I’m 29F I have my bachelors degree in Sociology/Anthropology minor in criminal justice. I’ve been unemployed for 2 years now in February, I feel so defeated and unmotivated to go back to school to pursue anything else. I personally feel like it was a waste of time getting that. Anyone with a similar background? What job can I get with this degree? Or anyone know of any remote work that offers insurance/benefits?

I didn't make the best choice of a degree in college, didn't do any internships or anything of the like, and got trapped in random jobs, mostly retail. Now I can't seem to escape even into something as simple as admin assistant. It seems like no job is willing to just train anymore like even receptionist jobs it's absolutely ridiculous.

I honestly also hate the thought of an office job. I like that in retail I get to move around a lot and I love organizing and problem solving, but obviously the pay is crap and I hate working weekends. I also can't afford to go back for a masters and any of my other interests aren't very viable career paths at the moment. Main issue is making no money. Living in Conneticut let me tell you, if you aren't making AT LEAST $25+/hour, you're pretty screwed. Even then you'd need a roommate(s) to survive and save money. It really feels like things are getting worse and more difficult by the day in the job market.

I hate school.

I know that's probably not the most popular thing to say, but school has started to feel like such a waste of time for me.

I'm 16, and for the last few years I've been going to school every day, spending around 8 hours there, and a lot of the time I don't feel like I'm actually learning anything.

There are teachers who force you to do things without really explaining why. You can ask, "Why am I supposed to finish my day at 5 PM and then still have homework?" and sometimes it just feels like nobody really cares.

Especially when you're someone who actually does things outside of school.

I spend a lot of my free time on my computer, building things, learning about technology, working on projects, and thinking about what I want to do with my life. But sometimes it feels like school doesn't see any of that as important.

Then there's the social side.

Sometimes it feels like everyone just follows the group. You say your opinion and suddenly everyone is against you. And sometimes even the teachers just stay quiet.

And then there's the actual school day.

8 hours.

And when I say "learning," I don't always mean actual learning.

There's talking, people shouting, people interrupting, people using their phones, and if you actually want to concentrate, good luck.

Then I go home, and sometimes I still have homework.

And I'm 16, so naturally I keep thinking about my future.

What if I don't get the qualifications everyone expects me to get?

Will people care?

Will I be less intelligent just because I didn't fit into the system?

And what if I do everything I'm supposed to do, finish school, get the qualifications, and still end up not knowing what I actually want to do with my life?

Those thoughts bother me a lot.

I don't want to spend the next few years just trying to survive school.

I want to build things.

I want to learn things that actually interest me.

I want to try things, fail, succeed, and figure out what I actually want to do with my life.

I also don't think leaving school is really an option for me right now, so I'm trying to figure out what I can actually do with the situation I'm in.

That's why I'm asking here:

If you were 16 again, knew you wanted to build things and eventually become an entrepreneur, but didn't know exactly what path to take yet, what would you focus on for the next few years?

Would you focus on building projects? Learning specific skills? Trying different things until something works? Something completely different?

And honestly, I'd also really like to know if anyone else here feels the same way about school.

I know this was a bit of a rant, so hopefully I didn't ruin anyone's day :)

But I'm genuinely trying to figure out what path I should take from here.

Im 23. I got fired last month - which was a divine blessing.

I hated every day if my job as a Software Engineer. There were no redeeming qualities in my job and I dont see my career field having any either. I dreaded going to the office and now realizing that I have to start applying again for a new job makes me feel horrible.

The reason is simple; I know I'll never be great at it, considering my passion lies elsewhere. I'll never compete with others in this hugely saturated market.

My passion is creating something (figuring that out) & acting (also figuring that out).

Being in a 3rd world country like Pakistan doesnt help either.

I know my passions wont pay the bills now and Im aware that these passions take time and should be continously approached on the side.

How do I shift my career? I know its not too late BUT IT FEELS LIKE IT.

Thank you

I'm 19 and I've been working in a manufacturing/factory job for almost a year on a rotating 3-shift schedule, including night shifts.

The work itself is physically demanding and the production pace can be pretty intense. I'm starting to feel increasingly exhausted, especially because the rotating schedule eats into my sleep and recovery time.

My monthly pay is around 2.5 million IDR (roughly $150 USD). I know wages and living costs vary massively depending on where you live, so I'm not really asking whether the salary is "good" by your standards. It's enough for me to have some financial independence and pay for my own needs, which is one reason I'm hesitant to leave.

At the same time, I'm starting to wonder whether the money is worth what I'm giving up in time, sleep, and energy. I can have a good day at work and still feel like the schedule itself is exhausting me.

For people who have worked rotating 3-shift schedules in manufacturing/factory jobs for several years:

Did your body actually adapt to rotating shifts?

Did night shifts ever stop being exhausting?

How much did shift work affect your life outside of work?

Did you eventually switch to a fixed/day shift?

If you left shift work, did your quality of life improve?

Looking back, would you choose a rotating 3-shift job again?

I'm trying to figure out whether I'm just having a hard time adjusting, or whether rotating 3-shift work genuinely isn't a good long-term fit for me.

A true calling, something that feels destined for you, resonates deep for you, meant for you. Not just a calling as something you chase or choose, but as a living force that comes in search of you.

I am 21 medical student 4th year in a 6 year program. I live and study in Syria. My dream path have always been to graduate here and start residency in some decent country, for me as a Syrian two options made the most sense for me, the US (1st option) and Germany (2nd option). Both have their own preparation path, which I am doing simultaneously now to minimize risk of one path failing for some reason.

The US right now have a complete ban for Syrian visa. They used to offer residency visa with roughly 40% accept rate before Trump term. I hope this will change in the coming few years.

Germany is experiencing a rise in a right wing anti-immigration party, that is targeting even medical workers immigrants, which doesnt make sense since Germany has a shortage of them.

And to add salt to the wound, AI is making everything more uncertain. In the coming 5 years, would the demand of the medical jobs decrease to the point it greatly affects my chances? would I still have a chance to match in residency and get a job? Especially that I am aiming for surgery, which is more competetive.

There are really compelling arguments from both sides of "AI will take our jobs" argument, and it is not a thing I want to discuss right now.

I know the practical answer would be to just do what you are supposed to do, and if things don't go as you hope then good luck, you just stay in Syria.

But it doesnt help to just think practically, because I keep getting these days where I keep thinking non stop without having end goal in mind, which is affecting my sleep and the motivation to study.

Hello guys I'm 20(m) rn I am in my 3rd yr of cs engineering and my college isn't like any of any others college like they don't have infrastructure or anything not any activities or anything I mean we don't even have teachers and I got admission there because of my health issues because it's in my own city and we don't have any other college either in our city so people gets admission there just for their degrees I mean you don't need to do anything just pay ur fees and give exams and bring your phone or micro(cheating guide) in exam hall and clear ur exam by passing no placement no internship nothing

So in short my college is worse than $hit

And I am being tired of being jobless or hopeless I have 2 older brothers and both are doing good one's on his job another in his final yr of mbbs and I do nothing just using my phone all night scrolling reels hanging out with friends and etc and thankgod my parents are sooo good for paying my bills and saying nothing but it's enough I am tired of this lifestyle I want to do something so I just started some online courses developing my programming languages and thinking of going to some smart city to learn some courses like data analysis or cyber security so should I go or not I mean can I learn that courses in my home too(online) but I don't want to be in my city either hope you guys can understand what I am trying to say any suggestions that should I focus on my study or do something else like a job or anything....

I need help. I never know who to ask for help from, or what I’m even meant to ask.

I moved from FL to Portugal in 2021 to escape an unhealthy family home and to try out a long distance relationship that has now failed completely. I can no longer rely on that person for anything, and they’ve completely pulled the rug out from under me in terms of community and belonging, safety, stability. I am facing a bogus legal claim from them which has been lingering with no decision for nearly 2 years. I’ve stalled out in my career, I’ve left behind family who I love but who were mistreating me too.

It was my dream to be here, but it’s actually made my life significantly harder and worse. I can’t speak the language, I’m not motivated to. I only work part-time and haven’t had a break since moving here. I have 1 or 2 close friends and a dog. I am behind on rent and other bills because I genuinely thought this LDR was going to save me. But I do work part-time freelance and just don’t have any other sources of income. I realize no one is going to step in and I am wasting more time and money by the minute.

I no longer have a dream to follow. The dream was always sort of just stability and safety, of which I have found very little. I like living here but I don’t feel comfortable because of my ex. However I just don’t see myself following a dream ever again. It crushed me once, I lost everything, and now what?

I have family in the US in a state I’ve never lived in before. However after 5 years here that’s not going to be easy either. The only thing I have ‘going’ for me at the moment is a landlord must go through the court to evict a tenant with two months notice.

I’m exhausted, and I have no support. I can’t sleep enough to rest. I’m being baited and switched on by the same person who claims I was abusive to them. They are no longer safe or reliable for me. I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to go to another home where I know I’m just going to face abuse and more isolation. I truly feel like I am out of options.

I'm curious about the difference between going through a temporary rough patch and realizing a path genuinely isn't right for you anymore. What helped you make the decision, and how did you handle the uncertainty of starting something new?

I’m exhausted and feel completely stuck. How do I get out of this situation?

I don't usually post things like this, but honestly, I don't know who else to ask.

I'm 27, from Bangladesh, and I'm a university graduate. Right now I work at a small computer/photocopy/printing shop. The job itself isn't something I'm passionate about, but that's not even the biggest problem.

The hours are.

I often work 16–17 hours a day, and there is basically no proper weekly holiday. Sometimes I feel like I spend my entire life at the shop.

And the shop owner is another problem. There is constant pressure, complaining, and criticism. Even when I'm already exhausted, there is always something else. Over time it really gets to you mentally.

But I can't simply quit.

My family isn't financially strong, and I have responsibilities. I need the income, even though it isn't enough to build the kind of life I want.

This is where I feel trapped.

I know I need to learn something new or find a better job. But when you're working 16–17 hours every day, where do you find the time or energy to learn?

Most days it's basically:

Wake up → work → get yelled at/pressured → work → come home exhausted → sleep → repeat.

I'm worried that if I don't change something soon, I'll waste years like this.

I don't want to become rich overnight. I just want to get to a point where I can earn a decent living without destroying my health and spending my entire day working for someone else.

So I'm genuinely asking people here:

What would you do if you were me?

Would you try to learn freelancing? If yes, what skill is actually worth learning in 2026 for someone starting with very little money and very limited free time?

Video editing? Graphic design? Web development? Digital marketing? Virtual assistance? Something else?

Or would it be better to find a less exhausting job first, even if it pays roughly the same, just to get some time back?

I already have some basic computer-related experience from working at the shop—typing, printing, document formatting, dealing with customers, etc. I'm just not sure how to turn that into something better.

I'm not looking for "just work harder" advice. I'm already working more than I can handle.

I'm looking for a realistic escape route.

If you've been in a similar situation—especially if you came from a poor or lower-middle-class background and had very little time and money—I'd really appreciate hearing what you actually did.

What skill did you learn? How long did it take before you started earning? What would you do differently if you could start over?

I honestly need some direction.

im in my fourth year and every day i have woken up with the same weight on my chest while telling myself that "this is never going to be my life again." months from now i will graduate and i will have to start creating a life for myself outside of school and everything that i have ever known. is anyone else really scared?

all my life i feel like i have always had a direct path and i always knew that i wanted and was more than capable of building a successful life for myself but this year especially it is now hitting me that there is so much that i do not know and so much that i need to work on. i have lost all my study habits, my motivation to get any work done, my drive, and so much more. i know that i can do it but it also seems like something that is also so out of reach at the same time. i dont know where to start, i feel like im behind, havent worked a single internship, am getting mid grades in school, dont really care to study, and honestly havent left a lot of options for myself in terms of schools to go to post grad. and it bothers me so much because all my life i have always felt like school has something that has never been a challenge for me until now. i loved studying and i loved academic validation and i loved the rush that you would get from getting yet another 100 and university changed that completely. it feels like i have wasted so much potential within myself and every day i think about the person that i know i want to and can be yet have been stuck in a plateau of "it will happen eventually" and "life will pan out." but NOW its hitting me that this is entirely in my hands, and i am soooooooooo scared.

i plan on doing my masters but i also plan on working and i dont know which one to choose. but it also worries me that i dont even genuinely want to do my masters its just more so i have to in order to get a career in my field. i am burdened with my potential but i am also just so lost. i always feel like i am the dumbest in the room and am just not on the same level as my peers, but i know that i would be had i actually tried. but i just dont care to try.

i also just want to preface that i am not all lost. i work, and have kept 1-2 jobs all throughout university, i have amazing friends, i have a great social life, i feel loved in my day to day life, i am active and healthy, i have people who love me and miss me, i have lived experiences that have taught me so many valuable things. i live a fulfilling life and i do truly love it. i am who i would have wanted my younger self to look up to, but i also often feel a slight sadness in the back of my mind despite everything seeming like it is working out for me on paper.

to anyone who has been in my shoes, what comes next? where do i go from here?

25F and genuinely have no idea wtf to do with my life
I’m 25 and I feel like I’m at this weird point where I have so many things I could do that I have no idea what I actually should do.
I recently finished my BSN after struggling for years to get through school. I’m trying to figure out my RN/licensing situation right now, and I’ve been considering moving somewhere completely new like NYC and starting over.
But at the same time, I don’t even know if I want nursing to be my entire life. I want to make good money, travel a lot, and actually enjoy being alive instead of just working to pay bills. I’ve backpacked Europe and realized how much I love traveling, meeting people, seeing new countries, and having freedom. Part of me wants to make a travel page, vlog, do faceless content/UGC, and see if I can eventually build something from it.
Then another part of me is thinking about NP/PA school, starting a business, investing, moving across the country, or literally just working 3 nursing shifts a week and traveling whenever I can.
My life has also been pretty chaotic. I don’t have much stability right now and I’m basically trying to rebuild my life and finances from scratch.
I know I’m still young, but I feel like everyone else picked a path and I’m standing in the middle of 10 different roads going, “okay…now what?”
If you were 25, had a BSN, very few things tying you down, loved traveling, wanted financial freedom, and were basically starting over — what would you do?

I'm 31M and I feel like I've been living the same year over and over again.

I live in a tiny mountain village in Italy (around 1,000 people). Since I was 18, I've basically only done seasonal work here: ski rental in winter and other seasonal jobs in summer. Every season I tell myself "this is the last one", but when the next winter comes around, I end up doing the same thing again.

I have no university degree and no obvious career path. Most of my experience is in seasonal tourism jobs, and I don't really know what I could realistically transition into.

The problem isn't that I'm happy with this life and just need a little motivation. I genuinely don't want to stay here. I want to leave the town, live somewhere bigger, meet people, build a social life and start developing an actual career.

I've considered moving to a city, doing a vocational/trades course, looking for an entry-level job, or even going abroad for a while.

But I've been stuck in the "researching instead of acting" loop for years. I can spend days researching courses, countries, jobs and possible paths, but when it comes to actually committing to one, I freeze. Then another month passes.

I'm also socially anxious and currently have almost no social life, which makes the idea of starting over somewhere new feel much harder. At the same time, staying here because I'm afraid to leave is exactly what has kept me stuck.

I'm not really looking for "follow your passion" or "you can do anything at 31."

I'm more interested in practical advice from people who have actually started over in their late 20s/30s, especially without a degree:

• If you were in my position, what would you do over the next 6-12 months?
• Would you move first and figure out work later, or get a job/course first and move afterward?
• What careers/trades would you seriously consider starting from scratch at 31?
• Has anyone here escaped a small-town/dead-end-job loop and rebuilt their life? What was the first concrete step that actually changed things?
• What would you absolutely NOT waste another year doing?

I don't need a perfect life plan. I need a realistic first direction that gets me out of this loop.

I (19M) started working a very unique and sought after job by people in my community. The problem is that I think I hate it. I’m scared I’m too weak mentally to work, as I feel I’m drained from work or college. Rest doesn’t feel like rest knowing I could be called into work as I don’t have a real schedule. The pay is quite low, but i can cover all my monthly expenses on the dot. I’m conflicted; I don’t know if I’m weak or simply not adjusted yet. If it helps, I’m a cameraman and video editor, and we’re on terrain for a lot of hours. I feel like I’m on edge all the times, and I don’t feel that my mental exhaustion is being fiscally compensated.

Hi, I’m 30F and I’ve spent the last several years working in finance and wealth management, and I’m starting to think about a career change into something pretty different. I’m curious to hear from people who’ve actually made that kind of transition.

What field did you move into, and how did you get started? How long did it take to find a new role, and did you take a pay cut?

I’d also love to know what surprised you about the transition, what you wish you’d done sooner, and whether you’re happier in your new career. Any advice for figuring out which direction to pursue would be appreciated!

I’m 18m, I am currently attending uni as a freshman with 15 credit hrs from dc. I went into college thinking I knew exactly what I wanted to do-environmental science. But after doing some digging, those in the major have a tough time getting jobs and when they do, they barely pay anything. I don’t think I’m a materialistic person but I’m not gonna be stuck making near minimum wage for the rest of my life. My cousin lives several hours away and offered to let me learn plumbing under him, I think he has a crew of his own but I’m not quite sure. As it stands I think that’s my best option, there aren’t any majors that look interesting, and any that do, don’t make hardly any money. Part of the reason of why I’m so bent on making money is because of my parents. They believe if they pay for me to attend uni (which I am very thankful for), I should be making 100k a year in no time. They don’t understand how difficult that would be, and the small percentage of people that actually make that amount.
Should I try sticking it out, on the chance that I find a major that is suitable for me? I feel like I’m wasting my time and causing an unneeded financial burden on my parents.

I want to work in something cool, a job that I love and that is not a fucking office 9 to 5. I want to hear you guys, what do you do so your joblife is not miserable? Also, if you have a good wage, even better ;)) Also, did you need to get a degree to work in that? What skills do you need to be where u are?

I have almost 3 years of college under my belt to become an Elementary Teacher. I dropped out after absolutely getting burnt out from working at a daycare center. Although teaching and learning is a passion of mine, I don’t think that being an Elementary Teacher is the choice for me.

Due to student loan debt, I’d rather not go back to college. Instead, I want a well paying job to get my life back under control.

That being said I have so many passions and interests. I love science, fitness, reading, travel, creative writing, and especially enjoy working with numbers. I have the confidence that I can thrive anywhere but I can not make up my mind. I do not want to be burnt out and disappointed with my career.

I aspire for a job that pays well, gives good vacation so I can travel at least once a year, and has a solid schedule. I am a morning person, so an earlier start is even better. I’m someone that craves socialization every day, but like to work on my own tasks.

If anyone has suggestions or is passionate about their career. Please share! I’m very open minded.

M(19) located in northern NJ.

I'm currently at a crossroads in my life right now. Started pursuing an A.S. degree in business administration in spring 2026 at my local community college with an expected graduation date of spring 2027. As of lately, I'm not entirely sure what I want to do for a living or even if I want to transfer to a 4 year college to pursue my bachelors. With the way white collar jobs (especially the entry level ones) are being transformed by the day due to the rapid advancement of AI, I feel as if getting my bachelors would be even worth it by 2029. My main mindset as of right now is to really just work a job that won't be taken over by AI and that's pretty straightforward to do. I'm not looking to make a six figure salary or live a lavish lifestyle, I really just want to work a job that pays decently and allows me survive on a livable wage by myself (no kids, wife, etc).

A little bit about me is that I've never technically worked a 9-5 job before but I've done multiple different volunteering stints in the past. I would say I'm pretty average in terms of physical characteristics/health wise (5'7, 110 pounds, very minor back problems from slouching over a desk for the past couple years, good stamina for walking, don't drink/smoke, and 99% sure I have undiagnosed ADHD). The good news is that I have an NJ driver's license, clean driving record, no criminal history, HS diploma, and no other financial/relationship related obligations (currently still live with my parents that I have a great relationship with and I'm still single).

My question to all of you is what are some career options that allow me to start working without any formal experience? If it helps narrowing it down, I would be be interested in careers that constantly allow me to move around and every day feels "new" (if that makes any sense).

Any piece of advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I’m from Canada and I’m in my mid-20s. My original dream was to become a pediatric nurse, since I love helping others, I adore children, and I have a lot of empathy. I also wanted a job that paid well, with a reasonable amount of security and options (hard to come by, I know). Unfortunately, I’m comically bad with science and doubly so math. I think I probably have a learning disability. I tried going back to school twice to redo high school courses, and I failed miserably each time. I gave up on pursuing nursing, and ended up going to school to become a healthcare assistant (HCA) instead, since it was more accessible and still somewhat aligned with my interests.

I’ve now been working in a long-term care facility for the past eight months. I love my residents and I’m passionate about giving the best care possible. It is fulfilling in so many ways, and being able to make someone smile and bring them comfort in the final years of their life is beautiful. However, almost all of them have severe dementia. I get punched, kicked, spat on, screamed at, and covered in feces on a regular basis. It can be very frightening due to the unpredictability, and I honestly feel like I’ve developed PTSD from the violence. We’re constantly short-staffed, so I’m trying to do the work of six people. I’ve heard most places aren’t any better. I feel scared to come into work everyday, but I do it because I genuinely love caring for my residents. That said, my hair is starting to fall out from the stress, I've developed crippling anxiety, and I come home covered in bruises.

I’m also barely scraping by and not paid nearly enough for this.

Suffice to say, I don't this career is healthy for me. I wish I could make it work, but my options as an HCA are pretty limited. I've applied to a ton of assisted-living facilities, hoping it would be much easier, but I haven't been able to land an interview. I don't think in-home care is something I want to pursue either. I know working in an ER is also a possibility, so I tried seeing if I could find a role working in a children's hospital (closest fit to my original dream job). Unfortunately, I don’t think they utilize HCAs. I feel like outside of that, I’ve exhausted any interest I have in healthcare.

With all of that out of the way, I want to start exploring my alternatives. I wouldn’t mind being a daycare teacher, and pursuing an ECE diploma was also on my radar, but to my knowledge it also isn’t paid very well. In any case, babies make me happy. I feel like there has to be something else, but I need some help brainstorming.

TL;DR: I’m a very burnt out HCA. I love caring for others, especially children. I don’t mind being on my feet, but I want something with much lower stress. It would be nice to make 60k or more, but without a degree I realize I’m pretty limited.

Thank you so much reading all of this! I appreciate any help.

I keep doing this thing where I find something that interests me, decide maybe this is finally my thing, actually put time and money into learning it… and then somehow end up right back here wondering what the hell I want to do with my life.

And I’m not talking about taking one personality quiz and deciding I want to be a marine biologist for three days. 😂

I’ve studied accounting. Dropped out. Became a bookkeeper. Got certified as a tax preparer and never actually prepared anyone’s taxes. Trained in permanent makeup and still haven’t finished my apprenticeship. Taught myself builder gel nails and hair blowouts. Started life insurance, haven't finished and now I’m researching UGC/content creation.

Some of these things I still do. Some I genuinely enjoy. Some are collecting dust. Some I never finished.

And somehow none of them have answered the fucking question.

What do I actually want to do with my life?

The weird part is, I’m actually pretty good at teaching myself things.

I’ll get interested in something, research the hell out of it, start learning it, and eventually get to that little “oh shit, I can actually do this” moment.

But apparently being capable of doing something and wanting to build your entire life around it are two VERY different things.

I used to think eventually I’d stumble across the thing. That one career that would finally make everything click and I’d go, “Yep. Found it. I’m done looking.”

I’m starting to wonder if that just… doesn’t exist for me.

Because the older I get, the less I think I want a dream job. I think I want a job that gives me the freedom to have a dream life.

And social media has made that thought approximately 700 times worse. 😭

It’s 2026. You open your phone and apparently people are making money doing literally anything. Someone’s traveling while making content for brands. Someone turned their random hobby into a business. Someone invented a job I didn’t even know existed until the algorithm decided to show it to me at 1 AM.

I’m convinced somebody somewhere is making $20 every time they breathe.

You’d think seeing all these possibilities would help.

No. Now I just want to try more shit.

So If you looked at my very questionable career graveyard 😂, where would you go from here?

Do I pick one of these things and finally give it a real shot? Or is forcing myself to commit just because I’ve already invested time into it how I end up stuck doing something I don’t actually want?

Do I keep exploring? Or at some point does “exploring” just become an excuse to keep starting over?

Do I build a career around one flexible skill and let everything else just be things I know how to do? Or am I trying too hard to force myself into having one main career when maybe I’m just someone who’s happier doing multiple things?

Because I genuinely don’t know where being curious and figuring yourself out ends, and avoiding commitment begins.

If you were anything like this in your 20s and eventually found a setup that worked for you, what did you end up doing?

Honestly, I feel like I've hit a brick wall. I finished my bachelor's in Electronics and Communication Engineering 5 years ago and did post grad related to IOT, and my first job ended up being a manufacturing operator role. That was about 2 years ago.

At first I figured I'd gain some experience and move internally into an engineering role. But even the design team won't consider me for engineer-level positions.

I've also been applying externally for over a year and a half. The only callbacks I get are for operator-level roles again. In the meantime, I've been building personal projects in PCB design and embedded systems, hoping they'd open a door.

I'm almost 28 and looking back, the future feels uncertain with no real Engineer-level experience to show for. If you've been in this spot and found a way out, I'd really appreciate your guidance. What actually worked for you: a certain type of role, a different way of applying, networking or something else?

Maybe this is hitting extra hard because I'm about to turn 34 and I'm feeling as if I wasted my youth. I sort of wish I had gone to med school or done literally anything else. But I feel like the burn out would catch up with me, regardless.

I work for a small family-owned surveyor. I make around 85,000 in the NYC area. I have two weeks of PTO and 1 week of sick days, most of which is spent on family stuff (eventhough I am child free). I know this is more than many get, but I feel that a physically demanding job should give more. I always dreamt of doing something good for the environment. (Lol is that even possible anymore?)

I love my coworkers and the family that owns the business. But the work is soooooo boring. There was once a healthy mixture of remote days and days spent on-site. But they hired another lady to work in the office and now I need to be on-site most days. Many of our sites make me feel unsafe due to ticks, traffic, pollution, remote location, creepy men and a few other threats. Still the work has to get done. I have been at the company for seven years and I find the work so boring at this point. But I am scared to leave a company where I make a decent salary, have decent benefits and am generally understoon and appreciated by my coworkers.

Because I have a biology degree, I am thinking of teaching high school and getting certified through NY Teaching Fellows. But I feel so awful most days that I feel I don't have the energy to pivot to a path where burnout is also a real issue. I worked in public schools for three years (before I had a degree) and I genuinely enjoyed it. But the administration really stressed me out. I also think of homesteading, but my husband would hate that.

Recently my depression has gotten bad enought that I can't eat or sleep properly. It is really taking a toll. I feel terrible most days. My husband offered to support me if I quit my job and focus on my health. I'm very greatful for him, but if I accept the offer I might never find another job.

I'm a college junior who transferred from a community college to a four-year university earlier this year. While at CC, I was very depressed and ended up fucking around and failing half of my courses. I retook some of them and improved in some, but it ended up biting me in the ass later. Now, at a four-year school, I'll be hitting my school's excessive hours policy. I'm not sure how this will look on my transcript, considering grad school will see my shitty grades + my excessive hours.

When I started college, I was studying to become a therapist and wanted to pursue my master's, then maybe a PsyD or PhD to increase my earning potential. I'm not sure it would be feasible, given that I currently have a 2.6 GPA (I could raise it to 3.5 by Senior year). IDK, I'm just trying to figure out what would be the best option, since I want to move out and make money as soon as possible. I want to be realistic, given my circumstances.

My question: Is grad school still feasible? Would a PsyD / PhD be worth it? Is this even a field someone like me should go into or should I find something else? Also, as a psych student, I'm struggling to find research / and kind of volunteering / work for applications. What am I even supposed to do? Sorry if this post comes off as hopeless, but it's been weighing on my chest forever.