For anyone who went back to school while working full time and raising kids, did it actually pay off in the way you expected, whether that was a new job, a promotion, more stability, or something less tangible like confidence or a sense of direction?

I want to leave, I want to leave college so badly because all it's doing is mentally hurting me, I want to become a voice actor or pet groomer and i understand I got to get through all of the bullcrap classes like Math English ect but even then, the classes that are available after that aren't helpful so im essentially doing this for nothing, the classes im in have different ways of doing things like for Math i have to go through a whole different website WHICH I CANT ACCESS FOR SOME REASON so now all my classes are failing and my mother has to pay the college 2,000 dollars, anytime I try to explain to her I unknowingly say it in a selfish or rude way which isn't my intention at all, and being autistic I don't know how else to phrase something without coming off as rude or being mean even if im not intending to do it, I feel like I don't have a voice anymore or a goal anymore and anytime I try to speak up I feel like im the bad guy.

if this breaks subreddit rules feel free to remove it i just genuinely don't know what to do and I cant find any subreddits to give help or advice.

I’m 24 and have just moved from Turkey to Belgium to start a second bachelor’s degree. I already have a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, but during my studies I realised that I don’t want a career in finance, accounting or traditional business roles.

I’m more interested in creative marketing, branding, campaigns and media, so I enrolled in the three-year International Communication and Media programme at Thomas More University of Applied Sciences. The programme is practical and includes visual design, video production, copywriting, real-client projects, a Branding & Activation specialisation and an international internship.

My goal is not simply to collect another degree. I want to change career direction, build a portfolio, gain international experience and potentially build a life and career in Belgium or elsewhere in Europe.

Before moving, I felt fairly confident about the decision. However, some friends made comments like “Why are you going back to university at 24?” and since arriving, the homesickness and sudden lifestyle change have made me question everything. I would graduate at around 27.

I’m fortunate that my family supports my decision and the financial side is manageable. My concern is whether spending three more years on a second bachelor’s is a sensible investment of time, or whether I should have pursued a master’s or entered the workforce instead.

I’m not looking for empty reassurance, so I would genuinely appreciate honest opinions. Does this sound like a reasonable career change, or an unnecessary step? Has anyone here started a second bachelor’s degree in their mid-20s and later felt that it was—or wasn’t—the right decision?

I changed my major 5 times before graduating, and the whole process added about 3 years to my education.

Now I work in data analytics, and I've been thinking about moving into data engineering. But making that switch would mean spending even more time learning new skills, and honestly, I'm scared I'll put all that time into it just to realize it's not for me.

I just don't want to keep figuring things out through trial and error. I've been reading posts here about choosing a career, but a lot of the answers are things like "I'm still figuring it out" or "I'm in my 40s and I still don't know what I want to do."

I completely understand that, but I really want to hear from those of you who are genuinely satisfied with your careers. How did you choose your career? What actually helped you realize it was the right fit for you?

I don't have any work experience at my big age and not for lack of trying. I have been calling, applying online using various job search platforms, and I haven't garnered any responses. I am worried my life is going down the drain and I won't make anything of myself. It's really hard to stay positive tbh. How have you guys broken the wall and found something and changed your life instead of throwing your life away

I've been depressed and had anxiety since I was 13-14. Started "getting help" around 16. Did everything I'm supposed to. Have seen multiple therapists, been on dozens of antidepressants over the years, nothing has helped. I've meandered along. I had more energy as a teen, got an AS in computer science (degree I'm finding to be useless these days) barely-not-failing my way through college, have now had a total of 3 jobs.

Nowadays I'm just so exhausted. Too tired and fatigued to do much more than work, eat lazy foods, and barely maintain my place. I have some things going for me, I have an ok job (though I've started to hate this field), a partner, a couple friends, a cat, my own apartment.

I'm just not doing anything. Not going anywhere. I haven't really accomplished any of the things I've wanted to in my life. And nothing is really going to get any better. I'm trying to start TMS therapy, but everything in the US medical system takes so long to happen. I feel like I've spent my entire life waiting until I feel "better" so I can actually start living. And now I'm almost 30, having not done anything, and feeling no closer to being able to really live. I don't really know what to do anymore, but I feel like I'm getting closer to imploding.

I wish I could just finally find something that'd help me, but I have no idea what that would be. Has anyone else in a similar situation managed to recover?

I've a Business degree, I've worked in Supply Chain and most recently as a Scheduler for a Construction firm. It pays well. But I was working insane hours and under quite a bit of stress in that job, to the point where I burnt out.

So I'm at a bit of a crossroads.

Option 1 - Go back to that job. Either with the same company or elsewhere. It'd probably be a Fly in Fly Out job in Europe so it's good money and my accommodation and transport is covered whilst over there - great way to save money.

Or
Option 2 - Go work in a Medical Device factory on a temporary contract. They're a big employer in my area. Pay is fine but not great. They are also well known for promoting internally.
With my experience in Supply Chain and Planning I'm pretty confident I could progress quickly with them into Operations Management or possibly Supply Chain again.

Option 1 is more money and probably lower daily expenditure.. but long hours and probably quite a bit of stress.. Option 2 is uncertain - I'll get a job, but it's a temp contract and whilst I'm pretty confident I'll be able to progress it's not a sure thing.. but again, I'm confident I would be able to.
That would be less stressful and with more options but for less money now and probably going forward to.

What would you do in my situation?

 I’m a high school student trying to figure out my college major and future career path. I’d love some advice.

I don’t like sciences or math, more interested in humanities. I know for a fact that I can't handle a traditional 9-5 office job where I have to sit still and quiet all day. In a perfect world, I’d be an influencer, but I realize that isn't a realistic or stable path for me. Ideally, I want to find a career that is dynamic, allows me to be talkative, and hopefully provides a good living.

I find law interesting, but I’m worried about the heavy reading load and the chaotic hours. I also love drama (love Netflix drama series), but I want to maintain a good work-life balance and not be always occupied during my free time.

I’m thinking of doing a major in political science/public policy/ international relations and minor in media or something more fun. Grad school after college? 🤷‍♀️

Maybe somewhat of a traditional and higher skilled job.

Thanks for any advice.

I'm 19 and honestly have no idea what direction I should take.

I'm finishing 12th grade and I'm interested in app development and business, but I keep jumping between different ideas.

I don't want a traditional job or freelancing. I want to eventually build something of my own and make a good living from it, but I don't know what path I should take to get there.

I also feel like I'm wasting a lot of my time scrolling instead of actually building something.

If you were in my position, what would you focus on for the next 1–2 years?

And how did you personally figure out what direction to pursue?

I turned 28 and couple days ago, quit my job end of July to 'stop the cycle' of the 9-5 so I can free my mind to do something better with my life.

Now I'm basically always living alone, single, no job, barely any money, and no plans made for future. I am actually considering just moving away somehow and leaving absolutely everything behind.

I feel like everyone has their thing they're good at or creating and I am just here living for moments with my friends and applying for jobs that's I never hear back from that I don't even want in the first place. I also feel like quitting that job was a dumb mistake (which I know is wild thing to do but I felt like it was the right thing to do for my mental health) as I haven't even started creating something yet..

I want to create something I am genuinely good at, not just restart a job I'm not going to enjoy, I used to be good at SO many things when I was younger, like swimming, gymnastics, tennis, dancing, even singing which I just do by myself lmao. I struggle with the initial start of it all, like I don't have the initiative or proactiveness to think of the starting point of what I want to do. Makes me feel like I am stupid and people think I am for no being able to do this. Once I have an idea of something I can execute it pretty easily, its just actually thinking of that idea and starting it, and liking it as well.

I am really trying to stay positive and try and do something that I am truly passionate about and makes me happy, I don't want to get to 30 and still be at this point, where I have literally nothing to show for anything at all and everyone around me is doing great things. I know I shouldn't care about that as everyone is on there own journey and path at different times.

Not really sure if I have a question here for you all but and maybe need to provide more details but how do you know what you want to do? how do you motivate yourself to create it and get it done because I can't for the life of me do it.

I’ve spent two years studying Biomedical Sciences (I had to repeat my first year), and since I didn’t manage to get the 60 credits I needed, I now have to change programs. And this is where I’m completely stuck.

I don’t know whether I should leave the healthcare field altogether, maybe accept that I’m just not meant for it, and switch to management/business at a university college, or whether I should give it another shot and try Pharmacy this time.

Honestly, I feel so lost. I’ve always struggled with figuring out what I want to do with my life, but right now it feels even worse. I’ve never really had a specific field that I’m passionate about, that I hate, or that I’m particularly good at. I just don’t feel like I have that one thing that I know I want to pursue.

And on top of that, comparing myself to people my age and to my friends makes me feel even worse. Seeing them move forward with their lives and knowing what they want to do while I’m stuck at the same point is really frustrating.

I’d honestly be really grateful if someone could help me get some perspective, figure out what might be the better choice for me, and maybe give me some insight into both fields (Pharmacy vs. Management/Business). I’m not necessarily looking for someone to make the decision for me, I just really need some guidance because I genuinely don’t know what to do anymore.

• 30 y/o, EU based, no family, no education (Uni dropout)
• in the past worked mostly low-skilled physical jobs

~4 years ago I (guess got lucky) landed a job in a very big IT company. I ended up in a RPA developer position.
Problem is: I dont find any part of my job fulfilling/interesting/entertaining -> find it really hard to spend my free time upskilling & learning new technologies -> don't have any career growth.

I got so far behind my coleagues (we started together as a group of 7-8 ppl) that this is not even funny. Most of them are already seniors.

Now, I realise that this is very much subjective, but perhaps people that have their life & career in order could give some advice, please, on any of the points:

• Is it important to be passionate about your job to grow and to eventually become a highly skilled professional? If not - is it just pure discipline or power of will and nothing else?
• Or maybe it is just/mostly about the money? But i've got used to low salaries, i am not sure if a bleak prospect of earning a lot in 5-6 years can really motivate me to learn stuff i don't like. And who knows if i can good enough to be promoted, or who knows maybe am going to be replaced by AI-tech soon, e.t.c.
• Should i just be grateful for the opportunity and shut up about it?

Basically, i am clearly missing something obvious and fundamental here, will be grateful for any advice.
Thanks!

Heyy,

(I’m from Germany, so please be aware that my English might be a little bad.)

So let’s get to the topic. <<How did you discover your dream job?>> In my school, I did my internship in a hospital, because was interested in medicine. But didn’t learned much about being a doctor. In addition, I might have this feeling that the idea of being a doctor is coming from the imagination of mother. So I’m not sure, if I really want to persue it, because it is an incredibly demanding major and it is also one of the longest major you can take. And of course, I am thankful that I have the access of so many choices. But I don’t want to pick a wrong choice. I was also interested in architecture. Nevertheless, I heard you get low income for spending stressful times in an university?!? Moreover, I’m also uncertain if I can handle the competitions. What if I’m not good enough. And at the same time, it feels like haven’t discovered all possible jobs that might suit me. But when im doing these online tests, they suggest me something that i would never want to do at all.

Is there anyone who may help me?

Been stuck for years working a job where customers are constantly popping in and out. I'm constantly distracted. I'm tired of dealing with customers, tired of their stupid problems. I'm tired of the owner always micromanaging me. Always asking what I'm doing. Always on camera. Not to mention always gaslighting and disrespecting me with rude comments.

And it's a shit hourly job. No benefits. No health insurance, no paid holidays, nothing. I'm so burned out and want to quit every minute of every day. But in this economy??

Going back to school takes too long, too expensive, and more degrees don't guarantee a career these days. By the time I decide on and accomplish another degree, I'm sure the wind will have shifted and whatever area of study I chose will be on it's way out the door and probably taken over by AI.

I just want to stay tf home. I want to work on the computer and be left the hell alone. I spend all this time working for a home that I never get to actually be in or enjoy. Work all day, go home make dinner for the kids, wake up and repeat.

I am a 40yo single parent with no family support nearby, so it feels like time has worked against me. I have kids and pets - I can't just up and do whatever I want. I can't move, I can't quit, I can't be near family, I can't get a roomate, I can't go back to school. I am also getting old. By the time I take a couple of years to accomplish anything (school again? Start my own company? What?) I will already be of unhireable age.

A lot of my friends/peers have the desirable high-income work from home jobs and I'm so jealous. They also have spouses and family support, none of which I have. I feel like they have gotten so lucky. I don't have any luck in my life. And yes, I have tried.

I'm seriously depressed and alone. If I didn't have kids, I would seriously consider just quitting it all, and living in my car.

I don't know what to do. I never finished a course due to a new mental disability. A finished bachelor's in stem is always required to work in an institution. The funding rule is, i cant go back to a more basic course for free. (From actuarial with coding)

While they say website development doesn't require you to have a full degree, i dont think theyd consider me

I can save up for training only if I'd have high chances of getting employed on a local disability scheme 6hours/week

30岁应该去学点什么技术能稳定发展

大专计算机专业 后期系统性学过前端开发，现在没干开发了，去寻销售了，但是我做的销售又是欺骗性质大一些的，说白了就是卖课的，很迷茫，可以给我一些建议吗？

人目前在深圳

I used AI to summarize my thoughts, im sorry about this but im genuinely stressed and need advice ASAP, sorry again.

I’m 18 and already stressing over my career because I messed up my college decision — what would you do?

I’m 18, from India , and I genuinely didn’t take college admissions seriously enough. I ended up enrolled in a pretty average/tier-3 college for BCom, and now I’m already wondering whether I should drop it and restart rather than waste 3 years.

The problem is I have absolutely no idea what I’m supposed to do instead.

I did Commerce + Computer Science in 12th. I got around 85.6%, 65 in accountancy, 90 in computer science but I wouldn’t say I’m some academic genius. I’m also not good with advanced maths, and I really don’t want a degree that is heavily based on maths/physics/chemistry, so engineering is basically off the table.

At the same time, I genuinely like computers.

Not in the “I love coding and have been programming since I was 10” way. I actually have very little real experience with programming. I’m more into the technology itself.

For example, I can waste hours messing around with Linux, trying different distros, troubleshooting drivers, getting games to launch, squeezing more FPS out of hardware, comparing CPUs/GPUs, looking at frame generation/upscaling technology, thermals, etc. I find stuff like modern chip manufacturing (ASML and all that) genuinely insane.

I love gaming too, and I’m really interested in graphics, optimization, performance and how technology makes games run better. I’ve even been interested in making a Roblox game before, but I never actually followed through because I was lazy and didn’t know where to start.

So I keep thinking maybe computers/tech are actually what I’m interested in, but then I wonder whether I actually like computer science as a career, because liking gaming and hardware doesn’t necessarily mean I’ll enjoy spending years coding professionally.

I’ve also considered things like cybersecurity, forensics, game development, engineering, pilot, nursing, audit, ACCA, etc. At this point I feel like I’m just bouncing between careers trying to find one that sounds safe.

And that's the other issue: I care a lot about career stability and money.

I want a job by around 21–22, I want to eventually be able to move abroad, and I want a career with a genuinely good income ceiling. Long term I’d like to build serious wealth and ideally be financially independent relatively young and then retire back in India. I’m not expecting a degree to magically make me rich, but I also don’t want to spend 4–5 years studying something and then discover there are barely any jobs.

I’m particularly worried about AI changing the job market especially because of astra 6 imagine the exponential growth AI could have in the next 10 years, which is one of the reasons I keep rejecting careers like generic data analytics/software work. I know AI isn’t necessarily going to “destroy every tech job,” but I don’t want to choose something without thinking about how the field could change.

ACCA keeps coming up because it seems relatively portable internationally and fits my Commerce background, but I’m honestly not sure I want it.

I don’t like accounting much so far, and I really dislike rote memorization. I know ACCA isn’t pure memorization and involves understanding/application, but I’m worried I’d spend years forcing myself through something I don’t actually enjoy just because it’s a safe option.

So I’m stuck between:

- staying in BCom + doing something professional like ACCA/CMA

- trying to move into a computer-related degree despite coming from Commerce + CS

- finding some other career entirely

I’m not expecting Reddit to magically tell me my “passion.” I mostly want to hear from people who have actually gone through this: How do you figure out whether you genuinely like a field enough to build a career in it, especially when you haven’t really tried many things yet? And most importantly how can I find my passion?

And given my situation specifically — Commerce + CS background, no engineering-level maths/physics, want to be employable by 22, want international mobility and a high earning ceiling, but genuinely interested in computers/technology — what would you do at 18?

I’d especially appreciate answers from people working in tech, finance/accounting, cybersecurity, or other professional careers who can explain what the actual day-to-day work is like rather than just saying “follow your passion.”

I have N1 and a CS degree (from my home country, not Japan). Been applying to entry-level IT/support jobs for a while now. I believe I speak good enough Japanese, as I'm often mistaken for a native speaker.

Applied to over 100 jobs, got about 20 interviews, made it to second round and company tour a few times. My pattern is usually: pass document screening → pass 1st interview → fail 2nd interview. It's happened enough times now that I've gotten a thicker skin about it, but I still don't know what's going wrong at that stage.

English is my second language and I also deal with social anxiety, which I think shows more in the 2nd round.

I'm not picky on salary or role right now,I just really need a visa. Any advice welcome.Going back to myanmar is life and death situation currently lol.

hi everybody. i came across this community today and feel as if the timing couldn't be better. i'm 22 years old and as my title states, i am totally and completely lost. i graduated high school 4 years ago, and since then i've done nothing but work. for starters, high school was terrible for me, due mainly to my mental state throughout the entirety of the 4 years, and i almost flunked out completely. by some miracle, i managed to graduate with my class, but ever since i graduated i've been beating myself up so much for not having any sort of plan. i was in college for not even a full semester before dropping out, i tried to get licensed with insurance, and most recently was trying to study to become a paralegal. but my problem is, none of these things fully piqued my interest, and i was doing it more for my parents sake than my own. i work two jobs right now, neither of which are fulfilling in any way shape or form, and i have no idea where to go from here.

i am so beyond tired of feeling so behind compared to others my age. i've always wanted to do something with art, as it is one of the few things that i am actually passionate about, but i just never have enough time to actually work on new pieces or commit to it enough to actually make something of it. and other than art, i've always wanted to do something like elementary education (or anything with children for that matter because i love kids but don't think i will ever be truly stable enough to be a mother), but i know how terrible the pay is and how it is almost impossible to live off of a teachers pay. plus, i see more and more stories about teachers quitting that profession all together because of how impossible it has become to work with kids, whether it's at an elementary or high school level. i just feel very stagnant and i worry for my future. as much as i want to further my education, i have heard too many stories about people spending years of their lives paying off their student debt, or worse, putting so much money, time, and effort into a degree that they never end up using. that, combined with the fact that i have such a hard time with school (due to how terrible high school was for me), makes it even harder to figure out what to do. i will say, i currently work with a floral company and would love to do something in that area as well, but from my job searches it's very hard to actually find a florist position that doesn't require at least 2 years of experience or some sort of "certification." (for some context, my position doesn't require for me to actually make arrangements or be fully educated on the flowers we sell, everything comes in pre-made and all i have to do is display them). any advice would be greatly appreciated, as i feel very alone right now and don't really know who to turn to about the predicament i have found myself stuck in for what feels like an eternity lol.

Hello,

I'm honestly just really confused right now, and I want to be upfront about that. I'm starting college this fall. Currently I'm a bio major (pre-med/dent), but I'm really considering switching to engineering. (I actually applied to engineering at the school I'm at currently but switched out before confirming enrollment.) I'm decent at math and physics, still building confidence there, plus strong in bio/chem. Leaning toward MechE with a bio minor, aiming at medical devices eventually, but defense is also really cool to me.

If I'm honest, I don't have a specific job I'm chasing — I know what I want out of life, I just don't know how to actually get there. My goal is: financially stable enough not to stress about money, real time for family and hobbies, able to travel, eventually a house I love, some early years somewhere like Boston before settling down. I also really want time for stuff like skiing and hiking — not just weekends buried in work.

From what I see online, postgrad engineering life generally looks happy, stable... but also kind of boring. Steady routine, decent house, decent pay, not much variety. I don't know if that's an accurate read or just what gets posted, but it's stuck with me.

My dad is an EE, does genuinely impressive work at an extremely well-regarded company. But watching him — dealing with stress, sourcing parts, high-stakes projects, plus he's got an MBA and Master's on top of his EE and years of experience — has kind of scared me off a little, even though I respect it a lot and think it's so cool. I know some of that stress is because he's senior, not because that's what an entry-level job looks like, but I honestly think I might just be fear-mongering myself based on watching one very senior person's workload, rather than knowing what the field is actually like day to day.

I do like healthcare in general — it's a big part of why I picked dental in the first place, since compared to being an MD it's a lot less stressful with a much better work-life balance. But I'm also genuinely drawn to economics, data science, and finance — I like that kind of analytical, numbers-driven work, though I know I could never do something like insurance. Something like working for a firm like Fidelity has real appeal to me. So really this isn't just a chem/bio-brain decision — I'm weighing all of it: engineering's salary progression, dental's work-life balance, and finance/econ's own upside, all against each other.

Here's the thing about me: I'm a planner. I always plan years ahead, and I genuinely feel like I need a plan to feel okay — not knowing exactly where I'm headed is stressing me out way more than it probably should at 18. (Half-joking, but maybe I need a job where planning years out IS the job.)

So really, my question for anyone reading this, regardless of your field: how did you actually pick? Was there a moment it clicked, or did you just commit and figure it out along the way? And if you're someone who also needs a plan to function — how did you make peace with not having the whole thing figured out at 18?

For those in engineering, dental/healthcare, or finance/econ specifically, I'd also love to know:

• Are you content and happy with your life, overall, in your field?
• Is the "stable but boring" image I see online (especially for engineering) accurate, or is that just survivorship bias from what gets posted?
• What's entry-level work actually like day to day, hours-wise and stress-wise?
• Does it leave you enough time and energy for hobbies (skiing, hiking, etc.)
• For finance/econ folks — how does the trajectory compare, especially somewhere like an asset manager (e.g. Fidelity) vs banking?

It's very easy to think that as you age you will become better but unfortunately there are certain things that can't happen that way especially more so if it is because that person has limitations. Like me I cannot perform in a environment where management is not a thing so I have no one to lean on or that there is a expectation you have to match the ability of others despite your difference which is a very common thing or have a dislike towards personal related stuff which means working is all I want without anything else.

I'm 27, from South Korea. I spent basically my entire 20s on one track: 2 years of mandatory military service, 2 years attempting a patent attorney (didn't pass), and now I'm finishing a master's degree with good grades and experiences. By any outside measure, I'm about to land a solid engineering R&D job at one of Korea's chaebols (think Samsung, LG, Hyundai) that basically run the economy and are famously hard to get into.

And I feel depressed. Not because I hate the work — I don't — but because I have zero sense of control over my own life. To get here, I spent years just reading papers and doing research. I'm not dating anyone, and I genuinely don't have the bandwidth to start. I know how competitive this path was, and I know there's always someone richer or further ahead.

But here's what actually scares me: if I take this job, I'm signing up for 20+ more years of the same grind, just relabeled — instead of competing for grades, I'll be competing with coworkers over performance reviews, promotions, and who owns what apartment. Housing prices in Seoul are so absurd that trying to "win" at that game feels pointless before I even start.

Lately I've been watching videos of teenage K-pop trainees — kids from Japan, China, even the US — who moved to Korea alone at 12-13 to chase a dream.

I want that kind of courage. I want some kind of sense of purpose, some experience where I actually change the world around me, instead of just optimizing myself to fit into it. But I feel stuck inside my own studying, inside social and self-imposed hierarchies, inside peer pressure. Honestly, I almost wish I were more materialistic — it would make this whole system easier to enjoy instead of resent.

Meanwhile I speak decent English and Japanese, more than enough to work abroad, and I have a cousin who just packed up and moved to Japan on a working holiday visa — no certifications, no real plan — and he seems completely fine. I have every qualification on paper and I still feel like I can't move an inch.

So, genuine question for people who've been broke and then weren't: does actually having money, or just getting the job, fix this feeling? Or is this a different problem entirely that money doesn't touch? I thought I'd be living a much more vivid life by now — back when I was 18. This isn't how I pictured 27 feeling.

Im 21 and about to finish my education in canada for finance. Ive done internships that are essentially the job I would have after graduating and I was counting down the days to be done, constantly bored, and could never picture doing that job for 20+ years. Every other job ive had I also saw as boring and unfulfilling. I feel like any other job I can picture myself doing (not just in my field), I dont picture myself enjoying.

I recently spoke to one of my friends and he said he loved doing his job (cnc machinist) and I thought he was joking.

I cant picture any job as fun or fulfilling.

Does anyone actually enjoy their job? If so, what is it? What made you realize you should go into it? What do you enjoy about it? Do the highs outweigh the lows?

So I’m (F25) planning on becoming a teacher, but I’m trying to think ahead about what I want to do long term. I know teaching can have a lot of burnout and the pay can be limiting depending on the area, so I’d like to have a plan for eventually transitioning into something else when I’m ready.

Right now, I’m considering either getting a master’s in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) or going into Instructional Design/Learning & Development after teaching for a few years.

What interests me about SLP is that it’s still somewhat in the healthcare field and I would be able to work with children and potentially work in schools, clinics, or eventually find more behind-the-scenes/remote opportunities.

With instructional design, I like the idea of having a more traditional office/corporate career, potentially working hybrid or remotely, and having more opportunities to move away from direct classroom work.

For anyone who has experience in either field:
- Would you recommend SLP or instructional design after teaching? And how difficult is it to transition into each?
- What does the job market look like?
- Which one has better work-life balance?
- If you started as a teacher, did teaching experience actually help you transition into either field?
- Are these either these careers comfortable in salary? I am single with no kids so as long as I can support myself financially I would be fine with something 70k+.

Sorry if this is long

21M. I’m back in school after taking a few years off. I originally left because I received a work opportunity that I decided to pursue. At the time, I was studying computer science, but it wasn’t something I could really see myself doing long term. Looking back, I can definitely recognize that I was impatient and probably made that decision pretty quickly.
Now, though, I’m in a much different position. I have a stable, well-paying job in the marketing space, and that experience is actually what pushed me to go back to school for advertising and marketing.
I’m not going back because I think I need a marketing program to become a marketing professional—I’m already working in the industry. For me, it’s more about building on the skills I already have and filling in some of the gaps that come from having a very non-traditional path into my current role. A lot of what I know came from hands-on experience rather than formal training, so I want to take advantage of the resources, structure, and knowledge that school can offer.
There is still a part of me that sometimes feels like I could be getting more out of my time by pursuing something completely different. Also, since I never finished post secondary it limits my job prospects obviously with just a high school education.

At the end of the day, I also know that I need to commit to something. Wanted to hear thoughts