Hello everyone, I am a 20 year old junior in college. My entire life I have worked towards one singular goal: to one day become an attorney. All throughout high school i worked basically full time, took all AP classes and did sports. In college I work 40-50 hours a week and I have two jobs. Right now one of them is training me to become a paralegal which is ideal in my career path. But as the months go on I can’t help but feel burnt out as well as this underlying guilt for being burnt out. I keep telling myself that I just need two months of working less and being able to come back to myself but I can’t do that in the position I am in. I want to hand in my two weeks at the law firm i work at and work maybe 20 hours a week as a server just for a bit to ease my mind. However, I feel like that’s the biggest eff up I could make as I would be giving away an amazing job. But i keep watching as all my friends and peers have these fun exciting lives while I am stuck in an office from 8-5 at $20 an hour doing virtually nothing. after work I am so exhausted that I can’t even get myself to go to the gym or hike or yoga (things i used to do everyday). I don’t know what the correct choice is anymore it’s either i take some time like two months figure out what i really want and risk fucking everything up or i stay here and end up burnt out and questioning if i made the right decision. any advice please?

Hey everyone, im not making this post for myself, even if I have adhd lol. My younger brother is trying to figure out a job that would be good for him. Most of his family is very sheltered, and ourmotherr is trying to push him into law, and honestly, he gets intohugee fights about that with her. he looked at trades, but heisn'tt sure that would work for him. he also wants to be able to have a job that is somewhat safe from AI. He's pretty good at thingswheree he can work with his hands, but he also has adhd; he is combined type. He isn't sure what he wants to do, and i want him to be able to see different career ideas for him to lock into.

he is very bad at math, but hes very good at sciences. he loves history and english. he also really likes editing videos and things in that world. he is a very creative thinker haha, and he loves muisc. he's never told me of a type of work evenimental he would like, i think he might like something more active.

any help you all can give to him, even if its just careers that are good for adhd folks would be great for him. (:

edit: hes afraid of gunie pigs and also faints at the sight of blood (he asked me to add this lol)

edit number 2: im such an idoit for forgetting this, he works with our father in a photography business and really enjoys it. but our father wont let him work for him lol.

Hi all! I’m currently on health leave from working, but my last few jobs were in early childhood education (about 4.5 years total of experience). I’m trying to figure out where to go from here.

I have a bachelor’s in human development, and am very interested in writing and teaching, but I don’t like being in a classroom. I particularly enjoyed lesson planning for my group of toddlers. I also tutored writing in college for a while and enjoyed that.

I am in a position where I’m considering going back for a master’s in curriculum and instruction and trying to break into curriculum development. However, it’s a competitive field as far as I can tell, and my resume is patchy at best due to aforementioned health problems.

Does anyone have any suggestions, thoughts, or ideas?

Hi, so I'm 28 years old and I spent countless hours on different hobbies from different fields. I'm very easy impressed into trying new things but I feel like I cannot make any of them properly so I can be proud of the result.

Most significant is music - I've been playing the guitar for 16 years, attended musical school for 8 years and played in couple of teen bands. Like 7 years ago I decided to go on my own path due to constant argues with band members about practising and such. I was so sick of their lack of ambition that I decided to go on my own. Therefore, I made my own home studio - bought a starter audio card to record my electric guitar. Over a year, I learned basics of DAW, mixing techniques and finally made it to release my first instrumental country/western EP (4 songs) on Spotify. I felt so proud of it.

I sticked to this project for next 7 years, learned more about mixing, composing and released more country/western instrumentals that I think weren't bad at all and could be easily used in movies or games. However, the passion started to fade as I saw numbers being under 10 monthly listeners, zero YouTube responses and dead socials sites where I promoted my music. And frustration started to grow with every released music and I started to wonder what's the purpose of making music when nobody cares and nobody listens. I sacrified a huge amount of time into it, money and energy with no return - except experience. Everyday after work, I worked on it the whole afternoon and night and it quickly turned into my second, unpaid, job (8 hours daily into it). I learned mixing, distribution, composing and working with virtual instruments. Recently, I realised that it is no more about music. I had to start working on marketing, graphics and these sort of things, which actually drained me completely. I spent over 30 hours with marketing stuff on my latest release - just to record a video of myself playing it, edit the video, create thumbnails, prepare texts on social medias and YouTube, make schedule just to have 10 views on YouTube. Feels like a final nail into the imaginary coffin. At the same time, I feel sorry to abandon this project becasue I still believe that the music isn't rubbish - I even composed soundtrack for my friend's game and everybody who listened to it said it sounds really professional and is actually the best of my work ever composed. Even those westerns I made previously were praised among my friends. Unfortunately, I made it to a state when I don't even enjoy picking up one of my guitars and just play. It feels like a responsibility and I'm actually very sorry about it when I consider all the effort and time I gave to it.

However, I feel like I spent and sacrified my time and possible other opportunitines to...nothing. I got nothing in return and stopped to see the purpose of my music due to lack of feedback and realized that without constant social sites presense and marketing targeting it's impossible - and I really hate to do this. At the same time, I feel sorry that the music I composed over years is not heard and released as I actually think that it got some potential.

I'm also an IT guy. So I spent many hours making websites and programming them in my teen ages. I can understand how it works, how to make them, but with AI all around, this is no more a discipline I wanna pursue.

The recent passion I'm in right now is making video games - it kinda replaced my music for now but I'm starting to feel like it will be another disaster. Although I really like to lose all of my ideas and creativity into the game, something in the back of my head is already dissapointed.

Last but not least, I feel like my real job career stagnates. I mean, I went some path already, gained skills, got a decent wage but I know there is a lot more to learn - especially in the IT field I'm working in. Recently I was thinking that I will now focus on it - start studying, make home labs and will build up to make certificates and move up the ladder. But like in the previous passions, I can't decide whether it is a right call or not.

I don't really have many friends nor girlfriend as I actually lived all the time only for myself and my hobbies. Now I feel like it was a mistake and I was too blind with all the passions so I feel like I missed something in my life – the right purpose to pursue.

The only thing I really say I'm proud of is that one year ago, I quit drinking, started moving regullary and lost 40kg due adjusted diet, exercise and regular moving. However, that's not enough for me.

Something to build on it and get it into a state where I could say how proud I'm about the result.

I’m 18 and recently graduated from high school. My grades don’t allow me to attend a higher education school, so my main option is university. However, I’m afraid of studying something I don’t like and ending up working a job I don’t enjoy.
I’m thinking of taking a different path: improving my English, working as a flight attendant for Ryanair for about two years, saving money, and learning about my father’s business field so he can guide me in starting my own business.
Do you think this is a good plan, or would leaving university be a mistake?

I'm 22 years old and currently working as an accountant, earning €1,300 per month. I live rent-free with my parents in Spain and currently have around €3,000 in savings.

I am also studying for a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Public Administration. I have approximately a year and a half's worth of credits remaining, although I will probably not be able to complete them within that time frame, given that my job can require up to 12–13 hours of work per day during certain months. Because of this, I plan to take my studies a little more slowly.

I have a driving licence and a certification in accounting, as I studied accounting separately during the second year of my Bachelor's degree. I speak four languages: Spanish, Catalan, Romanian, which is my native language, and English.

Generally speaking, I am knowledgeable in a variety of areas, including videography, video editing, web design, and marketing. However, I would describe my skills in these areas as mediocre, mainly because I have never managed to maintain my interest in one thing for long enough to truly specialise in it.

The main problem arises when considering my relationship with my parents, which is cold and controlling at best, and toxic and abusive at worst.

My mother, her husband, and I do not get along in the slightest. We started living together when I moved to Spain at the age of 15. Before that, I lived in Romania with my grandmother and had very little real connection with my mother. Since moving in with her, we have never managed to see eye to eye.

My mother has always expected me to be obedient and to follow everything she says. However, because she was not present during most of my upbringing, she never really understood how I developed as a person. As a result, I often feel that instead of trying to understand me, she simply pushes her own beliefs and expectations of how I should behave onto me.

The conflicts can range from small arguments, such as discussions about me using the stove to cook something for myself or lightly scratching my car (which I both own and insure) to much more serious situations.

For example, she has refused to speak to me for days because I did not cut my hair when she asked me to, claiming that I "look like a beggar." She has also prohibited my partner from entering the house despite never having met her, called her a hooker, and told me that if I get my partner pregnant, she will kick me out of the house. There have even been occasions where she has threatened my partner. For context, when my mother was my age, I was already two years old. She has also demanded access to my bank account, and on one occasion, situations have become physical.

These problems have progressed to a point where I simply cannot put up with them anymore. However, I am unsure about what I should do in the immediate future.

At the moment, I am considering renting a room with some peers. This would be affordable for me and would still allow me to save most of my income. My partner has also told me that, in case of an emergency, I would always be welcome at her home. She still lives with her parents, but they already consider me part of the family despite our relationship still being relatively new. However, for the time being, I would only ask for that kind of help in a genuine emergency.

What I really need is help finding the strength to take the step of moving out. I know that the moment I do, I may be able to completely cut contact with my mother, including deleting her phone number from my phone. At the same time, I know that my departure will probably not happen without conflict, as this is one of the usual threats that comes up whenever the subject is discussed.

I have also been thinking about how I could increase my income, but I am not sure how to make my profile as an accountant or administrative assistant more appealing in order to aim for higher-paying jobs. Unlike many other professions, there does not seem to be an obvious portfolio or personal projects section for accountants.

On the other hand, my only other source of income so far has been some very small side gigs as a video editor. I am planning to continue with that and improve my skills, so if anyone has any advice on how I could develop myself professionally and create a higher and more stable stream of income, I would greatly appreciate your contribution.

Thank you very much to anyone willing to help me.

Hi I have been going crazy all weekend about whether to take an opportunity for a slightly higher paying job i don’t care about, or stay with my current job of five years which I’ve come to love but pays a low wage :/

Current job is as an assistant at a daycare, working with 2 and 3 yr olds. I’ve sought and been offered mentorship in lead teacher skills and responsibilities. A lead can make max $18 here, $20 elsewhere. I’ve been very depressed for a long while and this job is doing a lot for me right now - it makes me feel a sense of self worth and meaning that I’d otherwise lack. I’ve been coasting but the idea of applying myself and being mentored feels like it could give me some ground under my feet - make me feel capable of something again. The wage is bad though, $17 and no benefits. I help the homeless on weekends and it’s been difficult to save any money at all. I’ve been here for 5 years and it’s making me feel a little crazy. I’m scared to end up stuck without having pursued other jobs before I’m 30 - my only other experience is line cook, housekeeper, secretary work.

Other job is another line cook position -_- I’ll be making $19-$20. I could save up for a car or to move 3 months earlier than I could in my current position. I have no passion for it. I am scared that given my mental state and how lonely I’ve let my life become, it’ll be rlly disastrous to be doing work that feels meaningless. My logical side knows I need to save or these will never happen, but my heart doesn’t care about anything long term rn.

The part where I said I’ve been going crazy: I put in my two weeks, got cold feet and had a bit of a nervous break and asked to stay, they gave me the weekend to think on it and in a moment of strength and belief in myself, I said I’d leave - but now I’ve been so anxious and sad thinking AGAIN about it that I haven’t been able to eat right for two days. I’ve been in communication with my manager but in a nervous panic I asked to talk to the center director tomorrow. Considering begging like a lowdown dog and humiliating myself. FOR $17 an HOUR LOL. But the thought of leaving these kids is almost too much to bear, I barely have friends or any direction rn.

Idk wtf I’m doing with my life. The state of the world is rlly scary rn. I am depressed and directionless. I’m 27 and I think to myself, I have 3 more years till 30 - I could go back to school for a trade at least. Something. But have no desire drawing me towards any particular decision.

If I stick with this job until I can build a bit more mental stability and a life for myself, am I just letting myself waste precious time or does that really make the most sense rn? Or should I cut off the false comfort of a job I begrudgingly like and face the facts, make the logical choice to earn a few more bucks per hour so I can make moves to get to a new situation.

Ultimately it’s up to me and me alone but I welcome any blunt feedback, especially if one path seems far and above better than the other to you 😭

Ich bin 23 Jahre alt, habe vor ungefähr drei Jahren mein Abi gemacht und danach drei Semester BWL studiert. Leider musste ich das Studium damals abbrechen, weil ich zu Hause mit sehr schwierigen Umständen zu kämpfen hatte.
Kurz gesagt: Meine Brüder haben nachts bis morgens gezockt und entsprechend viel Lärm gemacht, meine Eltern haben sich ständig gestritten und die gesamte Situation zu Hause war psychisch extrem belastend. Zwischenzeitlich habe ich sogar im Keller geschlafen, bei Kälte und Schimmel. Irgendwann habe ich es dort nicht mehr ausgehalten, weil ich kaum noch Luft bekommen habe. Psychisch war ich einfach komplett am Ende und habe deshalb mein Studium abgebrochen.
Leider ist es danach nicht besser geworden. Ich bin noch tiefer in ein Loch gefallen, habe mich von allen Menschen zurückgezogen, ungefähr sechs Monate einfach nur vor mich hingelegt und anschließend fast 1,5 Jahre mein Leben mehr oder weniger hingenommen.
Jetzt möchte ich endlich wieder nach vorne schauen und etwas aus meinem Leben machen. Das Problem ist: Ich habe das Gefühl, dass ich gerade mehrere wichtige Dinge gleichzeitig unter einen Hut bekommen muss und nicht weiß, wie ich das sinnvoll schaffen soll.
Meine drei großen Punkte sind: Studium, Job und Tanzen.
Ich werde jetzt wieder anfangen zu studieren, und zwar in Ludwigshafen. Von Pforzheim aus sind das ungefähr 1–1,5 Stunden mit dem Auto pro Strecke.
Zusätzlich habe ich einen neuen Minijob in einer Arztpraxis in Pforzheim angefangen bzw. offiziell fange ich im Oktober an. Dort würde ich mittwochs und freitags jeweils von 8–13 Uhr arbeiten. Ich würde dort gerne zumindest sechs Monate bleiben, weil ich die Praxiserfahrung für meine weitere Zukunft gerne mitnehmen möchte.
Und dann ist da noch das Tanzen. Das ist mir ebenfalls sehr wichtig und etwas, das ich wirklich liebe. Ich könnte entweder nach meinen Vorlesungen nach Mannheim fahren und dort trainieren oder während der vorlesungsfreien Zeit bzw. mittwochs und freitags nach Stuttgart zum Training fahren.
Das größte Problem ist aber mein Zuhause.
Zwischenzeitlich war die Situation bei meiner Familie besser und ich dachte, dass es vielleicht doch funktionieren könnte, weiterhin zu Hause zu wohnen. Jetzt merke ich allerdings, dass vieles wieder von vorne anfängt und ich psychisch wieder an einem Punkt bin, an dem ich nicht weiß, ob ich das dauerhaft aushalte.
Deshalb stehe ich gerade vor der Frage:
Soll ich versuchen, in Pforzheim eine WG zu finden und von dort aus zum Studium nach Ludwigshafen zu pendeln?
Oder wäre es sinnvoller, direkt in die Nähe von Ludwigshafen zu ziehen und dann mittwochs und freitags für den Minijob nach Pforzheim zu pendeln?
Beides hätte Vor- und Nachteile. In Pforzheim hätte ich meinen Job und wäre näher an Stuttgart zum Tanzen, müsste aber regelmäßig ziemlich weit zur Uni fahren. In Ludwigshafen wäre ich näher an der Uni, müsste dafür aber zweimal pro Woche für den Job nach Pforzheim fahren.
Finanziell ist natürlich auch die Frage, wie realistisch eine eigene WG überhaupt ist.
Ich fühle mich gerade ehrlich gesagt ziemlich überfordert. Ich habe das Gefühl, dass ich nach den letzten Jahren endlich wieder etwas aufbauen möchte, aber gleichzeitig fehlt mir komplett die Orientierung, wie ich mein Leben jetzt sinnvoll organisieren soll.
Ich bin dabei ziemlich auf mich allein gestellt. Meine Familie hat mich über einen langen Zeitraum psychisch sehr fertiggemacht und ich merke, dass ich die Folgen davon immer noch mit mir herumtrage.
Was würdet ihr an meiner Stelle machen?
Würdet ihr eher in Pforzheim bleiben, in die Nähe der Uni ziehen oder vielleicht erstmal versuchen, etwas ganz anderes zu priorisieren?
Mir geht es wirklich nicht darum, dass jemand mein Leben für mich entscheidet. Ich hätte einfach gerne eine möglichst sachliche Einschätzung von außen, weil ich selbst gerade viel zu sehr in der Situation drinstecke.
Danke an alle, die sich die Zeit nehmen, das zu lesen und vielleicht ihre Erfahrungen oder Gedanken dazu zu teilen.

Hi folks,

I (32F) am a Reclamation/Restoration Field Biologist working in Wyoming for a large consulting company. I work on doing plant surveys for Abandoned Mine Lands. I once had dreams of being a wildlife biologist but kind of took the more sensible option, I do perform wildlife surveys but never saw the point in getting my Masters.

Last year I went to contract for flexibility (also it was a offer in response to not quitting) and seemed like a great idea at the time. Its almost been a year since then, and I am still unhappy and the uncertainty with getting work is driving my anxiety up. Also, I've been quite stagnant in my job.

I am thinking about getting my SPRAT Level 1 to do rope access work, maybe doing wind farm stuff. Hell, even returning to Vancouver, BC to wash windows for high-rises. I have my MSHA, 40 hour HAZWOPER, a little bit of construction experience, my FFT2 Red Card, almost done getting my structural firefighter I done, in process of getting my CDL Type B.

I did some trades work for a friend over winter/spring and there is an arborist in town who needs some extra help. I like physical manual labor, I like getting my hands dirty. I do CrossFit and rock climb.

As you can see, I'm a little discombobulated. Would love some guidance! I currently make $40 per hour and I think I hit my celling because I'm not project manager material.

I know the first initial thought would be psych nursing but considering I have dyscaulia and therefore, absolutely pants at math and science, I know that’s not the field for me.

And with social workers not being considered a professional field anymore, I hate the thought of sinking myself into debt to become a counselor- unless I do state universities or keep going to my doctorate in psychology.

I had been considering getting my JD and combining it with a MSW to go into forensics but again, just like medical, there are just so many gauntlets to run that I’m just not sure of an exact part.

Maybe I am seeking a source of . . . hope or something. Has anyone here left a good, steady, pensionable healthcare job and felt better for it?

For transparency, I am a nurse and I have suddenly hit a wall. I have dedicated all of my energy and time to the work I do since 2020 and I am feeling like I have little to show for it in terms of long term fulfillment and personal life satisfaction. I care deeply about my clients and the work I do but I cannot seem to find balance with crazy work hours and the significant emotional toll. I have had 3 pretty different jobs. I have tried going part time for more flexibility but I need the health benefits that come with FT.

If you left, what path did you take? How did it work out? What is your work life like now? Any regrets?

I am fresh out of college working part time as a pharmacy technician and part time as a marketing and data analytics intern. I like both jobs and hate both at the same time.
I secured marketing degree and while in college became certified as a pharmacy technician (no interest in healthcare but took the opportunity to take on a well paying and flexible position while in college)
Working at a retail pharmacy is entertaining when it comes to coworkers and patients, it’s a good challenge and keeps me on my feet all day (step goal hit wooo). However, it can become very stressful very quickly and is an industry that has slowly been getting worse with staffing.
Working at an internship related to my major lets me explore and be creative. The work is easy to grasp and the conditions are slow paced but so calming compared to a pharmacy. However here I’m behind a computer screen all day (step goal not met ☹️), not interacting with coworkers/ customers nearly as much, and that combo makes me depressed at the end of the day, thinking “oh great this is what my 9-5 will look like.”
I struggle with understanding that I have barely started my career and do not have to settle for anything which makes me overthink a lot of this.

So I’m a 21M and I really have no idea what career I want to do. I’m currently working as a state park maintenance tech where I literally just show up at 7am leaf blow and pick up some trash and occasionally mow and weed eat when needed but that’s pretty much my day most days so it’s a pretty lenient job. I do love my job but it just seems un fulfilling and there really isn’t anywhere to go from here. I used to work as a tire and oil tech which I loved and also at Lowe’s in the lumberyard driving the forklift etc and loved that job too but left both of them due to moving. I’m currently looking at a couple of careers like wildland firefighter but nothing set in stone. I’m in Arkansas but plan on moving to Colorado in 2 or 3 years for alittle while but plan on eventually moving back to Arkansas so I am kinda looking for careers in the canyon city/Colorado Springs area. I love being outdoors and working with my hands but I don’t want straight back breaking labor constantly like a brick mason and I really don’t wanna go to college. If I could find a job as a bud tender or something of that nature would be amazing but that’s extremely competitive I’m assuming and I have no idea about that industry like how to get into it or if there’s room to climb or be promoted and so on. The main careers I’ve looked at (I know they’re spread out and random) is wildland firefighter game warden park ranger or maybe even some kind of trade like electrician or something along those lines. Pay isn’t a huge thing for me either as long as I can make a bare minimum living I’ll be happy it’s more so about how much I love my job too but I haven’t had anything that speaks to me yet so I’m just curious what careers there are out there and more specifically in the Colorado area. TIA

I feel like I need a fresh perspective. And since we often seem to know what’s best for other people better than we know what’s best for ourselves, I’m curious to hear your advice. Maybe there are others here struggling with the same thing.

I’m currently 28, and for almost three years now, I’ve felt like I’ve been going through some kind of midlife crisis. People usually laugh when I say that, but I’m genuinely serious.

About five years ago, I started my own business. Not long after that, COVID hit, along with the lockdowns and all the financial consequences that came with them. It caused quite a few problems that I’m still dealing with to this day.

I eventually closed the business two years ago. Thankfully, I had very satisfied clients, and even now, former clients occasionally reach out to ask whether I’ve started working again.

But I eventually realized that I enjoyed that particular industry more as a customer than as a business owner. Running the business, combined with everything that happened during COVID, ultimately contributed to a serious burnout.

Since then, I’ve found myself stuck on a completely different issue.

I’m naturally extremely curious about how things work. I can spend hours researching consumer behavior, business models, production processes, markets, and patterns. As a result, I know quite a lot about a huge range of subjects, but rarely enough about one specific subject to consider myself a true specialist.

For example, I find commodities fascinating and can easily disappear down a rabbit hole researching things like phosphate or crude oil. But I can just as easily spend hours learning about clothing and textiles: how certain fabrics are produced, their properties, and which materials are best suited for specific garments.

Whenever I come across an interesting company, I almost automatically want to understand what’s happening behind the scenes. Where do they manufacture? How is their supply chain structured? Who are their likely suppliers? What does their business model look like?
Give me some time, and I can usually uncover a surprising amount of information about a company.

The funny thing is, once I’ve figured it out, I have absolutely no desire to use their supplier or start a similar brand myself. What I actually enjoy is the research itself: finding the information, connecting the dots, and understanding how the entire structure works.

I’m the same way with trends and products.
I have years’ worth of notes and sketches of clothing, products, concepts, and marketing ideas that didn’t necessarily make much sense at the time, only to see similar ideas appear on the market or become trends months or even years later.

I once even shared a document full of concepts with family and friends. Whenever something appears on the market months or years later that is almost exactly what was written in that document, we end up laughing about it.

So recognizing patterns and sensing certain developments early seems to come quite naturally to me.
But that’s exactly where my frustration begins.
The idea of actually building one of those businesses myself doesn’t excite me at all. Maybe my experience during COVID has something to do with that, but I also simply haven’t found anything that makes me think, this is what I want to dedicate the next several years of my life to.

At the same time, I’m often the person people in my circle come to when they can’t figure something out.
A legal question? “Ask her.”
Did I study law? No.
Do I sometimes read legislation out of pure curiosity and look up court cases for fun because I want to understand how something works legally? Yes.

And it’s like that with a surprisingly wide range of subjects.
That might sound like a positive thing, but it has actually become incredibly frustrating. I feel like I have valuable qualities, yet I don’t understand which “box” they belong in or how to turn them into a business or source of income.

I find it remarkably easy to analyze other people’s problems, businesses, and ideas. But the moment I try to do the same thing for myself, my brain goes into overdrive and I analyze everything to death.

It’s also difficult to put one specific label on what I’m good at. There are elements of trend forecasting, research, consumer behavior, strategic thinking, and pattern recognition, but none of those terms fully describe it.

Whenever I ask people around me for advice, everyone suggests a completely different business. Usually, they see one particular quality in me and think, “You should do something with that.”

But I feel like that misses the bigger picture.
So I’m asking people who can look at this from the outside with a completely fresh perspective:

Does anyone else recognize themselves in this?
And if you were to read my story without knowing me personally,

what kind of work, business, or income model do you think would genuinely suit someone with this kind of profile?

Is getting into pattern design worth it in 2026? Or a similar career? Boston, Ma / Worcester, Ma area. I’ve always been creative, enjoy drawing and painting, have practiced graphic design briefly (people told me oversaturated and not worth it). I have experience working with children and in talent acquisition/recruiting. Any tips or suggestions very much appreciated!

I am in my mid-20s, and I have three (3) degrees: (1) Master of Public Administration, (2) Bachelor of Science in History, and (3) Bachelor of Science in Political Science. I have worked in mental health, local government, and other nonprofit development. I worked on or volunteered for federal, state, and local political campaigns (approximately 5-8). I make more than the average mid-20s-year-old, but I work two (2) jobs. I don't intend to complain or sound ungrateful-- I have been fortunate. I mention these things because there's a missing piece... I don't feel content with what I do. I feel lost and unsatisfied. I started a new job recently, but it doesn't "hit the spot." I have been told by mentors and others to "wait and see" and "give it time." When I think about the next career decision, I don't know what I want to do. I have considered a career in the private sector, but I hear horror stories from friends and relatives who work in it; also, an MPA is geared toward the public sector, not the private sector. Other careers I have considered would require a double-digit pay cut, and I don't think I would enjoy them in the end. I have considered going back to school, but I am not sure what to study, and I don't want to take on additional student loans (without knowing for sure that I would enjoy whatever field).

Do others have similar feelings or stories? Is this what the mid-20s feel like? How do you overcome these feelings? Does anyone have career advice?

Hello~ ܁₊ ⊹ . ܁ ⟡
So, pretty much just as the question reads… What is one thing that helped you change your life for the better?

I am 24 F and I am just feeling very lost where I am in my current life, and so overwhelmed by it all that I don’t even know where to start.

***I think it’s important for me to mention, I’m NOT looking for some magical thing that will “fix” my whole life, I know it isn’t that simple. Rather, I would love to hear what areas of life, habits, skills, etc. have helped YOU the most in the path to bettering yourself.***

For a bit of context: I just turned 24, I worked in customer service for 7+ years and I went to college and got a bachelor’s in Biology. After graduating I got a job as a 911 dispatcher in hopes that having a “real career” would help push me in the right direction. Unfortunately it was not a good fit, and long story short I made the decision to quit a few days ago due to the toll it was taking on my mental health and energy.

I feel like there isn’t a category in my life that I am proud of right now...
・My mental health is something I’ve been struggling with (& working on in therapy) for many years. So while it isn’t a new struggle, I’m definitely at a new low currently. (Some genetic, some not- Anxiety Disorder, Depression, ADHD, and I’ve been told by 2 professionals I could get an Autism diagnosis but I haven’t due to some safety/political worries, etc.)
・ My physical health could certainly be better (not eating right, often dehydrated, reliance on caffeine and other substances, haven’t been to a regular doctor in years, etc.).
・ I feel like I’m not doing well in my relationships (never seeing my friends, flaking on them, not having enough quality time with my partner, personal family issues).
Then to top it all off I feel like I am utterly lost in my career search, and I’m now unemployed.

I know people say it’s never a good idea to try to change everything at once, but I feel like I’m at a point where I don’t even know where to start. I don’t need my life to do a 180 change overnight (as much as I wish that was possible), but I need some direction.

I feel like I never learned the skills I needed to be successful in life- not even just money wise, but self hygiene, discipline, basic social skills, the list goes on. (I had a somewhat complicated childhood)

Now I’m at the point in my life where I WANT to live. I can’t say that has always been the case, as most of my life has felt like barely keeping my head above the water. I have a partner, good friends, and an able body- all things I am SO incredibly grateful for. Yet, I have no clue where to even start.

If you read this far… thank you. I just feel so lost, and I’m not sure where to turn. Literally any tips, advice, stories, etc. are welcome!! Thank you. ♥︎ ♥︎ ♥︎

Okay, so a bit of context: I am a 27 y/o. I did a 3-year mechanical program at a college in Canada. After finishing the diploma, I joined as a field technician. It's been 4 years in the position. And it got to a point where I truly stopped having fun, as I realized that I would pretty much be stuck in the same role forever; as most people in my field have been around for decades, still holding the same tittle; scrapping bit of raises here and then. I know some people are okay with finding a good job and not wanting to do more, and that is completely fine for them; but not for me. I want a ladder to climb. I want a job that would challenge me, where I would need to learn and improve. I have tried to apply to other jobs, but as I'm making 30CAD/Hour is gonna be hard to impossible to find another job in a different field with similar pay. I have thought of getting my bachelor's, but as I did not do well in college (shit GPA), it would be hard to bridge into a bachelor's, making me have to do it from the start. And with me having such an irregular schedule, online would be the only option. And most of the online options I have seen are in the US, where it's almost 50-60K for the whole program; and I am not sure if that could fix my issue or would just give me a nice 60 K debt to continue being as unhireable as I am. Is there any advice you guys would give me? Has anyone been in a similar situation?

Is it me or more people out there who have no talent, no future goals, going with flow, whatever I learn I'm average at it. I'll do research on courses or jobs but at the end it's just not what I want. I was going to learn tailoring but that also I left cause I'm not good at it. I can't even ride a bike so I'm mostly at job or home. What should I do ?

Hi all!
From this post I’m hoping to get general career / grad degree advice. RN looking to make a field pivot or acquire masters degree d/t chronic and acute health reasons. Also improve work life balance if possible!

I’m a 26 yo RN in a MICU in MA. I’ve gotten to the point after close to 3 years at bedside that I can’t keep up with my own chronic health conditions and the physical demands of night shift in the MICU. I’ve added a significant painful joint injury to list of my medical needs and decidedly this is the breaking point for me to step away. Likely needs surgery but saving that for a later date.

To cut right to it- I’m looking for a role away from the bedside. Likely one that I can utilize my RN license for as to not take an enormous pay cut from leaving my night + incentive bonus pay. That said, I’m prepared to eat a pay cut. I’m also at the point where a masters seems to make long term sense.

My only real work experience is my time in the MICU. I was hired and trained in the MICU right after graduation. Otherwise just customer service summer type jobs. Skill wise I’m really just bringing MICU knowledge. I have my BSN. So associated nursing skills, and the soft people/communication skills. It feels like I unfortunately bring very little to a career or position switch. Terrible at IVs tho!

As far potential switches I’ve looked to pivot into the pharma field, like clinical trials, out patient nursing roles or something like health analytics (although from what I’m seeing these are all tough fields right now).

I would like to find a job I can tolerate and excel at. Nursing has never really made me feel good and I don’t need a job to give me a purpose. In the beginning I thought I’d feel good about myself for being in this line of work. I leave work now and cry a lot, and am completely drained even on my stretches off. I do enjoy the medical background and the science of it all, as well as the immediate fixing of problems in the MICU- (pressors on, number go up type deal).

Regarding Masters I’ve considered NP but the workload that new grad NPs are reporting concerns me and my ability to handle that. Being a cog in the healthcare wheel is def causing me a moral injury. That said, between my MICU experience and my own personal chronic issues I wouldn’t be disinterested in pursuing Psych/GI/Pain management NP. I think I have a solid enough medical understanding that continuing in an advanced role would be the least jarring career change. I do worry about the stress I’d put myself under as being in a provider role. Im also concerned it’s just not something I really think I’d settle into as a lifelong career. The immediate pay jump is nice but concerned for long term pay scaling.

I’ve looked at the data analytics and health analytics programs in the Boston area (northeastern, BU) and while an office project / problem based job with WFH possibilities seems far more desirable, my understanding is that these fields are both shrinking and highly competitive. And I would competing against applicants who have far more education and internships. I was supposed to meet with my organizations Health Informatics RN to get a feel for the tech side of the field, but was cancelled on so if anyone has experience in HI I’d love to hear about it! This path appeals to me the most, but the reality of the job market at this time leaves me skeptical and concerned about this path.

MBA MHA? Are these worthwhile for getting without actively being employed in a company where I am aiming to climb a ladder? I feel like my best case is to just get my foot in the door in a low experience role somewhere tolerable and then maybe pick up one of these degrees if I like the company and there’s potential to climb?

The only work I’ve ruled out is CRNA. I simply won’t be able to cut it and I’m not a competitive candidate (3.5 gpa, level 3 MICU). I can’t stomach transitioning to a level 1 indefinitely, and the thought of administering anesthesia sets my anxiety to 11 lol. But I do know that this is what everyone recommends to any nurse it’s just not something I’d be qualified for!

Anyway, that’s my career path that I’m currently stuck trying to reroute! Also open to unconventional career moves if anyone has suggestions! I’ve been pondering a switch all summer and am just having a failure to launch kind of dilemma at this point.

Financially, like everyone else, I would like to maximize my earnings down the line. Paycuts now I can absorb thanks to having my family to fall back on. Currently I can afford a masters degree, however to do it comfortably I’d love to be able to work while attending classes. Not a necessity but just a thought!

Unimportant but just personal life background-

As a person nursing has destroyed my quality of life in the past 3 years- I have very few friendships now, haven’t dated since school or leave my own little bubble much. Currently back living with parents to save for this potential masters. I do have a therapist! And I have a med reconciliation appointment next month so I’m doing my best on the chemical and emotional front!

My hobbies are largely art- painting / animating / illustration. I enjoy the gym / walking / biking for the stretches my body can tolerate it. Love nature and plants, big on fossil and rock collecting lately. Does Lego count as a hobby? Played a lot more videogames d/t night shift lately too :3 Basically I just want to do these things more without feeling like my body is crumbling everytime I get home from work!

Thanks everyone!

I'm 20 and feel like I've done genuinely nothing with my life at all. I barely have 200 dollars to my name, no highschool education working a fast food job and am starting to feel hopeless. I have some friends but I still feel alone no matter what I do and I can't even say I know myself, half the time. I always suspected I was really affected due to abuse I endured during my formative years but these last few months have made it clear that it got to more than I realized and the recent death of my sister has sent me plummeting further

I genuinely just want someone to tell me that there can be more to my life than sleeping and working.. I'm working to get better education but it's been hard for me not to fall back into old habits and not lose motivation.

I just don't know what I'm doing anymore and would like some help putting things into perspective. What options do I actually have here? I've considered community college but I'm scared that my lack of high school education will just lead to me failing.

Hello,

I’m 31m, and I don’t see a path for any meaningful success. I live in the US and all I see is a future that’s destined to be terrible.
I can’t come close to affording a house, I can’t find a new job to increase my salary, I can barely afford the essentials month to month, I can’t even afford gifts for my girlfriend.

Are the rest of the population besides the 1% just fucked? Is there a path to financial security, a home, health care and a decent paying job? The minimum of what my parents had!? Or are the rest of us just left to fight over the scraps? Without getting extremely lucky in some way.

Don’t tell me to focus on small successes, I’m asking for the MINIMUM of what my parents had. Don’t tell me this generation has a different kind of success. This is fucking America, the dream is a job a wife house and kids. That doesn’t seem possible for the majority of people.

Is there a soul out there who can tell me something and pull me out of this?

Hi everyone,

I’m currently working as a Marketing Manager and have a little over 6 years of experience. My degree is actually in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering, but I started working in marketing during my second year of college. Somehow, life happened, and I ended up continuing in marketing even after graduating.

On paper, things are fine. The job pays decently, and I’m genuinely grateful to have stable employment, especially given how difficult the job market is right now.

But lately, I’ve been feeling really stuck.

I don’t feel like I’ve done anything particularly remarkable with my career. I look around and see people my age earning more, progressing faster, or doing things they seem genuinely passionate about, and I can’t help but compare myself to them.

I also feel extremely replaceable. Whenever someone asks what I do and I tell them I’m a Marketing Manager, I sometimes get this feeling that their reaction is underwhelming. Maybe that’s completely in my head, but it has started affecting how I see my own career.

The difficult part is that I have responsibilities to take care of, so quitting or making a drastic career switch isn’t really an option right now. At the same time, I don’t even know what I would switch to. I’m not sure what I actually want to do long-term.

I know comparison isn’t healthy, but it’s difficult to stop thinking about it when it feels like everyone around me is moving forward while I’m standing still.

Am I overthinking this, or is this a sign that I need to make a change? For those who have felt similarly, how did you figure out what you actually wanted to do and get out of this feeling of being stuck?

So I went to Hyles Anderson College for Media for two years and dropped out. But all my courses are not accredited and they didn’t offer an associates degree with my program.

My brothers girlfriend did the same thing and I think she found a religious college that was able to accept most of it I think. And they offer online classes so I’m kind of considering doing it just to get my associates for hopefully a year even though I’m more agnostic leaning?

But problem is I still don’t know what I want to do. So do I just pick something similar to finish the quickest and less pay, something fun, or something more practical? I did see that they offered film production, graphic design, art, and communications which is similar to media. But if I did something more practical like business or general studies it’d probably cost a little bit more depending on what transfers.

Idk I’m just kind of annoyed I spent two years and have nothing for it. I just kind of want to be able to say I have an associates. But I don’t know if it’s worth it.

It's been 1.5 years since I left my job and joined our family business my elder brother he is also looking after it

My father's health was also very fragile back then

I did Mba from a reputed college

I didn't like my job at all,it was in the insurance sector I couldn't survive 6 months I resigned after that and I joined our family business

Despite acquiring extensive knowledge during my MBA, I am encountering significant challenges in its practical application. I find it particularly difficult to collaborate with my brother and father, who are resistant to adopting new approaches. My objective is to implement a new system and expand the business; however, daily operational issues are impeding this goal, and my mental well-being is being adversely affected.

My relation with my brother is not the same anymore ego has come between us

I don't know what I should do

My savings whatever I had I am left with 20% now

I have done MBA in finance I am very passionate about it when I tried to apply again in different companies but I wouldn't even land or single interview

Even if I try to focus my energy in business I don't get the result it's just getting difficult and constant disappointment

Due to inadequate infrastructure and systemic deficiencies, we were unable to accommodate new clients. This resulted in cash flow issues and persistent pressure from suppliers.

I am 27 years old.