My dad has worked in direct sales for the last 30 years and it has had its ups and downs depending on the economy, but overall he's had quite a bit of success with it. If you are a good people person go for it. Establishing the relationship and making them like you as a person is the best thing you can possibly do. It's one thing to say you aren't interested in the solicitor cold calling you for some software product, but its much harder when it is your buddy you play golf with who truly believes his product can benefit your business. Make all your clients your friends and you will have a successful career there.
Another route you could consider, at least part time at first, is internet marketing. Highly lucrative, very scalable. You talk high six figures a year, in all honesty I will probably be making close to that each month by the time I graduate college and I really don't see why other people shouldn't be able to do that as well. It is overwhelming at first, but it is something you can devote a few hours too a week while you are learning the ropes and start focusing more on it as you get a feel for what you are good at. There are tons of different avenues you can take with it, its all discovering what suits you best then run with it.
Sorry if I'm offering unwanted information, just something else for you to consider. If I were you I would take the direct sales job. I don't know your situation or your skill-set, but I always think of sales as the best position to be in any industry. You learn a little about everything and you can translate the core skills to any job and into your personal life as well. Regardless of what you choose I wish you the best of luck. I'm sure you will have success with either option.
|