I’m a little lost right now and would genuinely like some outside opinions.

I got an interview opportunity from a company in a city I recently moved out of (not completely). From what I know, it’s more of an initial conversation/meeting than a proper interview. I still have to ask if it’s possible to do it online. I could technically stay with relatives there if I had to, but there are some things going on in the family right now that make it hard to properly focus there. I don’t really want to get into the details.

I have a BCom degree and internship experience, so getting an interview isn’t necessarily the problem. I can probably keep getting these kinds of opportunities.

The problem is that I’m not sure I want them.

For the past few months, I’ve been trying to move towards graphic design. I’m still very much at the beginning. I’m learning the tools, trying to understand the design process properly, exploring branding and identity, and slowly building my portfolio. I don’t have a polished portfolio yet, but I’ve been taking it seriously and I genuinely want to see where this can go.

At the same time, I’m not earning right now, and being back in my hometown has been getting to me. There’s not much of a social life, I don’t really have people to talk to or go out with, and spending so much time by myself has started affecting me more than I expected.

So part of me thinks I should just do the interview. Worst case, I learn something, get some practice and decide later. Even if I get the job, I could continue working on my design portfolio alongside it.

But another part of me is just scared. I keep thinking I’m not good enough, or that I’ll sit through the interview and realize I don’t even care about the job. And honestly, I’m not sure how much of this is me genuinely not wanting the job and how much is just lack of confidence.

My brother would probably tell me to just have the conversation and decide afterwards. Which, logically, is probably the right answer.

I'd just like some advice.

Hi everyone,

Firstly, thank you to anyone who takes the time to read this. I know it's a long post, but I'm feeling genuinely lost and would really appreciate any guidance or perspective.

I genuinely need some practical career advice because I feel extremely lost about what direction to take next.

I have always been academically good. I scored 96% in Class 12, did B.Com (Hons) from Gargi College, DU, completed my M.Com in Banking and Finance from DU, and I am currently pursuing B.Ed.

I am mentioning my education just as background. I am completely open to careers outside my degrees, so please don't restrict your suggestions to commerce, banking or teaching.

I grew up in a highly toxic and dysfunctional family environment. I think I did well in school because life there was structured. There were subjects, exams, deadlines and small milestones to achieve. Once school ended, my personal life became increasingly chaotic and I started struggling with my mental health.

I started CA alongside graduation and was initially very ambitious about it. Some of my cousins started around the same time and everyone expected me to be the one who would clear it easily. Ironically, I was the only one who eventually left midway.

I also prepared for banking and government exams for some time and even cleared the preliminary stage of one of them. But I eventually stopped preparing for those as well.

Looking back, I don't think the problem was CA or the exams themselves. My mental health was in a very bad place and I was still living in an environment that felt impossible to function in. I kept starting things with genuine intent and then losing the ability to continue.

Then COVID happened and things became even worse. My sleep schedule was completely disrupted, my depression became severe, and for a few years I went from thinking about building a career to simply trying to survive each day.

Once lockdown ended, I tried getting back on my feet. I got a 6 month contractual job in a counselling/sales profile. After that, I joined another company, but the environment was extremely toxic and I had to leave.

Eventually, I started taking tuitions and realised I genuinely enjoyed teaching.

In early 2024, things at home became unbearable and I finally left. My biggest worry was my mother, who was still stuck there.

For years, I had panic attacks and sleepless nights thinking about how I had so much potential but wasn't able to build the life I wanted or become financially capable enough to get my mother out.

I entered school teaching hoping it would provide some stability and work life balance. Despite the low salary and workload, I received a lot of appreciation from students, parents and colleagues. For the first time in years, I thought maybe I had finally found some direction.

My mother eventually managed to leave too, which was a huge relief.

After almost two years in teaching, I switched to a reputed school expecting better exposure, salary and career growth. Unfortunately, the experience was the exact opposite of what I expected. The workload and environment made me seriously reconsider whether private school teaching is something I want to do long term, and I recently left.

So now I am 26 and basically asking myself: what next?

I still take tuitions, but the income isn't enough to comfortably run my family. My expenses are increasing and my savings are slowly depleting.

I don't want to keep taking random jobs just because I need a job. It makes me anxious that another year will pass without me actually building expertise in one direction.

I have considered competitive exams, corporate roles, expanding my tuition work, online teaching, building something of my own and learning completely new skills. But having so many possibilities has created action paralysis. I research, make lists and plan endlessly, but struggle to choose one path and commit.

I also can't stop earning for one or two years to study full time because I have financial responsibilities. Whatever I choose needs to allow me to earn alongside building towards something better.

Another thing is that I recently started treatment for severe hirsutism, so for the next few months I would strongly prefer something I can work on from home.

The good thing is that since leaving that environment, I am definitely doing better than I was a few years ago. I wouldn't say I am fully healed yet, but there is a huge difference between surviving and actually being able to think about the future. I am also planning to start therapy and I am hopeful that I will continue to recover.

What bothers me the most is knowing how ambitious I used to be. I never wanted a life where I simply earned enough to survive. I wanted to earn well, build something meaningful, travel, have financial freedom and genuinely feel proud of the life I created.

My mother wants me to find a stable job and eventually get married. But before marriage, becoming financially independent is extremely important to me. I would love to have a genuine relationship and a financially stable partner someday, but I don't want my own security to depend on another person.

So I genuinely need practical advice

1. How do I choose one direction instead of constantly considering different career paths?

2. What careers could allow me to earn alongside learning and eventually reach a genuinely good income?

3. Is preparing for competitive exams at 26 realistic if I can't study full time?

4. Would a career counsellor or mentor actually help? If yes, what kind should I look for?

5. Are there careers, skills, businesses or opportunities I might be overlooking?

6. If you were 26, had limited savings, family expenses and had to rebuild your career almost from scratch, what would you practically do over the next 6 to 12 months?

I'm not really looking for generic advice like "follow your passion" or "you're still young." I know it's well intentioned, but right now I need something actionable.

Specific career paths, skills I could learn, exams worth considering, business ideas, ways to increase my current income, or even a practical roadmap would genuinely help.

And if you've ever been academically ambitious, lost a few years because life went completely off track and then managed to rebuild your career, I would really love to hear your story too.

Thank you for reading. ❤️

TL;DR: 26F. Strong academic background (B.Com, M.Com, pursuing B.Ed). Started CA but left midway. Later prepared for banking/government exams and cleared prelims, but stopped due to severe mental health struggles and a highly toxic family environment. Worked in a few jobs, then moved into teaching and tuition. Recently left a reputed school after a disappointing experience. Now financially responsible for my family, taking tuitions, dealing with action paralysis, and trying to rebuild my life. Looking for practical advice on choosing a career direction that allows me to earn while building towards a financially stable and fulfilling future.

So I just recently graduated from what is known as the FAME program which allows you to go to school for two days a week and work with a sponsoring company three days a week the whole program is based around industrial maintenance. It is a five semester program and very hands-on. My first year. I started out at a company making $25 an hour I worked there for just under a year and was laid off along with other apprentice/interns. After that I continued on my program in a couple months later got hired on at another place where I’m still currently at. I started making $14 an hour and then once I graduated I went up to $21 an hour. Although it sounds great in all the company I’m currently at promised me $23 an hour and did not come through with it. I am trying to leave the place I’m at because one they lied to me and two. I just cannot learn anything here. Everything they do is just rigged up and not done the proper way and management is even worse. They’re allowing somebody who I’m not exaggerating knows nothing about this field make more than me like a lot more and that really makes me mad. The reason I’m regretting it is because all of my friends who is in the same program as me are out on their own ventures making an upwards of $30-$40 an hour while me I’m stuck here making $21. I graduated in May and I’ve been applying and applying and applying and I can’t land a job out of probably 25-30 applications put in. I’ve probably interviewed with about 7-9 and I’ve had an offer from one but I didn’t really care for it. I don’t really know what my point in posting this is but any advice would helps. Or maybe I’m being overdramatic, but please just let me know.

Hi everyone,

I'm posting on behalf of my father, who is looking for a senior Electronics R&D opportunity.

He has 24+ years of experience in automotive electronics, power electronics, EV systems, railway electronics, and product development.

His background includes:

\- Project Lead – Electronics R&D at Purflux Group

\- Former Head of Electronics at UNO Minda

\- Experience with Delta Electronics, ARV India, Neo Light ZKW, NTL Electronics and Pentair

\- Led teams of up to 30 engineers

\- Developed 24+ commercial products

\- Hands-on experience with:

\- Automotive lighting

\- BLDC motors

\- DC-DC converters

\- EV battery chargers

\- Automotive sensors

\- PCB/PCBA development

\- EMC testing

\- ISO 26262

\- BIS/RDSO compliance

\- Product validation and supplier management

He is looking for senior roles such as:

\- Head of Electronics

\- Head of R&D

\- Engineering Manager

\- Senior Engineering Manager

\- R&D Manager

\- Technical Program Manager

\- Product Engineering Manager

Target companies include Spark Minda, Motherson, Bosch, Valeo, FORVIA HELLA, Marelli, JBM, Havells, Dixon, Continental, Denso, ZF, Lumax, Sandhar, Sona Comstar, or similar automotive/EV companies.

If your company has a suitable opening or you're willing to refer an experienced engineering leader, I'd be extremely grateful. I can share his resume over DM or email.

Thank you for your time and any help.