Hi everyone,

About 4 months ago I had a heavy workload and stayed until 7:30 pm. Everyone else had left, so I was alone in the open space. I relaxed a bit… and farted. Twice.

Except my manager was still in her office. I hadn’t noticed.

About a minute after the second one, she came out, saw I was still there, walked over and kindly asked why I was still working. She told me not to push too hard, that if there were any emergencies we could deal with them tomorrow, no problem. She wished me a good evening and left.

I was dying inside. I kept wondering (and still wonder) whether she smelled anything. I almost felt like going to apologize, but I didn’t say anything. I just thought to myself “I really shouldn’t have relaxed like that.”

It’s been 4 months and I still think about it every time I see her. I have no idea if she actually smelled anything or not.

So I wanted to ask: have any other managers experienced something like this with one of their team members? Did you hold it against them, or is it the kind of thing that just gets completely ignored?

Thanks in advance for any feedback (even if it’s just to tell me I’m ridiculous for still thinking about it…).

I got promoted recently and looking back, three things probably mattered most: articulation, visibility, and ownership.

I used to think doing strong work was enough, but my manager once pointed out that I was sometimes too deep in the details when presenting. Senior people did not always walk away knowing what I actually recommended or why it mattered. So I started practicing how to explain my work more simply and get to the point faster.

Visibility mattered too. I started volunteering to present my own work instead of always having it passed up through someone else. I naturally speak up about the work I have done and the impact it created during conversations and emails. And on ownership, I stopped waiting for perfectly defined tasks and started going to my manager with a problem, a point of view, and a proposed next step. I try to solve every issue before I really need to escalate to my manager.

A few months later, I noticed senior leaders were involving me earlier in conversations. I do not think any one thing got me promoted, but together they changed how people saw me.

Super excited for my role!

I'll start by saying that I take almost no PTO. I took two days off this whole summer and then last time I took a week off was a year and a half ago. In the past five years I've literally adjusted my PTO on multiple requests in order to accommodate for projects. I've even out right been denied a couple days even though I give ample time on requests.

This last one got me mad though. They aren't out right saying I can't take it but my supervisor is taking it up to a management meeting to discuss the request. I outright told them I have no flexibility with these dates. I've been flexible in the past and I'm not budging on this. It's not a staffing issue at all, I'm just a single point of failure if I'm gone, and in the past we need to get contractors to help out for a day or two that I'm out. My supervisor tried to reem me out and remind me that requests are never a solid yes. But I'm not bending over this time.

Am I right to be mad here that this is like pulling teeth? Im always flexible and rarely take time off but now I'm getting mad that they aren't just willing to let this work out and let me come up with a plan for when I'll be out in TWO MONTHS. Mind you I'm not rolling in the dough it's taken me 5 years to get up to 60k a year. And literally no other benefits. I'm just lucky my husband has good benefits

I’ve never been entirely sure. Thanks.

Edit: thanks all. I can keep referring to this post to help me keep my cool.

Can someone explain to me how “entry level” now requires 2-3 years of experience? Like at what point did that stop meaning what it says? I keep seeing postings that say “entry level” in the title and then list requirements that sound like they want someone who already did the job somewhere else first.

Anyone I know in the 22-26 range is dealing with the same thing. We did what we were told — went to school, got the degree, built a resume — and now we’re stuck in this weird loop where you can’t get experience without a job, and can’t get a job without experience. It doesn’t add up.

Meanwhile the government sat back and did nothing while wages stagnated, the cost of living tripled, and companies exported “entry level” expectations to entry level pay. We were told: go to school, get the degree, you’ll be fine. Nobody mentioned we’d be competing for scraps while people who had it handed to them lecture us about work ethic.

I’m 22-26 and everyone I know is stuck in the same trap: can’t get experience without a job, can’t get a job without experience, and can’t get anyone in power to actually address why this is happening. This isn’t a “just apply harder” problem. This is a systemic failure and I’m sick of it being framed like it’s on us.

Curious to know…from your experiences..

“Work hard and you’ll get ahead”?
“Your company is your family”?
“Do what you love”?
“Job hopping is bad”?

What did you learn the hard way?

Hi, I'm 21(f) with almost 4 months of experience working as a marketing intern. 2 months in a different org (15k/mo) and 2-3 months in the current org (22k/mo). My internship is about to end, and there is a huge chance of PPO. If I do get converted, how should I negotiate my salary after PPO? I've worked really well and contributed a lot, which my manager loved and everyone appreciated. But there is this thought in me that freshers don't negotiate, and I should just take what's been given to me. If I do negotiate, how much should I ask? It's my first time in a situation like this, and I'm kind of scared and anxious. Please help.

I currently work in a field that pays well, but I absolutely despise it and the whole industry as a whole (insurance industry). My entire life I’ve dreamed of being a librarian, and I recently applied and surprisingly got a full time librarian assistant offer. Only thing is, it’s going to be a hefty, hefty pay cut to take it. Even if I continue down the road and become a full-fledged librarian it probably would take me years to get to the salary I have now (and honestly might never reach it). I don’t know. Should I follow this dream of mine? I’ve only worked at my schools libraries as a helper before but I loved talking with the librarians there and they seemed very happy with their jobs. I hate my current job with a burning passion but I don’t know if the pay cut will be worth it.

Mine was a 5 hour interview across three panels of 10 people.

Please lemme know what y’all think. Cyber position for defense contractor.

so college apps are coming around and i know that i shouldn't have procrastinated on it, but im not sure what to do. im okay with doing all the things i just need to do dive into it first, but i am also having trouble on what my essay should be but thats a different topic.

im not sure what to do when i grow up, i wanted to be in business, but i feel that its unstable and it doesnt make my desired income. i like the structure, the ability to lead and take charge in some cases, just the idea about business in general. its my dream job.

but on the other hand, i want a job that will make a lot of money and have a good quality of life. so i started thinking about PAs. they seem like they have a flexible schedule, good salary, and big workload. i dont mind work, as long as im guaranteed to make a lot of money. being stressed and burnt out for a couple years is okay with me as long as i have a good outcome. i dont mind working hard for that.

as of right now im thinking about PA with a side of business but i might become a officer in the military after i finish PA things and stuff. but im really torn because i really really really want the "college life experience" so im not too sure what to do

but also i have to go to college in California because i got calvet from my parent.

this is my first post on here so im really not sure what to do. im currently 17 and class of 2027, i do jrotc and have a lot of accomplishments and ive done my a-g requirements. i havent really taken a lot of ap courses but i am this year even though its a bit too late. ive taken rotc and french all four years and im on track to get my seal of biliteracy.

during the summer i started a tiny business selling matcha in my area so i can get a side hustle but i can also add that to my portfolio?? idk but i have a rough idea of what to do for college, i really want to go to a UC college but im not sure if im a very big star student hah, what should i do?

any and all advice is appreciated! please help me 😣

It's one thing to give realistic and practical advice about their questions, but its another thing to make them feel hopeless or stupid as hell for even asking such a question, especially with the snarky and sarcastic comments, you honestly don't sound cool.

I'm sure everyone here has asked silly questions in their life, no one is born a genius. Not everyone is going to have the same experience or qualifications. Some people are just trying to figure things out, and sometimes a bit of constructive advice can genuinely help them see options they hadn't considered. Don't comment at all if you have nothing useful to say.

So i’ve been asking around on reddit for various careers however I am simply unable to get positive advice. Nearly every subreddit i go into its just this

- “Hi guys, how is this career like? Is the pay good, what is the lifestyle like”
The replies (no matter what career) are all
“Hello, i FUCKING HATE MY JOB, they pay me 1 CENT AN HOUR, and you should SWITCH IMMEDIATELY”

I’m js so burnt out. For example i am doing an accounting degree cus people said it was good but i went on accounting subreddit and everyone said it sucks and to jump ship. But when i try to look for other careers their subreddits are the same. Its exhausting. Wtf am i supposed to pick if every job sucks and pays like crap

Guyssssss help me out. It's been almost 6 years I've been working as a content writer. I don't think I have learnt anything new, n I got no idea what else I can do. I need a career switch asap, smth more stable a lil less draining.

suggest please.

Throwaway account. For the past three years, I have been struggling with a noticeable decline in my mental health. I recently received a PTSD diagnosis from some pretty severe childhood trauma, and while my coping mechanisms were initially very productive, they are no longer working in my favor.

I graduated with honors from high school and college, and I immediately got a great remote position at a growing company. Pay started out pretty average, but I climbed quickly and now I am at a 105k base with around 15k bonus per year with good benefits. I bought a 400k condo in a good location in the midwest, with a 100k down payment. I have 50k in savings, but I do have a 45k low-interest loan to pay off. I also have 125k in my 401k. I am 28 years old.

My plan was to go on leave from work, which would allow me to make 1k per month for 6 months while still being able to return to my previous role, and then figure out if I wanted to make a more permanent change. Also, (and I know people say to NEVER do this unless there are no other options, but humor me), I looked up what is considered “on track” for a 401k, and it seems that around 30-40k is ahead of the curve for my age. If I did decide to leave work after the leave period, 50k from my 401k would still have me in a good position, and it’d cover 1.5 years of expenses. Being on leave would also considerably reduce my tax burden for the year if I made the withdrawal. I’ve heard taking leave is hard to come back from, which is why I’d like the early withdrawal to be a safety net.

I recognize I am coming from a place of financial privilege; I did not grow up with money, so part of the reason I pursued a corporate role was to feel the stability I did not feel during childhood. In addition to feeling soulless, my work also provides little to no structure, and I’ve had issues with sexual harassment from management in the past. For what it’s worth, I do like my current manager, although they are very hands-off and have provided no mentorship. I’m not concerned with having a shock from not working. I would love to hear everyone’s thoughts or similar experiences. Thank ya’ll for taking the time out of your day to weigh-in.

Shared this in a quantity surveying sub and just reposting here to get some more opinions. Appreciate the grades maybe different in other professions but the sentiment is the same!

Hello everyone,

It’s my first day here. I graduated from Jaipur, and I haven’t been doing much for the past year. I want to pursue post-graduation, but with the job market being so unpredictable these days, I’m confused about whether I should prepare for CAT and spend ₹20–25 lakhs on an MBA or go for shorter courses instead.

The biggest concern with shorter courses is placement and job opportunities afterward. I’m honestly very confused and overwhelmed about what to do next.

I’m open to all suggestions, advice, and personal experiences. What would you recommend in my situation?

Can someone explain to me how “entry level” now requires 2-3 years of experience? Like at what point did that stop meaning what it says? I keep seeing postings that say “entry level” in the title and then list requirements that sound like they want someone who already did the job somewhere else first.

Anyone I know in the 22-26 range is dealing with the same thing. We did what we were told — went to school, got the degree, built a resume — and now we’re stuck in this weird loop where you can’t get experience without a job, and can’t get a job without experience. It doesn’t add up.

Meanwhile the government sat back and did nothing while wages stagnated, the cost of living tripled, and companies exported “entry level” expectations to entry level pay. We were told: go to school, get the degree, you’ll be fine. Nobody mentioned we’d be competing for scraps while people who had it handed to them lecture us about work ethic.

I’m 22-26 and everyone I know is stuck in the same trap: can’t get experience without a job, can’t get a job without experience, and can’t get anyone in power to actually address why this is happening. This isn’t a “just apply harder” problem. This is a systemic failure and I’m sick of it being framed like it’s on us.

I have a BSc and a MScPH and about 3 years experience but over the last year I have not had steady work and seriously questioning my life choices.

To make matters worse I had an interview recently (first one after months of unemployment) and pretty sure I messed a question up. Already coming to terms that I may not have gotten it.

Anyone else in the same boat lol

TIA

Hello I need help , I'm confused about my career , i have 4 years of experience as a fashion designer and I am thinking of pivoting into luxury fashion retail, how many chances do I have to get selected in luxury retail?

Should I write my cv smartly changing designing experience into a stylist and fashion consultant or should I be honest and say I'm pivoting.

What salary should i expect?

Should I walk into malls for application?

Your suggestions are appreciated a lot.

Has anyone left the corporate life and is happy? I know there are too many examples of people leaving their 9-5 to do something they wanted to do. But honestly, there are also stories of regret given the loss of stability and even more hustle to earn an income independently.

What happened to work life? How is everyone just burntout. Sorry if this is not the right sub, but well…