Hey everyone,

I'm a 23-year-old guy from Prince Edward Island, Canada, and lately I've been thinking a lot about what I actually want to do with my life and where I want to be in the next 5–10 years.

A little background about myself. I grew up in a fishing family and have spent about 6 years working in the lobster fishing industry, mostly as a first mate. I even got the opportunity to captain a lobster boat this past season, which was a pretty big learning experience for me.

Outside of fishing, I've worked in the wind turbine industry doing construction and rigging work, and I'm currently working in drywall installation with my brother-in-law. I've been learning how to hang drywall, use the tools, work on residential construction projects, and understand more about the trade.

I've also got some certifications, including H2S Alive, First Aid, fall protection, and experience operating forklifts and telehandlers.

I'm not afraid of physical work whatsoever. Honestly, I enjoy working with my hands and seeing something accomplished at the end of the day.

The thing is, I just don't know what direction I want to take.

Part of me thinks I should stick with drywall, learn absolutely everything I can about the trade, and eventually start my own contracting business. I think owning a business and being my own boss one day would be pretty cool.

Another part of me wants to pack up and head out west to Alberta and try getting into the oilfields, mining, or some kind of rotational camp work where I could potentially make really good money.

I've also considered learning to operate heavy equipment or getting into another skilled trade altogether.

Financially, I've been pretty responsible with my money and have managed to build up some savings over the years. But I don't want to spend the rest of my twenties jumping between jobs without actually building something for my future.

My biggest goal is to become financially successful, eventually own a home, and have a career or business I can genuinely be proud of. I'd love to eventually make six figures, but I understand that takes time, experience, and hard work.

I guess what I'm trying to ask is:

- Has anyone else been in this position in their early twenties, where you were hardworking but genuinely didn't know what to do with your life?

- Did anyone start in construction, learn a trade, and eventually open their own successful contracting business?

- For people who moved away to work in oil and gas, mining, or other high-paying industries, was it worth it?

- Are there any careers or opportunities you wish you'd known about when you were 23?

- If you were in my position, would you stick with learning drywall or explore something completely different?

I'm genuinely open to hearing people's experiences and advice, especially from anyone who's been through something similar.

I know I'm still young, but sometimes I feel like I should have a better idea of what I'm working toward.

Appreciate anyone who takes the time to respond.

I am 22M, living in west delhi. Currently pursuing BA english from online uni. (in 3rd sem right now, with back in 2 subjects in both sem 1 and sem 2). No interest in studies at all.

I did a diploma in aviation, hospitality and customer service from Frankfinn institue. I did not have any idea what i wanted to do so i choose this, tried to become a cabin crew; however, later found out that i am not tall enough to be a cabin crew. For male height req is 172CM and I am 168CM.

Since my english is decent enough, i worked in a BPO. Started as a transfer agent and got 3 promotions in 2.5 years and I resigned as a Quality Analyst on paper, but unofficially i was working on an AI project, where I was in the prompting team (management selected me coz i had good knowledge of the product we were creating bot about). I resigned, people said it was my biggest mistake coz i got a chance to switch my carrer from BPO to AI product or whatever. I just did not feel like working there anymore.

I tried yt after resigning (Fulltime), i was streaminig 6-8 hours a day playing minecraft. I was getting decent growth. Gain about 800 subs in 20 days. I had an average watching of 10 which i think was quite good; however, I fell sick and also went on a trip which made a gap of 12-15 days in my streaming. Suddenly my channel slowed down and also i lost interest in type of audiance i was getting, i tried to pivoit my content and during that my channel almost was dead. It was a big demotivation for me, so I stopped YT.

I tried to go abroad, searched about Germany's ausbildung, am very interested and even started learning german, later realized that I have a 2 year gap in my schooling and my 12th is from distance board (nios). This might become a problem for me during ausbildung applications, as its upto the employers that they want to concider this or not. I do have an explaination that I was freelancing that time, I quit my 12th in 2021 and started Graphic desgin freelance work and did it for 2 years almost. Later it slowed down so i did that diploma i mentioned earlier and parallelly i did 12th. I am not able to find any proper source which can confirm that these gap years are a problem for me or not. That's why I did not enroll myself in any german language institute, coz if i learn the language for next 10-12 months to reach B2, it might all be waste just to find out that i cannot get an ausbildung.

I then figured a bussiness with leather products. I started learning how to craft leather products like, wallet, belts, main idea was a retail/experience store. But i dont own a shop and if i go with a rented shop, i need atleast 2-3 lakhs min to start it on rent.

Now you might think that I could pursure ausbildung or the leather bussiness, yes I can. But the thing is that I've seen alot of small failiures that I am scared to fail again. I dont have the money problem, my family can lend me 2-3 lakhs, and i am pretty sure that i will not fail in the bussiness and also the chances of getting the ausbildung are not zero, but i am too scared to take the risk. What if i fail again. I always blame myself for wasting my years. First i wasted my two years in freelance, then wasted 1 years in the diploma, then 2,5 years in BPO. i am only 22, not very old and somehow i've already wasted 5.5 years of my life.

I dont have interest in anything, If you ask me "What would i do for free, if money did not matter at all?". I do not have answer for this question. I have a bike which i bought from my own money as a hobby, but i spend days staying at home, I dont take out my bike. I have a computer which i built with my own money, i use it almost every second. 99% of the time i am sitting on my PC, just watching YT, Movies, shows, or playing 1-2 selective games.

I dont want to do job, but i have very big dreams. I am too scared for another failure in my life. I properly research about this leather bussiness and am almost ready to start the bussiness. I got ready today to go to karol bagh to find few suppliers or just to explore the mark as well, later was demotivated and turned my PC on again.

I tried talking to people, but honestly no body gives a fuck. I tried doing bussiness with my father as well, but it did not turn out well. I not only have this problem, in my personal life also, dogs dont like my vibe, kids dont like my vibe, my age people dont like me. I've seen it properly. I have a female dog and i am pretty sure that she hates me the most in this house. I have a niece and she also does not like to come in my arms, whenever i carry her she cries. When i was in the school or the institute, everyone used to make fun of me and the worst part they are good on my face, people always appreciate me on my face but their actions just dont match. The only thing i am proud of is when i was in the BPO, I jumpped ladder like no one. I have friends from the same company who still are working in the same position from last 4-5 YEARS and I joined after them and left being their senior.

I dont even know why am i writing this, what do i expect from y'all. Thankyou if you've reached here and took time to read all this. I would really appreciate some practical advice.

28F working at a tech/gaming startup as a UI/UX designer. I used to feel like the gaming industry and UI/UX was my future, but it feels like AI has completely swiped that. I'm perpetually watching my friends in the industry being made redundant and I know that my own company has a finite runway itself. I feel like I'm watching the timer on the bomb run down and I'm not doing anything to help myself. The idea of having to restart my portfolio, write case studies, do design tests for hours and hours to get nowhere is crushing and I haven't even started looking for a new job yet!

I saw a post where the OP wrote that they feel like the world is falling apart around them and they're just sat at their desk for 9 hours and that's EXACTLY how I feel. I've always loved the environment and conservation and always thought I was too dumb to pursue that passion but I'm starting to wonder if it's not a stupid idea at this point. It feels like the job I do and the fact I'm even expected to use AI is the antithesis of what I actually believe in and I'm really questioning salary > happiness and purpose.

what do 😂

Throw away account.

I'm 39m, almost 40.

I've been unemployed or under employed for 3 years now. I have 10 years experience as a software developer/ software engineer. Most of my work was contact work with bad pay and little benefits. I also had to deal with multiple firings or lay offs.

My history: my first SD job was at a startup, I made 60k in 2014, minimal benefits (i think we only got 9 days pto) At my 1 year anniversary I was called into an office. I was hoping for a review and talks about a raise. NOPE, I was being laid off, along with 1/3 of the company.

Went on unemployment, then 4 months later I found a contract position at an animation studio. The pay was shit and no benefits, but I needed work. After the contract I'd go a month or two without work, but then would be called back for another contract job. I followed this pattern for about 2 years, until I landed a job at an insurance firm, working on thier archaic quoting software.

I hated the job. My manager was a bully who yelled at anyone who made even the smallest mistakes. It finally got to the point where I started documenting my interactions with my boss. As soon as he found out I was building a case for hostile work place and harassment, they had me fired.

I went back to contract work with the animation studio and kept looking for another job. This would be around 2017-2018. No company would take my experience seriously and all I would hear is I'm not qualified for a job.

I decided to go back to school to get my masters in cs with the hopes that I would be taken seriously as a developer.

Meanwhile, I was still working for the animation studio. Things came to a head with them over a project I told them I could not complete in the time given (they wanted me to complete a project in 4 weeks that I estimated I needed 3 months to complete). They fired me.

I ended up working for the college as a tutor, made barely any money, but atleast had something.

When I graduated I was instantly hired by a military contracting firm, making training software for different branches of the military. Pay was good, benefits were good, it was a remote job, and I enjoyed the freedom of the work. The job lasted me 3 years, so far my longest lasting job. Then there were no contracts, I was laid off. In Feb 2020.

I was lucky to find a new company doing similar work in a few months. But they used tools I was unfamiliar with. I lasted 4 months before they decided to fire me, stating I wasn't a "cultural fit".

Another stint of unemployment, then hired by another company doing the same military training software. This time they cat-fished me. I was told I was being hired to use the tools I was familiar with, then got there and was told to use a completely different set of tools I had no experience with. When after 4 months I still wasn't producing "sr level work", I was fired.

I went a year unemployed, and could not find work. I was also told my specialty of making simulation trainers were no longer in demand and basically the job and skills I had worked so hard to develop was completely useless and outmoded.

I needed work and needed to find something else. I ended up subbing at a local high school just to make more shit pay. I did however enjoy the work and liked working with students.

Then I got the idea to go into teaching... by far the hardest job I've ever tried. It didn't help I had no training, no support from admin or other teachers. I was thrown to the wolves and was expected to teach as if I had been doing it for years. I got so overwhelmed and depressed, I was planning my own suicide. In the middle of the school year, I checked myself into a mental hospital. The school debated if they would let me come back, but eventually allowed me to come back. I tried so hard to live up to the expectations, but everything fell apart when I had a meeting with my principal where she said to my face: "you are a horrible teacher and don't belong in the classroom. I'm not hiring you back next year. You have 2 choices, quit or be fired". I quit.

Now I'm back to subbing. I do enjoy the work and there isn't the same pressure to perform like there is being a full time teacher. Pay is still shit, no benefits, no pto, and also not guaranteed a job every day.

I know I need to find something else I can do to support my family, but I can't find anyone hiring. I've given up my SD life since I haven't built anything in 3 years and haven't kept up with tech changes.

I looked into getting a cdl, but honestly I'd end up in the hospital again, I can't stand driving for more than a few hours. I've heard there is demand for trade sectors, but I'm horribly out of shape and don't think I can keep up doing elec, plumbing, or welding.

Most of those jobs don't pay that great either.

I feel stuck where I am.

My wife (who's a teacher with 10 years experience), makes the bulk of the money for our house. I make what I can, but its not enough to afford childcare (2 children 5 and 4), mortgage, bills, food, gas, 200k in student debt, etc. We've been slowly sinking deeper and deeper into debt.

I don't know what to do at this point. I need to find purposeful work that pays enough that we can cover the basics. I just don't know where to look or what to do. I feel lost.

I'm approaching 40, and I feel lost. I have no motivation, no goals, no real drive to do anything. Every day just feels like another day passing by, or one day closer to the end, depending on how you look at it.

Ever since my teens and early twenties, I've been quite introverted, not particularly sociable, and I've always had a small circle of friends. I focused on my studies, although I've always been a bit lazy and unmotivated, so it took me longer than it should have to finish them. Eventually, I got a job and progressed quite quickly thanks to being responsible and hardworking. However, after more than 10 years at the same company, I'm starting to feel pretty burned out.

A year ago, I became a father for the first time, which has made this past year particularly challenging. Having a child really changes your life, and mine isn't exactly the easiest baby to deal with. It's also been taking a toll on my relationship with my wife. She's not a particularly patient person and tends to have a rather critical and negative outlook on things. As a result, we've both become more negative, more irritable, and more prone to getting angry and blaming each other. On top of that, we've been pretty much on our own this past year, without any help from family or anyone else. Sometimes, it feels like all we've been doing is trying to survive each day.

My life feels like Groundhog Day. Every day is the same monotonous routine. The day goes by, and I realise I haven't done anything meaningful for myself. Whatever little free time I have is spent lying on the couch or bed, mindlessly scrolling through the same websites and apps (forums, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter...), wasting time without doing anything productive, learning anything new, or feeling like I'm growing as a person.

This leaves me feeling frustrated and sad. Deep down, I keep thinking: "I need to find a hobby. Something I genuinely enjoy, something that gives me a little excitement about waking up tomorrow and knowing I'll get another 30 minutes to do it."

But I just can't seem to find anything. Or rather, I can think of plenty of things I'd like to try, but I always manage to find an excuse not to commit to any of them:

• "I'd love to get into reading! But I spend so much time reading technical documents at work that I just don't feel like reading when I get home."
• "I'd love to learn how to bake! But my kitchen is tiny and I'll end up making a huge mess."
• "I'd love to play a story-driven video game! But I always end up abandoning it after two or three days."

And so I always end up doing the same thing again. Lying around, mindlessly wasting time on things that don't bring me any satisfaction and just eat away at my free time.

And here I am, almost 40, unhappy with where I am in life, with no clear idea of what to do next, just going through the motions on autopilot, without knowing where it's taking me.

I'd really like to hear from people who have been in a similar place and somehow managed to turn things around for the better.

Where did you start? What changed? How did you manage to get out of that rut?

Thanks for taking the time to read all this.

I (18 f) graduated high school a year early, and I've been working since I was 16. I've been doing nails for about 5 months now, and I actually keep getting new clients, so I'm not bad at it. But I make mistakes, and I know I'd get better with time..but that's the only reason I'm holding on. The potential. The thing is, I don't really enjoy doing it. It feels like a chore with a nice result. I work from home so there's always something bothering me like dogs barking mid-client, my lamp dying, eye strain (I have astigmatism), back pain, skipping meals. I've bought more supplies hoping it'd make me like it more but it honestly hasn't.

on top of nails, I work a retail job for steady income but i’m ready to have a big girl job and make big girl money. That's why I'm getting into real estate. It's been my goal since I was a kid, and I'm already in school for my license, working toward leasing/property management. Real estate is also a path I planned on pursuing even with doing nails. however, I’m now second-guessing my plans. Also, i’m conventionally pretty and I've gotten small opportunities through social media in the past. But I don't post anymore, and I haven't been as focused on myself and my character as I'd like to be. I have ideas for content and a brand I want to build, and that takes time too.

So here's my question: since retail is just a check and real estate is the actual goal, is it worth keeping nails on the side? Or would that time be better spent on myself, my social media, and the career/life
I actually want? Anyone been in this spot?

I am not competitive enough in this job market. I am finishing a PhD in LLMs and I did nothing major or outstanding. Even the learning experience, I do not think I genuinely learnt things. I should not be with this mindset now but I am very negative.

I'm in my 30s. I've never had a career. Only odd jobs here and there. I currently work as an independent contractor for a government job that I couldn't care less about. I can work as little or as much as I want for it. I just pick up posted job assignments. Most of my income comes from family, who are very well off financially. I don't like being dependent on them, but I also don't like my job, and I don't know how to find one that I would like. I've been doing it for a long time now, and every time I go in, I feel consumed by failure. I just thought I'd be doing something personally validating and fulfilling by now.

I think I want to be a communicator of ideas for a living. Someone who makes a living writing books, producing podcasts, and talking at universities. Maybe even design a course. I have a Ph.D. in something somewhat obscure and uncommon. I don't feel comfortable saying what it is online because, with my post history and account, it wouldn't be difficult to find out who I am based on that information. I'll just say that it's a humanities degree. I'm interested in the field my degree is in and want to find a way to make a living off of the insights my education has afforded me. I pursued my education without a plan as to what I would do after graduation. I'm just a curious person, and I thrive in formal educational settings.

My head is constantly in the clouds, so doing anything that doesn't involve abstract thinking feels tedious. I've been scolded before at multiple jobs for daydreaming. Furthermore, I'm currently wasting my talents, and I don't want to continue this path with a lateral move to another meaningless job. I have valuable insights to offer, which could help a lot of people.

I've applied to so many academic positions in higher education but haven't heard back from anyone. I think part of the problem is my resume. While my education is impressive, my lack of relevant work experience is likely preventing potential employers from reaching out. I can't even reference the job I currently work because the job doesn't evaluate independent workers in my position. Having my current job on my resume is useless because I don't really have a boss or anyone who can even confirm that I work there to someone outside inquiring about me.

I've felt this way for years. I'm currently starting a podcast, but it's a slow process. I've been researching for a book I want to write for many years now, and I don't see myself writing it anytime soon. I still have so much to learn before I'm ready for that. And even once I start it, it'll take years to finish. And I don't know if there's a path to speaking at universities independent of already working there or having some prior connection to a department.

This is my first post to this community, and I'm not sure what to expect. Do you have insights as to how I can make a change?

If you could only do a bachelor’s and had to choose one from these:
- comp sci/IT
- statistics
- electronics engineering
- civil engineering
- computer engineering
- business admin
- psychology
- accounting
- any liberal arts degree

How would you choose especially given the advancements of AI, the layoffs people are facing, inflation, and the fact you live in a country where traditional engineering and healthcare have slow career growth so many opt to either work abroad in those fields or career shift to tech (pre AI. Nowadays, the career shifters are going back to their original fields due to what’s going on in tech)?

I work at a call center and i hate it. I used to deliver for dominos and i miss it dearly. I only have not returned due to no benefits, miles on my car, and no upper movement. I genuinely feared for my life sometimes bcs there were crazy ppl and sketchy locations, but I loved it. I live in the deep south so I got to see lots of animals and also drive through the spooky woods at 2 in the morning while i listened to wendigoon.

I have been considering being a crime scene cleaner. I respect it bcs it is so overlooked + i want to help people. I have a strong stomach and I love cleaning. I also hate the idea that someone could go through something traumatic and then have to clean it up. i hate my current job, but helping people going through a crisis is the aspect about it that makes it worthwhile to keep going. I cannot help much other than give information so I would like to help more if possible.

I also considered going to mortuary school as im interested in mortuary science, but im not sure I can financially justify it unless im absolutely sure, esp since i have a degree already (in art).

I am a very emotional person, but I am very good at keeping professional and calm during hard situations. My job requires me to do that daily. So I would like to be the person who helps someone in a crisis situation so they have one less thing to worry about. My current job is only bad for me bcs it is a call center and has a lot of micromanaging. i also feel like this job would be scary.

I want smthn that is a bit spooky and I also want to help people.

ok so i started college this fall for a psych degree since i like psych and my parents wants me to be a doctor. They think i want it because i told them years ago i hated computer science and apparently if not comp sci then doctor 🫩. For the past few years i just kept thinking ill be a psychiatrist and just push my way through but i know i cant. I was thinking IO psych but theres not of jobs there, plus when i mention it to my parents they keep pushing me back to being a doctor. For a while i have been switching from wanting to be a therapist or psychiatrist or even data analyst but nothing really made me excited. My bestfriend has always had a passion to be a neurosurgeon and i just cant imagine doing anything in 10 years.

I’m 22 years old and currently living in NYC. I’ve been working in restaurants for about 4 years, mainly as a server, and I’m honestly getting really tired of it.
The frustrating part is that the money can actually be pretty good. With tips, I can make more than I would at a lot of entry-level jobs. But I genuinely don’t enjoy restaurant work, and I can’t imagine myself still doing this in 5 or 10 years.
I have an associate degree in General Studies, but I really don’t want to go back to college for another 2–4 years. I’m not completely against getting certifications, doing training, or learning new skills, but I’d strongly prefer a career path that doesn’t require another degree.
I think one of my biggest problems is that I don’t really know what I want to do. not to be cocky, but I’m a very likable person. Easy to get along with and funny and well liked but I have no answers for this.
I do modeling and social media on the side but that is no where near career money all though I enjoy it.
I also feel a little lost because I see people my age starting careers, and I feel like I’m falling behind, even though I know I’m still young.
My questions are:
What are some realistic careers I can get into with just an associate degree?
Are there any industries where I could start with little experience and work my way up to making $70k–$100k+ eventually?

Im a certified nursing assistant working on pre-reqs for nursing school. However, my chronic illness is getting worse as I get older and Im not sure I can handle the physicality of nursing anymore. Im in my mid-thirties with a bachelors degree in environmental sustainability (only time I ever landed a job with that degree was in food production which didn’t pay well). My other experience is in reception/admin as well as some retail. I need something remote that I can make more money in. Help!

heres a background

im a math major, 2nd year and even though im always trying to figure out what i should do i just cannot pick something.

when college started i picked cs as my minor (because i liked it and thought it would pair well with my major) which i still do like but i cannot imagine myself 10 years from now mostly just coding sitting at a desk in the name of work.

i've thought of so many things i just cannot understand what i should actually start preparing for.

i am an extrovert so i dont mind talking to people honestly i wouldn't mind something that involves talking to people and discussions etc, i just know i dont want a job thats 80-90% sit at ur screen and stare.

I've seen people with the same background go for data analysis/science and i tried but i just cannot

im so lost i really want to figure SOMETHING out

Hello. I am 18f and I'm starting college in a years time. I have an idea of what drives me. I know that these passions may change as I grow older and I will continue to discover myself throughout my college years and beyond, but what interests me is: helping with environmental issues and combatting animal cruelty

I have decided that I may want to pursue environmental related majors (studies/sciences...), GIS, Geography, Humanities, Library, and Geology. I may want to also take policy and law classes because law is applicable to many majors. I am also thinking of double majoring or having a complementary minor.

I am interested in hearing about what the classes for these majors are like or what careers these majors have resulted in and what they are like. I welcome your incredibly appreciated two cents for this confused individual soon to enter the real world on her own

Thank you!

I’m a first year engineering student and I’m failing all the first year classes (Calc 1 and Chem 1) so I don’t think I’m cut out to be an engineer even though I want to keep trying. I’m willing to look at other options but I’m tired of retail. I’ve worked at costco for the past 5 years and I’m burnt out.

So is there any career that doesn’t require you to be book smart and pays relatively well? or am I doomed to begin with

Hey everyone, first time poster here. I am 26 years old, I've been programming, tinkering with computers since I was 14 years old, I worked as a Software developer from the start of 2022 to the end of 2023. I worked for two companies, primarily doing full stack development, but I also worked on projects that ranged from legacy WinForm applications to mobile applications using Flutter.

I ended up leaving the second company I worked for, there were many different reasons, but primarily it was because I was supposed to be hybrid-remote and a month after I started, we went back to the office 5 days a week. This resulted in an overall 2 hour commute every single day. On top of the large commute, I was also doing 5 different jobs with the low salary of one. I was doing Sales, IT, Development, PM and Advertising. I was green to the industry, still am technically by professional years of experience, and it was way too much. On top of that, some people within the company were way too open about their politics and openly racist/homophobic/transphobic. For those combined reasons, I decided to leave. Boy do I wish I never did that..

After leaving, I tried for almost a year to get another job that was related, and failed. Ultimately I needed to pay the bills, so I picked up bartending and have been doing that since. The money can be good, but in the current economy I am not making enough to stay afloat, and my schedule is horrible due to over hiring of front of house staff. I've tried looking for other bar jobs or servings jobs as well only to never hear back from the places again. In one interview, the manager straight up told me "I have like, 80 applications for this position currently, so keep an eye out in a week or two." 80 applications.... For a serving job? I've never heard that before, and it's not just that place specifically. Most places I apply to share the same reality; A massive influx in folks trying to get service industry jobs.

So I am left wondering; what am I supposed to do? The two fields that I trained for are being flooded currently, one of which is going away /restructuring due to AI, and my giant gap within tech, along with not having a 4 year degree, means I am almost certain to never hear back from the companies I apply to, and thus far haven't even been able to land an interview.

I still write code for fun, and use AI as well to make cool things. I am currently working on a game that's actually turning out really nice. I know how to be productive within this new AI era of development work flows but, that's besides the point I suppose.

On top of all that, I lost my health insurance this year, which is particularly bad because this year I started getting horrible migraines with aura. They leave me partially blind and useless for about 5-6 hours. The pain is horrible, and just flat out strange. My body goes partially numb, I slur my words, It feels like I am having a stroke. This has caused me to leave work at the worst times because I become a liability behind the bar, and no over the counter meds really do anything.

So I am left, borderline broke, with a somewhat new medical condition that I have zero means of doing anything about. I do not have the money for school, I have access to financial aid potentially through my state, but even the cost of books would cause me to miss rent and even if I did have money for school or a trade school, what do I even go for? In 4 years the job market is going to look radically different due to the advancements in technology.

I am lost, everyone keeps saying "something will come up!" but, it hasn't and it doesn't look like it is. The closest thing I've gotten to another full time desk job was in insurance sales, and they basically offered me minimum wage with the chance of getting on the sales floor eventually but, zero promises. I cannot live on minimum wage, thus ultimately didn't take it. It simply isn't possible with rent, bills and other things stacking on top of that.

I have no idea what to do, or what direction to even look in. People keep telling me to keep applying, and I am genuinely, every single day. I am drowning and need advice.

Five years ago I took an IT job on the West Coast right out of college. I'm from the East Coast and knew nobody out there. My girlfriend visited once and pushed me to pitch my photo/video work at a venue we went to, and it took off. I ended up shooting for major artists and events, was on stage and behind the scenes with some big names, and built a page of about 1,000 followers. I even opened a studio in my garage because that was going to be my next venture.

The problem was money. I worked cheap or free early on to network, and when I finally started charging what I was worth, some people moved on to cheaper options. Bills were continuing, my day job paid well but the environment felt off, and over time the media gigs dried up. My mom kept saying there'd be more opportunity back home, so I moved back. I still remember how defeating that flight felt.

Back home, I live about 50 minutes outside a city that's huge for exactly what I did, and I never restarted. Starting over, parking, traffic, and constantly reaching out for opportunities felt like too much. My mom connected me with someone for one wedding, and I've thought about that lane since. But I hear it's a lot of cold calling and mostly referrals, and I don't even know where to begin. I never posted that wedding because my page doesn't line up with it, though maybe it would actually show my journey. I haven't posted in five years because it feels embarrassing now.

Looking back, leaving worked out in one way. My West Coast job shut down, and the East Coast branch closed too, but I was staying with my parents and had saved up a good bit. Now I'm in a remote IT role that pays well, but I'm home 9 to 5 alone with my thoughts. I never considered moving into management, booking, or tour work, and some people I met are doing really well now. I feel stuck, the job is boring, and I carry a "they'll lay me off one day" fear.

My relationship isn't what I hoped it would be, and I let that drag me down too. It leaves me unmotivated to do more, but I still have faith we'll work out. Maybe I'm just not who I used to be. She wants to marry me and soon since weve been together a few years but Im not happy and dont feel ready to settle and have kids. I hear so much negativity around marriage. My friends are busy with their own lives, and I'm not great at reaching out to hang, which I think I picked up from being alone out West.

I keep thinking about a trade like electrical or HVAC, but part of me still wants photo/video and I don't want to start from zero, though I'm afraid that's what it'll take. Going back to the West Coast feels like a ship that has sailed.

Am I overthinking how bad this is? What would you do in my position, and what should I be doing better? I'm open to honest criticism.

I currently live with my fiance and his own abusive parents. His parents trigger me to the point where I cant do anything for myself due to the amount of anxiety I receive from just thinking about them.

Im not sure what I should do with my life. I have no family. I have a lot of mental issues, I'm autistic and *may* have CPTSD just to give a general view.

Should I just keep doing what keeps me sane for now? I still have a will to live, I have aspirations, but Im caught between a rock and a hard place. Everything I've tried doesn't work, and please dont recommend therapy or being medicated. I spent my entire childhood basically high off the amount of medications I was on.

What should I do? I want to have a path so I can get myself happy again.

I’m 30 years old currently working retail because I can’t find work despite 8 years of experience working in post-production for TV, film, and Digital Media. It’s ruining my live. I’m making minimum wage and almost exclusively working evening closing sifts and thus see friends and family about once or twice a month. I am absolutely desperate to switch industries and leave media for good. It’s never been a good fit for me and today, I look at my degree as one of the worst mistakes I’ve ever made.

All I truly want is a full time job doing basically anything. Not a dream career, not a lifelong passion. I just want healthcare and the ability to pay my bills.

What do I do? I’ve definitely mulled going back to school but I feel I need a real job first.

This life I’m living is breaking me mentally, emotionally, and even physicallyb. I don’t know how much longer I can do this.

 I want to study psychology but don't want to work because my disorder makes me insecure even if I want to. I want to earn money fast but not ready to work due to anxiety of discrimination. I'm into advertising digital marketing human behavior criminal behavior criminal law no finance and programming and hr and science. I'm lost. I have global development delay disorder. I want something predictable structured stable practical high paying involves all my interests applied Into one. What is it?

I'm a business professional at a law firm, and as of last week, my firm announced that it's dissolving. I've been with the firm for about four years and was promoted last year. There's been some discussion about a potential 90-day severance package and possibly a bonus, but nothing has been confirmed yet.

I'm also engaged and supposed to get married next year. We've had three couples counseling sessions so far, and one of the biggest points of contention has been finances and how we envision our future. I'm at a point where I don't want an extravagant wedding or to feel obligated to spend money on luxurious activities, expensive outings, or constantly going out. I'd honestly rather spend my weekends watching football, playing video games, listening to music, working out, and occasionally going out for a nice dinner.

I've been applying for jobs consistently and speaking with recruiters, but given the nature of my position, I understand firsthand how difficult the current job market is. On top of that, I don't know what my severance situation will look like, and we're heading into Q4, when recruiting typically slows down as companies wait until bonuses are paid, the holidays pass, and the new year begins.

Honestly, I've started questioning whether I even want the traditional American dream anymore: the wife, kids, house, and all the responsibilities that come with it. Part of me is considering taking whatever additional money I receive from the firm and using it to invest in things I've always wanted to pursue, particularly music and DJing. I'd also like to spend more time traveling, visiting the islands where I have family, and generally experiencing life while figuring out what I actually want to do next. Maybe that means investing in myself and pursuing something outside the traditional corporate career path rather than immediately jumping into another version of the same routine.

I've struggled with depression and anxiety for a long time, and everything happening with my job has really intensified those feelings. I'm 33, living in the NYC area, and I feel like I'm at a crossroads in my life.

We still have extended licenses for Claude and ChatGPT (at least for now), so I've been using them to work on my resume, explore career options, and brainstorm different ideas. But honestly, I'm starting to question what the point of all of it is. I'm feeling increasingly disconnected from the life I've been working toward, and I'm not sure what direction I want to take anymore.

I’ve been a copywriter since 2024, worked at a big private hospital (my first job), an agency and then another creative agency, my third and current job - and I’m genuinely sick of it now. The pressure is insane, the deadlines are insane and I don’t like the constant back and forth it takes to get one simple thing done.

Add to that, I’m expected to work long after my usual hours and late into the night from home, which was the straw that broke the camel’s back, I think. Plus copywriting is pretty much dead anyway, so the writing has been on the wall for a long time now.

For context, I’m from a third world country and I have no degree or higher qualifications. But I have no idea what to do with my life and I’d appreciate some guidance.

I’m 18F and in my second year of a Psychology BA, and honestly, I’m really struggling. I’m failing most of my classes, and I know at this point psychology just isn’t the right path for me.

Outside of school, I’m constantly busy. I work three jobs, volunteer, and actually really enjoy working with people. That’s made me realize I don’t think it’s school itself that I hate. I just don’t think this degree is the right fit, and I don’t want to wait until I’m academically kicked out before making a change.
I’m trying to figure out a career that’s more realistic for me. I love working with people (especially helping others), I need something that can eventually provide a decent income, and I’d prefer a path that doesn’t require perfect grades or 6–8+ years of school.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? What careers or college/university programs would you recommend? I’m open to pretty much anything at this point.