Hi, I’m 25 and unemployed.I studied business administration with a concentration in accounting but I realized earlier on that I am more suited to science and not very business oriented.

Since I was already almost done with my course, I decided to stick it out and now I can’t seem to find any jobs because where I live (not in the US) it’s a very competitive field.

I also can’t go back to school because I don’t have the money to do so and I don’t want to burden my parents to support me anymore.

Some of my interests are biology, chemistry, psychology but all those need extra schooling meaning more money.

I really regret my choice because I wanted to be a doctor but thought the schooling was to tedious and long for me to handle.

Looking back now as I’ve grown and understand the type of person I am, I can’t help but feel like I lost my chance to achieve my true potential.

I'm going on 32 years old, and I've been working in restaurants for the last six years, mainly serving, then bartending. When Covid torpedoed that industry, I wound up getting a part-time job at the bakery by my parents' house. I've done some other retail jobs in the past, for the most part, all of it as made me miserable and not provided me with anything close to the pay and benefits I would need to live a halfway decent life, but I don't know what else to do. I keep going to job-hunting sites, but with no idea what to even look for, I just kind of search for things like "entry level" and "no experience necessary" hoping that something will show up that interests me, which inevitably doesn't happen.

I have a very good idea of what I don't want to do; I have a dream job that I know I need to do a lot of personal work before I'm qualified for, but in between, I have no idea how to become gainfully employed in something that won't make me miserable 40 hours a week and too emotionally and physically drained to work on the stuff I need to work on in my free time if I'm ever going to get that dream job. It would be great if I could find something that would pay me enough to move out of my parents' house (ideally without needing roommates) and provide the kind of benefits that will make it actually affordable for me to fix the giant hole in my teeth and take care of God knows what other medical stuff I've been putting off because of the wonders of the American healthcare system.

So, I know I really don't want to keep doing customer service-type jobs. I've said it before in posts like this, and I'll say it again: Restaurant and customer service jobs make me feel like the proverbial fish being judged for his ability to climb a tree. I've been doing the "fake it 'til you make it" thing for years now, and it doesn't seem like I'm ever going to become a people-person. Holding nice, natural conversations, even during short interactions, just doesn't come naturally to me. I'm fine in small groups of friends, tend to get along well with coworkers, but customer-facing stuff is just unpleasant and draining to me. I hate that my experience is all centered around this thing that I don't really like doing because it makes it so hard to get out of doing that thing.

And then I get to the fact that the workflow in every customer-facing job I've ever had looks something like this:

1. Be assigned a relatively simple task (restock this cooler, clean this area, do dishes etc.)

2. Be constantly and unpredictably forced to stop working on that task as new customers come in at odd intervals and stay for random amounts of time, forcing you to drop the task you're working on and help them with their needs.

3. Feel guilty and stressed that the task couldn't be completed in the time it should have taken.

4. Maybe get yelled at for how long things took, even though the delays are almost totally out of my control.

5. Move onto next task and repeat.

I know eventually, I want to make a living off of art, either self-teaching myself concept art or illustration with possible side projects in the RPG or board game industries. But that's a long way off, and it's not getting any closer the more time I spend working at day jobs that leave me drained in every way imaginable while not being stable enough or well-paying enough for me to move into my own place where I can do things on my own schedule.

Edit: My last paragraph keeps disappearing. I'll edit a version of it back in again, but if it disappears again, it's also in the comments:

I wouldn't object to working outside, even in crummy weather, and something that requires travel and/or relocating from the Midwestern US wouldn't be a dealbreaker. I also like the idea of remote work/work from home; even before Covid the people I knew who had jobs that could pull that off made me very jealous. Ideally, a job where I could focus on one task through to completion with few distractions or expectations of multitasking would be great. And I'm hoping to find the kind of employment where pay is measured in annual salary rather than hourly wage (or hourly wage plus tips *shudder*), and where good benefits (or benefits of any kind) can be expected. A predictable schedule with weekends free like a normal adult job tends to have would also be a major improvement.

Hello all,

Thanks in advance,

I am 31, almost 32. I went to college a year after graduating high school, was in and out over the course of 7 years, and graduated with a Comparative Literature degree. I tried, while in school, to take an interest in a less limiting field, but I could not. Since graduating at around age 27, I have been doing various forms of manual or emotional labor to survive. Some jobs have been better than others, but all have been thankless. I’ve never made more than 12k in a year—and I am in quite a lot of debt.

I’ve been playing music since I was 12 years old, and am fairly good at it—if I hadn’t had debt to pay off upon graduating from college, I’d have devoted myself to it full time, but that avenue is closed at this point, I think.

I’m currently gearing up to apply to grad school for literature—I imagine, with a PhD, I’ll be able to make some kind of money—even if I can’t find a tenure track position, it seems even adjunct positions pay more than I make doing the jobs nobody else wants to do, and I’ve got pretty severe back pain that is making manual labor more and more untenable for future wages.

However, I’ll only go to grad school if it’s paid for, and so, fully funded programs being quite competitive, I’m anticipating failure. Also, frankly, all the work I’m doing to ensure I’ll have a fighting chance at admittance is making me miserable.

I’d happily do some other thing, if it were easier than grad school to get into, and not completely soul crushing—I’ve thought about becoming an electrician, a merchant marine, a welder, a social-worker, a programmer—but none seem to quite measure up.

TL;DR—I love reading and writing, and playing music, and I am decent at both, but nobody will pay me to do either. So what else is there? I’m 31, in debt, have a bad back—need to figure something out!

Hi Friends!

I'm 31 and looking for some guidance from anyone in general or specifically anyone who has knowledge of the legal field or counseling fields or has left those professions. I am currently in the marketing industry making 70k in South Florida and I have an MBA already, I am finding myself ready for a career change and have had an interest in politics and social justice and also therapy and mental health. I am thinking of either going to applying to law school or getting a master's in social work or psychology to become a therapist.

I am a big advocate for social justice & mental health awareness. What is any advice in terms of what you would recommend based on debt, salaries after law school, etc? I've heard horror stories on having no life, low starting pay, hight tuition, long work hours. I hope to start a family and buy a house in the near future and not sure about that debt also affecting those things.

I currently have 75k in loans from undergrad and graduate school.

Thanks in advance!

I am currently stuck in a job that has no future. It is shift work and the night shifts are having an impact on my well-being. I want to shift into something totally different (nothing to do with Security or Surveillance) but being out of the market for over 10 years I feel I need some guidance in what opportunities exist out there that I should consider moving into. I tried working with a career counselor but it was not successful.

A little about myself:

Education:

Undergrad degree in Psychology

Work experience:

2004-2010 - Coordinated Access Control / Surveillance Systems installations and upgrades for two University campuses. Worked with vendors and clients. Managed a staff of approx 20 in a 24/7 Surveillance operation. Responsible for creating all SOP, processes as well training and development. Operating budget of approx 3 Million.

2010-2015- Security Manager for a Casino - Managed a team of 30 officers in a 24/7 operation. Responsible for all aspects of Casino Security including staff training and development. Operating budget of approx 1.4 Million

2015-Present: Casino Surveillance: Took a step in a different direction. Responsible for Surveillance staff during my shift, evidence collection and investigating criminal and unwanted activity for law enforcement. Creating reports. Part of the Health and Safety Team.

Additional Roles/Responsibilities:

2000-Present - Part time officer with the Department of National Defense. Currently a training officer responsible for ensuring training staff under me follow training plan. I ensure the students are given every opportunity to succeed.

Pilot: Recreational Pilot license where I help teenagers study to obtain their own license as part of my contract with the Department of National Defense.

AirBNB Host: I enjoy ruining a small side business out of my home. I run the AirBNB out of my basement unit from my home. I enjoy meeting people from various walks of life and helping them have a wonderful experience in my city. I take pride in my own little business.

Landlord: Own a rental property where I have two units. I don't really enjoy being a landlord but this home is my investment vehicle for a more comfortable and hopefully earlier retirement.

My Ideal Job:

I want to find something where I can use my experience in training/developing, policy and procedure development in some sort of coaching/mentoring role. I enjoy helping people succeed, setting goals and finding ways to overcome obstacles.

I got past the second interview for a Banking role (I wanted to help people reach financial goals) but I quickly saw that rather than pushing me to help people the management made it clear it was more sales oriented. I decided not to pursue it as I do not want that pressure to sell.

I enjoy learning and working with my hands and seeing things happen. I like to work with a team to drive change.

Any suggestions would be appreciated

I'm 34, live in the UK and I'm paid pretty well for my location as a software engineer specialising in testing (SDET), I'm in fintech at the moment but have tried other domains. I went to fintech because I worked in a healthcare company and although I enjoyed it, a lot of it felt like the same s***, so I figured I may as well get paid a slight premium.

Nearly ten years ago I discovered financial independence, I was working in London, my then-girlfriend (now wife) got sick and had to move home from university. I wasn't in love with my job so tried to get home quickly as well and as I was going to give up the route to riches I was previously going to take, I ended up googling and discovered MMM etc.

I took another job in tech but a slight sidestep in role, around this time I also read Cal Newport's So Good They Cannot Ignore You and used that as my work ethos. Chase learning, gain skills, make bank. It did kind of work, I'm well paid but the passion and enjoyment he claimed would develop, well it hasn't for me.

This has somewhat dejected me. I lack a north star, a purpose to my work and as a result, it's eating me up. I feel like what I do is only really useful to large corporations, so if I actually get to financial independence, all the effort was kind of a waste. For example, I look favourably upon data science as theoretically even if you retired, you could still mess with open data sets and help communities etc.

This lack of purpose or meaning in my work has grown in intensity since my son was born 6months ago. While looking around to help, I found some copy on a sale page that sums up how I'm feeling right now:

"x was a high achieving mom with 2 kids who had been promoted through multiple companies going to wherever her bosses asked her to. Eventually, she realized that she wasn’t happy in her role, but she also didn’t know what she wanted to be doing. The only thing she did know was that if she was going to be spending time at work away from her family, she had to love what she was doing.

we helped her intentionally clarify how she wanted to spend her time,what gave her purpose and what she couldn’t stop doing even if she tried."

Can anyone set me on a path toward solving this? Sometimes I get so wound up and ruminate on it, it can be quite agonising, despite being such a good problem to have. I honestly feel like it's the only piece missing from my life. Many say I should just be grateful to have a good job, I do agree, but I cannot frame it in a way that shuts up the rest of my brain from these thoughts/feelings around lacking a north star and a lack of purpose.

I’m sure this has come up many times so apologies for any redundancy. I’m curious if anyone has, know of anyone who has, or plain has any thoughts on switching careers from teaching to another position - education or completely unrelated.

A teacher in 30’s with a Master’s degree (with a Bachelor’s in Music). While the job was adored for a number of years, the administrative support has been horrific, the money is awful, and the stress is high.

If you or anyone you know has done this- what was the experience looking and succeeding?

What are your thoughts in general?

Any stress from the kids and workload we accept. However, when admin. and their politics across most schools are only taking care of themselves via trying to bully and cause intentional harm on purpose for selfish reasons instead of taking care of the kids, families, community, and teachers, it’s a true tragedy to all there for the heart.

Being burned out and tired of above mentioned complications are the reasons for reaching out and if there are any comments or encouraging words, those are also very welcome so I can share.

New account for privacy-

So I just turned 30 F I live in New York. I am unmarried and I have no kids.

I am a mess. I have been partying and living it up for far too long. I have no debt because I lived with my parents until I had gone to college not once, but twice. Always had straight As so I received several scholarships, and was blessed enough to have my family pay for the difference. Two related degrees but I digress. Worked since I was 13 so was blessed enough to have had my own cars and such to commute to jobs which paid much better but were further away, etc.

I went back to college the second time for something that was booming when I graduated (translating Italian, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese) but at this point I have struggled to find work as that job is being replaced by computers and machines, or they want you on call/ per diem with no real benefits. It's become much more competitive and I have yet to find a job with any real experience, so I have been brushed to the side too often with my applications.

I just recently moved into my own trailer (sick of having wall to wall neighbors) with my own decent sized yard, deck, driveway etc and.... I like it. The weird part is that I like it.

I've been working in Administration in a school office for the past two years now because the benefits are decent, the time off is nice and it pays the bills. I've been laid off for 2 months now though from Covid, collecting unemployment.

I am wondering if this is really all there is to life? I feel like I am supposed to be doing something else. But I also believe everything is for a reason. I enjoy my modest little space with my two cats, all my plants and things that make me happy. But it is crazy to me to think this boring ass job is where it's at.

I know I could leave this job but I havent left because A I havent found work in my field, which would be a primary reason to leave and B all my coworkers are about my age and the workday feels like a mix of "the office" and "cheers." There's a bar up the road, we would all go together on Friday after work and let loose, vent together. So that part is nice.

I feel so confused. Any advice, reassurance, or relatable life experience is appreciated.

For some background I have a college diploma in the field of architectural technology, I've been working as a draftsperson for the past year and not particularly enjoying it. I'm a very social person and I felt secluded being stuck behind a desk every day, as well as not actually designing the spaces I worked on.

I have a background in sales, I used to work for a silent auction part time selling signed sports memorabilia and while I wasn't a shark I was a capable closer.

I know that it's not a great time to start looking for a new career, but I did just lose my job due to COVID and would be able to offer some free labour in the mean time to learn the ropes of the industry to start out. I just don't know if there is much room in the industry for ancillary or support roles.

Does anybody know what type of work the bottom rung at a real estate office is responsible for, what parts of my previous work and education may help me in that role, and how to discover this work during these trying times? Also, is the field expected to be secure for the next 5-10 years? I live in Canada, so take that into account.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

I'll be 38 in a few weeks. I work in a restaurant, when we're not dealing with global pandemics, and I'm so very done with that life. Since being laid off I've been very seriously considering going back to school and finishing my degree. The problem? I have no clue what to do. I think I'd enjoy Human Resources but also realize the amount of schooling needed to get a good job in that field. Any suggestions for someone with 20+ years of hospitality experience to make a career change?

I like hundreds of things, but because of depression and anxiety I feel like I will never be able to push through a hard part of making a passion into a living. I start with great motivation, then after a while I give up because I think "this is too hard" or "what the hell do I have to add here? Nothing! No one needs me".

Anyway, end of rant. I wonder if people relate.

Hi everyone,

My apologies if the title (and the contents of this) seems overly dramatic. This is the first time I've ever reached out (online or otherwise) asking for help. I'm 37 years old and have lost my entire world, with no idea how to build some semblance of a life again. This is going to be a fairly long post, but I hope someone out there will have the time/energy to read this and perhaps give me some advice.

I'll have to give some background and context to my current situation.

In 2000, when I was 17, my father moved me and my disabled mother (polio & wheelchair bound) to Canada from England. After 2 weeks in the country he abandoned us. It fell to me to grow up overnight and support my mother and I. To say it was an absolute struggle, would be a massive understatement. Food bank, shelters, random temp jobs, etc.

Through sheer will and determination, and battling deep depression, with crippling anxiety, I managed to land on my feet. I gained full time employment and a place to live for my mother and I. For the next 3 years I fully supported us both until 2003 when I started my first business. Within 6 months, I grew it from 1 employee (me) to 65 full-time employees. 10 of which were journeyman/trades people (electricians, plumbers, etc). I was doing extremely well mentally, and financially. My mother managed to receive disability benefits and housing support from the government. I moved into my own place and continued running my business.

Up to this point, at 21 years old, I'd never had a girlfriend. I don't believe I'd even kissed a girl, actually. But I knew I was ready, and strong enough mentally to open my life to the right person. Through some extremely fortuitous circumstances, I met my future wife. It was immediately all I ever dreamed of. Within a couple of months we were living together.

Then my business took a downward turn as the industry changed dramatically. I could no longer run the business in town. I would have to be away from home and my girlfriend for months at a time. And I was absolutely unwilling to do this. So I started a different business. And it grew. It was different, though. I had nowhere near as much staff. Down from 65 to between 5 and 10, depending on demand. There was simply no need for much staff as this business was predominantly heavy machinery based. But things were going extremely well.

Then in 2016, everything changed. My girlfriend was diagnosed with terminal cancer. I gave up everything to spend every waking moment with her. And I don't regret it for a second. My only regret is I didn't do it sooner. After many rounds of chemo and radiation, she went into hospital on August 3, 2018. After 13 incredible years together, we finally married on August 18, 2018, in the hospital. I lost her forever just 12 days later.

Now I'm completely alone and have no job. No source of income. Not prospects. I've used all of my energy just trying to survive after my wife passed away. I struggle daily, almost every hour, with thoughts of suicide. I must make it clear that I will NOT act upon any suicidal thoughts. Apart from anything else, I made a promise to my wife that I'd continue living. And do my best to find my way in life without her. Despite feelings of failure and letting her down, I will continue trying my best. Which is why I'm here.

I've never felt so lost, useless, or worthless in all my life. No one is here for me. My mother convinced me to move in with her so she could be there for me. But it has been the opposite of that. The person who I needed during this time more than ever, is a prescription drug addict and is causing a massive amount of stress on me. I need a way to support myself but I don't have a clue how to do that anymore. I used all of my savings paying for experimental treatments for my wife. Thousands of dollars per week. And I'd do it again in a heartbeat. But the reality I'm left with, is I have nothing.

I don't have any formal qualifications. I have a small amount of college from before I left the UK. But never finished as we left the country. Everything I've ever done has been entirely on my own. But I don't know how to do it anymore. I desperately need some stability in my life. A full time job working for someone else. But who would hire me? I don't even know where to start with a resume. Every time I sit down to make one, I freeze and shut down completely. Which makes me feel even more pathetic and useless.

Should I try going back to school? I've no idea what I would do?

I know none of you can magically fix my life for me. But maybe you have some advice. Or can offer some help with a plan. I'm so lost mentally, I can't even put together a resume. The more I try (and fail), the harder it becomes.

Sorry for sounding so needy. I hate it. But I could really use some help.

Edit: clarification on suicidal thoughts

Even though it's often portrayed as a cliche, the midlife crisis is a thing.

I wanted to find out what it is, what causes it and what you can do about it so I interviewed on my podcast the author of a book which is about exactly this.

Hope you find it useful.

PS It all applies equally to the "quarter life" crisis and any other time where you just don't think you're living the right life for you.

When you get to the age that you have a partner and kids, most people don't want to work every hour the day brings. Rather than revolve life around the job, what about trying it the other way around and matching the job to the lifestyle?

In this podcast interview my guest explains how she needed to find a career which fit in with her lifestyle. She ended up designing that career herself and now she coaches others in doing the same.

I hope you find it interesting.

I'm just looking for guidance in my career aka money making ability at this point. I am available to learn what you want me to in order to complete duties, projects, jobs; please. I have over a decade of work experience. In this post I am trying to "sell" myself to find any opportunity.

I haven't really had any breakfast yet so forgive me if this is the roughest draft of begging for a chance. I am born and raised in the U.S. I speak fluent English. I have work experience mostly in health care. I am now full time looking into coding, and SQL. I have a young ambiguously-raced face and profile. I am eager for someone to reach out and ask for my resume/CV for legitimacy or any other information that would help.

If there are any security clearances I as a civilian can apply for, per your requirements, I will apply for that. If any security clearances that can help me find a path in general, no job interest, just as advice, to have prior to finding an opening, please let me know and I will also look into that. Thank you.

Just telling my story to be honest, feeling really in a slump this week and this sub is just me to a T right now. Anyone similar or who has achieved what I want to I'd love to connect. It's a lonely place is dissatisfaction!

Since being young I have dreamed of owning my own shop / business selling things I have designed and made. I do have the skills to make various "crafts" - textiles mostly - crochet, sewing and the like. I have made and sold things in the past to friends and aquaintainces but nothing solidly regular at all.

I am a serial procrastinator and feel desperately regretful of all the opportunities I have let slip by me over the years. I have turned 30 now and I know this isn't old by any means but it is a point on life where you reflect and reassess I think.

Right now I work part time in a care job - night shifts which are tiring but easy. I do love care but something in my soul wants more. I want the feeling of being a self made success and to have contributed something of my own to the world. I see others doing it. Getting off their arse and doing it and I feel so ready to get off mine but I don't know where to start. I have made an etsy, instagram ect and even bought my own website. I've known about etsy since 2010. Did nothing. I always seem to know whats the up and coming trend. Do nothing. Always leave it too late. Missed loads of busses..

Made a few things recently and listed them online but quickly realised that 1. They're not in demand 2. Not worth my time and effort for their general perceived value. Deflating for sure. I know there is something I can do that will pay I feel so sure of it as I just can't stop thinking about it - literally since I was little. I had my first child at 15 so half my life has been spent trying to survive and house and clothe my family, putting aspiration on the back burner and just getting retail jobs and now a care job that pays. Always time later I'd think. But later turns up faster than you expect.

I went to college at 25 to start doing art and textiles degree path, my grandad took Ill and I cared intensely round the clock for him for years which has left me emotionally exhausted but thats a whole other thing. Then at uni, at 28, I fell pregnant with my 3rd so that has come to a halt. Even at uni I didn't give it 100% and did well despite this so that eats at me being a wasted chance.

Anyone else going through this/ have gone through this? I want my own business so badly but feel floundering and so lost as I now have developed awful doubt and have rock bottom self confidence. Feel shy to post anything online incase I make a tit of myself in some way. This is a ramble I know thank you if you made it to the end.

TL;DR burning desire to make money from something creative but life gets in the way / unsure of what path to put energy into. Wish I could shelf the idea but just can't. Have skills but can't make solid decision on where to go from here.

Felt good writing that down even if it is talking into an empty room

i just realized this is my thinking and it sounds off to me. the assumption is that once i learn about myself i will know what my patterns are and what interests me, and this result will dictate what i want. but it doesn't make sense, just because i've historically been x doesn't mean that i want to continue being x. maybe i want to be y? with that said, it could give me an idea/a direction to try out. i don't know. there is a flaw in my logic, but i can't spot it. also, how else can you figure out what you want?

A little history: I’m a 32-year-old male living in Oklahoma. I have a good-paying job, a wife and a one-year-old daughter. I have been performing in regional orchestras for the past 13 years, and make a good second income from playing. I desperately want to go back to school for a Master of Music in orchestral conducting or clarinet, but I need my first bachelor’s degree first.

I have been looking at possibilities for doing my undergrad online (I don’t have the type of job or schedule where I can go to school during regular hours, and I don’t want to give up my current income so we can save aggressively). There are few music programs online, but I think I have found something that piques my interest: Oregon State University has BA programs in German and French. I speak a little of both languages, and would benefit greatly from learning either or both better.

Is there anyone out there who has experience with these programs?

Is there anyone out there who has experience applying to music graduate programs with a non-music degree?

The internet existed when I started work (I'm not that old!). But the number and type of jobs that exist in the tech world today simply weren't around then.

What do I do if I want in? Do I stand a chance? Or am I forever going to be pushed aside by 20-somethings who did all the courses they needed to when they were at school which just weren't available when I was going through the education system?

I interviewed Austin Belcak, founder of Cultivated Culture, on my podcast and the good news is that there is hope. Austin has a process for building up the qualifications and experience you need to break into these jobs and he has helped many people do the same.

Take a listen as Austin describes the process and see if you are inspired to do the same.

The older we get, the harder it can seem to change career. You're more likely to have a family, mortgage, bills to pay, less time as you ferry the kids around from soccer practice to ballet, and so on.

But how often do we ask ourselves whether these are really just excuses rather than genuine reasons for not taking action? Aren't there things we can still be doing now?

In this podcast interview, my guest and I explore where our fears, resistance and objections come from and what steps we can take to overcome them to take the action we need to.

I hope you find it useful.

For those looking at what other paths may be of interest, I recommend Career Interest Surveys:

https://www.mynextmove.org/explore/ip

​

This is a good free one.

If you're a student, there's usually a career source center on campus where one could seek career advisement. If you're a person with a disability you could seek your local Vocational Rehabilitation where you may be eligible for coverage of costs for education, training, or tools needed to perform your desired job ( IF they believe the chance of success is high). There may also be a Career Source / One Stop in your area. If you are specialized and are looking for a specific job a job recruiter may be a good route.

ETA: Source, am a CRC, Vocational Expert, Vocational Counselor/Evaluator. Also a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in FL.

"Is 30/40/50 too late for me to change career?

"I know I’m unhappy, and I know I need to make a change, but where do I even start? "

"Isn't work just work? Can you ever really be satisfied in your job?"

Are any of the above questions familiar to you?

I've been on this subreddit and other related subreddits for a while now and I've really enjoyed offering advice and encouragement where I think I can usefully add something.

Well, I wanted to do more, so I've started a podcast which I hope will answer these questions (and more).

The podcast is my effort to beating the Sunday evening blues. If the prospect of yet another five days at work gives you a sinking feeling on a Sunday evening, then the podcast is for you.

In particular it's aimed at those who are in mid-life and who are well established in a particular job or career but who now aren't sure whether that's what they want to continue doing but they're not sure if it's too late to change.

Through interviews with ordinary people who have taken action to change the path of their career, and the career coaches who helped them, I'm exploring the changes anyone can make to enjoy a better working life, whether these changes are small alterations to day-to-day routines, major career shifts or something in between.

A great episode to start with is Episode 3 which is an interview with a career coach to address the question: where do you even start? Also, for anyone who thinks the're too old to start something new, check out Episode 4, my interview with someone who is starting a new business at the age of 59!

You can find out more info on the website and subscribe to the show here.

I really hope it's useful!

Hello!

I am looking to transition into an Energy Sustainability career from an Oil and Gas industry job. I have a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Energy Management (f/k/a Petroleum Land Management), and want to use that, plus military experience, to my advantage. Open to getting an Energy/Sustainability MBA, but not sure if I’m there quite yet. From my research, I think I would like to either work in the Business Development side to encourage new Renewable Energy growth, or in Energy Sustainability possibly as a consultant for efficiency etc. I've spent seven years in Oil and Gas, plus three years in the Army, so I have a lot to offer, but it is not "Renewable Energy Experience."

My main driver is that I’ve wanted to work in renewables since I started college after the military. I am excited to make the transition, but need advice on where to start or how to break into the industry.

I’m happy to get into details or answer any questions. I have posted to a few subreddits to try to get in front of as many eyes possible for advice. Really feeling stuck.

Any advice appreciated!

I'm 32 years old, with a girlfriend and a 12 month old. I left school at 16 and wanted to be a cop because a friend of mine suggested it and the salary and benefits looked good for someone with an average education from a low income family. I went to college for 2 years (law/criminology based) and applied 4 times to get in all the while working to get as much experience as possible, eventually becoming a cop when I was aged 25. 7 years in and I hate it, every day I turn up to work a little bit of me gets beaten down and I cannot do it anymore. I need some counsel. I am on the verge of quitting, my head says wait it out it'll get better, my heart knows it won't. I earn circa 40k, pension is reasonable, but and it's a massive BUT I do not enjoy it and I know I will be disappointed in myself if I stay for another 28 years. I hate seeing people who have done ~15 years and are counting away the years until they can leave.

My life so far has been spent achieving this one goal and I have no back up plan, no qualifications and no idea what to do next!

I have this desire to be self employed. Be my own boss. I think about it daily. I have written numerous business plans for manner of things but I don't have the insight or knowledge to take it further than a word document. I like analysing what makes a business successful / a failure, maybe I could set up a few simple businesses and take it from there???

Please help

I've been working in the hospitality industry the last 4 years, little bit of everything, but mostly kitchen porter- washing dishes. And I have to say it's one of the most stressful jobs I've ever done. I can feel stress killing me through headaches, baldness, insomnia, gut issues etc. I need a stress free, part time job.

Ideas?

35 (f) living in California with 30 (m) boyfriend in condo. I have an associates degree in social science and work full time in the social services industry. I’m absolutely drained at the end of each day and work more than 50 + hours every week dealing with youth ages 18-24.

I’m sooo over my job and have been looking for closer positions to my house (the drive is over 1 hour each way) for a few months now. My boyfriend and I are thinking of buying a house next year. I’m itching to start a family and get married and also thinking about going back to school to get my bachelors degree. I also want to start a business.

I’m pretty determined and passionate with life and can handle multiple things at once, just need to know where my energy should be situated.

Soooo how do I prioritize these things?

• get married • have a baby • purchase a investment property (duplex) • go back to school to get bachelor degree • quit job and find new one closer to home • start business while still working

I’m wondering if anyone has been in a situation similar. How did you prioritize these important life decisions?

Hello.

I'm currently working in higher education and am doing my Master's in Higher Education Administration. I am doing this degree honestly because my supervisor was pressuring me to do my Master's in something. I chose the higher ed program because it was directly related to the field I am currently in and I didn't believe I would get into any other program.

Problem is that I hate doing this degree program. I have about five courses left in the program. It's too late to drop this semester so after this semester I will have only three classes left. At times when I'm feeling down, I just really hate my classes. I do like my particular job. It's very low stress, has great benefits and my co-workers are amazing. There's not any room for growth in my department but I could potentially get a higher position in another department, possibly a supervisory role, after I complete my masters. That being said, I hate the higher education world. I've been in my current position for almost five years and the pay is not much. I don't know where to go.

I have a bachelor's degree in biology. I had severe depression during undergrad and that time is a blur. I somehow made it out with a degree. That being said, I didn't have any research experience and my grades were crap so I didn't think I could pursue anything further. Now I'm considering going back to the sciences, anything besides working in higher education. I know I have to work my way up again.

But, I'm not sure where to go. I've considered actuarial sciences, bioinformatics or medical lab technologist.

This is my long winded way of asking if I should drop my Master's Program in Higher Education with only three classes to go. I could potentially finish my degree in Summer 2020 if I take a course in January. If not, would finish in December 2020.

I also wanted to know if you guys had any input into the three career paths I mentioned.

I’m a nearly 40 year old guy feeling incredibly stuck in life.

I started working with HTML when it first came out, but moved more into the marketing side than programming. AP, band, and sports all through primary school, then a BS in business with concentrations in finance, marketing, and management, plus a computer information technology minor. Add in a fun college job that also gave me great leadership and teaching skills and advisors all said I’d make bank, then the dot com bubble burst right around graduation time.

It took me almost a year after that to get my first job. I had to beg a college roommate who I’d also worked with in college to get me an interview after my first application was denied since he was in upper management for the company. First month I was the top performing sales person and was promoted to management quicker than anyone ever at the company. Probably because I’m not stupid despite HR always rejecting my resume. Applied to the national brand in the same niche, same story: denied first time, accepted second time, sales records immediately, super fast promotion to sales manager, more records.

I was scouted from sales to a director of marketing role in the real estate/financial services industry. Made absurd bank, then the subprime bubble popped and I left due to stress and some of my own moral decisions. Plus dad died and I got a divorce, so it was time for a life change.

I moved into another director of marketing role for an old, highly successful family of e-commerce retailers. This was a remote job and now I’m ruined because I see almost no reason for a marketer to sit in an office. During this career, I moved to a state I like better, but also has the worst pay of any major US city. Most “marketing” job listings are either shady sales or looking for one person to do what I did with a team of 30+, all while getting paid less than a new college grad.

During these many years of experience, I’ve started out pulling the levers (writing SEO content, designing email newsletters, setting up ad campaigns, running organic social posting, etc), but have spent the last ~7 years managing a lean team (which is apparently a bad thing for a director of marketing) of ~10-60 people to manage the lever pulling while I develop strategy and project manage.

About a year ago, my last employer decided they were done with remote employees and I got laid off, which wasn’t so bad because I’d grown to hate the job due to bad management. I started a marketing agency, landed a couple of quick clients to cover rent (but not much more), then took on a demanding client: my wife and I for our other business where she’s better suited to run the day to day.

For the past year, I’ve balanced my time between paying clients, our other business, and being on the board of a nonprofit. In theory, all perfectly align with me. In theory.

Our first marketing client is a royal PITA, consumes far too much time and energy, but also accounts for ~40% of revenue so I can’t fire them. With everything else on my plate (and likely some depression), I rarely have the energy after working a long day to prospect for their replacement.

Our other business required some equipment and education expenses, plus a lot more biz dev work since this is my first time personally selling a physical product and dealing with sales tax. So no paying clients yet, but once we start landing some we’re expecting monthly revenue enough to replace the bad marketing client. But that’s not happening yet due to only recently officially launching and being in an artistic niche.

The mission of the nonprofit is exactly me! But the president (also my “friend”) is basically a non-violent dictator, so that’s lost it’s joy. To be fair, it’s not just lost job, it’s become a significant point of frustration. But I don’t want to leave because I’ll still have to interact with him because the nonprofit serves the community I spend the most time in and as long as I’m on the board, I have a little power to work on changing his behavior towards the rest of us.

I can sit with a business owner and blow their mind with my marketing strategies, which I really enjoy, but I’m having a hard time finding the right clients (interesting niche, compatible communications preferences, actual money, etc).

I’ve hired multiple professionals to rewrite my resume, yet I never get past the applicant tracking systems even for jobs I know I’d kick ass at.

I’m just worn out and don’t know what to do. There’re so many “if’s”: if we land a client a month* for the new biz, I can fire the PITA marketing client. If I find a good new marketing client, I can fire the PITA. If I find a good work from home job that I can actually land an interview for, I can fire the PITA. If the nonprofit president ever does what he says he will, the nonprofit would be a great outlet. If if if, but none of it is happening and my patience is wearing thin.

I have plans for what I really want to be doing, but that either requires money I don’t have or a brain state capable of learning and retaining that knowledge, something I also don’t have currently.

What advice can anyone throw at me before I stop joking with my wife about applying for a job at the local Taco Bell?

• our professional networking group has members who work with 1-3 clients per day