How Much Can I Make? — Real Jobs. Real Stories. Career Insights

Landscape Designer Career
Landscape design is one of those careers that blends creativity with real earning potential - and you don’t need a degree to get started. In this episode, we talk with landscape designer and gardener Dean Riddle about what it actually takes to build a career in landscaping, what garden designers really do, and how much you can make.
We also talk about the realities of gardening in the Northeast- especially in places like New York and New Jersey - including short growing seasons, winter downtime, deer pressure, and how climate change is already changing what grows and when.
If you’re looking into landscaping careers, garden design jobs, or how to start a landscaping business without a degree, this episode gives you a clear, real-world look at what goes into the work and the potential earnings.
To hear more about good paying careers. You can build without a degree, head to HowMuchCanIMake.info  We have over 80 episodes with a growing library of articles with real data and insights on different jobs. You can listen to people in those roles talk about what the day to day is really like, how they got in, and how much they make. 
Dean's Gardens Pictures:
https://www.shelterupstate.com/journal/makingasplash
https://janeboothnewenglandgardens.com/2015/02/19/riddle-of-the-catskill-mountains-gardens-illustrated/
How Much Can I Make? Is nominated for 2026 Women in Podcasting Award!
Want us to cover a specific job? Shoot us an email!
Visit howmuchcanimake.info
Music credit: Kate Pierson & Monica Nation

Jewelry Designer
A jewelry business can look effortless online, but behind it is real work—pricing, production, sourcing, and staying profitable as gold and silver prices rise. In this episode, jewelry designer Serena Van Rensselaer breaks down how to build a jewelry brand, from learning silversmithing to turning it into a sustainable business. We cover jewelry designer income, pricing strategies, startup costs, and how revenue comes from direct sales, wholesale, and collaborations with movies like Flow.  
If you’re searching for how to become a jewelry designer, jewelry business income, or creative careers in New York and beyond, this episode gives a clear, real-world look at what it takes.
Curious about other creative jobs and what they actually pay? Visit HowMuchCaniMake.info and explore the Creative Careers category. You’ll find episodes featuring working professionals who explain how they got started, what the job is really like, and realistic salary ranges—so you can make informed career decisions.
Connect with Serena:
Website: https://www.serenavr.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/serenavanrensselaer/
How Much Can I Make? Is nominated for 2026 Women in Podcasting Award!
Want us to cover a specific job? Shoot us an email!
Visit howmuchcanimake.info
Music credit: Kate Pierson & Monica Nation

Career Reinvention
Thinking about changing careers? We talk with Cynthia Cohen about how she pivoted without starting over by building on existing skills instead of erasing the past. From New York to today’s remote work landscape, we break down what it really takes to switch careers, stay competitive in a shifting job market, manage fear, and turn your experience into new opportunities.

Cynthia's Website: https://rightarmproductions.com/
How Much Can I Make? Is nominated for 2026 Women in Podcasting Award!
Want us to cover a specific job? Shoot us an email!
Visit howmuchcanimake.info
Music credit: Kate Pierson & Monica Nation

TV Producer Career Insights
Explore the career insights of a TV producer with Robin Feldman as she reveals what happens after filming wraps. This episode delves into the essential post-production phases, from managing tight deadlines and budgets to overcoming daily production challenges. Robin shares her journey breaking into the TV industry in Vancouver, highlighting key success factors like persistence, professionalism, and collaboration in a showrunner-driven environment.

Gain valuable job advice about broadcast vs. streaming schedules, union dynamics, freelance work, negotiating rates, and how side hustles can boost earnings. Whether you're considering a career change or curious about career opportunities in television production, this episode offers practical tips and insider knowledge about the job market and making money in the entertainment industry.

Additional related episodes include insights from a TV camera woman, a sitcom writer, and a network TV news editor, providing diverse perspectives on career paths in the TV world.
* Listen to the camera woman episode: <https://www.howmuchcanimake.info/episodes/tv-camera-woman-invisible-yet-essential?rq=tv>
* Listen to the Sitcom writer episode episode<https://www.howmuchcanimake.info/episodes/mcox9j001f097nm6l0gaanemfr0fns?rq=sitcom>
* Listen to Network TV News editor <https://www.howmuchcanimake.info/episodes/the-job-of-tv-news-editor?rq=tv%20news%20editor>
This episode was first published in February. 2025
How Much Can I Make? Is nominated for 2026 Women in Podcasting Award!
Want us to cover a specific job? Shoot us an email!
Visit howmuchcanimake.info
Music credit: Kate Pierson & Monica Nation

Systems Engineer
This week—timely with Artemis II—we revisit a standout episode with NASA contractor systems engineer Johanna Siegel.
Johanna reveals what it really takes to build mission-critical hardware for the Artemis program—and the career opportunities and earnings potential that come with it. In this deep dive, discover how engineers translate complex requirements like radiation protection and life support systems into hardware that protects astronaut lives, plus real salary insights and how to break into aerospace engineering careers. 
If you're exploring aerospace engineering, space careers, or high-paying STEM jobs, this episode gives a clear look at the real work behind keeping humans alive in space.
How Much Can I Make? Is nominated for 2026 Women in Podcasting Award!
Want us to cover a specific job? Shoot us an email!
Visit howmuchcanimake.info
Music credit: Kate Pierson & Monica Nation