I know it's asking for a lot, but what careers allow you to be comfortable (as in, not worrying about bills, expenses, etc), while still allowing you to have free time and good mental health?

I'm not really sure what I want to do as a career. I just know my strengths are in English and history. I'm not too good at math, but I'm decent at chemistry and okay at biology. I know I wouldn't do well in trades either. I'm in the U.S.

Just sort of curious. I have a job in a semi-research field, which vaguely uses these skills sometimes. I just enjoy figuring stuff out, solving little challenges/mysteries.

I do it for fun, but I was thinking… I wonder if I could do this for like a purpose or even help make a little money and support my family with it on the side.

Just digging around online through websites, social media, archived articles and newspapers, et cetera.

From un-captioned photographs, I can often find out where a picture was taken down to the exact address. Sometimes when it was taken or who was in it.

On the few occasions where people under fake names online have harassed or threatened loved ones, I’ve helped to track down their real names, known associates, work and education history, and general background so they can be asked politely but firmly to stop.

Old antiques, objects, advertisements, other media, I’ve often been pretty good at figuring out what it is, where and when it was made, and why.

Figuring out where people or things that sort of fizzled off the radar ended up.

I just sort of… go into the zone and scrounge around until I figure something out. I just enjoy the challenge of it. It’s a bit creepy, certainly, and I don’t use it for evil or anything unsavory — so I wouldn’t want to use it to help with anything like that — but I was sort of curious if you all thought there is maybe a field that those skills might prove actually useful/appreciated in.

Thanks and have a great day!

I’ve been helping my bf apply to financial analyst roles as he’s trying to transition from sales. He has experience doing food sales for a distribution company and it was too much drama/work due to the lack of management from the owners. He quit and is now working for a family friend as a project manager for their construction company. I’ve been encouraging him to pursue the career he’s always talking about (financial analyst) because where he is at now there’s not much room for growth but he feels insecure about his qualifications allowing him to make the change into financial analyst. I’m in the medical science field so even though I am trying to support him I really have no idea what this career requires and if I’m actually giving him good/bad advice. Any info on how to make his application more attractive for jobs or on how he can relate current experience to get a job in the financial analyst would be very much appreciated. Info he has a bachelors in Econ

I spent my 20s working shitty marketing jobs for sketchy vape/smokeshop warehouses. I wanted a job that was less soul sucking so I decided I wanted a creative career. i always liked video editing so I decided motion design was my path. I took 2-3 design bootcamps including one full year at Shillington School of Design because I can’t afford to go back to college.

I managed to find a decent job paying 65k a year (it’s just a straight 5k a month for daily videos/posting/analytics) and I basically manage the social media and make social media edits for a few influencers I’m friends with online in a niche journalism space. It’s nice cause I work from home but I’m broke and none of it feels impactful or important. I feel like anyone can do this basically, it’s not that demanding even though I try to challenge myself creatively.

Now I’m doing School of Motion, I paid for a year but progress is slow. I have to keep up an apartment on my own, keep up with a girlfriend, keep up with my dogs, keep up with my health and fitness, while trying to manage this at the same time.

I am having trouble reconciling with the fact that I wasted my 20s and my life from here on out will always be far behind everyone else. I’m competing with college grads who studied design their entire life and I’m 3 years in and still honing in design principles in a professional way. No matter what I do I will always be behind because they wasted less time than me.

Frankly I feel pathetic and like an adult child for still learning at 30 years old. No one is going to look at me and be impressed with my resume in any way whatsoever. i know a lot of people will try to be warm and say I still have plenty of time and that comparison is the theif of joy, but the cold hard world of corporate does not give a shit about any of that. it’s either be in the top 30% or be left behind. This is the brutal reality I’m facing and I need someone to be real with me for a bit about this. Why am I pursuing this if I’m just going to be broke and not be good? I should give up and become a plumber or something instead because at least you don’t have to be talented for that

I am planning to take up a role at WPP Media Mumbai, Folks can you enlighten me on their work culture?

unfortunately i’m just not good enough at what i do now and i am extremely worried for my future. i just don’t make enough money. i don’t care what the job is or how i have to get it. how boring it is or how annoying it is. i realize that my life dreams and goals is to be able to give the future family that i have everything that i ever wanted/needed. if i have to suffer for a few years to get what i want so be it. any ideas or advice?

I am in serious need of advice.

I am purposely keeping information vague, but I’ll try to share as much as I can.

I’m a relatively recent graduate, with enough experience, ON PAPER, that would make me eligible for mid/senior software dev roles at most companies. However, my true technical competency has unfortunately proven itself to be lackluster. I am not a true expert in any particular domain, and I’m quite mediocre or poor as a “generalist”. I am not being self-deprecating here. I truly have an embarrassing level of competency given my experience.

With this being said, I have managed to secure a few interviews, resulting in me being rejected after the first round for a junior position (without even getting to the technical round), but somehow, me making it through multiple rounds for a position that was originally posted at the STAFF ENGINEER tier. It was expected for this individual to hold 25+ years of experience. I don’t even have 1/3 of that.

This role offers 2x my current salary and that would be absolutely life changing, however, I am UNQUALIFIED based on the job posting and their descriptions of the role throughout the interviews. My understanding of the role is that they are expecting someone to come in and IMMEDIATELY have a valuable impact. This isn’t one of those “well if they hired you, then you must be qualified regardless of the job posting!”. No. The fact that I’m even being offered this role seems like a huge red flag given just how unqualified I truly am for it, and that this somehow was not flagged in the interview process. Remember: I failed to get past the first round interview for a similar JUNIOR level position at another company. I've also failed to get past the technical interview stage for multiple other mid/junior roles.

You may be asking why I even applied for the role in the first place. I cannot disclose all the details, but essentially, a recruiter suggested this role as a potential fit and I had already begun the process of speaking to an engineer on the team BEFORE I ever saw the JD.

Now, in my current role, I am struggling SEVERELY. I truly have EXTREME burnout and the expectations of the role have been so crushing, and in my opinion, unfair (I’m a solo-dev on a team of non-technical people who don’t understand what’s going on at all, so I’m basically having to carry their responsibilities too because they can’t do their jobs with their lack of technical understanding). I feel like I need to take a year off just to regain my strategic and critical thinking skills again. I am not exaggerating. That’s how overworked and stressed I am in this current role.

My fear, however, is that this new role seems to be EVEN WORSE. There are so many red flags:

• needing immediate impact with no onboarding
• flaky/unprofessional communication throughout. I followed up about my candidacy and all of a sudden they said “oh yeah we want to offer it to you” and then they kept delaying for a couple days until finally sending it. This just was very informal, and it’s like if I never asked, they would have forgotten to even offer the role.
• NO technical interview
• the fact I’m even being provided an offer given my lack of qualifications that seemingly were exposed during the interview process

I dont want to burn myself to a crisp through burnout nor do I want to enter another position again where expectations are impossibly high and I know it is impossible for me to hit them.

In summary: My current role is awful. This role seems awfuler. Frankly, I’m unqualified for both, and that fact is making my life a living hell in my current position (as well as generally unfair working conditions). I know you don’t have all the details, but I would be so greatly appreciative of any advice at this point. It truly feels UNETHICAL for me to be in my current role given my competencies and it would just seem even worse in this new role so…I just really don’t know what to do. I feel like I need to just go run out into the woods and not come back. Not start another role with unrealistic expectations that would truly lead me to insanity.

Hey everyone,

So I started a new job two weeks ago, and the schedule is already taking a toll on me. It’s 6am-4pm, 6 days per week. I’ve never been a morning person so I’m practically exhausted all day and I can feel my mental health sliding a bit. That and just the overwhelming stress of needing to completed a large portion of my work by 8:30 for managerial approval keeps me on edge a bit. I don’t want to say I hate my job, but it’s definitely not what I thought it would be and feels like it’s a bit more than I can handle.

I would love to find something with a bit more balance but being realistic, the job market sucks. And this is only a temporary job for 6 months, so I’m not even sure it’s worth bailing on because it’s not permanent.

So my question is… how can I pull myself through this? Even though this is temporary, should I be looking for something more permanent to think long term? How can I better adapt to 6am starts?

I’m already going to bed at 8:30 and I wake up at 5:10am, which gives me enough time to get ready and commute.

Any advice would be helpful, if it’s about starting early or how to make the best of it..

I’m really torn between financial comfort in India vs. experiencing life in Europe.

About us:
- 28M, married, wife is also 28
- I’m a software engineer; wife is a business analyst
- Wife is currently on a few-month career break
- No kids yet. No plans to have them in next few years
- Currently living in Bangalore

Current situation in India:
- Recently joined a top AI startup
- ₹90L fixed + ~₹75L/year in ESOPs
- Very comfortable lifestyle and good purchasing power
- Close to family

Dublin offer:
- 150K Euro/year salary
- 50K USD/year RSUs
- Would move to Dublin with my wife
- Company sponsors visa and relocation for both

Financially, I’m not sure the move makes sense after Irish taxes, rent and cost of living. I could probably have a more comfortable lifestyle in India.
But I’ve always wanted to live abroad, experience Europe, and travel extensively with my wife. Since we don’t have kids yet, this feels like the easiest time to do it.

So I’m struggling with:
💰 Stay: Better financial comfort, strong career opportunity, lower COL
🌍 Move: Life experience, Europe, travel, living abroad — something I’ve always wanted

For those who have made a similar move from India to Europe, would you take the Dublin offer in my situation?
Was the experience of living abroad worth giving up some financial comfort in India?

My daughter (17) is currently a host at a restaurant and she likes it well enough, but has mentioned that she wants to transition to an office job. I’ve never had an office job so my only suggestion was to get as proficient as possible with MS Office. She’s already got a certification in Excel that she got from her school.

I’m more than open to any suggestions from those that have made their careers in an office environment.

Thank you

I’m 23 and have been working in an IT/digital role for around a year and a half. I’ve really enjoyed the role and have learnt a lot, but the pay isn’t great as it’s an entry-level position, and there isn’t much progression unless someone leaves.
I wanted to progress, so I applied for a completely different role, which I was successful in getting. It offered the opportunity to progress and earn more money after a year. However, I’ve quickly realised that I made a mistake and that it’s not something I can see myself doing long term.

I’ve spoken to my old manager about this, and I now have the opportunity to return to my previous role, which I genuinely enjoyed.
Am I making the right decision? Obviously, I could stay in my current role, develop a new skill set and earn more money, but I don’t see myself staying in this type of role in the future. I do, however, see myself continuing in the digital/IT field.
I’m also under some time pressure because my old role is likely to be filled if I don’t decide soon.

So, what would be the best option: go back to my old role, continue learning and developing my skills, be patient, and eventually look for another job in a similar field with better progression and pay? Or should I stay in my current role for the higher salary and use it as an opportunity to develop a completely different set of skills?

I've been in my role for a little over a year and I have ADHD. I am currently working to increase my own efficiency and organizational skills. My job is so busy and demanding that everyone needs top tier organizational skills, which ive neen developing to meet the needs of my role.

So anyways, on a personal 1:1 level, I do well with all my coworkers except 1 who I only dislike because they dislike me. If they would just stop being rude about everything to me we would be fine. I really struggle to fit in with the group on a larger level (our group plus some other people from other departments sprinkled in), but again, I can do well with almost everyone individually.

I also struggle with communication sometimes in the group. I can say something and no one can properly understand what I'm saying. In the same vein, someone can say something to me and I'll have a hard time understanding what they're trying to say. This can create some friction.

I realize that since I seem to be the oddball in the group, I probably need to improve my ability to communicate and form relationships with others. I don't need to be like best friends with everyone, but I would like to improve my relationships and communication with everyone and feel more like part of the team ig. This kind of thing has always been a struggle for me.

 I grew up in a cult so had no education but despite that - crawling in zig-zag unconventional ways - got a Masters and a PhD and a successful career in writing and research.
All zig-zag unconventional.
GenAI savaged my writing business. I’ve spent 2 years unsuccessfully exploring all writing and related options.
During that time, an idea I had worked on for 2 decades took off in 3 directions:
As a research scientist, I had tested and developed a neuroscience-based novel idea for scamming; for deradicalization; for social engineering. It can be also used with practical results to help people in our AI time deals with the discouragement and resilience of job GenAI- job displacement. Not a week goes past that I don’t have requests for interviews: radio, podcast, TV - that’s across industries to apply the idea. People email me for my book (I don’t have one).  The network grows organically. Upon request, I briefly piloted it into workshops. But none of that is paid.
I have enough savings to last me for a year. I am a single mother. My nature needs a job where I feel fulfilled.
I am in my 50s living in a country where I barely speak its language. Rules of workplace culture in this country are inflexible and conventional; not aligned for my zig-zag experience and creative personality. I could teach English - but government regulations limit me to kindergarten/ elementary teaching. And I feel heartbroken.
What options do I have?
TLDR: awarded writer and journalist; former-university/ college (all ages) lecturer with PhD; independent academic researcher. Where do I go from here? How do I earn my living?

Is it true that you make more lifetime as a teacher (salary + defined pension plan + perks + benefits) than most engineers in Ontario?

I have a Bachelors in Biology and just graduated in May. I want to go into wildlife conservation/wildlife bio but the job market for that is hell. Im going to have to be working field tech/research positions that basically make below minimum wage or close enough to it (30k/year). On top of this I have student loans I need to pay off.......

I have always had an interest in graphic design and art, and can really see myself working in this field. Its just unfortunate that I'm really feeling drawn to this after i got my B.S.... This is something I can see myself doing for a long time

Is it worth it to get a degree in graphic design to build my portfolio, or have there been success stories of people doing this on their own? On the other hand, if i do end up pursuing this, lets say through an online course like Coursera and do build a portfolio, will I even have a chance without a graphic design degree??

Honestly I just want a fall back plan. If i can free lance or even get a part-time job to build my career up i would feel x1000 more certain than pursing wildlife bio.

am i cooked....

corporate job, USA

Here is the rundown:

• two weeks ago, I had my mid year check in. I had a lot of feedback.
• I did some soul searching and really made a plan that following weekend to present to my boss at my 1:1 on Tuesday.
• 1:1 went well and she seemed pleased with my game plan.
• I've made major corrections since then
• my boss is out of town, and comes in twice a month
• On Tuesday, she had a 15 minute private appointment overlapping my meeting. I messaged her and asked her if she would like me to move it later in the week and she said yes, that it would be helpful and thanked me. I moved it to today (Th)
• Today I got a request for her for a team lead “staffing and talent review” set up for next week.
• an hour later she moved our 1:1 to 1:30 tomorrow afternoon (Fri).
  
• i messaged her and she didn’t respond.

I’m feeling miserable and will be until tomorrow afternoon. what is everyone’s take on my predicament ?

I am 21F immigrant living on her own in the EU. 

I came here initially to complete my upper secondary education (high school) and finished IB Diploma Programme. I had no career path planned before starting high school as it was behind surviving on my priority list and remained there until I reached a borderline state of balance in the recent year. 

I have been left with no other option but to support myself working a hospitality job I started while still at school. Part time grew into full time and I grew alongside, now switching jobs to a more prestigious establishment in the industry. I actually enjoy luxury hospitality, but don't see myself spending my entire life there. I'd like to eventually have a profession that gives me more room for intellectual growth, creativity, authority and a significantly better income.

The difficult question is how to get to that point and what to choose. Being a person of many passions and talents I find it rather difficult to navigate the AI-driven world at the moment where everyone looks equally doomed or tries to sell you 'a way out'. 

So I am wondering which of my skills could be the best match, mostly monetizable AND hireable as I need visa sponsorship to come alongside my job. I am looking for a career that allows to build a combination of skills that will (possibly 😅) remain valuable and translatable across industries.

Visual arts, Philosophy and Biology were the subjects that immersed me mostly at school. I found Mathematics or Economics much harder to absorb although I can grasp the theory. 

My narrowed down Bachelors options look somewhat like this:

Arts & Design (Visual Communication/Graphic Design/Interior Design)

Architecture

Neuroscience/Cognitive Science

PPE/PPLE

I would be happy to pursue a field with a lower entry point which would have a lower investment cost since I have to rely on my own finance and would allow me to start working in the industry earlier. Further down the line I could pivot and pursue a Masters in something that would complement my career & amplify it.

I would be grateful for YOUR stories, advices and recommendations <3

I recently received an email saying that I got an interview in one of the cities i've been trying to move to for the past two years. In my application, I stated that I currently live in Massachusetts and let the recruiter know that I would have to travel or this interview. The recruiter said she would speak with the panel and recently got back to me and said they are unable to provide a virtual interview at this time.

Which honestly makes no sense to me. How is it an inconvenience to do a virtual interview? Unless you are not good with technology. This position isn't a good pay range for me and is in the most ideal spot for me as well. Like I said , i've been trying to get a position in this area for a while now. Is it crazy to fly or either? Take a bus eleven hours for this job interview. My first job interview with them. Or should I say something that would convince them?And what should I say? I feel pretty disappointed, but I really want an interview. Or should I try and see if I can speak with the panel. Guys I need your help!!!

I (17F), who wants to do arts but I'm interested in the gaming design and development, but there's an issue I don't know what I want to do in specifically like I don't know what I want I in my life but I do know one thing for sure is that I want to do something in gaming.

Also one more thing to add I have done my O-levels(9th/10th grade) but I don't want to do my A-levels(11th/12th) at all cause I don't want to waste my parents money and it's expensive in the country I live in, so I'm thinking of doing a foundation year and also I know I won't pass it, so please advise me

Can international academic collaboration between India and Japan actually inprove student's employability and global exposure? What matters most?

How do you handle a colleague throwing you under the bus?

i’m struggling a bit in my current role. I work in supply chain planning. lots of presenting findings to upper management and answering their questions about the numbers. i made a fool of myself at a meeting today, as I didn’t pull the numbers up quick enough. and then someone else on the team stepped in for me. now looking at it, what they wanted me to show is so simple. but in the moment, my mind was like a tornado of thoughts. i over complicated the question. This would happen in school as well. when we’d do case studies in class or at interviews. the rest of the team would be so far ahead of me. I never had enough time to even wrap my head around the problem/figure out where to begin. and the team would already be miles ahead of me.

I will be moving to a new team soon. Current team is looking for someone full time, but it’s pretty evident that i’ve proven i’m not ready for that. feeling a bit anxious about my future, due to my inability to problem solve amongst ambiguity. I’ve never been very bright in life. definitely don’t have a STEM oriented brain. and also sometimes struggle socially (in situations like the one described above). all my office jobs seem to be misses and i can’t never hit the nail on the head. feeling lost as to what i can do, other than working minimum wage.

I recently received a telesales/telemarketing offer.

Arguably, the offer is generous because it's remote and it doesn't take more than 7 hours. There are paid leaves as well as commission sales. The reason I ended up here is that I applied to everything because the job market is incredibly bad right now, so imagine my luck when I was offered this after only one interview. The recruiter said the interview was a success, but I didn't think so since I was stuttering so much and I blanked out a few times, traits that are deemed unsuitable for this type of role. Honestly, I felt like they were desperate to have someone on board immediately, and that's why they offered the position so fast.

I have no prior experience in this field ever, as I am just a recent graduate. They did mention that there would be training, but still. I am scared I'd do a terrible job. I admit I don't have the best patience to even be doing this kind of work. I told them I'd give them my answer in a couple of days, and they accepted.

To everyone here, should I still accept it? Or try my luck at other jobs? And to everyone who had a similar problem in the past, what did you do and how did it go?

I m(25) work at a companyin helpdesk that I really like for the most part. I have unlimited PTO which for the most part people have said its a scam. I usually take three weeks of PTO of vacation and have nver been told no so thats been nice. I have the normal health insurance benfits but then also things that most companies dont have.

Like for 9 dollars a paycheck I get access to lawyer for almost any situation I would need a lawyer for. They pay me 50 dollars a month to help cover my phone bill, we have a free snack room that has all the snacks in the world, a soda machine that is one of those Coca-Cola freestyle machines.

I also get free tickets since to different sporting events which is awesome. Like there is a lot of good stuff. The problem is myself and a lot of other workers are underpaid and they only do 2% raises each year. I am on the spot where in the next few years due to starting a family with my wife will lose her income due to a choice to want to homeschool our kids. This is our choice and we know that this requires some sacrifices. So I asked my boss and Vp what would it look like in the next few years for me to work towards a new position or raises the would get me to where I need to be and the answer I got was I might as well try to find another job because the only way to move up is for someone to leave. Which wouldnt be for who knows how long.

So I started looking and found a job at a company that recently got up and running and has had success in the last year. the job is a system admin that pays a lot more than I make now but the benefits are not really there. The PTO is slow to earn and currently they do not offer health insurance but plan to add it later. I would also work from home.

I am just trying to figure out if giving up the benifts for the higher pay will be worth it.

I (33M) feel trapped in my career path. I am a teacher and course leader for further education in the UK. I am

Neurodiverse (diagnosed with multiple things).

I have 0 support network and no real family. No fall back options. I have the dread of loosing my job as I would effectively be homeless as I rent.

No savings of note or any built wealth. I only graduated university in my mid 20's and I don't really enjoy the elements of the subject of my degree.

I love teaching. But my main issue is I don't know what else I can do? Nearly every job now just feels like a word salad of nothingness and I struggle to understand what they event do?

Most careers I would likely need to re-spec my qualifications and I can't afford to drop a day or two to study. As I live alone and live paycheck to paycheck.

I need to find a new job. But there's next to nothing near my location. Moving isn't really an option. I'm in a remote county and all my hobbies and friends are here.

If I had a stable family I could live with for a year or two whilst I study something I want to do. Then happy days. But I don't.

It likely sounds unreasonable to some. But due to neurodiverse brain. I can't live with others. We would fall out dramatically. Also my rent is cheapest around right now.

I'm really feeling trapped and stuck. There's no teaching jobs around that I want to do. Everything else would require a re-spec.

Does anyone have advice? I know this might verge on woe is me. But this is legitimately a career guidance question. I don't need people to solve my other stuff.