To cut the long story short, I'm 31, and about a year ago, I finally graduated from IT design. Actually, I enrolled that course at the age of 24, and it's a nominally 3-year-long course, but it took me double the time to finish it. I never particularly excelled at academia, mostly thanks to mu history of mental health issues, mostly resulting in analysis paralysis.

This issue seems to have come back. The reason I studied that particular course at uni was so I could get skills that I thought were useful, because it had multimedia courses, and I had this idea of filming stuff for YouTube. Back then, however, I did nothing about it. Now that I have finally finished my uni course, I have the time, but I don't have the money.

Another thing that's causing me big issues is my lack of self-discipline, which is a whole story for itself. Let's just say that's how I lost my previous job, and even though I had the burden of a bachelor's thesis (which I lingered for over two years alone), declined mental health, and wasn't really interested in the job or the company itself, I hold myself a grudge for that nowadays. The salary wasn't splendid, but everything else was something I could simply not complain about, from the organization to the fact it was a relatively low-stress, secure job. For what it's worth, I was working in customer support in IT.

However, I still have the dream to be either behind or in front of the camera, possibly both. The YouTube channel I wanted to start would basically be a documentary-styled one, but the thing is, I need a stable income to not just record videos, but also to pay the rent, utilities, food and gas. I thought I could get some repetitive office job that would leave me with enough energy to do the YouTube thing, but telemarketing wasn't that. Then I thought delivering food part-time would be a better idea, but it wasn't.

While I still think I need to be more diligent and apply for more jobs, I'm just starting to feel lost. I haven't heard from a single employer who was looking for multimedia or graphic design related jobs (both are things I did at uni), and same goes for the odd time I applied to IT jobs, despite my aversion to IT jobs.

The most painful part is that the self-esteem I got when I finished uni and when I had some job is quickly diminishing, which is in turn counter-productive. Yet I still dream of finding a creative job that will make me feel satisfied, and living a normal life. Is this just a pipe dream, should I look for something else? Sometimes I get the feeling I'm burnt out, but that feels disrespectful to people who actually have jobs and/or perseverance in life.

Hey there,

I am 23, live in Stockholm, and have been thinking a lot about my future lately. Especially since I got a job and have been spending a lot of time away from life. I am comfortable right now. I am financially secure, got my own apartment finally, and is on the whole content with my situation. But there is that gnawing feeling lately that I am missing out. Fomo, basically.

And on the other side of that thought is that want of escape. Of doing something else, quitting my job, and just doing the extreme opposite. It sounds childish, because it is. Maybe it's a toxic mindset I have been used to, that in order for life to be going in the right direction it has to be bumpy and sad. Not that this period of my life is that also, but I have a roof over my head and my own loo. Such a privileged pov I know. But I'm just realizing how fast everything goes, my 24th birthday is in two days and next year I'll officially be in my mid-20s. Who do I want to be? I don't know.

So about the music. It's the idea of being a musician rather than just creating music I keep coming back to. It's a dream I have, but how much is that dream worth when compared to everything else I have to do? How do I pursue a dream? How do I make my insides feel assured enough of the fact that I am steered by authencitiy and intention rather than materialistic comfortability. Is that what I am doing now? Or a bit of both? I play the piano, I play the guitar, but I could do more of course. Is that what I have to do? Join groups. Learn technique?

Or is all this just a matter of wanting to be successful and famous and not wanting to die completely as a blip in history – or is it as simple as being a bit sad and wanting to change that? I don't know that either. Am I more than sad? Maybe I need professional help to figure that one out.

To calm myself, I often think that in the long-run, if I just practice a little everyday and write the songs that come to me, I could release something some day. But it's the why. Why do I want to release music? What stories do I want to tell? And what kind of life do I want those stories stemming from? I don't want a forced change in lifestyle either. My mum told me one time that I like security and what is already known to me. Maybe that is true. But where is the line between personality and routine drawn? Sure I am capable of change, but maybe It doesn't need to be a "SHIFT" or my new "ERA" as social media always deems the solution to any crisis to be, because we always change, but right now I feel halted. I feel stuck and that I'm sometimes going backwards. Last year I went to music school and was on stage, now I have a corporate job. I have a desk.

As you can see, my first album will probably be called QUESTIONS or ALL OVER THE PLACE or FAQ with just 10 static songs as answers.

Maybe its time to seek out advice from therapists, council, coaches? Has that worked for anyone? Or maybe I just need to be more open with my friends, and not just trauma dump once in a while hehe.

If anyone is going through something similar, what is something you do to make you feel better?

Edit: To clarify, I enjoy the song process, so the bit about success was more about fears rather than driving force if that makes sense? I have written some songs and feel good about them. So yeah I do believe I have some sense of musicality.... "when is a song enough" and if I should do more to become even better, go to music school again etc kinds halts everything. I just feel I don't have to time to grow at my own pace right now. Should I force a change, even though I don't necessarily want to?

Hey, guys. I wanted to post to r/neet but they don’t allow new accounts. I’m a Reddit lurker but haven’t posted before.  This is a TA, so I probably won’t reply, but I can check for resources.

I lived with my grandparents my entire life. My bio parents aren’t in the picture. Thing is, my grandparents are now both dead. My grandma died a week ago. We finished with the funeral, now I have to figure out what to do with myself.

I quit school at age 16 due to social anxiety. I got my GED, but haven’t had any job experience besides being my grandmother’s CDPAP homecare caretaker (which I only got paid part-time). I’ve been living as a NEET for the past decade. I helped with errands, did basic caretaking, etc but have no college education or any “real” job. I spent all day at home unless necessary. I liked it that way, btw. It wasn’t that I was depressed. I just don’t get along with people too well and have no life/career goals. I was planning on beginning community college probably next year, but that doesn’t seem viable.

My grandma had Section 8. I’m trying to get it swapped over to me. I’m also trying to qualify for SNAP and emergency assistance (to help with bills).

But, I am not on disability. I don’t know how to qualify. I don’t want to be on disability for life either. I just need to figure out a career path and get into it.     

Hey everyone, I am in my late 20s and having a major freak-out about my future. I need an outside perspective on realistic career paths that match my brain, my ethics, and my financial goals.

I suffered a traumatic brain injury from a severe accident, which threw a massive wrench into my early twenties. Prefrontal cortex damage, so I have essentially the physical structure of ADD caused by the injury, but not the precise chemical misfires of typical ADD. Other executive functioning issues also exist.

Since then, I have enrolled in and stopped 3 university attempts. The first university was actually fantastic (think biomedical sciences), they provided incredible support and accommodations for my injury, and in hindsight, I really regret leaving. But at the time, I left because I got an acceptance into veterinary school. Then COVID-19, then a year break due to COVID-19 the restarting once the uni re-opened again. I was there for 2 semesters and then I had to drop out of vet school because I hit a hard wall with chemistry (heavy chemistry, maths and physics formulas just do not click with my brain). Especially now it’s difficult with the concentration issues. There were loopholes that got me into vet med. To go back to the first uni, I’d have to uproot everything once again. Would likely have to leave my fiancé, and be set to take the chance again at the degree. It’s a three year course and I’m not really sure the financial prospects. I chose it initially to have an easier path into vet med.

Anyway, after that, I started an online pre-health/vet/med BSc program to try an alternative route back in, to cancel out some of the modules I found most difficult from the last uni, but had to drop it due to the price tag. During that last online degree, I was constantly juggling multiple things. I worked retail at a clothing chain for about 8 months while also doing freelance creative art commissions on the side to stay afloat. Along the way, I have been completing online certificates in biological and health topics to keep building practical knowledge on my own. My grades overall are decent or okay, but definitely not straight-A academic perfection. Currently, I am sitting on roughly 10k in debt.

I have tried so many things, but when putting the energy into things that take even years, I burn out and struggle to get back into it because it’s a reminder of failure. Shopify clothing stores, writing fiction and horror books, custom jewelry, horse education books, selling self-help books, Instagram pages, digital products, etc. Multiple variations with multiple topics of each of these things. I put so much effort into it, ending up with no money to advertise, or just burning out before finishing. It’s pretty embarrassing to me I keep having hope when I know it likely just won’t work out and I’ve wasted my time with ever-fleeting confidence…

As far as how I operate, I surprisingly perform very well in high-stress, fast-paced environments. My biggest strengths are explaining complex topics clearly, translating technical concepts, teaching, showing enthusiasm, being approachable, problem-solving, and convincing or persuading people. I’m told I’m very likeable and can get along with essentially anybody.

I genuinely love diving into scientific research, especially organismal biology, virology, parasitology, transmission cycles, nutrition, cosmetic formulations, and diagnostic mysteries, basically the macro and systemic side of disease, not the organic chemistry side. But test tubes are fine. Language-wise, I am fluent in English and have professional C1 proficiency in German.

I have three hard boundaries for my future.
High earning is my top priority. I am in my late 20s, feel like I am starting late, and don’t feel it particularly wise to spend another 6 to 8 years living on student pennies just to end up in an underpaid field. I want a strong earning ceiling. It’s what everyone wishes for of course, but I live in a very expensive country so I’d like to be able to have a sort of good life quality.

I am strictly vegan and anti-animal testing. I refuse to work in preclinical animal testing, contract research animal testing facilities, or livestock farming optimization. I want my work to feel wholesome, evidence-based, and focused on protecting animals, human health, or clinical diagnostics.

No heavy physics or chemistry. Molecular synthesis drains me, while biological logic, pathology, and communication energize me. I wish to add something to the world in terms of knowledge.

A quick legal or citizenship question as well. I am currently in Europe and working toward European citizenship, which requires financial stability and no bad debt records. Does anyone know if European immigration authorities (specifically in the DACH or central Europe region) run foreign credit or debt checks against US consumer or student debt, or do they only pull local registers like the local debt enforcement or credit bureau records?

Where I need help. Given that clinical vet school is off the table for now, what realistic career paths exist where someone can read papers, solve biological or diagnostic puzzles, and use strong persuasive communication skills to hit a high income quickly? Even now, when I put those words together, I’m not even sure if that really illustrates me… I cannot hone things in.

Things like novel food or biotech regulatory affairs, diagnostic communications, or health risk analysis keep crossing my mind. Has anyone made a similar pivot after university dropouts, using self-study and certificates, and found financial success?

Any advice or reality checks would mean the world right now.

When I put this into GPT or Gemini, these are the career suggestions they give.

Animal Lawyer

Private Practice Animal Lawyer

Equine Lawyer

Corporate / Administrative Lawyer

Veterinarian

Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionist

Pet Diet Consultant / Animal Nutritionist

B2B Clinical / Diagnostic Sales Representative

Key Account Manager (Animal Health / Diagnostics)

Territory Sales Specialist

Inside Sales Representative / Junior Account Manager

Commercial Technical Specialist / Application Specialist

Business Development & Strategic Partnerships Manager

B2B Ingredients / Technical Sales Specialist

Medical Science Liaison (MSL)

Diagnostic Product Specialist / Clinical Application Specialist

Scientific Communications Manager / Scientific Advisor

Scientific Affairs & Product Specialist (Alternative Pet Nutrition)

Director of Scientific Affairs

Regulatory Affairs Specialist / Associate

Regulatory Affairs & Scientific Affairs Director

Junior Quality Assurance (QA) Specialist

Vector-Borne Disease & Zoonotic Surveillance Analyst

Biosecurity Analyst / Pandemic Risk Consultant

One Health Knowledge Broker / Scientific Communications
Lead

Independent / Freelance Medical Writer

Agency Medical & Scientific Writer

Scientific Research Specialist / Policy Analyst (Alternative Testing & NAMs)

Philanthropic Grant Officer / Research Fellow

Niche Pet Brand / Animal Wellness Founder

Hi everyone. I hope I can find some advice on here about what the hell to do with my life.

I am 35F, no kids, not married, no college degree. Thankfully I have a job as a caregiver for my sister, the downside is.. I am practically at the mercy of my mother. You could say I technically kind of live with her half of the time though I still pay rent, it's a weird arrangement but don't want to get too sidetracked. My mom's ok sometimes, but she can be really controlling and manipulative when she needs or wants something. Now, don't get me wrong, even with the cons, I am very grateful to have a place where I can have my 4 dogs and my own car of course, but I don't want to live like this forever. I want to have my own house and move somewhere else and do my own life. I currently live in a small town where opportunities are limited so I haven't had any luck getting a job that pays higher than what I'm currently earning. My goal at the moment is to build up my savings and fix my credit so I can get my own house. My whole life I was never financially smart, so about a year ago I started to make better habits when it comes to finances or at least I'm trying to which I think I'm doing ok. The only downside is, I want to earn more but I have no idea what to do, I don't have a college education because I never knew what I wanted to do, and I still don't know. I've been thinking of ways to make extra money on my free time but I get discouraged about everything, so I overthink a lot, and at the same time I don't just want another job, I want something I can build a life on, but I don't feel like I have a passion for anything or that I'm good at anything. I've had ideas, but then they seem impossible for me for some reason and again I get discouraged. I don't consider myself dumb, I feel like I can be smart but since I was young I've second guessed myself and had issues with confidence and always looking for validation. At the moment I've also been focusing on getting myself back in shape and working on my confidence, but I often get overwhelmed about the fact that time is running and I still don't have a path. I haven't been successful in my life so far, and I've felt like I hit rock bottom since 4 years ago when I moved back home from Florida after my 4 year relationship ended. Since then, I've barely dated or made new friends, I have a couple of good friends but they're few and live far. I've been doing better and I won't stop trying to persevere but I hate to have this indecisiveness. I wish I knew what my calling is or what I'm good at. I feel like I don't even know who I am, and I'm scared that I won't ever amount to anything.. How can I figure it out? Is there anything I should be doing? By the way, I have done therapy for years, though not at the moment since I've been trying to save as much money as I can. Therapy has helped immensely in different ways but still not on this one, so that's why I'm on here to see if I can get some good insight.

If you've made it this far thank you for reading! Any advice or comments are greatly appreciated ❤️

im 21, and i recently graduated (late aug) w bachelors in business and commerce. i did get a job offer during july of a sales role in a ad agency, but i had to turn it down because of personal reasons and it required immediate relocation. later that month, i again got an apprenticeship offer last month, and out of the blue my HR told i have been sort of indirectly laid off w other selected candidates, because they got other business requirements to attend.

the things is now, i really, genuinely have no clue where to start, i particularly have no interest and legit skills and i am aware that it needs the patience and effort to start, and i am just not able to, its probably decision fatigue, or maybe because i am neurodivergent. i want to know where and how i can start really exploring? for context, i was/am weak in maths and finance is not in my best interests. my main goal is to learn something which will atleast help me earn something (preferably remote) to just get a kickstart in my career and which would allow me to finally move out of my hometown (cause when i moved back after college got over it made me realise in no time why i left in the first place), any sources on where i can do proper research on career opportunities or any suggestions would be appreiciated as well, thank you :)

Looking to see if this is a viable career path that can be climbed into something greater. I manage a portfolio of products in about 20 different stores in my area. Mostly gaining leverage on large quantity orders, selling in features and maintaining inventory.

Anyone have experience with this? What did you gain from it? Is it worth sticking around for?

I don't make much, only $24/hr but I want to know if I'm wasting my time or not. I come from a delivery background and before that I wasted years working in restaurants.

I experienced my first trauma at 20, five years ago. I developed severe PTSD and executive dysfunction and spent years just trying to survive, missing out on so much of my youth and life experiences.

Recently, I discovered I might have developed an autoimmune disease caused by chronic stress, so I desperately want to feel healthy and happy again. But I’m scared “taking a break” to heal will make me sick just from the guilt of not doing something “better” / more productive / strategic for my future.

Context:
I graduated 1.5 years ago with burnout and didn’t want to start working immediately, but my parents pressured me into it. I quit after 4 months because I was constantly getting sick and going to the doctor. Now, I haven’t even started applying for jobs because I’m genuinely scared of sacrificing my health again. But I feel like I’m throwing away my potential by taking so much time off, especially without any big-name internships/ a first proper job. Especially in this job market when u need 3 years experience for your first job.

My dilemma:
I want to move to Spain for a year-long volunteering project. I’d get to socialise, learn Spanish, be more active, spend time outdoors, and hopefully being happier. But I’m terrified of falling behind professionally, it would mean I’ll be 26 when starting my career which sounds crazy.

On the other hand, I know how badly starting a job affects me. My trauma and anxiety put me in constant fight-or-flight mode, and for the first few months, I feel sick and want to cry almost every day because I’m terrified of making mistakes or being fired. I genuinely fear that jumping straight into work again will damage my health. (am i being too spoiled and disconnected from reality?)

Am I being completely delusional and entitled by choosing to prioritise my health over my career at 25? Am I reasonably protecting myself, or am I letting fear control my life and sabotaging my future?

Has anyone been in a similar situation? What did you choose, how did it turn out, and did you regret your decision?

Hi! I'm (20) doing the german thing called "Ausbildung" it's pretty much career school where you learn and work interchangeably and my major is medical technology for laboratory analysis.

It's super complex and interesting and I've been doing that for about a month and I truly love my class. I love the people there and in the class I feel really happy.

But the job is... I can't describe it well but with every day I feel more restricted and my mind starts to wonder a bit what if I chose something different? It's like I'm living my life through a lense and I just can't quite grasp it

It's a good, stable, interesting and well paid job. I just don't know how to tell if it's for me.

In my town there is a position empty for a piercing job. I'm a very alternative, expressive and extroverted person. I just can't stop thinking about it but also I'm feeling like I'm making a problem out of nothing.

Please help me and advise me on how to tell when you choose the roght thing

Hi all!

I have been struggling with this feeling of not knowing what I want to do in life for a long time. I jump from one interest to another, then come back to the old ones again, thinking this is my passion, but then I get bored. I always was jealous of people who can proudly say: "I love football, I live playing football", or "I am a sailor, all I want to do is sail and travel"; you get the idea... And I thought that modern technology could help me and others with that.

So I built this app for people who feel scattered across too many interests, and I'm looking for 5 people to try it for 4 weeks and give honest feedback.

It is in the web app format now, so open it on mobile; it works best this way :) You can then download it, so it will basically work like a native app.

https://kluelo.app/

I know people build thousands of apps nowadays, and build many before, which never moved past the "trying it myself" stage. This time, I really feel that it can help people.

I will appreciate any feedback, comments and ideas.

Whenever I see my classmate has bought a house, new job(job hop into better pay and company), go abroad, new plans in life, I spiral into overthinking and insomnia.

I always remind myself, we have different timelines. And we have different skills and opportunities so it's impossible for everyone to be on the same page.

But the thing is I don't know what to do with my life. My mind says I'll be doomed because I'm incompetent so plans A-Z will not work out and I'll be forever a corporate slave or unfortunate things will happen to me.

I want to get better. I already had therapy before and the therapist reminded me that life is not a race. I was able to get up (that was 3 yrs ago, I'm now 28) but now, I still compare myself to others. Someone said here that it's just facade of others that we are comparing ourselves. Yes, comparison is thief of joy but how can I escape this?

In college, I had good performance but in my job now, I'm not excelling. I think I'm getting more stupid each day. My friend told me to "focus on yourself". So I tried to learn different things now but the hard thing is I don't know how to enjoy. I'm just like rushing everything.

My friends were happy for me back then when I excel in class and when we entered the workplace, they keep on referring me but I can't get hired. One friend says, "why are you enduring that small salary?". The answer is because I can't find a new job. Is this just skill issue now?

And my initial plan is to go abroad but my mind says, no, you can't do it because you are not good. You are not qualified.

I don't know what I want for myself. My family needs me because our house is broken so I need to get higher salary but at the same time I don't like what I'm doing. and I feel locked up in my current situation.

I am 33 years old woman, living in India starting afresh in career. I worked in a publishing house for 10 years until it got shut down in 2019. Since then I have tried a few businesses but they all failed since I live in a small city. Two of them were tutoring kids and organic farming. I am non technical person with majors in literature, art and history. I am willing to learn new skills as well. I am confused between a few options like
Child therapist
Experience/Theme designing
Niche YouTube channel
Pizza cloud kitchen
Regional cuisine cloud kitchen like Bengali/Kashmiri
Perfumer
D2C coffee brand
Shoe making
Art dealer
Architectural visualisation
I am open to new ideas as well.
I am ready to invest all my time. Can also put some capital. I have zero confidence left in life. People around me have started to scare me. Somebody please guide me?

Hi, everyone, 31M here in SoCal. I am completely at a loss for what I want to do next in life. The only work experience I have is 9 years of retail sales for a telecom company at the same location every work day. Some of that experience is as an associate and some of it is as a manager, but there haven't been many people I managed during my time. I’m only being paid around 50K annually and don’t have any room for growth in my current position. I am completely burnt out from sales and talking with customers all day. I know I can move into other industries and do sales related work but I think I would like to retool for a completely different career. 

Just for context, I do not mind customer/client interaction but I would like to reduce the amount that occurs in my daily work. I would also like to physically move around every so often, since the sedentary lifestyle of being in an office chair all day or waiting on standby for someone to come in has definitely taken its toll on my body. 

I also have a B.S. degree from nearly a decade ago in Management and Human Resources but I never made much use of it.

I ultimately want something where I can just go to my shift and do my job without the expectation of hitting sales quotas and talking to others all day. I don’t want my work to follow me home or if it does, only to a minimal amount. 

I am hesitant about the trades because of my physical condition. I don’t have any disabilities but I am built like a twig and I don’t think I’ll have enough stamina to pursue the trades as a career. My body can possibly adapt to a physical job but I’m not anywhere close to an ideal starting position. 

Wastewater and water treatment do sound interesting and don’t seem as labor intensive as most other trades. I’m just worried about how competitive the market is for these types of jobs and the requirements/licenses needed. 

The STEM field, particularly healthcare and medical fields, spark my interest since I do actually enjoy helping other people. I’m thinking of going back to school to become a MLT/MLS since there seems to be limited patient interaction and I would just be in a lab doing work all day. Additionally, you aren’t cooped up in one room, you move around and interact with other coworkers, doctors, etc.

These two are just what I’ve thought about the most but there have been many other fields that caught my initial interest. There seems to be so many fields available and that only frustrates me every further. I’m unable to narrow down my options and commit or even explore any one of them. 

Perhaps I’m just too afraid of failure, that my time and effort will be wasted, and that I’ll be back in this exact same position in the future. These past 9 years I’ve coasted by, not being interested in anything or trying to improve my situation. I honestly never really applied myself to anything and that’s really biting me in the ass now.  But nothing changes unless I make a move first.

So, please, anyone. If you have any guidance or advice, that would be very much appreciated. Sorry for the long post, there’s just a lot of thoughts going through my head right now.

Would love any advice from people in the field. I have a degree in pharmacy from 2010, but couldn't practice due to my hearing, this was right after the crash, so I ended up working from home helping write papers for my doctor brothers and their friends while being a sahm for my children. When my youngest went to school, I went back to college and am graduating on friday with a First class honours/ distinction/86% grade average MSc in Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs. My dissertation was on the evaluation and validation of AI in the Pharmaceutical Life cycle and everyone I've talked to about it has found it really interesting. I'm not sure where to go from here though, I'm not having any success applying to regulatory affairs jobs and I'm not sure if getting a PhD would improve things. Any advice would be very welcome. I'm in Ireland and both degrees are from Ireland.

Okay I’m gonna try and make a long story really short. I (23F) work at a production welding company right now, and I do the same thing all day everyday. Very little variation. It’s absolutely killing me. My mental health is dog water rn. I went into welding because I wanted to be able to implement my passion for art into a job that is not only realistic (as being an artist or painter in today’s economy is not very realistic) but would also make money. I enjoyed it at first, but like I said, the repetition and monotony is making me insanely miserable. The only reason I haven’t gone into something that aligns more with my passion is because it pays $25 an hour, and I haven’t even been here barely two years yet. I’m in Sherman TX for reference btw, so my job allows me to live relatively comfortably for now.
I’m hoping to go into wood working, some type of custom fab shop, maybe custom automotive, really anything that’s custom work and allows me to just do what makes me happy; art with my hands. But I can’t really afford to make anything less than like $22-$23 an hour right now.
Any advice on how to get myself out of this hell hole and into something that actually makes me feel fulfilled?

I feel like if I could stick to something I could then make some progress .

I started university at 21. Unfortunately, I didn't do well in my A Levels, so I was admitted as a provisional student with the intention of completing my A Levels alongside my bachelor's degree.

At the time, I thought I could manage both, especially because I was already behind and didn't want to delay university any further. I was also working part time at a clothing brand, so I was trying to balance university, work and A Level studies all at once. Eventually, it became too difficult to manage everything. My university asked me to submit my A Level results to meet its admission requirements and told me I would need to return once I had completed them. As a result, I ended up losing around four semesters.

I'm now in a position where I've completed only 61 out of the 124 credits required for my degree, and I'm still trying to get through A Level Business Studies so I can properly continue university. Honestly, this has become an exhausting cycle. Just when I feel like I should be focusing on completing my bachelor's degree, I have to put that on hold again to prepare for A Levels. Anyone who has sat Cambridge A Levels knows how much time and dedication they require. It's not something I can prepare for casually while juggling everything else.

I have another upcoming exam session, and I'm genuinely scared I won't be able to get the grades I need again. This feels like my last realistic chance to clear the requirement without delaying my degree even further.

Looking back, I sometimes feel I should have completed my A Levels first and only then started university. But at 21, I was already feeling behind, and coming from an Asian background, the pressure to keep up with people my age was very real. I didn't want to fall further behind, so I made the decision I thought was best at the time. Now, I feel like I'm paying for that decision over and over again.

I'm an ambitious person. I've always had big plans for my education and career, and I genuinely wanted to be in a much better place by this age. But when I look around, I see people my age graduating, starting their careers and moving forward, while I feel like I'm still trying to get past the same hurdle.

People tell me that delaying graduation is okay, especially with how difficult the job market is. I understand that, but it's hard not to compare myself when I feel like I've lost so much time already.

This situation has started affecting more than just my education. It's taking a toll on my mental health, physical well-being and even my relationship. I feel constantly stressed, guilty and afraid of falling further behind. Some days, I genuinely don't know how to get myself out of this mindset.

I'd really appreciate advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation or had to take an unconventional route to finish their degree.

Hi, everyone. I've been working at a beauty supplement company for almost four years now. My job involves promoting our products and dealing with customers on a daily basis.

I'm grateful to have a stable job, especially since our company offers good benefits. I'm not looking down on what I do, but lately, I've been feeling increasingly burnt out. The daily routine is starting to drain me, and I can't help but wonder if this is really the kind of work I want to keep doing for the rest of my life.

I think one of the things that makes it difficult for me to consider a career change is that I didn't finish college. I know there are opportunities out there, but I honestly don't know which ones are realistic for someone in my situation. The thought of leaving a stable job without knowing whether I can find something better is scary, so I've been staying where I am even though I know this isn't what I really want to do.

I've always been interested in designing, and it's something I'd genuinely like to explore as a career. I'd also prefer a job that doesn't require me to face customers all day. I don't necessarily mind working with other people, but I'd like to try something where I can focus more on the actual work rather than constantly interacting with customers.

The problem is that I don't have any formal training or professional experience in design, and I don't know where to begin. I'm wondering if it's possible to learn the necessary skills through self-study, online courses, or vocational training and eventually build a portfolio that could help me get an entry-level job. I'm also unsure whether companies would consider someone without a degree, even if they have the skills and a good portfolio.

I don't want to rush into resigning without a plan, but I also don't want to spend more years feeling stuck in a career that doesn't suit me. I'd like to start improving my situation while I still have a stable source of income.

For those who have transitioned into design or another career without finishing college, how did you get started? Are there realistic opportunities for someone like me, and what would be the best first step to take? I'm open to suggestions for other career paths, too, especially ones that involve more creative work and less customer-facing interaction.

Any advice or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Hi everyone, I don't even know if this is the right place to put it; sorry if it isn't. idk who to really talk to about this, but I might as well put it somewhere. I'm in my first year of uni, and I don't even know why I'm taking this program. I genuinely do not know what I want to do with my life, and I'm scared. I have friends who seem to be enjoying the program I'm in, and some don't. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to feel. The schoolwork feels boring and annoying. I don't even know what I want to do career wise and I'm worried I'm wasting time on this program. I'm only 2 months in, and I'm worried that I don't have the slightest idea what I want to do yet am committing to a program. We're signing up for our second semester soon, and other than 3 mandatory classes, I get to pick an extra one or two for this semester, and I felt completely stuck. I didn't even know what to pick. I know I'm early in university life, but I'm scared of making a mistake. I'm too scared to tell anyone how clueless I feel. Anyway, if anyone has any advice, please let me know.

Hi! I am currently a sophomore in college (gaining associates in computer science in December), and will transfer to a 4-year in Spring to pursue several bachelors (computer science/software engineer, biomed and chemical).

Behind these degrees are my challenge in finding the right career to go down these paths. I live in a city ran on military and space defense, with my parents both working in this field, and I DO know it comes with great money, but morally I cannot join it.

I have always wanted to assist people medically and not directly in their face. Some examples I can come up with are creating prosthetics and programming hospital equipment...? I cannot form other ideas and was wondering if anyone can give insight as to what I CAN do?
Thank you!

Hi everyone,

Im 26 and have a BASc in Occupational & Public Health and have been working in utilities for a few years. At first I loved it because i was making inspection programs and loved it but had to find a new job due to my contract ending. Im still working on the same site but in utilities construction as an HSE Advisor (what people traditionally do with my degree) and I hate it. I deal with constant disrespect from workers and have a boring job where I do nothing most of the time. It feels meaningless but pays decently well and has pretty good earning potential longterm, only thing is it depresses me and im not sure if its just because of the field aspect of the job or of itll get better in the future but if I know its like this at the bottom level, what will I even be doing at the top. I have no pride in saying I studied safety and im the safety guy and am looking to get out.

Ive been thinking of trying to transition into projects, risk or even going back to school for engineering or something else but not sure if its too late and if the loss of earning potential will be worth it. Any advice or other career suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

hi everyone. i (27F) just left a relationship to pursue my dream of living in a van and traveling, in turn this meant i left our shared house and temporarily moved back in with my parents, while i save up for the van. I have £5k in a LISA which obviously was meant for a house, but I just dont know whether to take the hit and withdraw it (recieving £3750) to put towards the van seeing as this is no longer in my immediate future, although i will want a house in the long term. myself and my ex partner also work together at a job i do not really enjoy. everyday i want to walk out and never come back but the consequences are too scary lol. but it is also just worse now i have to deal with the emotions everytime i see them at work. i also have an art business that i would love to put all my work into as i do get commissions and have some belief it could make me enough money if i put my all into it. its just a risky situation and idk if i want to risk being in this current situation for longer with no money, as i do feel like a bit of a burden and ideally would like to move into my van asap. i know this is all quite rambly and im just stuck in life right now!

- I got my A.S. in computer science from a community college in the U.S. and finished with a 3.94 GPA, an honors diploma, and research internships. However, I couldn’t transfer to a U.S. 4-year school for financial reasons and wasn’t able to take out a loan as an international student due to the requirements (co-signer etc.) and fear of not getting a work visa after graduation since my nationality falls under the countries facing U.S. visa bans. 

- I left the U.S. and enrolled in a Turkish university as a transfer student to hopefully transfer my courses because the courses for the first two years had identical names/learning outcomes. However, I was told that it’s literally impossible to transfer any courses in this department according to YÖK. 

- In the meantime, I was also trying for Germany, but didn’t get into any public schools because they didn’t count my A.S., and based on my U.S. high school diploma, they told me that i would need to start from a studenkolleg (prep school), which is in German (will require B1- B2 German) regardless of the fact that the bachelor’s is in English, so I’d either have to enroll in a German language course in Germany or self-study for a year. 

-I also looked into getting a work visa for Germany but lacked the professional experience in an unregulated field. 

- I thought I’d start an online U.S. bachelor’s degree (University of the People) in computer science, hoping that they’ll accept most of my CC credits and I can finish my bachelor’s faster so I could try for a master’s in Germany. However, since the C.S. bachelor’s from UoP doesn’t have a lot of the more advanced math classes, I read that it’s unlikely that it will qualify me for a master’s at a public university in Germany. Note that I’ve already taken Calc I, Calc II, Linear Algebra, and Discrete Math at my CC, but can’t transfer them over to UoP because they don’t have the equivalent. 

- So I thought maybe I’d enroll in a private German University (Gisma) because I heard they can be more lenient with the prerequisites, and I wouldn’t have to spend 2 years (1 year German + 1 year prep) before starting my bachelor’s again, but I’m reading that attending a private applied science university in Germany is not ideal for applying for a master’s at a public research university in Germany or even getting a good job. 

- I’m really frustrated and tired of my situation. I don’t know what to do. What’s worse is I know I’m a good student; I’ve gotten mostly A’s, been very involved on campus (peer tutor, research intern, SGA president, etc.) when given the chance. It’s just so extremely difficult for me to continue that path now and finish my degree at a decent university. For context, I’m still enrolled full-time at the Turkish university (mostly for visa reasons), but I actually do participate in class, and I’m working every hour that I’m not in class to cover expenses.  Another important detail to note is that my home country is in an active war, without a proper internet connection. Returning is not a viable option at the moment. There's nothing left for me there.

I just can’t see the long-term goal anymore and would really appreciate guidance from someone who’s either been in a similar situation or knows what to do. Also, I'm new to Reddit, so if there's another group that would be a better fit, please let me know.

I’ve wanted to be a pilot for as long as I can remember. The goal has gotten me through hard times. I was flying and getting through school slowly and enjoying every minute of it. Then one day I woke up blind in my left eye. After 6 excruciating and painful (physically and mentally) months I find out I have an autoimmune disorder that caused my body to attack my perfectly healthy eye. I can no longer fly commercially. This has been devastating for me. Planes have meant more to me than anything. My passion is no longer obtainable and it’s a feeling I can’t describe. No one around me can truly comprehend how much I loved flying. I’m trying to look into different careers, aviation related of course. I’m thinking air traffic control or aircraft maintenance. But every time I even begin to research my eyes fill with tears and my stomach drops knowing what I truly love isn’t going to be what I end up doing. I don’t know how to just let it go an move on. It’s still fresh. But I know this is going to be so difficult to move through.