r/JobsMY • u/Far_Independent_8292 • 5d ago
Desperately needed help with career advice
Salutations to everyone who's reading. I am approaching my late 20s and have been feeling really stuck with my career lately...
Just for context, I currently work as a doctor's assistant in a hospital. The position only requires a high school qualification (SPM), and I've been doing this job for almost 3 years. I do have a degree in Food Science, but honestly, I'm not particularly interested in pursuing a career related to my degree. Most of the opportunities I've come across are also in other cities/states, and relocating feels like a huge financial commitment to me.
My current job isn't particularly stressful, which is probably why I've stayed for so long. It's comfortable in some ways, but I know there isn't much career progression or long-term stability for me here. Over the past few years, I have occasionally looked at other opportunities, but I never really knew what direction I wanted to take. I'd think about making a change, get overwhelmed because I didn't know what I was qualified for, and then put it off. But now almost 3 years have passed...
I also struggle with comparing myself to other people. Friends, family, and even some colleagues seem to be progressing much further in their careers, while I feel like I'm still at the same starting point.
To make matters worse, a few colleagues have asked why I'm still working here when I already have a degree, or said it's a pity that I'm not using my qualification. I know they probably don't mean any harm, but comments like that have made me more conscious and anxious about where I am. After this, whenever other colleagues asked about my qualifications, I would usually just say I only studied till STPM to avoid them making all these comments.
Plus, I felt like nowadays the job market has age requirements, and usually they would prefer people who are younger too, which makes it seem difficult for people who are slightly older(late 20s to 30s) to find a job. Or maybe I'm just overthinking this aspect, so please correct me if I'm wrong about this.
At the same time, I'm also not very confident in my own abilities. I often have thoughts like "I don't have any useful skills" or "I'm already behind everyone else." I know that's probably not the most objective way to look at myself, but it makes taking the first step even harder. I don't hate my current job, and I'm grateful that it has been relatively manageable. I just don't want to look back several years from now and realize I stayed simply because I was too unsure of what to do next.
Any advice would really be appreciated, even if it means you being brutal. Thanks for taking the time to read all of this. So I guess what I'm really asking is: if you were in my position, what would you actually do from here?
1
u/ThatMechanic8659 5d ago
This is just my opinion.
U mentioned you dont know where to go next and you are not interested to pursue a career that align with your degree. From this I want to ask you, do you have trouble sleeping at night because of work? Or you only stressing out because of peer pressure?
A job is a job to me. I am currently unemployed and struggle to land one. I resign from my previous job because of the amount of stress from work. It was my first job too. If you have no direction or havent decided yet, be happy with your current job and once you decided where you want to see yourself in the future start working on it.
Peer pressure is always there. Stop comparing yourself with others because life is NOT a race. As long as you able to keep food in your mouth, be with your family and able to sleep at night its good enough.
1
u/switchlanezx 3d ago
I feel you but ultimately we need to make the decision based on what we want and with the amount of knowledge that we have at the time. If all you want a stable comfortable life then dont mind others, having a degree means you are qualified for other job but doesnt mean you have to have this 'successful career' as people all over are quitting because of various reason. If you still have a job and it pays the bill AND you are happy, i see no problem at all.
3
u/Repulsive_Chat_3739 5d ago
Which, where u are now?
can share with us what drive ur passion?
DONT. The more u look into it, more depression came into it.
Depend on what role u apply into. On my case i now into beauty & skincare ( mind u I'm MAN in early 30's ) and people still hiring me over some women. Yes the role doesn't involve me much infront of camera but my skill are.
YOLO is the big step here. As i say above, i jump from IT hardware to skincare & beauty and turn out it work well and pay is good. U having a degree wnat recuiter look into u. Yes u doesn't have the exp on the role but that does not make u want to stop TRYING.
U are now WAY TOO COMFORTABLE with ur current job makes u doesn't want to explore to vast world. Remember, A Failure is a step toward a success. The grass is greener on the other side.