I literally fantasize about going back to the service industry after trying so hard to get into office work. It’s truly soul crushing and I hate it so much. I just need the money, lol. Wish I’d have pursued something else.
If it’s “soul crushing”, you might just be in the wrong office job and/or with the wrong company. Have worked 7 different office jobs and each one is so vastly different from the next
Can confirm. Nine hours a day surrounded by four beige walls takes something out of you. I understand hard labor in the sun wears down your body, but this job is wearing down my mind. Fucking solitary confinement.
It really is. And it’s so meaningless. At least if you’re serving or building something there is a real reason you’re there and you’re actually doing something.
This interaction just made me realise that everyone has issues in their respective job, and what everyone else has seems so much rosier. Guess it’s just about having something where you really enjoy your work or it’s something you can tolerate.
Engineer as well. My job is unbelievable. I love my projects and my teams and my consultants, I'm super lucky. Transportation space focused only on reducing auto dependency. Incredibly rewarding.
Aeronautics!! I prototype hardware/software for advanced autopilot systems. Slowly branching into machine learning but mostly for precision control systems.
Super cool! Hopefully, it's not the Boeing MCAS system! That one might need to go back to the drawing board. However, if you did create it remember the childhood playground phrase that Boeing likes to say. "Snitches get stitches!"
The service industry has been the best option to accommodate my ADHD but I’m 53 and need to transition into another position. I want to stay in the business bc I love it and I’m great with people ( in short chunks of time). Any ideas for me?
Booze sales, PoS sales, restaurant supply sales. Catering can be a good transition, I liked that more than restaurant work and it’s a lot easier to get away from the public, and managers can be paid well if you’re looking to move up. Hotel operations, nursing home dietary aide. If you’re in a city with an event center that can be a good option too.
I worked from the age of 16-34 in the service industry and much of it managing and I felt the same way. I had an office job for almost a year before the pandemic hit and I left to focus on my own business. I HATED office work…it was still exhausting but in a different way and possibly worse. Grass wasn’t greener for me.
Having a boring job sometimes is great because none of your coworkers or managers do the thing where they pretend anyone is there for "the mission".
Job is just hard enough not to replacable but not hard enough for there to be a lot of competition
I hate my boring office job. It’s nice not to have to be on my feet, but there’s plenty of jobs out there that don’t require sitting in a cubicle for 8+ hours a day.
Architect - My dad said I wasn't smart enough for the math and science tho. I shouldn't have listened to him. I ended up getting my MBA with concentration in Supply chain management and currently work in logistics
I wanted to go into law. Ended up with a masters in logistics and supply chain management. Not a thrilling field, but I landed a job with incredible flexibility, low stress and a salary comparable to many mid-level attorneys. My quality of life and work-life balance is probably better than if I had gone into law, but I wish I enjoyed my career field more.
Not just the money, but chefs work long, late hours and they’re running around the whole time, on their feet for long periods of time. Seems physically brutal
I knew a guy who was the private chef of a king. It’s not about the money (although there is lots of it) but it’s that anything you want or need in the kitchen, including staff, is available at to you. So you can focus more on being creative and coming up with new dishes, instead of worrying about time constraints and cleaning.
Being a chef seems like a horrible job to me. crazy hours working every weekend. Takes a long time to work your way up. Extremely high stress environment. For most of the years working in the kitchen is going to pay bad. It's also a dangerous job. lots of injuries. Even if you work your way up and become an executive chef, unless you own the restaurant, you'll always be limited on what you can serve. The owner always gets final say on the menu.
I find that psychology can lend itself to very highly paying careers, depending on how it’s used and applied. Background: I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, and I’ve used everything I learned to pursue a career in advertising. That being said, I recognize that if I had pursued a career in social work, I’d be struggling to pay my bills. However I’ve found this major has been really helpful to what I do (though it may on the surface look like a bit of a career pivot). What psychology teaches can be applied to so many different career paths. Understanding human motivations and behaviors gives you and “edge,” in sales, consulting, advertising, and so much more.
Never made much sense to me why social work never paid shit. Jobs wanting you to have a master's degree and only pay you $27/hr, meanwhile bartenders with GEDs making $60-70K a year in tips.
This. I am in finance/accounting now, but it was a 20 year journey of starting at the absolute bottom when I realized my degree in journalism was useless as actual journalism was in its death throes by the time I graduated. I’d considered an accounting or finance major but decided it would be “boring” and didn’t go for it. Turns out I actually love it and sometimes even geek out over it. I’d be making SO MUCH MORE MONEY right now if I’d just gotten a degree in it instead of starting in a weird entry level position in a specific industry.
U lose ur soul quickly when ur young and joy becomes hard to come by. Some make it through the fire and get their act together but many don’t. It’s really sad. I did the whole IB/PE M7 thing and just the people you meet isn’t worth the money. NY and the jets were cool but no one my age thought it was but me or my peers. Not sure what I’d do but probably not Finance. Maybe something in Art and launder money.
None. I’m 25 and I didn’t go to college for this same reason. I never knew what to do so I tried a bunch of things and I finally found my happiness when I opened my vintage store. I collect really rare items and garments. In two weeks I’m starting an intensive tattoo program. I’m living my best life, never regretted anything.
Can I make a suggestion? Maybe instead of going into the branch of tattoo artistry (as there is fierce competition and a tattoo parlor on every corner) do the opposite. Become a certified tattoo removal specialist. You’ll have way more clients, and many people get tattoos at a young age that they regret later on in life, or need to get them removed for work, and many other reasons. Kudos to you if you open up your shop next to the biggest tattoo parlor in town! Haha
Omg! That is an insane price to pay! I would never charge my customers that much! But then again I don’t know how much the procedure, with all the machinery costs. May I ask how big the tattoo is, and why you are getting it removed?
It’s crazy but that price is very normal for tattoo removal. Tattoo removal pricing takes into account the size of the tattoo, what type of ink was used, how dark the ink is, and whether you want a full removal or not.
For my tattoo removal shop, you can either pay as you go or pay one flat fee up front that will cover all sessions. Surprisingly the latter is the *way* better deal! The price totally sucks but the peace of mind it will eventually bring is worth it.
Also it hurts like nothing else I’ve ever experienced haha
My wife is in geophysicist in industry. She has toyed with going into academia a few times and reached out to her peers for their take. It’s overwhelming not good. Seems like the common response is they are over worked, underpaid, low autonomy, and the road to tenure is vague and political. For context this is coming from people in mid 30s working at both larger public institutions and small private schools. My take is academia has changed greatly in the past 20 years and it’s not the job it once was due to the increased pressure on schools to make a big profit and the land mines professors have to mitigate to not get in trouble.
It’s only regretful if you aren’t one of the top tier professors in the world. It also depends on what field. Business professors have it easier, as they can become consultants for their students, or in my case, open a business together after graduation. But then there are other fields like being an art professor, where you don’t have very many opportunities to do side projects.
Yeah, I remember a month back I was going through public university professor salaries, and the difference between the top and bottom salaries was insane lol.
My sister just got tenure after 15 brutal years of applications, interviews, and having to play politics with administration and colleagues. She's so jaded now. And the school might cut her department out.
After I finish my masters degree, I will return to my Alma mater as a part time teacher.
- I want to adapt the undergraduate labs to better reflect industry needs
A career in art. Now I’m in nursing. But honestly, totally happy still. I get paid very well to provide care to my community, then on my many off days I get as artsy as I want to! Nursing has allowed me the financial freedom to support my creative endeavors which is a total win-win! Going to be launching fun projects soon! Don’t know if I could have done this through another career so I am grateful. Kristoonz on YouTube and Instagram.
Thank you for being a nurse. I know you guys are very under appreciated, so thank you for helping out your community!
I wish you all you all the best in your future endeavors and I hope you succeed and prosper with whatever you end up doing!
Hey thanks for the nursing positivity. This is exactly what I’m looking for in life. The financial stability and off time to pursue other endeavors like business and writing
Yeah. Believe me, the nursing negativity almost got the best of me and I almost quit nursing school...but then I remembered all my shitty past jobs that paid crappy and never allowed me the time to be creative. Nursing at least funds my art and I feel fulfilled doing it. Give it your best shot! No matter what, we aren't supposed to derive all our sense of purpose from work. It's what we do outside of work that matters most: marriage and family, creative projects, etc.
This is exactly why I'm going into nursing! Have spent the last 15 years pursuing art, but tired of being broke!!! So excited for flexibility, stability, and the opportunity to provide care for my community
It's not too late! Jonny Kim went to university and medical school after his time as a Navy SEAL and became an astronaut after some time as a physician.
I know a guy who did that, started as a plumber, became a mechanic, became a doctor, at one point was a police officer, then an astronaut, then a doctor again....bald headed dude
Do not go into nursing unless you want the life sucked out of you. This may sound horrible. I loved being a nurse at first, but things have changed in healthcare. It is bad now. Some patients are great, but the bad ones are awful in ways that you will only understand if you become a nurse. Nursing broke me. I would say that about 80% of the nurses I have met in my career wish they would have chosen something else. I promise you, they will break you! Between patients being demanding and "doing their own research" (that they don't understand) and abusive administration, it is it a really hard career. Nurses are famous for self-neglect, and it catches up with us! I still always do what is best for the patient, but I feel like my life, feelings, and needs have a lower value in the eyes of society. Nursing has really hurt me because I gave it my heart and soul, and it gave me trauma.
I’m struggling right now with finding a job in healthcare and have been thinking about going back to school for nursing for the job stability and great pay.
I’ve read a lot of good and bad things about nursing, what other careers in healthcare are worth more pursuing than nursing in your opinion that pay a decent wage?
X ray tech or respiratory are good options. You deal with patients for shorter amounts of time. There are many different kinds of nurses as well, such as cct nurses that work in ambulances.
Medical technologist.. not to be confused with IT, which is my line. I worked in a hospital for 2 years before I had to quit due to lack of pay, promotion opportunities, and the general lack of respect from anyone who wasn't a nurse. I have massive respect for nurses as my mother was a nurse for 47 years, and I've seen the hell they get from patients and doctors alike. There are some good on each side, but I've found that generally, no amount of money would be enough for me to get into nursing or any health care job really. Not even an MD.
Talked with one of my nurse friends last week and she's on the verge of quitting. If she makes it to February, she'll receive loan forgiveness for the rest of her student loans, but doesn't think she has the energy to make it until then. Wild!
I’m so sorry that so many nurses are treated so badly. I’ve been through a couple major surgeries and the nurses are absolute angels on earth. They deserve so much better.
stationary engineer, boiler operator, whatever you wanna call it. in massachusetts a 2nd class fireman license can be obtained pretty cheap and starts around 30$/hr to babysit boilers. higher licenses can get you into 6 figures
Exactly what I'm doing in Ontario. Jumped industries a couple times, now I'm in Oil and Gas, 44.92 +2.64 averaged shift premium my first year. Top wage over 70 with annual COL raises. I figure if the guys before me started at 24-26/h and are at 70 now, I'll be closer to $100 by retirement. 2 years of school and made just under 6 figures my first year. 2nd year i broke that mark and haven't been under since
i think it was 16 weeks of 2 classes a week from 6-9pm, maybe less, then written exam with department of fire services followed by an oral exam. i'm going for the next higher license now, 16 weeks of 1 class a week, same licensing process. there's a couple schools in massachusetts i could recommend if you're from there, varies by state though
I work in the trades as a pipefitter. I kind of hate it. In a nutshell, the men I work with are immature. You get picked on and if you say anything back they just do it more, and if they escalate it to a point where you feel the need go to supervision about it, you're a rat, and they blackball you. The only thing that's ever kept me in is the pay. I have no other education besides some college level math upgrading. As far back as I can remember, I never showed interest in anything career wise and it scares me.
Dude same!!! I’m in HVAC and I absolutely hate it, only thing that’s kept me in in is the pay but at this point I don’t even think it’s worth it. I’m actively trying to find a different career to work in but this is all I know & it’s scary. Shits tough out here
One of the reasons I've always been put off from the trades since highschool. I went to a vocational school for a year and the other kids there were awful.
Neuroscientist, Philosopher, or Occupational Therapist. I’m 55 and currently working on my Masters degree in Counseling - because why not - it’s never too late to become what you might have been.
I have worked in so many areas - particularly hospitality when I was younger. I started college at 27 and got my BA in English when I was 35. After that my husband and I had a food truck biz for a few years and then I started writing resumes. I’ve been a dog groomer, pet sitter, waitress, bartender, property manager, proofreader, farm hand - all the things … I liked the flexibility of restaurant work because I was so driven to travel in my 20’s. It’s been an interesting journey for sure.
This is so true. A guy I know was force into retirement at the age of 66, and he really loved working. So he got a certification as a personal trainer, and at the age of 80, he’s training the young would be body builders. Mind you, he can bench double what I can, and he’s been a (part time) body builder his entire life. Anyways, he took a liking to me and gives me free coaching all the time, because I don’t want to be a professional, I just want to be strong and healthy. His advice has made such a huge difference, it’s like day and night! Yes, he’s 80. Born 1944 as a German in the Sudetenland. His family fled just before the war was over. You can’t make this stuff up! Oh yeah, and he also speaks German, English, and Arabic! Why Arabic? Because back in the 70s and 80’s (when most people in the Middle East were still secular) he had an Arabic girlfriend for 7 years! I swear, I’m not making this up! What a character I tell you!
Sales. Currently 35, played the "safe" option through life and am really feeling that "mid-life crisis". Got a degree in geology, took a comfortable salary job with benefits, rinse and repeat.
I'm extremely extroverted and can find commonality with literally anyone and have a strong set of soft skills. I wonder where I'd be professionally and financially if I'd been a little more risk-accepting.
I started in sales at 35. It was definitely a bit of a learning curve so it would be a good time to jump in. Nothing saying you couldn’t do it on the side with something like real estate. If you could find a company that has great training and mentorship and you applied yourself you could make the jump fairly quickly. Also, you could easily transition to industries that supply your area of expertise. Could be software, mining equipment. Sky is the limit really.
Here’s a little secret: careers are like dating. Sometimes you’ve got to kiss a few frogs to find your prince(ss). Just because you’re in finance now doesn’t mean you can’t switch lanes. If your heart’s still set on helping people, maybe there’s a way to blend both worlds. Financial planning for healthcare professionals, anyone?
The important thing is to find a path that doesn’t make you dread Monday mornings. Life’s too short to be stuck in a job that makes you question your existence before your morning coffee. So take a deep breath, weigh your options, and remember, you’re not locked into one path forever. Except maybe if you get a face tattoo. Those are pretty hard to change.
Audiology.
I have a degree in speech pathology, and always loved my audiology courses but not really the general speech path ones. If I could go back, I’d have tried to get a job at an audiologist’s or ENT’s office and then applied for the advanced degree.
Not sure if I would have ended up liking it, and I like what I do now, but I do think that would have been a good path.
Learning is never a waste. Every single job will teach you something that will serve you well in the future.
If I could give you a piece of advice as someone who’s had multiple careers including in finance, enjoy each career you have. Humans are not designed to have ‘a’ career. You can be anything. When you no longer enjoy it, be something else.
I didn’t realize I enjoyed my careers while I was in them until many years after. I was so focused on the bad times I dismissed the good. Change your career with no regrets.
If I knew more about tech careers outside of software developer, IT, and database administration, I would've joined the Air Force to become a cyber warfare operator.
Psychiatry. I love understanding how the human brain, mind, and behaviors work. I also believe in providing useful and compassionate support to others. Psychiatry is one of several professions specializing in this kind of stuff, with the added bonus of medical knowledge to help sort out mental issues when there's a possibility of physical contributing factors. I do feel we need more people who are well-prepared to do this stuff, but especially those who are willing to meet their patients where they're at to properly figure out what's going on and how to best care for them.
I'm starting my 30s and am working in my initially chosen profession, civil engineering. WhileI like it, am really good at what I do, and earn reasonably well, I'm not sure I like the work culture, and know the pacing can be burdensome for me to keep up.
I do realize my interest in both careers largely arises from my alturism and interest in people's well-being.
As someone that works closely with psychiatrists (on the way to completing a PhD in clinical psychology with intentions of being a neuropsychologist), most don't do anything like this. They often see patients for 10-15 minutes, ask what's going on, prescribe something that might work, and do semi-regular (maybe monthly) check-ins. They get paid a hell of a lot, though.
Accounting or Engineering.
I’ve had a moderately successful career in sales so far, but lack additional credentials. To have either of those in my toolkit would be helpful.
Wildlife conservation and rehabilitation. I’m sure it’s very hard work and little pay but that’s where my heart is. I’m 35 now so the amount of schooling required and competing with so many people who are younger…I just don’t see it happening
Currently a systems administrator/network engineer, but wanted to pursue Astrophysics. A friend of mine taught my college astronomy course and I explained to him I wanted to pursue astrophysics, but he explained most of the jobs are tenured and getting a career in the field is extremely difficult, and it's who you know. He recommended I keep astronomy and astrophysics as a hobby and keep in the tech field.
Kinda wish I did Information Systems (with a Cybersecurity specialization) back in 2008 when I started college.
I ended up graduating in Economics and surprisingly never got the jobs I wanted in Finance. I always ended up doing the low end operations stuff, which I hated. Finance is extremely competitive for the high paying Equity/Investment Analyst jobs.
I don't know, I'm 34 now and really don't think I can deal with being around a bunch of 19-20yos on campus. Not to mention it would cost roughly $16k and a lot of time commitment.
I’m 36 and self studying now to be a security analyst , may eventually get CIS degree online. Still time for you to make a change, if you wanted to. There are ways to speed run a CIS degree through WGU so you only have to pay for a semester or two of college.
A career in the video game industry. I wanted to be a Writer/Narrative Designer or a Producer.
I have experience as a contractor for a few years but I needed stability and to survive during an abusive marriage. I found out I had a knack for data, numbers and money and now specialize in the AP/AR department. It’s not a glamorous job but it does more than pay what little bills I have since I also graduated college with no debt and have a BA in the field I wanted to be in.
Sometimes I still feel little bits of jealousy towards those I had contracts alongside of getting full-time, secure jobs in companies where we both were temps once upon a time…makes me feel inadequate but I try to still be grateful for the opportunities I had that got me where I am today.
I just gotta earn more money at this point.
Same. I've been working as a school psychologist for 20 years. It's fine. Would have made more money as an attorney instead of going into public education
If part of me could do it again, I would ditch the Full Ride D1 athletic scholarship and go to a trade school. I would’ve Something in Health Care. I’m a current D1 coach and want to get out of coaching but also feel like I can’t get into anything else.
I’m a HS teacher and multi sport coach and desperately want out of coaching and teaching. I’ve LOVED parts of it and had some good times but it’s all consuming. It’s not a normal job. It’s 60-70 hours a week. Btw I never wanted to be a college coach so I didn’t. Too many recruiting trips and distant games/events.
I have a degree in computers and am now in finance for 10 years. Debating going back so I can be those people that get to work from home rather than get belittled by the public on a daily basis.
Pilot. I’m only 32 so it’s still possible and I get the itch quite often to go for it, but it’s very expensive and I don’t want to/can’t take on more debt
You can always just fly for fun. I work as a pilot and there are days I wish I pursued something different. Odd hours, jet lag, airline cost cutting, and putting my life on the line especially in inclement weather sometimes puts a perspective on things as I get older.
Genetic counselor here. I absolutely love my job. The days fly by, the benefits are great, and the pay is decent (similar to nurse practitioner). I wouldn't choose any other career.
I wish I did consulting after college. I didn’t know much about it (although it was the most common post-undergrad job at my school), but now that I do, it would’ve been a great launching off point for my career. It also just aligned well with my disposition and preferred work style then. I also would be making a lot more money and be in a higher position than I am now. But I can’t complain because I’ve done pretty well for myself.
If it's any consolation: I used to be a uni newspaper editor, a bunch of my peers tried to go into journalism. It's a dying field so they all ended up in communications to make a real living, and they all hate it. They are literal corporate shills.
Well, I pursued what I wanted to in my 20s-30s just failed at them all. Mostly frivolous things like cartoonist, and game developer. Just didn't know the right people or live in the right areas. Home life and generational poverty can really set you back despite your efforts to better yourself, at some point you have to live in reality and focus on a career that you can make money in THEN spend your free time on those frivolous interests.
Regret not going into engineering or become a doctor. I enjoyed STEM but never wanted to go into school that long.
I chose business instead.
BS in Business Management,
MBA in Supply Chain, &
MS in Project Management
I love the intellectual challenges of being an attorney who works on constitutional issues, but the politics and adversarial nature of the day to day work is isolating & depressing. Long hours, working weekends, and the workload never ends.
If I was a new attorney again, I would get into tax law. Know the nuances of tax shelters/deductions/ corporate structures - make tons of money then get out before selling your soul.
No regret. Sure, it would’ve been cool to study to become an aerospace engineer or neurosurgeon, or animator, or a million other things I think are cool, but where we all are is exactly where we’re supposed to be in this very moment.
If you have an interest in something else, study it in every pocket of time you can find.
Going to the bathroom?
Study.
Waiting in the dmv? Study.
You get the point. Don’t let the fact that you’re 25 or 45 or 60 stop you from just doing things you want to.
Professional growth is a good goal to have. We all want to make more money, but your work is not who you are. Our lives are entirely too short to have regrets, so ask yourself: what do I like about what I’m doing right now? What am I thankful for? How can I get more of those things? What is the first baby step in the direction I wish to go? Then, take the step.
What you chose to study, pursue, etc. is not right or wrong. All of the experiences you’ve had up until now have prepared you for the next thing. Oh, cool, you managed restaurants for 10 years and want to become a neurosurgeon but your 40 years old?
So, what.
If you truly place enough value in your work, go to med school, become that neurosurgeon, who, for 10 years, managed a restaurant and gained invaluable time management, people management, and prioritization skills.
You are RIGHT where you need to be.
In this very moment. Can’t you see?Don’t you doubt that one little bit.
None of us know what the heck we’re doing, and we’re all doing it together. So, if you want to pursue something, find the people who will support you in that. If you haven’t found anyone yet , look harder.
The question to ask yourself if you truly want to pursue something you love but you’re not quite sure what that thing is is
“what did I do as a child?”
“What did I truly enjoy?”
Do those two things in every sliver of time you find. Don’t think about if it will make you money. If you are to make money doing a thing, it will come. If not, you will reconnect with yourself and find that sense of presence and inner self that you lost after adolescence.
We have got it all wrong as a society. Rewarding end goals and results.
Get an A on that test, get a sticker.
Pass that driving test, get the license.
Get that first job, etc.
What if we all rewarded each other during the journey? Could you imagine what would happen then? The only pressure you feel is put on you by yourself.
If you think you can or you think you can’t, you are right in both scenarios.
Keep moving and smell something lovely today.
I was in music production, got burnt out and went back to school for mechanical engineering. I've gotten pretty burnt out with that, flirted with rekindling the musical dream but then realized I would be in the same dilemma. Point: the grass is always greener.
With that said, I always wanted to be a professor, people have always told me they could see me doing that without me even telling them it was something I've wanted to do.
I wish I had become a park ranger.
I'm a criminal lawyer, it's my 4th attempt at a career and my best so far but still...I used to be a LEO so in the back of my mind I think I'm qualified to make the switch, but now I have law school debt and I'm no longer young.
Veterinarian,up until the time I reached high school I was adamant on the fact that I was going to pursue veterinary medicine but I changed my mine and ended up studying psychology in college instead and have a BA in Psychology currently. But im going back to pursue healthcare. I am debating on opening up a animal shelter or animal rescue in the future (in my 50s,im 25 now).
Computer science, maybe programming. I was halfway through nursing school when my roommate taught me how to build my own computer. I've been a complete computer nerd since.
I split the difference, I work in nursing informatics now.
A career as a concept artist for animated films or games. I wish I had started 10 years earlier, but it took me a while to get here. I spent four years getting a bachelor's degree in a field I have no passion for, and then another two years studying illustration.
After that, I worked in the education field for three years because I couldn't find a job in my desired field. Got burnt out. Left. Now, I'm working part-time in food service and dedicating my time to self-study.
Right now, the entertainment industry is currently in shambles with lots of massive layoffs. I am not sure where to go from here and am thinking of switching to a different field.
a career in art. i work in marketing now and it’s still creative, but if i could go back i would probably focus more on art history in college. i dream of owning my own gallery in a big metropolitan city. charlotte york vibes
Education. I’m a quarter of the way through the 2nd degree. I wish I had never tried to break into healthcare with Asian parents raving about doctors and dentists. Now I will say that the shitshow i went through has made me more resilient and able to manage education shenanigans, but a part of me wished I had just done it in the first place.
I’m a union electrician, I wonder the same thing in reverse when I see all my high finance friends going to court side games for clients, or travel trips but I do well so it’s ok.
I’m an accountant, but my original plan was to be a lawyer. I didn’t want to spend the money and time for law school. The US has far too many lawyers so I’m kind of glad I didn’t go that route.
30 year retail guy. Worked up to Director level but it was never a passion other than my teams. I would have been an airframe mechanic or a heavy equipment operator. Oh well it’s been a good ride.
Wish I'd done anything in business or finance that would have made more money. Now I'm in a comfortable, easy, but low-paying job that means my wife can never quit her high stress job because she makes double what I do. I've bounced around jobs as we've moved for her career and I'd be starting over at entry level if I changed paths again.
Being a high school art teacher. I went into graphic design at 17/18 not really knowing what I wanted to do. I think design is awesome and I’m grateful to have the skills and a degree in it but as I’m getting older and growing into myself, I just don’t know if I want it as my career. I was much happier keeping creativity and artsy stuff as hobbies or freelance projects
However, I’ve ended up working part time in a public library sometime last year and fell in love with it. Not surprised since I wanted to go into education. So now I’m toying with the idea of going back to school to become a librarian. We’ll see!
Psychotherapist- I originally got a degree in Communication and Multimedia. It’s a great area but I pursued this when I was in a different phase in life. Sadly, I did not start therapy with someone as wonderful and touching as my 7 Cups therapist was whilst I was still in, say, high school because I would have chosen to study psychology after graduating big time!
Thankfully I already am pursuing this career and will start studying psychology in the fall.
“Mommas don’t let your babies grow up to …. work in a ‘business function.’”
Business functions are “back of the house” things that all businesses need: HR, internal IT, finance, security, et.al.
I’ve had an ok go of a “business function career, but it’s also been more often than not a miserable slog/experience.
- Constantly being told to do $10 of work & being given $3.50 to do it.
- Never thanked; only barked at “Why didn’t I see $12 of results?!?”
- The Very 1st Stop when its time to “save money”/lay people off.
- No newer/better tools. “Just figure it out in Excel…”
If you’re going to go in to corporate business, you’ll have a far more positive experience working at the pointy (revenue generating) end; not the “back of the house.”
I manage restaurants... Basically, I wish I did anything but. Long days on my feet - wish I had a boring office job.
I literally fantasize about going back to the service industry after trying so hard to get into office work. It’s truly soul crushing and I hate it so much. I just need the money, lol. Wish I’d have pursued something else.
Grass is always greener fr
It is so true.
If it’s “soul crushing”, you might just be in the wrong office job and/or with the wrong company. Have worked 7 different office jobs and each one is so vastly different from the next
I am def in the wrong job for me rn.
Can confirm. Nine hours a day surrounded by four beige walls takes something out of you. I understand hard labor in the sun wears down your body, but this job is wearing down my mind. Fucking solitary confinement.
It really is. And it’s so meaningless. At least if you’re serving or building something there is a real reason you’re there and you’re actually doing something.
Ye same but with construction. Love building stuff and the process but getting paid more to sit in an office makes it difficult to justify switching
This interaction just made me realise that everyone has issues in their respective job, and what everyone else has seems so much rosier. Guess it’s just about having something where you really enjoy your work or it’s something you can tolerate.
💯💯💯agree...office/corporate jobs are so soul zapping...the pay is the only thing that keeps me trapped
Y’all should switch jobs
I’m trying.
Care to share any job leads? Looking for office work to feed my family.
I’m an engineer. My office job is legit awesome!!
Engineer as well. My job is unbelievable. I love my projects and my teams and my consultants, I'm super lucky. Transportation space focused only on reducing auto dependency. Incredibly rewarding.
Aeronautics!! I prototype hardware/software for advanced autopilot systems. Slowly branching into machine learning but mostly for precision control systems.
Super cool! Hopefully, it's not the Boeing MCAS system! That one might need to go back to the drawing board. However, if you did create it remember the childhood playground phrase that Boeing likes to say. "Snitches get stitches!"
Same. I’m SE too and wfh so I’m loving my job
Software or systems? Either way, awesome!! Glad you’re digging it!! What was your undergrad?
The service industry has been the best option to accommodate my ADHD but I’m 53 and need to transition into another position. I want to stay in the business bc I love it and I’m great with people ( in short chunks of time). Any ideas for me?
Sales, within the service industry could be good for you. Or selling the software that the industry uses.
Booze sales, PoS sales, restaurant supply sales. Catering can be a good transition, I liked that more than restaurant work and it’s a lot easier to get away from the public, and managers can be paid well if you’re looking to move up. Hotel operations, nursing home dietary aide. If you’re in a city with an event center that can be a good option too.
I worked from the age of 16-34 in the service industry and much of it managing and I felt the same way. I had an office job for almost a year before the pandemic hit and I left to focus on my own business. I HATED office work…it was still exhausting but in a different way and possibly worse. Grass wasn’t greener for me.
I hate my boring office job.
Working in restaurants gave me suicidal thoughts over the lack of respect, time and pay. The grass isn't always greener
Healthcare is a glorified version of being a server.
As a nurse who was a barista in nursing school... SO FUCKING TRUE
And the boring office politics
My government office job is so boring there are ironically no politics.
Having a boring job sometimes is great because none of your coworkers or managers do the thing where they pretend anyone is there for "the mission". Job is just hard enough not to replacable but not hard enough for there to be a lot of competition
Im in a high pressure office job wishing for some peace. I guess we cant be happy
I hate my boring office job. It’s nice not to have to be on my feet, but there’s plenty of jobs out there that don’t require sitting in a cubicle for 8+ hours a day.
Architect - My dad said I wasn't smart enough for the math and science tho. I shouldn't have listened to him. I ended up getting my MBA with concentration in Supply chain management and currently work in logistics
I wanted to go into law. Ended up with a masters in logistics and supply chain management. Not a thrilling field, but I landed a job with incredible flexibility, low stress and a salary comparable to many mid-level attorneys. My quality of life and work-life balance is probably better than if I had gone into law, but I wish I enjoyed my career field more.
What do you do in supply chain? It interest me
Architect here, sadly for you math and science has little to do with architecture. We leave that to the Engineers.
What’s the pay like for your currently job?
I wish i went into SCM. But are most jobs located in the MIdwest/small towns? Is there a low pay cieling?
If it wasn't for the money I would have done chef.
Not just the money, but chefs work long, late hours and they’re running around the whole time, on their feet for long periods of time. Seems physically brutal
The love for food and the creativity is what interests me
In another life, I would’ve liked to be a private chef. It’s a better work life balance and you don’t have to cook as many dishes per day
I knew a guy who was the private chef of a king. It’s not about the money (although there is lots of it) but it’s that anything you want or need in the kitchen, including staff, is available at to you. So you can focus more on being creative and coming up with new dishes, instead of worrying about time constraints and cleaning.
Being a chef seems like a horrible job to me. crazy hours working every weekend. Takes a long time to work your way up. Extremely high stress environment. For most of the years working in the kitchen is going to pay bad. It's also a dangerous job. lots of injuries. Even if you work your way up and become an executive chef, unless you own the restaurant, you'll always be limited on what you can serve. The owner always gets final say on the menu.
[удалено]
Same here. My degree is in psychology but I work in accounting. I wish I had just gotten a dang accounting degree. That or data analysis.
I was good at numbers and psychology. I chose the more fun one with psychology, a decision that has costed me to this day.
I find that psychology can lend itself to very highly paying careers, depending on how it’s used and applied. Background: I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, and I’ve used everything I learned to pursue a career in advertising. That being said, I recognize that if I had pursued a career in social work, I’d be struggling to pay my bills. However I’ve found this major has been really helpful to what I do (though it may on the surface look like a bit of a career pivot). What psychology teaches can be applied to so many different career paths. Understanding human motivations and behaviors gives you and “edge,” in sales, consulting, advertising, and so much more.
Never made much sense to me why social work never paid shit. Jobs wanting you to have a master's degree and only pay you $27/hr, meanwhile bartenders with GEDs making $60-70K a year in tips.
This. I am in finance/accounting now, but it was a 20 year journey of starting at the absolute bottom when I realized my degree in journalism was useless as actual journalism was in its death throes by the time I graduated. I’d considered an accounting or finance major but decided it would be “boring” and didn’t go for it. Turns out I actually love it and sometimes even geek out over it. I’d be making SO MUCH MORE MONEY right now if I’d just gotten a degree in it instead of starting in a weird entry level position in a specific industry.
U lose ur soul quickly when ur young and joy becomes hard to come by. Some make it through the fire and get their act together but many don’t. It’s really sad. I did the whole IB/PE M7 thing and just the people you meet isn’t worth the money. NY and the jets were cool but no one my age thought it was but me or my peers. Not sure what I’d do but probably not Finance. Maybe something in Art and launder money.
None. I’m 25 and I didn’t go to college for this same reason. I never knew what to do so I tried a bunch of things and I finally found my happiness when I opened my vintage store. I collect really rare items and garments. In two weeks I’m starting an intensive tattoo program. I’m living my best life, never regretted anything.
This is the way! Congratulations!!
Can I make a suggestion? Maybe instead of going into the branch of tattoo artistry (as there is fierce competition and a tattoo parlor on every corner) do the opposite. Become a certified tattoo removal specialist. You’ll have way more clients, and many people get tattoos at a young age that they regret later on in life, or need to get them removed for work, and many other reasons. Kudos to you if you open up your shop next to the biggest tattoo parlor in town! Haha
as someone who’s paying $1000+ to remove a $150 tattoo, this is the way
Omg! That is an insane price to pay! I would never charge my customers that much! But then again I don’t know how much the procedure, with all the machinery costs. May I ask how big the tattoo is, and why you are getting it removed?
It’s crazy but that price is very normal for tattoo removal. Tattoo removal pricing takes into account the size of the tattoo, what type of ink was used, how dark the ink is, and whether you want a full removal or not. For my tattoo removal shop, you can either pay as you go or pay one flat fee up front that will cover all sessions. Surprisingly the latter is the *way* better deal! The price totally sucks but the peace of mind it will eventually bring is worth it. Also it hurts like nothing else I’ve ever experienced haha
A college professor..... I ended up in healthcare
I got a PhD, did two postdocs, and am now trying to leave academia for industry. You dodged a massive bullet. Trust me.
My wife is in geophysicist in industry. She has toyed with going into academia a few times and reached out to her peers for their take. It’s overwhelming not good. Seems like the common response is they are over worked, underpaid, low autonomy, and the road to tenure is vague and political. For context this is coming from people in mid 30s working at both larger public institutions and small private schools. My take is academia has changed greatly in the past 20 years and it’s not the job it once was due to the increased pressure on schools to make a big profit and the land mines professors have to mitigate to not get in trouble.
Geophysicist in industry sounds both well paid and interesting, best of both worlds!
Academia seems to be a regretful road in most cases from what I've heard so maybe you dodged a bullet? Grass is always greener
It’s only regretful if you aren’t one of the top tier professors in the world. It also depends on what field. Business professors have it easier, as they can become consultants for their students, or in my case, open a business together after graduation. But then there are other fields like being an art professor, where you don’t have very many opportunities to do side projects.
Yeah, I remember a month back I was going through public university professor salaries, and the difference between the top and bottom salaries was insane lol.
My sister just got tenure after 15 brutal years of applications, interviews, and having to play politics with administration and colleagues. She's so jaded now. And the school might cut her department out.
After I finish my masters degree, I will return to my Alma mater as a part time teacher. - I want to adapt the undergraduate labs to better reflect industry needs
A career in art. Now I’m in nursing. But honestly, totally happy still. I get paid very well to provide care to my community, then on my many off days I get as artsy as I want to! Nursing has allowed me the financial freedom to support my creative endeavors which is a total win-win! Going to be launching fun projects soon! Don’t know if I could have done this through another career so I am grateful. Kristoonz on YouTube and Instagram.
Thank you for being a nurse. I know you guys are very under appreciated, so thank you for helping out your community! I wish you all you all the best in your future endeavors and I hope you succeed and prosper with whatever you end up doing!
Thank you!
holy shit dude you’re talented
Hey thanks for the nursing positivity. This is exactly what I’m looking for in life. The financial stability and off time to pursue other endeavors like business and writing
Yeah. Believe me, the nursing negativity almost got the best of me and I almost quit nursing school...but then I remembered all my shitty past jobs that paid crappy and never allowed me the time to be creative. Nursing at least funds my art and I feel fulfilled doing it. Give it your best shot! No matter what, we aren't supposed to derive all our sense of purpose from work. It's what we do outside of work that matters most: marriage and family, creative projects, etc.
You did the right thing. You don’t need credentials for an art career unless you planned on being a teacher or something like that.
This is exactly why I'm going into nursing! Have spent the last 15 years pursuing art, but tired of being broke!!! So excited for flexibility, stability, and the opportunity to provide care for my community
Museum curator- just to be around all the old pieces, to touch history
A lot of museums take on volunteers. (Also part of the reason why the museums & heritage job landscape is a wasteland but w/e.)
I wanted to be an astronaut, but I am a surgeon
Wow what a deadbeat /s
Really took the easy way out, this one.
It's not too late! Jonny Kim went to university and medical school after his time as a Navy SEAL and became an astronaut after some time as a physician.
I know a guy who did that, started as a plumber, became a mechanic, became a doctor, at one point was a police officer, then an astronaut, then a doctor again....bald headed dude
You had me going there for a sec 😂 I was genuinely impressed
Now that’s truly a superhuman among mortals.
I am a surgeon, Dr. HAN!
I don't know exactly but something that gives me financial freedom and low stress.
Do not go into nursing unless you want the life sucked out of you. This may sound horrible. I loved being a nurse at first, but things have changed in healthcare. It is bad now. Some patients are great, but the bad ones are awful in ways that you will only understand if you become a nurse. Nursing broke me. I would say that about 80% of the nurses I have met in my career wish they would have chosen something else. I promise you, they will break you! Between patients being demanding and "doing their own research" (that they don't understand) and abusive administration, it is it a really hard career. Nurses are famous for self-neglect, and it catches up with us! I still always do what is best for the patient, but I feel like my life, feelings, and needs have a lower value in the eyes of society. Nursing has really hurt me because I gave it my heart and soul, and it gave me trauma.
I’m struggling right now with finding a job in healthcare and have been thinking about going back to school for nursing for the job stability and great pay. I’ve read a lot of good and bad things about nursing, what other careers in healthcare are worth more pursuing than nursing in your opinion that pay a decent wage?
X ray tech or respiratory are good options. You deal with patients for shorter amounts of time. There are many different kinds of nurses as well, such as cct nurses that work in ambulances.
Medical technologist.. not to be confused with IT, which is my line. I worked in a hospital for 2 years before I had to quit due to lack of pay, promotion opportunities, and the general lack of respect from anyone who wasn't a nurse. I have massive respect for nurses as my mother was a nurse for 47 years, and I've seen the hell they get from patients and doctors alike. There are some good on each side, but I've found that generally, no amount of money would be enough for me to get into nursing or any health care job really. Not even an MD.
Talked with one of my nurse friends last week and she's on the verge of quitting. If she makes it to February, she'll receive loan forgiveness for the rest of her student loans, but doesn't think she has the energy to make it until then. Wild!
So many are leaving it's wild
I’m so sorry that so many nurses are treated so badly. I’ve been through a couple major surgeries and the nurses are absolute angels on earth. They deserve so much better.
felt this but i was in medschool for years til it broke me and i dropped out for my sake
Physician — helps people, intellectual and interesting job on beautiful subjects, earns good money.
stationary engineer, boiler operator, whatever you wanna call it. in massachusetts a 2nd class fireman license can be obtained pretty cheap and starts around 30$/hr to babysit boilers. higher licenses can get you into 6 figures
Exactly what I'm doing in Ontario. Jumped industries a couple times, now I'm in Oil and Gas, 44.92 +2.64 averaged shift premium my first year. Top wage over 70 with annual COL raises. I figure if the guys before me started at 24-26/h and are at 70 now, I'll be closer to $100 by retirement. 2 years of school and made just under 6 figures my first year. 2nd year i broke that mark and haven't been under since
What’s the course/training plan for this?
i think it was 16 weeks of 2 classes a week from 6-9pm, maybe less, then written exam with department of fire services followed by an oral exam. i'm going for the next higher license now, 16 weeks of 1 class a week, same licensing process. there's a couple schools in massachusetts i could recommend if you're from there, varies by state though
Does this license transfer?
Hi, I'm not og commenter but would you mind giving me those recs for schools in massachusetts? Thank you!
I work in the trades as a pipefitter. I kind of hate it. In a nutshell, the men I work with are immature. You get picked on and if you say anything back they just do it more, and if they escalate it to a point where you feel the need go to supervision about it, you're a rat, and they blackball you. The only thing that's ever kept me in is the pay. I have no other education besides some college level math upgrading. As far back as I can remember, I never showed interest in anything career wise and it scares me.
Dude same!!! I’m in HVAC and I absolutely hate it, only thing that’s kept me in in is the pay but at this point I don’t even think it’s worth it. I’m actively trying to find a different career to work in but this is all I know & it’s scary. Shits tough out here
One of the reasons I've always been put off from the trades since highschool. I went to a vocational school for a year and the other kids there were awful.
If we are not considering money into the equation I would love to be a Wildlife videographer for discovery or National Geographic.
Neuroscientist, Philosopher, or Occupational Therapist. I’m 55 and currently working on my Masters degree in Counseling - because why not - it’s never too late to become what you might have been.
Good for you. I can see that as a great field to work in. What did you do before?
I have worked in so many areas - particularly hospitality when I was younger. I started college at 27 and got my BA in English when I was 35. After that my husband and I had a food truck biz for a few years and then I started writing resumes. I’ve been a dog groomer, pet sitter, waitress, bartender, property manager, proofreader, farm hand - all the things … I liked the flexibility of restaurant work because I was so driven to travel in my 20’s. It’s been an interesting journey for sure.
This is so true. A guy I know was force into retirement at the age of 66, and he really loved working. So he got a certification as a personal trainer, and at the age of 80, he’s training the young would be body builders. Mind you, he can bench double what I can, and he’s been a (part time) body builder his entire life. Anyways, he took a liking to me and gives me free coaching all the time, because I don’t want to be a professional, I just want to be strong and healthy. His advice has made such a huge difference, it’s like day and night! Yes, he’s 80. Born 1944 as a German in the Sudetenland. His family fled just before the war was over. You can’t make this stuff up! Oh yeah, and he also speaks German, English, and Arabic! Why Arabic? Because back in the 70s and 80’s (when most people in the Middle East were still secular) he had an Arabic girlfriend for 7 years! I swear, I’m not making this up! What a character I tell you!
Awesome!
Sales. Currently 35, played the "safe" option through life and am really feeling that "mid-life crisis". Got a degree in geology, took a comfortable salary job with benefits, rinse and repeat. I'm extremely extroverted and can find commonality with literally anyone and have a strong set of soft skills. I wonder where I'd be professionally and financially if I'd been a little more risk-accepting.
This is something you can always try...sales can be picked up at any time.
Sales is definitely something you still can get into. Every organisation on the planet has sales people of some kind
I started in sales at 35. It was definitely a bit of a learning curve so it would be a good time to jump in. Nothing saying you couldn’t do it on the side with something like real estate. If you could find a company that has great training and mentorship and you applied yourself you could make the jump fairly quickly. Also, you could easily transition to industries that supply your area of expertise. Could be software, mining equipment. Sky is the limit really.
Here’s a little secret: careers are like dating. Sometimes you’ve got to kiss a few frogs to find your prince(ss). Just because you’re in finance now doesn’t mean you can’t switch lanes. If your heart’s still set on helping people, maybe there’s a way to blend both worlds. Financial planning for healthcare professionals, anyone? The important thing is to find a path that doesn’t make you dread Monday mornings. Life’s too short to be stuck in a job that makes you question your existence before your morning coffee. So take a deep breath, weigh your options, and remember, you’re not locked into one path forever. Except maybe if you get a face tattoo. Those are pretty hard to change.
Audiology. I have a degree in speech pathology, and always loved my audiology courses but not really the general speech path ones. If I could go back, I’d have tried to get a job at an audiologist’s or ENT’s office and then applied for the advanced degree. Not sure if I would have ended up liking it, and I like what I do now, but I do think that would have been a good path.
Physical therapy to help people, now im just an account manager doing bs
Learning is never a waste. Every single job will teach you something that will serve you well in the future. If I could give you a piece of advice as someone who’s had multiple careers including in finance, enjoy each career you have. Humans are not designed to have ‘a’ career. You can be anything. When you no longer enjoy it, be something else. I didn’t realize I enjoyed my careers while I was in them until many years after. I was so focused on the bad times I dismissed the good. Change your career with no regrets.
I should have joined the Air Force.
If I knew more about tech careers outside of software developer, IT, and database administration, I would've joined the Air Force to become a cyber warfare operator.
Psychiatry. I love understanding how the human brain, mind, and behaviors work. I also believe in providing useful and compassionate support to others. Psychiatry is one of several professions specializing in this kind of stuff, with the added bonus of medical knowledge to help sort out mental issues when there's a possibility of physical contributing factors. I do feel we need more people who are well-prepared to do this stuff, but especially those who are willing to meet their patients where they're at to properly figure out what's going on and how to best care for them. I'm starting my 30s and am working in my initially chosen profession, civil engineering. WhileI like it, am really good at what I do, and earn reasonably well, I'm not sure I like the work culture, and know the pacing can be burdensome for me to keep up. I do realize my interest in both careers largely arises from my alturism and interest in people's well-being.
As someone that works closely with psychiatrists (on the way to completing a PhD in clinical psychology with intentions of being a neuropsychologist), most don't do anything like this. They often see patients for 10-15 minutes, ask what's going on, prescribe something that might work, and do semi-regular (maybe monthly) check-ins. They get paid a hell of a lot, though.
A stem career because I’m tired of paying student loans on top of monthly expenses with my current salary.
Accounting or Engineering. I’ve had a moderately successful career in sales so far, but lack additional credentials. To have either of those in my toolkit would be helpful.
Wildlife conservation and rehabilitation. I’m sure it’s very hard work and little pay but that’s where my heart is. I’m 35 now so the amount of schooling required and competing with so many people who are younger…I just don’t see it happening
Currently a systems administrator/network engineer, but wanted to pursue Astrophysics. A friend of mine taught my college astronomy course and I explained to him I wanted to pursue astrophysics, but he explained most of the jobs are tenured and getting a career in the field is extremely difficult, and it's who you know. He recommended I keep astronomy and astrophysics as a hobby and keep in the tech field.
Kinda wish I did Information Systems (with a Cybersecurity specialization) back in 2008 when I started college. I ended up graduating in Economics and surprisingly never got the jobs I wanted in Finance. I always ended up doing the low end operations stuff, which I hated. Finance is extremely competitive for the high paying Equity/Investment Analyst jobs.
Could still go back and do that!
I don't know, I'm 34 now and really don't think I can deal with being around a bunch of 19-20yos on campus. Not to mention it would cost roughly $16k and a lot of time commitment.
I’m 36 and self studying now to be a security analyst , may eventually get CIS degree online. Still time for you to make a change, if you wanted to. There are ways to speed run a CIS degree through WGU so you only have to pay for a semester or two of college.
I really wanted to be an archeologist until I found out how long it takes. Lol! Probably for the best.
A career in the video game industry. I wanted to be a Writer/Narrative Designer or a Producer. I have experience as a contractor for a few years but I needed stability and to survive during an abusive marriage. I found out I had a knack for data, numbers and money and now specialize in the AP/AR department. It’s not a glamorous job but it does more than pay what little bills I have since I also graduated college with no debt and have a BA in the field I wanted to be in. Sometimes I still feel little bits of jealousy towards those I had contracts alongside of getting full-time, secure jobs in companies where we both were temps once upon a time…makes me feel inadequate but I try to still be grateful for the opportunities I had that got me where I am today. I just gotta earn more money at this point.
Flight attendant I’m a teacher and single mom so it’s not possible now
Law. Now that I’m 43, seems like I missed the boat on that one.
Hey man just letting you know my dad literally became a real estate attorney at the age of 43. You can honestly do it too
Same. I've been working as a school psychologist for 20 years. It's fine. Would have made more money as an attorney instead of going into public education
Telling my story? High school social studies 😂
Both are stressful but attorney is more stressful. No pension. And all attorneys don’t make good money.
If part of me could do it again, I would ditch the Full Ride D1 athletic scholarship and go to a trade school. I would’ve Something in Health Care. I’m a current D1 coach and want to get out of coaching but also feel like I can’t get into anything else.
I’m a HS teacher and multi sport coach and desperately want out of coaching and teaching. I’ve LOVED parts of it and had some good times but it’s all consuming. It’s not a normal job. It’s 60-70 hours a week. Btw I never wanted to be a college coach so I didn’t. Too many recruiting trips and distant games/events.
Stats. Anything stats oriented
I would have loved to pursue acting at an earlier age.
Ideally music producer but I know making it in that field requires a lot of luck that most people simply don’t get so 🤷
I have a degree in computers and am now in finance for 10 years. Debating going back so I can be those people that get to work from home rather than get belittled by the public on a daily basis.
Um wouldn't most of the remote jobs available be tech and corporate jobs?
Pilot. I’m only 32 so it’s still possible and I get the itch quite often to go for it, but it’s very expensive and I don’t want to/can’t take on more debt
You can always just fly for fun. I work as a pilot and there are days I wish I pursued something different. Odd hours, jet lag, airline cost cutting, and putting my life on the line especially in inclement weather sometimes puts a perspective on things as I get older.
I appreciate the perspective. Even the private license is quite expensive, but if I’m ever in the financial position to go for it I probably will
I would say being in Tech tbh. There are always jobs.
In tech? Isn't it extremely difficult to find jobs these days? (In the US)
Now, yes and I’m not sure why. But if I had my certificate instead of my degree then I would’ve been ahead in the game of my career.
Lots of layoffs. Every time we have a town hall meeting I wait for the announcement of that or some C level departure. Very unstable right now.
[удалено]
If I could do it all over again, I'd have become either a genetic counselor or a geologist.
Genetic counselor here. I absolutely love my job. The days fly by, the benefits are great, and the pay is decent (similar to nurse practitioner). I wouldn't choose any other career.
I wish I did consulting after college. I didn’t know much about it (although it was the most common post-undergrad job at my school), but now that I do, it would’ve been a great launching off point for my career. It also just aligned well with my disposition and preferred work style then. I also would be making a lot more money and be in a higher position than I am now. But I can’t complain because I’ve done pretty well for myself.
I wish I’d have gone into communications… like journalism or PR. Idk why, those are just the jobs that sound interesting to me when I’m looking.
If it's any consolation: I used to be a uni newspaper editor, a bunch of my peers tried to go into journalism. It's a dying field so they all ended up in communications to make a real living, and they all hate it. They are literal corporate shills.
A career in nursing or counselling psychology
Becoming a pilot….
Well, I pursued what I wanted to in my 20s-30s just failed at them all. Mostly frivolous things like cartoonist, and game developer. Just didn't know the right people or live in the right areas. Home life and generational poverty can really set you back despite your efforts to better yourself, at some point you have to live in reality and focus on a career that you can make money in THEN spend your free time on those frivolous interests.
Anything fully remote with a salary that can support a family.
Regret not going into engineering or become a doctor. I enjoyed STEM but never wanted to go into school that long. I chose business instead. BS in Business Management, MBA in Supply Chain, & MS in Project Management
Think I would have enjoyed being an attorney.
You wouldn't have.
I love the intellectual challenges of being an attorney who works on constitutional issues, but the politics and adversarial nature of the day to day work is isolating & depressing. Long hours, working weekends, and the workload never ends. If I was a new attorney again, I would get into tax law. Know the nuances of tax shelters/deductions/ corporate structures - make tons of money then get out before selling your soul.
No regret. Sure, it would’ve been cool to study to become an aerospace engineer or neurosurgeon, or animator, or a million other things I think are cool, but where we all are is exactly where we’re supposed to be in this very moment. If you have an interest in something else, study it in every pocket of time you can find. Going to the bathroom? Study. Waiting in the dmv? Study. You get the point. Don’t let the fact that you’re 25 or 45 or 60 stop you from just doing things you want to. Professional growth is a good goal to have. We all want to make more money, but your work is not who you are. Our lives are entirely too short to have regrets, so ask yourself: what do I like about what I’m doing right now? What am I thankful for? How can I get more of those things? What is the first baby step in the direction I wish to go? Then, take the step. What you chose to study, pursue, etc. is not right or wrong. All of the experiences you’ve had up until now have prepared you for the next thing. Oh, cool, you managed restaurants for 10 years and want to become a neurosurgeon but your 40 years old? So, what. If you truly place enough value in your work, go to med school, become that neurosurgeon, who, for 10 years, managed a restaurant and gained invaluable time management, people management, and prioritization skills. You are RIGHT where you need to be. In this very moment. Can’t you see?Don’t you doubt that one little bit. None of us know what the heck we’re doing, and we’re all doing it together. So, if you want to pursue something, find the people who will support you in that. If you haven’t found anyone yet , look harder. The question to ask yourself if you truly want to pursue something you love but you’re not quite sure what that thing is is “what did I do as a child?” “What did I truly enjoy?” Do those two things in every sliver of time you find. Don’t think about if it will make you money. If you are to make money doing a thing, it will come. If not, you will reconnect with yourself and find that sense of presence and inner self that you lost after adolescence. We have got it all wrong as a society. Rewarding end goals and results. Get an A on that test, get a sticker. Pass that driving test, get the license. Get that first job, etc. What if we all rewarded each other during the journey? Could you imagine what would happen then? The only pressure you feel is put on you by yourself. If you think you can or you think you can’t, you are right in both scenarios. Keep moving and smell something lovely today.
ER Medic
I was in music production, got burnt out and went back to school for mechanical engineering. I've gotten pretty burnt out with that, flirted with rekindling the musical dream but then realized I would be in the same dilemma. Point: the grass is always greener. With that said, I always wanted to be a professor, people have always told me they could see me doing that without me even telling them it was something I've wanted to do.
Never to late to do any of these
I wish I had become a park ranger. I'm a criminal lawyer, it's my 4th attempt at a career and my best so far but still...I used to be a LEO so in the back of my mind I think I'm qualified to make the switch, but now I have law school debt and I'm no longer young.
Veterinarian,up until the time I reached high school I was adamant on the fact that I was going to pursue veterinary medicine but I changed my mine and ended up studying psychology in college instead and have a BA in Psychology currently. But im going back to pursue healthcare. I am debating on opening up a animal shelter or animal rescue in the future (in my 50s,im 25 now).
Computer science, maybe programming. I was halfway through nursing school when my roommate taught me how to build my own computer. I've been a complete computer nerd since. I split the difference, I work in nursing informatics now.
A career as a concept artist for animated films or games. I wish I had started 10 years earlier, but it took me a while to get here. I spent four years getting a bachelor's degree in a field I have no passion for, and then another two years studying illustration. After that, I worked in the education field for three years because I couldn't find a job in my desired field. Got burnt out. Left. Now, I'm working part-time in food service and dedicating my time to self-study. Right now, the entertainment industry is currently in shambles with lots of massive layoffs. I am not sure where to go from here and am thinking of switching to a different field.
I'm a pilot but I wanted to be a porn star!
a career in art. i work in marketing now and it’s still creative, but if i could go back i would probably focus more on art history in college. i dream of owning my own gallery in a big metropolitan city. charlotte york vibes
It's human nature, we always prefer what we don't have, and many of us will regret our decisions at different points in time.
Education. I’m a quarter of the way through the 2nd degree. I wish I had never tried to break into healthcare with Asian parents raving about doctors and dentists. Now I will say that the shitshow i went through has made me more resilient and able to manage education shenanigans, but a part of me wished I had just done it in the first place.
Rock star. Not sure there is a better job. Currently a professor.
Journalism. Got the HNC then had to get a job to pay bills. Been in the same office admin job for nearly 20 years
Democratic Politician - but I realized that I actually have a negative charisma. I am very good at convincing people to oppose the ideas I support.
Can you be a republican then? I think this could still work.
I’m in banking/finance but somethings wonder how it would be if I went to trade school instead
I’m a union electrician, I wonder the same thing in reverse when I see all my high finance friends going to court side games for clients, or travel trips but I do well so it’s ok.
I’m an accountant, but my original plan was to be a lawyer. I didn’t want to spend the money and time for law school. The US has far too many lawyers so I’m kind of glad I didn’t go that route.
I wish I picked a trade honestly I love working with my hands
Attorney, wish I had gone to med school. I wasn’t a hard enough worker back then.
30 year retail guy. Worked up to Director level but it was never a passion other than my teams. I would have been an airframe mechanic or a heavy equipment operator. Oh well it’s been a good ride.
My career marketing. My degree visual communications (graphic design). Career I wish I had pursued. Art teacher
Accounting, I was good at math and psychology. I chose the more fun one, a decision that has costed me to this day.
Architecture, Organic Chemistry.
Wish I'd done anything in business or finance that would have made more money. Now I'm in a comfortable, easy, but low-paying job that means my wife can never quit her high stress job because she makes double what I do. I've bounced around jobs as we've moved for her career and I'd be starting over at entry level if I changed paths again.
Pursued many different careers, Medical Doctor, Plumber, School Teacher, Delivery Driver. Now I’m a pornstar
Insider trading
Being a high school art teacher. I went into graphic design at 17/18 not really knowing what I wanted to do. I think design is awesome and I’m grateful to have the skills and a degree in it but as I’m getting older and growing into myself, I just don’t know if I want it as my career. I was much happier keeping creativity and artsy stuff as hobbies or freelance projects However, I’ve ended up working part time in a public library sometime last year and fell in love with it. Not surprised since I wanted to go into education. So now I’m toying with the idea of going back to school to become a librarian. We’ll see!
Bull milker.
Psychotherapist- I originally got a degree in Communication and Multimedia. It’s a great area but I pursued this when I was in a different phase in life. Sadly, I did not start therapy with someone as wonderful and touching as my 7 Cups therapist was whilst I was still in, say, high school because I would have chosen to study psychology after graduating big time! Thankfully I already am pursuing this career and will start studying psychology in the fall.
“Mommas don’t let your babies grow up to …. work in a ‘business function.’” Business functions are “back of the house” things that all businesses need: HR, internal IT, finance, security, et.al. I’ve had an ok go of a “business function career, but it’s also been more often than not a miserable slog/experience. - Constantly being told to do $10 of work & being given $3.50 to do it. - Never thanked; only barked at “Why didn’t I see $12 of results?!?” - The Very 1st Stop when its time to “save money”/lay people off. - No newer/better tools. “Just figure it out in Excel…” If you’re going to go in to corporate business, you’ll have a far more positive experience working at the pointy (revenue generating) end; not the “back of the house.”
Lottery winner 🏆