four-year college graduates are underemployed one year after graduation. This means that they are working in jobs that don’t require a bachelor’s degree. Don’t let this bother you. For many recent college graduates, they’ll knock around for a while. Others who are lucky, will be on the fast track. Over the span of years, situations change. The initial hard chargers may burn out. If you keep trying, you’ll find your way. A career will span many decades. Therefore, think in terms of visualizing your career developing over the years. It’s more of a marathon than a sprint. Consider breaking down your overall career arc into three distinct parts. Each phase presents unique opportunities and challenges. It runs the gamut from launching a career after college to figuring out what to do after you’re ready to retire. forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2…

The Real Reasons Why You Are Not Getting Ahead At Work—And What You Can Do About It via @Forbes You’d like to believe that you'll rise to the top if you’re talented and a hard worker. However, it’s a naive way to look at your career. For most people, no one is going to come to your rescue and sweep you off into the C-suite. Instead, bosses will hold you back for their own selfish reasons. Your supervisor knows you are a rockstar, but keeps it a secret from others within the organization, especially the top executives. Your boss purposely wants to hold you back. Secretly, the supervisor feels threatened by you. They know that you are amazing, but can’t afford to lose you if you get a promotion and advance within the ranks. Without you, they’d be lost. The supervisor desperately needs you to make them look good. Rather than extolling your virtues and telling everyone about your accomplishments, the boss hides it. The reality is that you’re too good at your job. If you were promoted, no one could step into your shoes. This leaves you stuck in place. The boss won’t tell you the truth because it’s cruel and unethical to keep you trapped for their benefit and to your detriment. forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2…

LinkedIn’s Survey ShowsWorkers’ Confidence In Job Security And Job Prospects Plummet, While Pessimism Rises @Forbes On LinkedIn people are not seeing the ‘I found a new job’ posts as much as they used to. But, there are still a lot of ‘open to work’ green banners. LinkedIn, the go-to social media site for searching for jobs and networking offers a great perspective of the workplace. The most recent LinkedIn Workforce Confidence Survey reveals that U.S. workers’ confidence in their job security and ability to find new employment has dropped to its lowest level since the survey began in 2020. It’s even lower than at the height of the pandemic. Economic uncertainty fueled by tariffs, widespread layoffs, inflation, fears of AI stealing jobs, and automation has eroded optimism for workers and job seekers. This thread cuts across most all industries and demographics. Recent studies and surveys from @LinkedIn @ZipRecruiter @pewresearch Research Center, and @Gallup shows the depth of this pessimism. forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2…

How To Navigate Salary Negotiations In Tough Times @Forbes Many employees fall into a trap. They feel that they’re great at what they do. But, they don’t focus on ‘playing the corporate game.’ They wait around, hoping someone will notice them. The reality is that no one is going to look after you. In a tough job market, you must advocate for yourself. If you don’t do or say anything, nothing will ever change. There will be a moment when you realize you're not going anywhere in your company. This is the time when you have to summon up your strength to start looking for another job elsewhere. When searching for a job, research industry standards for your type of position. Check out sites such as @Glassdoor @payscale @indeed and @LinkedIn to gain a sense of salaries and overall compensation in your field. Some states instituted Pay Transparency Laws that require companies to share the salary range on their online job posts. This helps you out with negotiations. Compensation changes depending upon a number of factors, such as location, experience, hotness or coldness of the position at any particular time period. Be aware, with high inflation, costs going up, chaotic tariffs, and a stock market that’s unpredictable, it will be an uphill battle to fight for a high salary. Here are some positive strategies to help people communicate their value, and advocate for their needs... forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2…

It’s Time To Get Concerned— Klarna, UPS, Duolingo, Cisco, And Many Other Companies Are Replacing Workers With AI @Forbes The new workplace trend is not employee friendly. Artificial intelligence (AI) and automation technologies are advancing at blazing speed. A growing number of companies are using AI to streamline operations, cut costs, and boost productivity. Consequently, human workers are facing layoffs, replaced by AI. Like it or not, companies need to make tough decisions, including layoffs to remain competitive. Corporations including Klarna, UPS, Duolingo, Intuit, and Cisco Systems are replacing laid-off workers with AI and automation. While these technologies enhance productivity, they raise serious concerns about future job security. For many workers, there is a big concern over whether or not their jobs will be impacted. Economic pressures, inflation and roller coaster stock prices, have pushed firms to prioritize leaner operations. The result is there will be fewer human jobs available. Investor enthusiasm for AI, rewards companies that deploy the technology. We’ve seen numerous occasions in which AI was used in corporate announcements, and their stock share prices rose higher... forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2…

Three Ridiculously High-Paying Careers On Wall Street And How To Break Into These Jobs via @Forbes Working on Wall Street was always seen as a way to make millions. The financial sector offers one of the highest-paying white-collar jobs. It’s not easy, though. The hours are long, including nights and weekends. Forget about vacations. You eat what you kill. Investment Bankers were working 100-plus hour workweeks, until management interceded. If you don’t produce profits, you’re gone. If you possess the right skills, talent and ability, you can make a fortune. Or lose it overnight. Here are some highly lucrative roles on Wall Street. Hedge fund managers are constantly researching and figuring out ways to make money. All day long they look for ways to find stocks, bonds, and other securities that will go up in value, or sell them short. Career-average earnings range from $400,000 to $900,000 annually. Uber successful, hedge fund managers can bring in multi millions of dollars. Their compensation is heavily performance-based. A portfolio manager generating a 10% return on a $100 million fund might earn $1–2 million, while poor performance can drop earnings to a base salary of $100,000. Top performers at elite firms like Citadel have earned billions in high-performing years. Junior analysts start at $100,000–$150,000 with bonuses up to 50% of their base... forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2…

Three Ridiculously High-Paying Careers On Wall Street And How To Break Into These Jobs @Forbes Working on Wall Street was always seen as a way to make millions. The financial sector offers one of the highest-paying white-collar jobs. It’s not easy, though. The hours are long, including nights and weekends. Forget about vacations. You eat what you kill. Investment Bankers were working 100-plus hour workweeks, until management interceded. If you don’t produce profits, you’re gone. If you possess the right skills, talent and ability, you can make a fortune. Or lose it overnight. Here are some highly lucrative roles on Wall Street... forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2…

Five Basic ‘Boring’ Businesses That Can Make You Rich, College Degree Not Required @Forbes When you think of startup businesses, it’s usually about tech entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley. Well financed venture-backed companies have spawned numerous unicorn companies. People use their products and services on a regular basis.  However, there are other overlooked lucrative opportunities in so-called "boring" businesses. They provide the necessary services that people don’t want to do themselves.  There are many businesses that may lack a pedigree, but offer good solid services, and a nice income for its owners. Most other people may shy away from these businesses. But for people with or without a college degree, who don’t mind rolling up their sleeves, and are not a fan of sitting in an office all day long, the following businesses provide an opportunity to build wealth. Here are five such businesses that you may want to take a look at. You’d be surprised. Businesses like cleaning, junk removal, pressure washing, laundromats, and pest control offer a path to significant wealth. Don’t let others discourage you. Their low entry barriers, steady demand, and high margins make them attractive for hardworking individuals willing to embrace tough less glamorous work. By focusing on essential services and scalable models, entrepreneurs can turn these overlooked industries into thriving enterprises and financial freedom. Additionally, many of these businesses won’t likely be taken over by AI. forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2…

One Hundred Plus Hour Workweeks Drove Young Investment Bankers To The Breaking Point @Forbes Wall Street is known as one of the top sectors to earn a lot of money. Along with lush compensation, there is a status effect of saying that you are an investment banker at a top financial institution. It’s an extremely competitive place. Young investment bankers feel the pressure to produce. To keep the job and get ahead of the crowd, bankers log in more than 100-hour work weeks. While the prestige and pay is great, for many, it takes a mental and physical toll. It’s not unusual for bankers to work almost every day of the week, long into the night as well. The vibe is like hazing, some got through it, others were left scared. Recently, a team of junior bankers at Robert Baird, an investment bank, had been working until 4 a.m. for weeks, according to the Wall Street Journal. Evidently, the long hours were not enough. Managers told the bankers that they had to up their production. Some bankers objected, but were told to be more efficient. Long Hours Of Stress for Success Wall Street has been dealing with its hustle culture, logging in long hours. Unfortunately, the pressure pushes people too far. The results for some, were tragic. Many junior bankers have said that their complaints are ignored. Some of the country’s biggest banks have responded by stepping up policies to protect young employees, including capping workweeks at around 80 hours. Getting a job in investment banking at Goldman Sachs or Morgan Stanley has been a big goal of many motivated university students. They viewed it as a route towards potentially building incredible wealth and achieving a high level of social status. For many people, the profession, dealing with mergers and acquisitions, taking companies public with IPOs or trading stocks and bonds, is an attractive and exhilarating career. However, there are downsides... forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2…

What Families Need To Earn In New York City, New Jersey, Los Angeles, And San Francisco To Be In The Middle Class @Forbes Who hasn’t taken a peak on @zillow to see how much their neighbors home is valued? Americans are status conscious. When we meet people at social engagements, the conversation usually turns to ‘what do you do for a living?’ The real reason for this is that they want to get an idea of how much they make, based upon their profession. There’s an inner desire to know where you fit in financially, relative to family, friends, and coworkers.  To provide some color, the following will offer insights into what you need to earn to be considered in the middle class, with data from GOBankingRates, SmartAsset, FOX 5 New York, Zillow, Pew Research Center, Sacramento Bee, and other sources. It's not the best time to talk about salaries and compensation in this current economy. The middle class in the US is contending with high inflation and costly living expenses. The stock and bonds markets have been bouncing around due to chaos surrounding President Trump’s tariffs policies. We need to provide some color, context, and nuance. When talking about major cities, they are not a monolith. They’re broken down into smaller neighborhoods. For instance, picture two families living in New York City. One family resides in the posh upper east side. The other family lives in the Bronx. Same city, but completely different financial situations. In high-cost urban centers such as New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, as well as affluent states like New Jersey. Americans who are in the middle class are smaller than they used to be... forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2…

These Jobs Will Fall First As AI Takes Over The Workplace via @forbes AI’s impact will not be uniform. Some jobs will fall quickly, while others resist longer. Jobs like data entry, scheduling, and customer service are already being overtaken by AI tools like chatbots and robotic process automation. A 2024 study by the Institute for Public Policy Research found 60% of administrative tasks are automatable. Fink notes that BlackRock is streamlining back-office functions with AI, cutting costs. These roles, requiring repetitive data processing, face near-term obsolescence as AI’s accuracy and scalability improve. Bookkeeping, financial modeling, and basic data analysis are highly vulnerable. AI platforms like Bloomberg’s Terminal enhancements can already crunch numbers and generate reports faster than humans. Dimon warns that JPMorgan is automating routine banking tasks, with 20% of analytical roles at risk by 2030. Paralegal work, contract drafting, and legal research are prime targets, as AI tools like Harvey and CoCounsel automate document analysis with 90% accuracy, according to a 2025 Stanford study. Dalio highlights AI’s ability to parse vast datasets, threatening research-heavy roles in academia and consulting. Senior legal strategy and courtroom advocacy, however, will resist longer due to human judgment needs. Graphic design, copywriting, and basic journalism face disruption from tools like DALL-E and GPT-derived platforms, which produce content at scale. A 2024 Pew Research Center report notes that 30% of media jobs could be automated by 2035. Ackman, commenting on X, predicts AI-generated content will dominate advertising soon but argues human creativity in storytelling and high art will endure longer, delaying full automation. Software development, engineering, and data science are dual-edged: AI boosts productivity but also automates routine coding and design tasks. A 2025 World Economic Forum report flags that 40% of programming tasks could be automated by 2040. Bessent sees growth in AI-adjacent roles like cybersecurity, but standardized STEM work will gradually cede to algorithms. Complex innovation, like breakthrough research and development, will remain human-driven longer. Diagnostic AI and robotic surgery are advancing, but empathy-driven roles like nursing, therapy, and social work are harder to automate. A 2023 Lancet study estimates 25% of medical administrative tasks could vanish by 2035, but patient-facing care requires human trust. Teaching, especially in nuanced fields like philosophy or early education, and high-level management jobs rely on emotional intelligence and adaptability, which AI struggles to replicate. A 2024 OECD report suggests only 10% of teaching tasks are automatable by 2040. Dimon and Ackman stress that strategic leadership, navigating ambiguity and inspiring teams, will remain human-centric... forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2…

What’s The Vibe In The U.S. Tech Sector @forbes The U.S. tech sector is contending with a combination of innovation along with job instability. The vibe is resilient, but anxious. A U.S. News survey shows 80% of tech workers report job satisfaction. They cite high pay and impact, but posts on the X platform reveal growing pessimism, with 65% of tech workers surveyed by The Information expecting worse conditions, driven by layoffs and hiring pullbacks. Drawing on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Forbes, Layoffs.fyi, and executive search firm Robert Half, alongside sentiment from the vocal X platform, here’s a snapshot of the tech sector’s pulse. This includes the range of what’s happening in the job market to dream employers and the daily grind. The BLS projects 356,700 annual tech job openings through 2033, signaling growth, especially in AI and fintech, where financial services now attract 22% of Cornell’s computer science graduates, up from 16% in 2022. forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2…