Doug Olsen found his calling early: teaching science to middle schoolers. In 1983, he appeared on the cover of PARADE 's first issue dedicated to American salaries. He stood before a blackboard in Seattle, chalk in hand, 30 years old, earning $18,700 a year. He was happy and hopeful. He said, "I wouldn't dream of doing anything else."
Since then, America has faced an economic seesaw like few generations have seen. Three major booms and as many busts, unemployment veering from highs and lows not experienced since the Depression, new industries created, new kinds of help wanted, old industries --- and job titles --- relegated to history books.
Like the early 1980s, many of us today wonder what the economy has in store, how jobs will evolve, how salaries will change, and how to best carry on the pursuit of happiness in America.
If you could start over, would you pick the same field? Take the survey now.
To mark its 30th What People Earn report, PARADE contacted hundreds of people previously featured to see how their careers have fared over the years. Many had lost their jobs or quit them, while others had become the boss. Some relocated to find work, others embarked on a new path entirely. Almost all of them faced challenges from an American job market in transition.
In 1983, Doug Olsen's career goal was to stay in front of a blackboard. Despite tough years of downsizing and restructuring, he achieved it. Three decades later, PARADE found him at the same school. He had recently retired --- at a salary of $58,000 --- and now volunteers there daily. "My passion always has been kids' education. I'm grateful for my 31 years of teaching, and I'm happy to say my daughter has followed my footsteps."
Meet several other Americans who stayed the course through volatile times, as well as many more who went to Plan B.
Malia Delapenia
2006, Age 27
Kaneohe, Hawaii
Belly dancer
$10,000
2012, Age 33
Honolulu, Hawaii
Belly dancer
$65,000
Delpenia launched the Hawaii Belly Dance Convention, an annual event with visiting dancers. "My business has matured a lot."
Ricky Huddleston
2000, Age 42
McAlester, Okla.
Rodeo Cowboy
$103,000
2012, age 54
McAlester, Okla
Road maint. superviser
$45,000
"You have to do well to get paid. You have to win," he says. "I broke my elbow and that slowed me down, so I gradually quit."
Bruce Schactler
2003, Age:50
Kodiak, Alaska
Fisherman
$40,000
2012, Age: 59
Kodiak, Alaska
Commercial fisherman
$120,000
"Yes, there are days of boredom, but also flashes of great excitement, the freedom to roam the ocean and work for yourself."
Real People, Real Salaries: See What Hundreds of Americans Earn
Jason Hennessey
2002, Age:24
Las Vegas
Disc Jockey
$90,000
2012, Age: 34
Roswell, Ga.
Marketing CEO
$192,000
"I miss being a DJ (and still have the equipment at home), but it helped me grow and made me a good public speaker."
Yvette McGee Brown
1993, age 32
Columbus, Ohio
County judge
$86,500
2012, Age 51
Columbus, Ohio
State Supreme
$141,600
Brown became the first African American woman to serve on Ohio's highest court. "I love public service making a difference."
Cynthia Wright
1991, Age: 38
Elk Point, S.D.
Romance Novelist
$52,500
2012, Age: 59
Lodi, Calif.
E-book Author
$59,000
After her novels went out of print, Wright began self-publishing ebooks. "It's never too late to rewrite the story of your life!"
Charlene Rose-Masuda
1994, Age: 44
Los Angeles
Dolly Parton Lookalike
$25,000
2012, Age: 61
Los Angeles
Dolly Lookalike
$60,000
It's not easy morphing into someone else for a living: "You have to really, really practice her makeup," Rose-Masuda says.
