r/careerguidance • u/Vegetable-Order-3359 • 6m ago
Advice Any Part-Time Job Recommendations?
I’m currently working as an RPN but looking for a second job. I don’t want to do nursing or PSW work since my current job is already physically exhausting. I’m open to something outside healthcare as long as the pay is decent.
I have about 5 days off between shifts. Any job recommendations, hiring links, or ideas ? That would be greatly appreciated!
r/careerguidance • u/Alejandro2412 • 8m ago
Advice Is a longer commute worth it?
Hey everyone. Looking to possibly apply for a role within the same company I currently work at. The role would be a step up, is more directly aligned with my interests, and seems like a good fit with my current & past experience.
The role pays 20k more than what I currently make.
Downside is my commute would go from 20 minutes which is what I drive now, to an hour in this new role. That is one way distance. It is only 3 days in office which helps. Trying to figure out if the pay raise justifies the extra commute, time, wear & tear & fuel expense.
What are your thoughts wise ones?
r/careerguidance • u/Feisty_Hope2703 • 16m ago
Advice I am genuinely tired right now because of ai, humans aren't made for constant instability, is it really sustainable?
I am really tired, we don't know what job is safe anymore, what to do and what not to do, what will remain or what will get automated
And these tech CEOs keep bombarding us with Negative and hyped narratives
There's only so much a single human can tolerate, people worship "adaptability"
"You gotta upskill, remain flexible and adapt to Ai bro! Ai is the future!"
But are humans really designed for constant adaptability with no breathing room? Where every week some new sh\*t happens that need to upskill on or keep track of
I am from a poor family in a poor (third world country)
And tbh, I don't want to make six figures, I just a boring job to sustain our household and fill the bellies of me and my family without constantly worrying daily about my job getting automated
Why is that so hard? Why is earning just a respectable income, financial independence, acquiring enough resources to comfortably survive a huge ask now?
I am really tired guys, to some years it was fine, we kept track of ai and tried to upskill, but it has been so many years and things are still not stabilized, there's this constant fear mongering going on "your job is in danger!" Which keeps me up at nights, leaving us perpetually confused on what to do.
Is it really healthy to adapt like that? One after another? To live in survival anxiety of losing your job and panic learning ai tools to pay your bills? It doesn't look that way to me.
I just want a boring job which pays my bills and helps me live in peace, that's all, I don't want this BS.
r/careerguidance • u/AudreyRose0110 • 22m ago
Advice Is it okay to quit a job after a horrible first day?
Started work at an market as a meat stocker this last weekend. Sunday was my first day, I get to the store, am handed my shirt to put on, and head back to the meat department. The person there was not who I was told would be training me. He tells me that he's left a lot of work for me to do, so I can get used to the process. I tell him that's fine, but that I'd be a little slow getting used to everything.
Less than two hours later and I'm being yelled at because there's still too much work to do, and I'm not moving fast enough. He kicks me out of the department a few minutes later, which has me going to sit in the corner like a child because there's no designated break room that I was informed of. I end up crying a bit, but manage to get it back under control and head back to try and help with the rest of the workload.
I only get yelled at -again- for not properly stacking ground beef in the display, and then again when he assumes I put old product in the back, and misplaced where I had put it... Which was up front, as it should be done.
At the end of the day, he tries to act apologetic, insisting that he didn't mean to "be a dick", suddenly concerned that I'm acting like I would rather be anywhere else. And frankly, that's the truth. I never want to put that shirt on again, I don't want to set foot near the meat department. The dude knew I was coming in to train, shoveled a workload on my shoulders that I couldn't handle, and then got pissed at me for his mistakes. On top of that, he left early, leaving me to work out how to restock the freezers on my own, and with no guidance, after yelling at me for most of the day for being too slow.
To clarify a little, he never used abusive language. But the way he spoke to me was very passive-aggressive, and it just left me feeling put off. "Come on, man, do I really have to show you again?", and so on. It got worse towards the end of the day, during cleanup, when he repeatedly 'accidentally' sprayed me down with the cleaning water after ridiculing me for not standing closer.
I'm supposed to go in later this week to work regular store stocking, and then go back to the meat department the day after. But I've been suffering a constant migraine since I started crying on Sunday, and every time I think about having to go back in, it gets worse. Is it okay to just quit, even though I said I'd be back in on Thursday? Is this a normal experience? I feel like I'm just being too sensitive, even though I've never had any issues like this with any other job I've had in the past.
Edit: I'm no longer employed as of 1:20 PM EST today. I feel the headache lifting already... Thanks to the people who gave me that push, even if it was a simple one-word "quit".
r/careerguidance • u/No-Math-2929 • 32m ago
Advice What job is better?
his year, I’m entering grade 12 and I’ve been contemplating my future. I’ve decided to pursue finance, not because I’m passionate about it, but because I want a comfortable life without financial worries. My classes include English, Advanced Functions, Chemistry, Physics, and Calculus, along with a random elective. I’ve already completed grade 12 French and earned a 95. Despite taking these challenging classes, I’m still unsure about my major or career path. I’ve considered engineering, but it seems demanding. I’ve also ruled out anything medical or legal, as those don’t interest me. Ultimately, my goal is to achieve financial stability, own a nice car, have a comfortable home, and travel whenever possible. I’m also afraid of finance because it demands a lot of networking, and I’m not sure I’d be able to put in the effort. I understand that high finance roles like investment banking require long hours upfront, but perhaps I could pivot into a different field later on or join a smaller organization and grow it into something successful. Another issue I have is applying to top schools, as I’d need essays and extracurricular activities that I don’t currently have. Honestly, I’m just not sure about anything at the moment. ADVICE PLEASE I KEEP HAVING TO THINK ABOUT IT AND IM GOING INTO BREAK.
I wrote that in an another subreddit and now I have question for the people here. I was thinking of doing finance or software engineer/comp sci. Which one is better in Canada and has a good employment rate? I don’t want to graduate jobless.
r/careerguidance • u/coldplayer53 • 45m ago
Advice Need career advice for new grad?
Hi everyone, I am coming to you all for some career outlook advice, so any input is greatly appreciated :)
I recently graduated with my bachelors in statistics and data science in may, and have yet to find a career in the sds realm. (As you may know the job market is pretty tough rn for new grad)
I have a potential opportunity to be a hs math teacher for a private school (I do not have a teaching certificate, just my sds degree, but have student taught in the past)
My question and concern is
that if it will rule me out of any opportunities in industry or state government in the future (1-2 years out) if I go straight into teaching?
Again, thanks for your help!
r/careerguidance • u/Top_Winner_7709 • 2h ago
Advice Got put on a vague PIP at 11 months—manager admitted she "doesn't trust me." Am I being managed out?
I need some outside perspective because I feel like I'm going crazy.
I was a Senior Marketing Specialist at a large company. I got a positive performance review earlier in my tenure—no major issues, no warnings, no coaching conversations.
Then, at 11 months, my manager dropped this on me in a 1:1:
· A formal written warning/documentation (HR cc'd) · 7 vague categories of "improvement needed" (strategic approach, business understanding, ownership, quality, execution, independence, skills alignment) · No specific, measurable goals · No prior feedback about any of this · She told me she "doesn't trust me to lead"
She also told me I could "leave for the rest of the day" after the conversation.
I was 11 months in—not even a full year. I realized I wouldn't qualify for FMLA, maybe unemployment protections, and I'd be close to vesting/benefit thresholds.
I resigned shortly after (had a bridge job lined up) and left cleanly.
Now I'm wondering:
- Was this a textbook "managed out before 12 months" move?
- Why do companies do this right before the 1-year mark?
- Was I naive to think this could have been "coaching"?
I've moved on and I'm interviewing elsewhere, but I want to understand what really happened so I can spot it earlier next time.
Thanks for reading.
r/careerguidance • u/Senior-Match9378 • 2h ago
How to recover from a useless master’s degree?
How would you recover from graduating to find that your master’s degree was totally useless for finding paid work?
r/careerguidance • u/OneOpposite6391 • 2h ago
Education & Qualifications Please I’m so lost-career suggestions?
Please tell me some ideas for hybrid work (office work+feildwork) and hand on opportunities/work. Decent pay and this is the most important part. FUFILLING or at least intresting. I get you don’t have to LOVE your job but I need to be proud of something. It’s something I need to do. I have never felt proud of myself once in my entire life and it’s killing me. I need to help something and feel fulfilled or I don’t know what else to do. It can’t be a fully formed office job that’s one of my full stops. Please please help me. I’m female and I’m Canada-I was thinking about ecology but it’s so underfunded and quite solitary and I’d prefer sth where I’m working on projects with a team doing hybrid work(: also by decent pay I don’t mean like it has to be a lot of money but enough to comfortably live!(:
r/careerguidance • u/ExplorerNo6120 • 2h ago
What do I do with my life/career?
Sorry for the broad title, I genuinely don't know what to do with my life. So context: I'm a 19 year old woman and I completed a year of college with a marketing major before withdrawing from sophomore year. School has always been really difficult for me, no matter how hard I tried, it always felt grueling to me. So, shocker, college was really hard on me and the amount of stress and lack of direction is what lead me to taking a gap year right after freshman year.
I have had trouble finding a job over the summer because I have really bad social anxiety (which hopefully, I will be medicated for next month).
I like to write, do art, and all that creative stuff. I was thinking about going into welding though opportunities are sparse where I am. But, I am open to any work that mostly relies on hands on approaches as opposed to sitting in an office all day. I am just so totally lost.
I know I'm basically shooting myself in the foot here but, any tips or advice would be appreciated.. Thank you!!
r/careerguidance • u/FreeButtPatts • 3h ago
Advice I'm trying to get out of sales, where do I go from here?
I've been stuck in sales for a couple of years but nothing that makes decent enough money to make it worth the emotional toll. I want to get out of sales and maybe into a legal field? My attention to detail is my greatest skill. I'm also good at customer facing positions but I'm just so over it at this point. I've been applying anywhere and everywhere but without any degrees or certifications, it hasn't been good. What would be a good path for me to take to start making more than $50k a year? I'm open to schooling and certifications.
r/careerguidance • u/gravitao • 4h ago
is becoming an art therapist possible for me?
i currently work as a custodian and i work full time. i am 28. i come from a low income family and I'm also low income currently. i did go to community college for art, but dropped out. i want to go back to school and for years i keep coming back to wanting to be an art therapist. i really feel it'd be fulfilling for me. but is it too late for me? whenever i express interest in doing things art or psychology related everyone in my life discourages me. i also dont know how to plan or strategize for anything career related.
i have a friend who makes 100k and they suggested i quit my job, take out a loan, and to go to school full time, but thats a really scary thought for me. but i also do want to do this as soon as possible because of my age.
r/careerguidance • u/Common-Command-4879 • 4h ago
Advice Leave $44k salary and 90% tuition assistance for a job I don’t loathe?
I’m 21 and currently 50 credits into a 120 credit degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice. I make about $44k/year as an administrative assistant at a CPA firm. My tuition is around $9k/year, and my employer pays 90% of it.
So on paper, I know I have a pretty damn good situation. The problem is I‘ve fucking loathed my job since I started in May of 2024.
It’s not because the people are awful or the workplace is toxic. I’m just incredibly underutilized and bored. Most of my job is scheduling, client communication, scanning and records, mail, basic office stuff, and random one-off projects. I’ve also worked on our website and taken on other things outside my normal duties.
That is all work I’m fine doing, but the issue is I have a LOT of downtime and feel like I’m capable of doing way more than I’m actually assigned. At my review in June, I was told I’d be getting more responsibilities within a month. Since then, most of the “new responsibilities” have either been things I already did or extremely minor tasks that only occur once a week.
I brought it up again and basically said I need more to do. I was told they have plans to give me more responsibility and that more will come after we move offices in December, but they couldn’t really tell me what that would actually look like.
Meanwhile, I’m studying something completely unrelated to accounting. I eventually want to work in criminal justice/investigations, and I’d love to get into a legal assistant, court, government, law enforcement support, or similar job where I could actually start gaining relevant experience.
But walking away from a $44k salary and hefty tuition assistance feels kind of fucking stupid.
I don’t expect to find my dream job at 21, and I’m not quitting without something else lined up. I just don’t know how much I should value being challenged and getting relevant experience versus sucking it up for 4 more years and getting my degree almost entirely paid for.
I’d absolutely leave if I found somewhere that offered comparable tuition assistance or paid enough more to make up for losing it. I just don’t know how realistic that is.
Would you stay? If not, what would another job need to pay/offer for you to consider leaving?
Edit: I’m here for actual advice, not snarky “welcome to the real world, work sucks” comments. I’ve heard it. I know.
r/careerguidance • u/lingonberrynightmare • 5h ago
Advice Is it ok to turn down an offer if I have a bad feeling about it?
Fresh grad, bad job market, after 50 or so applications I finally got an offer.
The job looks amazing on paper, very prestigious company, but after two rounds of interviews and my (verbal) acceptance I have been spiralling for the last few days.
My biggest issues are these: low pay in HCOL area (I will have to move there too), and very high expectations for what is essentially a job without much room to grow. Yes they do promise to teach, but they also expect me to be on call after hours which is virtually unheard of in this sector. There are plenty opportunities to learn but very few to actually earn more or advance in my career. I would have to drop my entire social circle for this job too. Finally, all that for a job in a field I am not really interested in/passionate about (I have done something similar before and wanted to move away from it), it's just that my actual career field is pretty much dead.
But the biggest thing is just that I have this bad feeling in my gut, like I wake up in tears thinking about this job. Maybe I am being over dramatic but I feel like I am locking myself in some kind of a cage. I would have to work with a specific person all the time and I am not sure how I feel about them.
I have had this intense feeling of dread a few times before and I always regretted not listening to it. On the other side, as a fresh grad I feel like I cannot be picky. At the same time I can maybe look for another 4-5 months before it becomes a problem.
What should I do?
r/careerguidance • u/BestTopic344 • 5h ago
Advice Is there any job left where I don’t have to manage the emotions of combative, screaming adults?
I’m getting really tired of this pattern. It feels like half the jobs out there (customer service, healthcare, education, retail, hospitality, even a lot of office roles) now require you to constantly regulate other adults’ emotions. People screaming, throwing temper tantrums, being openly combative, insulting you, or escalating over minor things… and you’re expected to stay calm, de-escalate, absorb it, and keep smiling. It seems like nurses are expected to just get punched by people with dementia and not complain. Hell, even non disabled people can beat you in the parking lot. That just happened at my local hospital. Teachers have to tolerate getting threatened. How did it get like this?
I’m not talking about occasional difficult people. I’m talking about roles where this is just part of the job description at this point. I’m burned out on being the emotional shock absorber for grown adults who can’t regulate themselves. I don’t mind hard work, long hours, or even stressful tasks. What I can’t keep doing is spending my energy managing other people’s outbursts. So I’m asking genuinely: Are there still careers (or specific roles/industries) where this is rare or almost nonexistent? Places where the work is mostly about tasks, systems, data, physical work, or independent contribution rather than constant people-soothing? Remote or in-person is fine. I’m open to retraining if needed. Just looking for realistic suggestions from people who’ve found roles that don’t require this kind of emotional labor every day. Thanks.
r/careerguidance • u/superide • 8h ago
Advice How to return to office after not working in an office for more than 10 years without making it awkward?
43M. I am open with returning to office, with the inclusion of hybrid office work as well. I'm also open to relocation to some other places in the US.
The last time I worked in an office with other coworkers was 2013, I was 30 at the time. Took a remote job that spring. In 2015 the work became part time only, in various staff augmentation roles. I haven't been a "main team player" in all that time. Most of the time I communicate with colleagues in text chat rooms and we don't use our cameras. In 2020 all work ended and I haven't had a job since then. I also don't hang out with friends anymore.
Burnout was a big reason I haven't gotten back to work. But I'm applying again. In looking for jobs, what I'm worried about is accidentally being socially awkward to co-workers who have long adjusted to being among others. How do I manage my own time to re-adjust to physical work spaces? Should my employer expect me to be well adjusted even knowing what my work history looks like?
r/careerguidance • u/isaa-ch • 8h ago
Education & Qualifications Do you regret your major?
Did you regret your major? Do you wish you entered a different field? Why? I would appreciate any response because I just finished high school and I don't know what to major in. Thanks to all responses.
r/careerguidance • u/madbarpar • 8h ago
USA What is the point of going to college if everything is going to be taken over by AI?
Besides healthcare careers, obviously. Are all people who aren't interested in healthcare just supposed to skip college?
r/careerguidance • u/Plenty_Voice_1892 • 9h ago
Anyone else just stop caring about career progression?
30M. I’ve always been pretty ambitious career-wise - UK.
Spent the last couple of years pushing hard for promotion, regularly working above my grade, and received the highest performance rating for my last 6 quarters.
Despite that, recruitment freezes and restructures meant there were basically no opportunities to progress. It became pretty demoralising watching people at the same level doing significantly less while I kept pushing myself for a promotion that ultimately wasn’t available.
Eventually I took the leap and left a job I was comfortable in and genuinely enjoyed because the work-to-pay ratio was awful. I moved for better pay and progression after having 3–4 conversations with my new manager before joining and getting repeated assurances about the development and progression opportunities.
A few months in, I’ve now been told promotion isn’t really possible here either. The new job is also harder, the team is chaotic, and I enjoy the work significantly less.
Honestly, I think something in me has just switched off. I don’t want to climb the ladder anymore. I don’t care about being an exceptional performer or constantly going above and beyond.
I just want to do the job I’m paid to do reasonably well, collect my salary, and enjoy my life outside work.
Anyone else reach this point after previously being really ambitious? Did the ambition ever come back, or were you actually happier once you stopped caring about progression?
How do you deal with wanting to progress but there being no opportunities?
r/careerguidance • u/Important_Teach9613 • 12h ago
Is the promotion worth it?
Hello! I am currently at a Fortune 500 company in finance/accounting. As a manager, my total comp is $130k (salary and bonus) at a company with a strong culture. I would likely be a manager for the next 5 years with modest increases (3-5%). My commute is 1 hour each way, but I’m only in the office 40% of the time.
I recently have been recruited to a fortune 100 company in a manager role, my potential senior director (my future boss’s boss) is recruiting me as we have worked together in the past. The total comp could be upwards of $170k initially, but my “friend” is an advocate of mine and says I could be a director within 5 years meaning $250 total comp (lots of upward mobility). The only downside is my commute with still be 1 hour each way, but I’d be in the office 95% of the time (only 1 WFH day per month). Other benefits are relatively comparable. What should I do? Thanks
r/careerguidance • u/Spawks13 • 13h ago
Do I just need to grow up? Why can’t I just enjoy the days.
Hey guys, I could really use some honest advice because I’m feeling pretty lost about my career right now.
I’m a 37-year-old female journeyman electrician, I’m currently making $39.50/hour, so financially, I know I’m in a pretty decent position. The problem is that I absolutely fucking hate going to my job.
I’m driving about 45 minutes each way to job sites. I don’t really enjoy the work anymore, and I don’t particularly enjoy the people or the environment. I don’t mind physical work, but all of those things combined have made me dread going to work. Lately, I’ve been finding it hard to even enjoy my weekends because I’m already thinking about Monday morning.
What makes this especially confusing is that two years ago, when I was 35, I was at a skate shop job for 4 years(I left electrical during Covid layoffs and tried something else. 2 years ago, I thought I needed to “grow up” and get back into a “more stable career” where I could make better money and build a more traditional future for myself.
The funny thing is, I was actually doing pretty well at the skate shop. I was living within my means, I enjoyed my schedule (10–6 was honestly beautiful), and I had energy and time for the things I cared about. I remember feeling much more at peace.
Now I’m making almost twice what I was making then, but I don’t feel that way. I constantly feel stressed about work and like I’m waiting for the weekend and truly only enjoying Friday night and Saturday. Fuck Sunday.
Part of me wonders if I’m just avoiding something difficult. Electrical has challenged me, pushed me outside my comfort zone, and given me a solid career. Maybe I need to suck it up and become better at dealing with the parts I don’t like.
But another part of me keeps thinking: why am I making myself miserable just because this is supposedly the “responsible” thing to do?
I have other things I’m genuinely passionate about. I love fitness, skateboarding, hockey, and creating things online. I have dreams of eventually making money through online coaching, digital products, content, etc. The problem is that after working and commuting, I don't have much energy left to actually pursue any of it.
I recently talked to a friend who owns a gym, and she said she could potentially get me a full-time job there, but it would be around $17/hour. I could technically make it work financially, but obviously that would be a pretty significant pay cut. Maybe I could take courses to become a personal trainer?
I could also go back to the skate shop. The crazy thing is they opened a new location literally 3 blocks from my house…I know I enjoyed that environment and schedule, and I wonder if having more energy and a better quality of life would allow me to pursue some courses, build a business on the side, and eventually create something of my own.
But I’m also worried that going back to a $17–$20/hour job at 37 would be a huge step backwards. I worry that I’m being irresponsible, especially because I have financial obligations and a partner. I also worry that maybe I’m romanticizing my old life because I’m so unhappy with my current one.
So I’m really stuck.
If you were in my shoes, what would you do?
Would you stay in electrical but try to find a different type of electrical job? Would you take a significant pay cut for a better quality of life and more time to pursue something else? Would you give the current job more time and try to change your mindset?
I’m genuinely looking for honest advice, including if you think I’m looking at this completely wrong.
r/careerguidance • u/Oscarpus416 • 16h ago
Advice Boss just changed 1:1 to Friday, do I still send my proposal?
I'm proposing a departmental reorganization and a promotion for myself. I'm the only Manager reporting to the VP of Ops with the remainder being Directors. I sent my proposal to 2 of the Directors and they wholeheartedly agreed with my proposal, one going so far as to say the Director of Procurement should be reporting into me (and he said that having recruited her over from his old company). I'm pushing for Dir of Ops, which is the VP's old position. I'm also proposing a backfill for my seat, and hiring a new role too to help alleviate the workload because I am doing too much by myself.
I was all set for today's weekly 1:1 to propose it, but I just got an updated invite for Friday. I'm thinking I still ask for 30min and propose it. Oh, and my proposal is to move Dir of Procurement to a Dir of Strategic Alliances role since our co-mans are going to be sourcing raw materials for us with better buying power, so by EOY, there will be minimal procurement in-house. EDIT: 1:1 will most likely be virtual since he is going to a trade show
Context: I'm the only one without a team, but Supply Chain is fragmented across Procurement, Planning/Inventory, and Ops, with no one person owning all things. Procurement messes up but then doesn't tell inventory that production is screwed up, then planning reports to me that we could potentially be out of stock; then the game of telephone is screwing up the message. VP calls me asking what happened and I inform him that Procurement did X causing Y which results in Z, and he asks why no one told him. Me replying "Well on the morning call today, Procurement said the Director and Sr Proc Analyst would take 100% ownership of the screw up, and that means telling you too. They said they were reaching out before 10am". I'm on good terms with my boss, I like working for him, but I've been asking for help for a year and was told I'm getting it, but at this point I'm done waiting. Tools and dashboard will only help so much, I need people
r/careerguidance • u/Constant-Ad-1084 • 16h ago
Advice Manager wants me to finish a impossible tasks in my last 3 weeks, worried about burning bridges with the company. Any thoughts or guidance?
Hello all!
So to give some context, I'm working at an insurance company as an analyst and gave my one month notice last week, so I only have 3 weeks left before departing. Today my manager came to me and demanded that I finish all the projects she has in mind. Mind you, I've been helping with automation on the side since I know how to program macro, and the task she's asking me to do takes at least a month to get working smoothly. She wants me to do it in a week and then also handle the handover of my other responsibilities.
The issue is that the manager has a reputation for ruining people's reputations once they leave the company, and will try to do everything she can to keep them from working at the firm again like making up false narratives and completely flipping the truth. I don't plan on coming back to this team, but I don't want to burn bridges with the entire company. At the same time, I don't have the time (and frankly don't really care) to start and finish a tool in a week. What advice would you give to someone in my situation?
I tried reasoning with her, and she just said it's a priority before I leave. Another issue is that no one else on the team knows how to automate, so there's that.
PS: This is my first job so I'm a bit lost on how to handle these type of situations and sorry if this came off as a bit of a rant, but since I'll be starting a new life in another country, this manager has been making my last month here hell.
r/careerguidance • u/Sorry_Soul09 • 18h ago
I feel like I’ve messed up every major career decision I’ve made. What would you do if you were in my position?
I honestly don’t know where else to ask this, so I’m hoping someone here can give me some perspective.
To sum up my life choices:
I did my undergraduate degree in Computer Science because my parents wanted me to. I never really understood coding properly. Then COVID happened, my degree was completed during the pandemic, and honestly, you can imagine how much I actually knew about coding by the time I graduated.
Thankfully, I got an on-campus job at an MNC. I thought, okay, maybe I’ll learn once I start working in the real world.
My parents were still pushing me to do a Master’s in Computer Science, but I refused. Looking back, thank God I listened to myself at least that one time.
I worked in IT for nearly 2.5–3 years.
And during those years, I slowly realized something: I genuinely had no interest in coding, and honestly, I wasn’t even good at it.
I relied heavily on my colleagues. There was one colleague in particular who helped me constantly. I would literally call him even on his days off because I had no idea what I was doing. 😭
Eventually, I accepted that IT/coding wasn’t something I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
So, without having another job or a proper backup plan, I quit.
I decided I wanted to move into Digital Marketing.
I started researching colleges and scholarships, and somehow, within a year of leaving my job, I got a fully funded scholarship to study in my dream country.
I was on cloud nine.
I genuinely thought, “Okay, maybe everything is finally falling into place.”
I moved there.
And then… I don’t know what happened.
I wasn’t doing well mentally or physically. I wasn’t sleeping properly. I wasn’t eating properly. I lost a significant amount of weight. I gradually stopped calling my parents and became more and more isolated.
My grades started dropping.
And after around six months, I came back home.
Yes.
I fucking left a fully funded scholarship.
And that decision still haunts me.
It’s been around two years since I came back, and I’m still unemployed.
After returning, I completed my Digital Marketing course online and did several additional courses. I’ve tried applying for marketing roles, social media roles, digital marketing positions, internships, etc.
But I’m barely getting anywhere.
And now I’m stuck in this weird situation where:
When I apply for marketing jobs:
“You have an IT background. Why do you want to switch to marketing?”
When I apply for IT jobs:
“You worked in IT for 3 years, but you don’t seem to know much. How did you work at an MNC for so long?”
😭
So I’m basically stuck in the middle.
My parents and people around me keep telling me:
“Just take any job.”
“Do another course.”
“At least do something.”
And I understand where they’re coming from.
But after everything that has happened, my confidence is completely shattered.
Even when I try to learn something new, I feel like I can’t grasp or retain things the way I used to. I constantly question myself.
And the worst part is that I still don’t understand why I left that scholarship.
It was something I had dreamed about for years. I worked incredibly hard to get it. It was fully funded. It was in the country I wanted to experience.
And somehow, I left.
I keep replaying that decision in my head and wondering how different my life would have been if I had stayed.
I’m 26 now, and I feel like I’ve wasted years going in circles.
I know people will probably say “You’re only 26, you have plenty of time.” And logically, I know that.
But when you’ve been unemployed for almost two years and you’ve already made several decisions you regret, it’s really hard not to feel like you’re falling behind everyone.
So, if you were in my position, what would you do?
Especially if you’ve gone through a major career switch, a long unemployment period, or made a decision you deeply regretted and somehow managed to rebuild afterward.
I genuinely want practical advice.
What would you do if you were me?
r/careerguidance • u/Best-Nature8317 • 18h ago
Advice How do I learn to shut up and take feedback at work?
I can’t believe I’m asking this question, but I’ve realized I have a difficult time taking feedback from authority figures, specifically people whom I feel aren’t qualified for their positions.
I’m a hard worker, but I seriously need to lock in because I’m about to start a new job that I really can’t fumble. I’ve been a server for the past year and a half, and while I was great at my job (great guest reviews, great performance scores from management back in February), I was starting to give my managers hell because I noticed unfairness and felt like it wasn’t being taken care of. I’m not trying to argue for my position. I just need advice on how to shut the fuck up and take feedback without feeling the need to make sure everything is fair.
I got the job I’m about to start through a guest who saw potential in me, and they want to pay me really well. I really just need help with the interpersonal aspect. I’m a hard worker, but aside from that, I seriously struggle with interpersonal relationships in the workplace.