Novice Real Estate Agent. Salary: $50,000 

After college, you work hard to earn a living as you study for your real estate license, then manage to get hired as a junior real estate agent at the local office. It's not the big leagues, but hey, it's a step in the right direction for your career prospects.

Corporate Property Manager. Salary: $65,000 

After several years of proving yourself as a capable agent, a local property management company offers you a job managing a number of their corporate rental properties. You can still work part-time as a real estate agent, so your yearly salary really isn't half bad. Plus, this way you get to know a little bit more about the sorts of developments companies tend to find the most attractive—information you file away for potential use later.

Real Estate Developer. Salary: $85,000 

Because you learned the ins and outs of managing corporate properties as well as the mechanics of selling residential homes, you're able to not only make a decent living but invest in a few properties of your own. To keep it safe, you went with a diverse mix: a couple small apartment buildings and an office space. You have full occupancy and a full wallet.

House-Flipper. Salary: $90,000 

Your investment properties are not only paying for themselves, they're profiting enough for you to start flipping some of the neglected houses in a largely forgotten neighborhood five miles from downtown. You've flipped a couple homes so far, and made a small profit from each, but you're ready to sell a new flip for a slightly higher price, hoping to take home a much larger chunk of change. Things are about to get interesting.

High-Rise Mogul. Salary: $150,000 

Not only have you changed the landscape of your neighborhood, you're starting to change the entire look of your city. With the help of a few investors, you're set to build your city's first high-rise condo building in the heart of the newly bustling downtown. Shortly after announcing the plans, more than half of your condos have already sold, putting you on the path to high-rise number two. Look out Mr. Trump.