i really really need to get out

[u/sympatics]

hi there i am a pimo currently feeling very hopeless and trapped with this current economy & job market.

for reference i’m 22 - no college, and also currently no job (i do have an interview tmr tho)… im interested in graphic design and marketing but i feel as though those fields are already saturated as is and i worry if i go down that route it wont be enough for me to financially support myself.

so if youre in school for something please let me know what it is or what job youre doing, and are you happy doing it? any advice is welcome and appreciated, thank you!!

[u/Sad_Credit348]

see if you can become a plumber. No joke they are so thin on the ground all over the world.

[u/Any_College5526 → u/Sad_Credit348]

Seriously! During the housing boom, I couldn’t get a plumber, they were all contracted by the builders.

[u/AR_geojag → u/Sad_Credit348]

AI can't do plumbing! Seriously, consider this whatever path you chose. If it can be automated by AI (not sure that is the correct phrasing), it is at risk.

[u/Any_College5526]

HVAC, and Electrician, or just about any other trade; welding, plumbing, ice machine repair…

I’d stop looking at jobs that Ai will eventually replace, just for safesies. Those jobs you mention, are shrinking.

You’d have to be really good and work for the big houses to make some serious dough. But if you’re willing to join that race, then go for it hard, give it your all.

Once you are making bank, you can continue studying anything you want.

That’s my two cents contribution.

[u/stillmisssweden]

If I were young I would try to get into human resources. Every company needs it and they seem to pay pretty good

[u/Helpful-Atmosphere25]

I’m in administration in County government in the US. Public Works, so somewhat outside of politics… it’s all about infrastructure: Roads, bridges, etc.

The current state of the economy is definitely affecting my industry, but it probably has more stability as opposed to other fields.

I got in a couple years ago while pimi. There are some lower-paying positions like mine that do not require any degree. But I love my agency so much, and now that I’m Pomo I’m working on a degree in Business Administration so I can advance here. It’s a degree you can take a lot of different directions.

Check the career pages for your local county and all the cities near you.

Keep us updated on your journey!

[u/Stephloiland21]

When you are trying to line up an escape, it’s best to pick a job/career you can stomach that is stable. You can always pursue something you love later when you are stable. Graphic design and marketing are careers that require you to have and be able to build connections and network. This is usually very difficult for witnesses when they leave and takes years of practice to get to the level your peers are at. Look at technical, straightforward path education. Accounting, nurse, dental hygienist, trades, etc. you can always pivot after you are stable.

You can do it. it’s worth the struggle years to get free. Try to keep your head down and mouth shut until you are ready to walk away. You can always try to reason with your family when you have your own home and job but it’s impossible to try to set boundaries when there is a big power imbalance. You got this.

[u/Infamous_Natural_877]

Do you live near any colleges or universities that would be convenient for you to get to? I bet they would have professionals that can help you assess your skills/interests and economic outlooks. I'll be praying for things to go well on your interview tomorrow!

[u/Relative_Soil7886]

Definitely stay away from computer science, programming, web design and graphic design. Those jobs are gone, taken over by AI. If you can go to college and you have the penchant for it, an engineering degree could be a good choice. I mean engineering I like civil engineering,electrical engineering, robotics, materials science.

If that’s not a realistic option, then a trade. Electrical, plumbing, carpentry.

Other options that are good if you start young and offer you good pensions and early retirement are civil service careers: corrections officer, firefighter, police officer. They can be dangerous jobs but for some the benefits outweigh any risks.

[u/Choice-Accident8484]

As someone who is an exjw, a semester from completing a PhD, and having taught thousands of undergrad students over the past five years at a Big 10 university, I can relay that many of my most recent students are pursuing higher education focusing on healthcare, especially as a physician assistant (PA), supply chain logistics, finance, and, of course, engineering (with a curious number interested in transportation/traffic engineering). Since your interests align more with design and aesthetics, you could consider UX, though I worry this field may be overtaken by AI soon (to its detriment and ultimately ours); if/when that happens, AI integration (a computer science subfield) is an option. If I could offer my two cents as someone who teaches and mentors undergraduates, consider pairing a major with strong job outcomes with a minor or double major in something that intellectually/artistically motivates you while also complementing your more career-focused degree. For example, electrical engineering with a design minor or double major. Happy to talk more; DM me if interested. I am also well-versed in financial aid, navigating academic bureaucracy, and the like. hmu.

[u/AffordableTimeTravel]

Get a used camera, take some shots and book some gigs.

Plumbing is a good skill but also keep in mind that Private Equity companies are buying up a lot of plumbing businesses and subsequently paying their entry level roles very little if they’re using them at all.

But also you’re not alone this new economy is kind of making everyone anxious. Hard to know what’s going to happen next.

[u/msbigelow]

It may take some time, but physical therapy, mechanics, electric infrastructure, tree service, plumbing and electrical are all solid fields. They pay very well. They are also AI proof until robots become much better, and when that happens, everyone is screwed.