Hello everyone! I'm a 23M who recently graduated with a bachelor's degree in Software Engineering, and I'm struggling to figure out where to go from here.

I realized a little too late that software engineering might not be the right path for me. I more or less vibe-coded my way through the 3 year course, I barely passed some modules, and graduated without honors due to financial circumstances. In some cases, I passed modules without submitting a project. Looking back, I don't think my habits ever really aligned with what I was trying to achieve.

Ever since I was a kid, I've felt slower than my peers at grasping and applying concepts, thinking through problems, and keeping up with what's happening around me, my surroundings, local news, school events / politics or what my friends have been upto (it's like an out of sight out of mind thing). I struggled with my AS-level maths, physics, and biology exams, failing them twice (first online (covid) and second on-campus). These experiences have had a significant impact on my confidence and mental health, and I'm still trying to come to terms with my abilities and the decisions I've made.

One of my biggest struggles I noticed is that I seem to rely heavily on external structure or someone pushing me to improve. I struggle to maintain discipline independently, especially when things become difficult or frustrating. I tend to learn the basics of something, encounter a challenge, and eventually give up. I don't know how much of this is a lack of discipline, poor habits, burnout, or something else entirely, but it's a pattern I'd like to break.

I've always loved art and working with my hands. I originally chose STEM because I thought it would provide better career opportunities and allow me to pursue art as a hobby. Lately, though, I've been wondering whether I should have taken a different path altogether. I've considered working on ships, pursuing a skilled trade like electrical work, or exploring other blue-collar careers. The problem is that I don't know enough about these jobs to know whether I'd actually enjoy them, or whether I'm simply looking for an escape from a field I struggled with.

Ideally, I'd like to move to Europe someday, perhaps Germany. Work-life balance is important to me, and I'd like to build a stable life where I can eventually become independent. However, I'm a Thai citizen currently living in the UAE, and my family will probably move back to Southeast Asia soon because both of my parents are currently between jobs. This makes my future feel even more uncertain, particularly when it comes to finding work abroad.

I've been applying for jobs every day, including entry-level IT positions, but I haven't had much luck so far. Meanwhile, I've become increasingly overwhelmed and detached from my life. I struggle to enjoy hobbies I once loved, my curiosity has faded, and I spend much of my time feeling stuck. I also have very little social support at the moment, which makes it difficult to figure things out on my own.

I think what scares me most is that I don't trust myself to make the right decisions anymore. I spent years pursuing a degree because I thought it was the sensible thing to do, only to realize that I hadn't properly considered whether it suited me. Now I'm afraid of committing to another path, investing years into it, and finding myself in the same situation again.

For those of you who have been in a similar position, I'd really appreciate your perspective.

• How did you figure out what kind of work suited you when you didn't have a clear passion or direction?
• If you've changed careers or started over in your twenties, what helped you make a decision you could commit to?
• How do you distinguish between a career that genuinely doesn't suit you and one that you've struggled with because of your habits, circumstances, or lack of experience?
• If you were in my position, with a Software Engineering degree, limited finances, and a desire to eventually move abroad, what would you focus on over the next year?

I'm not necessarily looking for my dream job or a career that will make me happy every day. I want to find a realistic direction that I can work toward, become independent, and build a life that feels like my own.

Any advice, personal experiences, or practical steps would be greatly appreciated.

Hi everyone, I’m looking for master’s degree and career direction advice. I graduated in 2024 with a BA in Organizational Communications and a minor in English. I'm grateful to have a degree at all, because I was a mess and barely made it to college. I know this degree is not specific and not helpful to get a job. So far I have worked at two nonprofit healthcare organizations as database administrator and grants assistant currently (that’s all I could get, and it was super hard to even get those). I can go to grad school or higher education for free through my dad’s veteran benefits, and they will also pay me to go, and I need the money, so I'm going to do it. My options are limited because it has to be in VA and has to be online since I’m working full time. I want a cohesive and specific career path and I want job security. I want a career that won't be taken by AI. I have inattentive ADHD and major depressive disorder and school and work have always been difficult for me, especially since I lack interest in things, but I think if I can specialize in something very specific I will succeed. Does anyone have any advice or suggestions?

I’ve spent over 10 years is university. I have two bachelor’s degree, and I’m about to finish my second master’s degree. Along the way, I’ve studied neuroscience, social work, speech-language pathology and library sciences.

I’m not entirely sure why I’ve spent so much time studying. Was it out of curiosity? Because I felt that little by little, I was exploring who I really was and getting closer to my authentic self, my genuine interests, and my true nature? Or was it a way of avoiding the workforce, wich honestly scared me? Maybe it’s a bit of both.

Either way, I’m 33, and I find myself between two conflicting feelings. One one hand, I feel incredibly privileged to have learned so much over the years, met wonderful people, and had all these experiences. On the other hand, I feel like I haven’t moved forward in life as such as I thought I would by now, especially if it’s fear holding me back (or a belief that my value is associated with achieving degrees).

I have quite different friend groups. Some are very focused on ambition, hard work and achieving financial freedom, while others are more about embracing life as it comes and enjoying experiences along the way. I can relate to both perpectives, and I feel genuinely torn between them. My mind constantly swings back and forth between these two ways of living, and I find it exhausting sometimes.

Has anyone else gone through something similar, or is going through it now? I’d love to hear your thoughts. How can I start making sense of this conflict between two very different sets of values? How do you figure out what kind of life you actually want to build when both paths can be appealing in their own way?

Thanks :)

im currently enrolled in community college because of how indecisive I am, I don't even know what major i want. It's gotten so bad that I dont even know what school to transfer to as well... I am interested in a lot, but when i try to narrow down my options, It ends up nowhere. I've taken so many career/major tests and they don't help me.

I know I want a stable/well-off career to support myself, one that works well for my brain that needs stimulus and versatility, but also isn't a nursing/doctor job. I am a general transfer student in my first semester of college, and it's hard picking classes because I like everything, but I still have no idea what my major/focus should be!! I think I like taking math classes, I did advanced math since middle school, but I also struggle with school because of mental health/disability which makes me hesitate on taking hard courses. My heart calls me towards physics and math but I cant understand it well, and I often lack the skills to do it. I'm good at environmental science, I took a GIS course and liked it, I enjoy history and also creative writing. See my issue now, lol?

As I said, I know i don't want to do nursing, and I know i don't like law or business. I was thinking an environmental science career or sorts? But people say it doesn't pay much and there aren't a high demand for more people in that industry. I'm feeling overwhelmed already, as I have to sign up for classes for the next school year soon. Does anyone who is also terribly indecisive have any advice or good career tests they can share? thanks so much for reading!

I've always been into art and design, I have a painting background. Before AI really took off, I started an associate's degree in graphic design. Life complications delayed my studies more than once, and I'm only now starting my bachelor's in graphic design as well, again later than planned.
Now I'm questioning everything. AI is reshaping design, and I'm not sure it's the smart path anymore. Reality has hit me hard. I need a stable job with good income, but I don't want to slave my life away either.
I've sold paintings before and I'm working on growing my social media. I've always wanted to build something of my own, whether that's art, a product, or an app, and be my own boss. That's part of why I chose graphic design. My plan was an MBA with a marketing minor, but I don't know if that's still possible with my life circumstances. I can't study full-time right now, so I've started the Coursera UX design and digital marketing certificates in the meantime.
I'm drawn to business and marketing, and a little curious about healthcare. I'd still love a design-adjacent job, but I'm open to a full pivot if that's the smarter move.
If you were in my position, what would you do? I'd love a few realistic options for a stable, well-paying career that leaves me time and energy to build my own thing on the side.
I'd post in only one of the two subs at first. Posting the same thing in both at once can get flagged as spam. If one doesn't get much traction after a day or two, try the other. (I am still going to pursue a creative path just want to know what to study and what career to get into in the meantime so I can support myself and live independently or if I ever need something to back me up in case everything fails) thank you!

Hi everyone! I’m 23F, currently in my senior year pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and I’m honestly unsure about what I want to do career-wise.

I currently work in the ABA field as an RBT, but I’ve been experiencing burnout and am looking to transition into something different. I enjoy working with children, but I’m unsure whether my burnout comes from the one on one nature of the job or how mentally demanding the work can be.
I’ve considered graduate school for counseling psychology(considering that’s something I’ve always wanted to do) or social work, but I’m starting to question that path as well.

I’m looking for a career with decent pay, a consistent schedule, good work-life balance, and room for growth. I’m open to different fields, including office or remote work, and willing to learn new skills.

What careers would you recommend exploring that don’t require years of experience to get started?

Lots of us love helping people but get told "passion doesn't pay rent." This 70-second story follows James, 21, from weekend food-bank volunteer to a career in social impact.

It's for SeekWise, a career-guidance platform we're building that pairs AI guidance with mentors who've walked the same path.

SeekWise links:

Website: [https://www.seekwise.si

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/seekwise-si/

Would love to hear what you think, especially if you've made a similar switch.

What Do I Do After High School? Chapter 28 - Your Life Master Plan:
Planning Your Work and Working Your Plan

Turn your teen's dreams into a written plan they can act on this week

By Oreste J. D'Aversa, CPC (Certified Professional Coach)

WhatDoIDoAfterHighSchool.com - CollegeMajorCoaching.com

Introduction

Your teen has dreams. A career they talk about, a place they want to live, the independence they cannot wait to have. The dreams are real. What most teens do not have is a written plan to reach them.

So how do you help your teen turn a dream into a life? Help them write a Life Master Plan: a short, written plan with clear goals, the steps each goal requires, and a weekly schedule for doing the work. A dream without a plan is just a wish.

Most young people never write one. Not because they lack talent, but because nobody ever handed them a sheet of paper and said: write the plan. Many people plan a vacation more carefully than they plan a career.

Why Writing It Down Changes Everything

Psychologist Dr. Gail Matthews of Dominican University of California studied people working toward goals. Those who wrote their goals down accomplished significantly more than those who kept them only in their heads, and the effect grew stronger when they reported their progress to someone else.¹

Writing a goal down is not a formality. It is a commitment. It is the moment a vague hope becomes a specific intention, and specific intentions produce specific results.

You already know this from daily life. Think of the last time you shopped with a written list and the last time you did not. The accountability finding matters most for parents. Your teen does not need you to write the plan for them. They need you to be the person they report their progress to.

Section One - Define Your Goals

The Life Master Plan comes from my earlier book, Life Beyond the Pandemic: A Practical New Journey Handbook, and it has three sections, each building on the one before. Section One starts with three to seven goals across the areas that matter: career, money, health, relationships and personal growth. Enough to build momentum, not so many that nothing gets real attention. Each goal must be SMART, a five-part test first described by management consultant George Doran in 1981:²

1.    Specific: not "I want to be successful," but "I will earn my EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) certification by December."

2.    Measurable: there is a clear way to know it is done.

3.    Achievable: it takes real effort, but it is within reach.

4.    Realistic: it rests on an honest look at where your teen is today.

5.    Time-framed: it has a date.

Without all five, a goal is decoration. With all five, it is a direction. This is also where earlier work pays off. Your teen's values tell them which goals are worth chasing. Their strengths tell them where they are most likely to succeed.

Section Two - Identify the Process

For each goal, your teen answers three questions:

1.    What do I need to have? Skills, a certification, money, tools, a mentor.

2.    What do I need to do? Classes, applications, practice, savings.

3.    In what order? Some steps must come before others.

This is the step most people skip. They set a goal, jump straight to action, hit an obstacle they never saw coming, and decide the goal was unrealistic. It was not unrealistic. It was unplanned. A teen who wants to open a landscaping business by age twenty-one may need a driver's license, startup savings, equipment and a first customer. The license comes before the truck. The savings come before the business.

Section Three - Work Your Plan

This is where the plan comes alive. Section Three is the day-to-day, week-to-week schedule. Not "I will work on my goal," but "Monday, Wednesday and Friday I will study for thirty minutes. Every Saturday I will take one practice test."

Researchers Edwin Locke and Gary Latham found that specific, challenging goals combined with regular feedback produce significantly higher performance than vague goals.³ A simple plan reviewed every week beats a complex plan filed away.

Once a month, sit down together and look at what is working and what is not. Adjust the plan, not the goal. The goal stays. The plan is flexible by design. Keep the plan short and keep it visible: on the refrigerator, in a phone note, on the bedroom wall. A plan your teen can see is a plan your teen will use.

Exercise: My Life Master Plan

Sit down with your teen and fill this in together.

·         My most important goal, and the date I will reach it:

____________________________________________________________

·         What I need to have or learn first:

____________________________________________________________

·         What I will do this week:

____________________________________________________________

*** DOWNLOAD your free sample chapter today! **\*

What Do I Do After High School? White Collar, Blue Collar or No Collar
is available now!

Find Your Path. Own Your Future. Build a Prosperous, Meaningful and Joyous Life.

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Distributed through Amazon.com, The Ingram Content Group, and your local bookstore.

Conclusion

Your teen does not need a perfect plan. They need an honest, specific, written one: a few pages they will actually use. Start small. Pick three goals, write them the SMART way, map what each one needs, and work the plan for the first goal this week.

Then sit down once a month, celebrate what got done, and adjust what did not. Write the plan. Work the plan. Revise the plan as they grow.

As I wrote in the book: Once you get the taste for achieving the first goal, nothing will stand between you and the rest.

Footnotes

¹ Matthews, Gail. "The Impact of Commitment, Accountability, and Written Goals on Goal Achievement." Paper presented at the 9th Annual International Conference of the Psychology of Health, Immunity, and Disease, Dominican University of California, 2015.

² Doran, George T. "There's a S.M.A.R.T. Way to Write Management's Goals and Objectives." Management Review 70, no. 11 (1981): 35-36.

³ Locke, Edwin A., and Gary P. Latham. A Theory of Goal Setting and Task Performance. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1990.

Hashtags

#WhatDoIDoAfterHighSchool, #LifeMasterPlan, #GoalSetting, #CareerPlanning, #ParentingTeens

About the Author: Oreste J. D'Aversa (O-res-tee DA-versa), CPC is a Certified Professional Coach with more than 20 years of experience helping young people and businesses find their path and own their future. He is the author of What Do I Do After High School? White Collar, Blue Collar or No Collar and the founder of multiple coaching and consulting practices serving the Greater Philadelphia region. Connect at WhatDoIDoAfterHighSchool.com, CollegeMajorCoaching.com, and PhillyBusinessServices.com, or contact him directly at odaversa@PhillyBusinessServices.com.

Currently I am a sitter in a hospital however, I am starting not to like it. I changed my major from Nuclear Med to Accounting because of working in the hospital. Healthcare is not for me the patients can be so exhausting its draining me and the bodily fluid is too much. My job is easy ( sometimes) and I only work 3 days but the 12 hour shifts take so much out of me.

I want to leave so im thinking about doing bartending I like talking to people and getting to know others however I have no experience. So does any bartender have any tips on getting started into that path.

Hi everyone. I am interested in going to college for a career, but I truly can’t figure out what I want to do. I have had a lot of ideas for what I might want to do, but I jump from one thing to the next and can’t decide what’s right for me. I’ve considered a large variety of things, a lot of things in the medical field, or other practical jobs. I want a job where I can help people, but a lot of jobs like that are said to take an emotional toll on you. I’ve considered jobs that aren’t people focused but might still be purposeful, but a lot of them sound boring.

I’m 29 years old, and I currently work at an Amazon warehouse. The job itself is okay, there is a lot of flexibility, good pay, good health benefits, and it is very low stress. So, I’m not really in a hurry to leave, but I don’t think I want to do this for the rest of my life and I’ve considered going to college for something for a long time.

On a completely different note, I would also love to do something that is flexible in the way that I kind of make my own schedule, and that is easy and enjoyable. Maybe work from home. I’ve had dreams of maybe starting my own business of some kind, but I know that’s not easy. Or, having a lot of side jobs that add up and make enough for me to live. So, a lot of different ideas.

I would appreciate any advice, ideas, or just the cold hard truth. Lol. Thanks!

no degree, taking 5 years to finish a 2 year degree in studio arts associates. i was living in mexico with my parents until this year when i made the move to the usa living with a roommate i pay half her rent to sleep in a walk in closet basically. i wanted to start a clothing brand 3 years ago and i went nowhere with it. addicted to social media, adhd asf, and always struggled with school. terrible sleep schedule too. been single for 5 years. i'm like 5'2 and scrawny as well. the only thing that catches my eye is doing something medical like rad tech or emt. other than that i'm pretty useless except for being the friend that is always there for everyone. my only source of income in the meantime is djing for my moms wedding venue business in mexico every so often but it doesn't add up to much money in the long run due to it being sporadic. currently job hunting for whatever too keep paying rent so i don't have to go back to mexico. (i crossed the border everyday my whole life for school)

Hey everyone I am in a bit of a pickle trying to find a path forward and eventually move back home to the states.

Here's a little background about me:

• I'm 34 currently living and working in Japan as a project manager in product design.
• making 10million yen per year so I feel fortunate but I want to move back home now.
• no parents so a temporary move to their house isnt possible
• Career path was graphic designer > ux designer > project manager.
• no hope finding a similar job atm with the job market and the drying up of this career

Current situation

• I have a BA from UCLA in Integrated Design (yeah... bad choice :( i know)
• I want to go back to the states but also want to use the immense free time I have at my current job to pivot careers
• having a hard time deciding what to do because of ai doomerism (that might actually be credible?)
• dilemma: am I leaving something on the table by leaving here? starting my own bar, cafe, ect seems achievable. Also getting pr and getting an apt here is also achievable. Am I not seeing something?

I've narrowed it down to 3 career pivots that seem achievable and align with my goals.

• ABSN/MSN
• M.Acc w CPA/M.Finance
• M. Supply Chain Management
• one of above + Air Force

ABSN/MSN

• pros
  • job stability
  • ability to level up to a provider
  • more days off with working 3/12 shifts (but at the sacrifice of health so might not be worth it)
  • goal would be to advance to NP as a provider
  • versatility of an RN license to branch into other roles
  • meaningful? (I can see this wearing on you esp if the patients are shitty day in and out)
• cons
  • huge life disruption - to attend school I would have to move back and start from 0
  • no parents so that means renting a cheap room and buying a car/taking the bus for 2 years
  • toxic work environments & violence against health care workers & possibility for serious injuries (I really do not want to be called a racial slur)
  • working 12 hour night shifts are often only shifts available initially

Masters Accounting (eventual CPA)

• pros
  • I can do this online while maintaining my current stable situation (living alone in my own apt, affording food, not much change to life)
  • possibly start with remote accounting roles to build towards the 2 year work exp requirement for CPA
  • apparently there are lots of accounting jobs and can enter lots of different industries
  • somewhat stable but less than nursing
  • low impact to my physical health, maintain normal sleep schedule,
• cons
  • ai and offshoring
  • no stability - can be easy to get fired
  • I would need to play the office politics game which I'm horrible at
  • I have no executive presence so it might be difficult to advance in career, people see me as the worker bee and not c-suite (I'm short, asian, and have adhd)
  • taking lots of work home, 40+ work weeks, tax season can be crazy from what I found
  • it could be very boring

Masters Supply Chain Management

• pros
  • much of the same for accounting
  • can be done online in order to maintain my current stable life.
  • I have interested in raw material particularly textiles so these interests could align
• cons
  • I'm not sure about the cons
  • everyone blames you for fires at work and when things go wrong

One of the above + Air Force

• I need a support system because I find myself increasingly alone with no parents and its get scarier every year.
• I think Air Force could provide this and set me up by opening doors with the GI bill and home buying benefit.
• I have friends who serve so I am familiar with the lifestyle.

Hopefully those much more experienced and wiser than me can help me find my way! I really look forward to everyone's responses. Thank you.

I(20M) am a 2nd year B. Tech student of Computer Science and Engineering(CSE) at a renowned private institute in India. I have always loved theoretical physics and astronomy. But after the recent nobel prize release it started bugging me that maybe what I’m studying right now is not what I really want to pursue.
I opted for CSE because of mainly 2 reasons: firstly, CSE has great scope to make money and secondly, everyone does engineering because IDK why it is considered as a safe career choice.
I have a very visual way of learning, like I visualize concepts and perform thought experiments to learn. In my first semester, I had subjects like basics of quantum physics, multivariable calculus, basics of electrical engineering, etc. These topics were directly aligned to my interests that were previously stated, and I absolutely loved studying and teaching these topics, especially Quantum mechanics, and I did extremely well (got 9.5 GPA). But as soon as the second semester started, and CSE core subjects were introduced, like DSA, OOPs, Computer Architecture Organization, etc., everything changed. Studying these topics wasn't fun and my grades plummeted. I do agree that I definitely let my guard down and wasn’t ready for these subjects. I ended up completing the second semester with 8.7 CGPA, a huge drop from what I had achieved before. Even in the third semester, things are not particularly fun. It has just become chasing deadlines, project submissions that I don’t even find enjoyable, attending classes just for the sake of attendance and everything else. It just feels incomplete and unsatisfactory studying like this.
Everything is just so fast paced that I am not able to have fun learning what I am learning. And it has made me reconsider my career in this specific domain. After this year’s Nobel prize, it made me feel that I want to do more than looking at my computer screen all day and studying things that I don’t even like. I want to pursue theoretical physics, astronomy, and research. I really want to expand the horizon of my mind. I have always loved doing that.

I cannot abandon my degree in CSE now. I am willing to complete this degree because I need to have a backup, have invested HEAVILY in this and my family wants me to do it before I pursue my interests. But I feel I need to pursue my interests in theoretical physics and astronomy if I really want to love what I study and for a job.
I am thinking of preparing myself to pursue astronomy while I complete my B. tech degree.
So, how can I pursue a career in astronomy in India after I complete my B. tech? And what should I do while completing my degree to pursue a career in astronomy? 

Two months ago I got offered a senior role at a mid size consulting firm. 92k base, bonus structure, hybrid, better healthcare than I've ever had. The guy who interviewed me actually said "we think you're underpriced where you are."
I turned it down.
I work at a small nonprofit doing operations stuff. 48k, no bonus, modest raise every year if the grant cycle is kind to us. The work itself isn't glamorous. I process reimbursements, write SOPs nobody reads, spend half my Fridays on logistics for events that twenty people show up to, and answer emails that start with "quick question." But I know every person in the building by name. I know which of our clients are between apartments right now. When I fix something in our workflow it actually helps someone the next week.
The consulting job would have been me making slide decks about efficiency for companies that lay people off every October.
I sat with the offer for 9 days. Made spreadsheets. Asked three people I respect and all three of them said take it you can always leave in two years. One of them is a close friend who has watched me struggle with rent for the last four years and I know she was being kind, not stupid.
I still said no. Didn't even negotiate. I just emailed the recruiter and said I appreciated the offer but I was staying.
This is where im stuck. Everyone in my life now treats me like I did something irresponsible. My brother asked if I was depressed again. An old coworker from grad school straight up told me I'm throwing my career away. I keep running the math on what 44k extra a year compounds to over a decade and the number is embarrassing.
But when I actually imagine sitting in that other office on a Tuesday afternoon, something in me just goes flat. Not scared, not anxious. Just flat. And I've learned the hard way that for me, flat is worse than hard.
I don't know if I'm protecting something real or if I'm just scared of being somewhere I'd have to perform at a higher level. Both feel true depending on what hour of the day it is.
Did anyone here actually turn down a significant pay bump to stay somewhere smaller and later feel sure it was the right call? Not "well it worked out eventually" sure, but actually sure. I'm not looking for validation, I'm trying to figure out if people who make this choice tend to regret it or not

Hello all. :)

Kind of a long story but i'll try to keep it short. Life has not been easy for me and I kept pushing my "end-it-all" date until I finally got therapy and now that date is forever gone. I got my BA in Sociology at 26 but never pursued a career with it. It was just something I really wanted to accomplish and get over with.

At 28, I decided I need to go back to school to get a better job and earn more money, so, I started to study interpreting. I'm 30 now, I have invested over $2k in classes, I took the written exam and passed, all I need is to pass the oral and I can start working as an interpreter. The issue is that I cannot get myself to study anymore as I feel like I lost my drive. During my studies, I landed a great office job, 401k, benefits, decent pay; it's wonderful but part of me still feels like I need to do more. I don't know if it's my ADHD, maybe depression creeping up, I wish I knew.

I tried setting study blocks for myself during the week, but it's mentally painful to sit and study. So now I wonder if this career path is no longer for me, or am I lazy? I wish I was like the kids who grew up knowing what they wanted to do as a career, I was just trying to survive. 🥲😅 I can't think of a single career that makes me go "oh hell yeah". Never have, actually. Perhaps earning just enough to live within my means is what I'm meant for.

Please let me know if you've had a similar experience, and what did you do?

A little background about me. I'm 25 and live in the Bay area. I have AA degrees in accounting, economics, and applied math from community college. I ended up transferring and graduating from UC Berkeley two years ago with a Bachelor's in Data Science but I couldn't get an internship during my time there. I was never able to break into tech doing anything related to data analytics, data science, or programming. I did do data collection for a robotics company but it wasn't technical at all and I couldn't pivot into a more technical role after a year and a couple months. I decided to leave that job last month since their wasn't much room for growth, the pay was low, and the job was taking a toll on my mental health so I've only been unemployed for a month.

My entire family works in healthcare, so they convinced me to to work on some health pre-reqs like Chem, Bio, Anato.&Physio. while I continue trying to find a job in tech or figure out what to do with my life since healthcare has stability. I know healthcare is a field where you really have to know that you enjoy patient-care and you can't just do it for the money. My family has had me shadow some of their friends in hospitals just to see if I like the work. So far, I do find myself growing an interest in PT and Rad Tech.

I really do enjoy interacting with patients but sometimes I still find myself missing the problem-solving aspect of my undergrad coursework. I've considered doing a masters in CS, and trying to secure an internship this time since I got into Georgia Tech's MS in CS program earlier in the spring. I decided to defer my enrollment to spring 2027 just because of how the tech industry is right now with LLMs and offshoring and to see if I like healthcare. I also thought about doing a master's in accounting since I have the AA already but, I never did enjoy Financial or Managerial accounting.

Right now, I really just want to work, preferably a job that involves some critical thinking/fulfillment, but stability/job security is the biggest factor right now. I've continued to apply to jobs and network when I'm not studying for my classes but, I haven't had much success outside a handful of interviews for project management roles that didn't make it past the 2nd round. I have enough money saved up to last me for a year or two and my family will support me if I end up pursuing healthcare. I guess what I'm asking is out of these options, which would guarantee me a job? or should I keep applying to tech roles?

Ok so I am currently in my 5th semester of college at a community college about to complete my associates. I initially started out at this school to help me figure out what I wanted to major in which I narrowed it down to two majors in the second semester, accounting and mechanical engineering. The issue is that whenever I would want to take a course like calculus it wasnt offered at the campus near me and only offered at one an hour away which I cannot commute to. Because of this, I was just told to complete the requirements for my A.A and now I am so far behind on both majors I dont even know what to choose anymore. I barely have any prerequisites done for either because now that my A.A is about to be completed, Im considered an upper level transfer for the college I was planning on transferring to. Whichever major I decide on out of the two it will take two more years of college to complete totaling to 5.5 years and like i just cant help but think that my 2.5 years spent in college so far were just useless considering my situation with credits. I just need some advice i dont even know what to do anymore, if i finish the prereqs for a transfer to one of the majors at the cc then transfer or just try to transfer now under a different major then swap.

So I will be graduating Medical School this year and have no interest in doing a residency (and probably won't get one anyways because of all my red flags). I was a horrendous medical student with numerous disciplinary and academic violations, took 7 years to graduate, have a failed step 1 and step 2, and even had to appeal a dismissal to get reinstated by the team.

I've also never held any job (not even a cashier job).

I was wondering what are your thoughts on going back to a mid tier University (like Southern Methodist, Rutgers, Penn State, etc.) and starting over with the hopes of eventually working in corporate banking and a salary target of $75k/year. My first bachelor's was in psychology do I estimate I will only need 2 years.

I'm thinking my MD degree will give me a huge advantage competing against other undergrad students internships and recruiting compared to undergrads, particularly in biotech companies or areas adjacent to my medical degree.

Not really, but wondering which field to aim for medicine or technology. I got my CAEC (GED but Canadian) and I'm looking into retaking classes to meet the admission requirements of some college. In my whole three months of employment I've realized physical labour is not for me the trades are not for me, I want to radically turn my life direction around, surely it's not too late I'm only 18 still.

Tech seems like the obvious answer, it especially seemed like the obvious answer in the past, I remember a time I was dead set on becoming a programmer, then AI got good and messed with the plan a bit, I still know some python if it's worth anything. But the line of thinking goes if software engineer isn't the greatest choice anymore maybe a regular engineer, problem is to be a real actual engineer you really need that four years of university and even some engineers it seems are a little scared of AI, oversaturation, other stuff, and I just hear some things, so the compromise to the compromise is take a 2-3 year program in whatever engineering technology (mechanical, civil, electrical, power, instrumentation, geomatics, chemical, plenty of options) That's one of the paths I'm considering, and I could be a technician or technologist.

But I'm also drawn to the medical field. Partly considerations around demand job security money, but apart from that I have a fascination with biology anatomy chemistry and other things. I could technically become a nurse (an LPN if not an RN) and I hear there's absurd amounts of demand and it's only slightly embarrassing to be a male nurse nowadays, but my interest in healthcare is very impersonal and this is the occupation most concerned with personal care so doesn't seem like a great fit. Again I'm looking at 2 to 3 year technical programs, medical diagnostic sonography, medical laboratory technology, medical radiologic technology, stuff like that. A fun thing to think about, unless I'm reading this wrong, the nearest med school has admission requirements like two years of no particular type of post secondary education, so it's fun to think I could maybe become a doctor far in the future when I'm less poor and less scared of commitment.

My big concerns are 1. Money. If I don't have a chance at 100k salary I might as well be a bum on the street. 2. Education. I'm sure I can get through any type of schooling, I've always done well academically when I bothered to show up for class, but my record I think bars me from any actual university unless I spend years fixing it or transfer in from a littler place. And apart from that, I'm scared of taking on debt and spending time without an income, if I can get away with two years instead of four I will. And who knows a sudden wave of depression I could drop out again best I don't overinvest.

I guess I could always become an electrician or hvac guy if anything fails. Maybe I could become a lawyer?

Since I have an ADHD brain, I am unable to focus on just one field and tend to focus on at least three or four things. My main confusion is how to choose a career option. Could anybody please clarify how I should choose a career?

I’ve been in nyc since I was 23, I’m turning 28 in a few months and I haven’t been happy for a while.
I want to be a writer, overall I’ve done a decent job, couple of books, invited to read work at lots of parties, but I’m tired of all the high school clout chasing bullshit in the nyc art scene. I’ve felt this way for a while, about a year ago I felt hopeful and rejuvenated with nyc again. I hadn’t dated or even had sex with anyone since my girlfriend died in 2022, which spurred my move from LA to NYC. Last year I fell in love with a girl and things were really awesome until I found out she was fucking my best friend behind my back. Aside from the obvious pain, it really piled up just how everyone in the “art scene” knew about it. I alienated all my friends, lost both my jobs, and developed a pretty nasty drug and drinking habit. It was the most humiliating year of my life. I haven’t really recovered financially but mentally I’m feeling better, I don’t drink to blackout anymore, maybe 4-5 beers a week, and I don’t do drugs anymore, and mentally I feel okay, but I’m back where I started. I want out. This past year has only reaffirmed my belief that this whole city is just meaningless clout chasing. I want to go somewhere small, like a small village on the pacific, but I ruined my income.
I started a small press for publishing books I like and that’s been neat, and I’m starting to try freelance writing and graphic design again, and it feels good to be doing something, but more than anything I just want to write and be out of here. What do I do? I want to live simply now, I want to see the Pacific Northwest, and I want some time to write, and I want to get the hell out of here. I have a bachelors in English and a lot of good work experience, how do I get out of here?
Things aren’t end all be all horrible. I still have life long friends I’ve made here. And I used to feel this crushing complex about nyc, like I have to push to “make it” here or else I’ll always regret it. I don’t know if that’s true anymore. I don’t really know what to do at all right now

I'm really at my wits end. I'm 22 and doing a social science honours program. I was the only person I knew who was moving across Canada for University. I barely survived my first year of University with support from my parents. I was a mess. I jumped between Universities due to housing concerns, dropping classes, and feeling miserable, but last October was my breaking point. I had a mental breakdown and was nearly hospitalised for my own safety. Instead I moved in with my Dad and his family. I have been financially support 100% by my Mum and Dad (who are separated) which I am forever grateful for. I took between January and August off from School and was diagnosed with Bipolar 2, ADHD, anxiety and depression. I am now heavily medicated and for the first time in my life am enjoying the small things around me. I am living in dorms at a University close to my Mum's home and have never been this open and social to others before.

But I just can't keep doing this... Even now, I am doing only four classes and I am falling behind. I am used to being a hard worker and getting good grades even if I burned out but I am now sitting here with a paper proposal due tomorrow and an exam on Tuesday which I am beyond not ready for. I have spent the day studying and I am still no closer. Part of the issue is my anti-depressants are making me incredibly apathetic about. I am loving the small things but I still hate my life.

I have never worked before (apart from two research internships), not because I am lazy but because I have either been unable to even get an interview or the environment would be very detrimental to my overall mental health as I am mentally vulnerable and poorly equipped for fast-paced loud environments. To be clear this isn't due to lack of work ethic but that I just can't find anything which would be conducive to long or even medium term stable employment. I could graduate in April 2028 if I kept up the pace but I am really really struggling right now.

I can't cope with University. I can't get a job. I am really struggling and I don't know what to do with my life. I love love love what I study and I get great grades in my niche in that field (I could see myself doing research and would love to get a masters) but I feel like any dreams I may have had are slipping away. What would you do in my situation? Continue University or look for a different path?

I'm male and just turned 24. Class of 2020. I have two degrees. An associates in secondary education and an associates in accounting. Both from community college. I work part time at a pizza restaurant and live at home rent free with my parents. My only expense is my credit card which is being taken care of.

I took 2 gap years and switched majors. One year was intentional the other one was not. Long story I don't wanna get into but I had some rough years after high school. Good student regardless though.

My student loan debt was 13k, but after one semester at Wayne State University it became 19k, so I can no longer afford this school. It's too expensive. Even with a 13 credit hours, a scholarship, -1500 SAI and a grant, I still had to take out 6k in loans for one semester. All loans are federal. The commute also is terrible. I was thinking about switching to WGU and completing the rest of my degree online next semester. This would allow me to work more hours.

My main concern is that I'm 24, no bachelors degree, and not making much money. Parents want me to stay in school, and I do want the degree, but I don't know if I should continue with accounting due to the whole AI and offshoring situation.

I'm essentially at a crossroads here. I take on more debt to get the degree and pursue a career in accounting, or I quit school entirely and just find a full-time job.

I know I'm in a pretty pregiliaged position but I'm a bit conflicted about my options with work.

I worked and trained as a rural doctor for around 3 years and I have now completed my training which means I'm free to go wherever. For context I'm mid 30s male and single and a POC.

I live in a predominantly white small town with around 10k. The things that are hard is you lack anonymity as a town doctor, there are limited entertainment and food options and the dating pool is limited for a single man. The advantages are the peace and quiet, familiarity for work and attractive bonuses promised to me which include an accommodation in a nice shared house. I'm also eligible for a lump sum payment if I stay until August September next year.

The city is attractive because of the wider support network of friends and families being from the city. But having lived in the country my nervous system does get overwhelmed when I'm driving in the city or going to places with crowds. The rent isn't cheap and you get a small cramped place. I might also have to work harder to make a similar amount of money although as a doctor I'm paid quite well regardless.

Maybe I thought another 6 to 12 months to acquire equity might be the right option. But people have also told me the importance of hunkering down and finding a community and enjoying what the city has to offer.

For context, I'm an 18-year-old guy. Next year, I'll be out of high school, and I'm a mess as a person (ADHD, autism, depression, and extreme social struggles). Overall, my grades were average in most subjects, and I barely managed to pass physics (fuck physics, sorry, physics lovers). The problem I'm dealing with is that my only real aptitude seems to be in languages, specifically learning languages and interpreting the meaning of texts (which is mostly what Brazil's ENEM is about). However, my writing skills are shit. I Love all forms of creativity, but I have no talent in any of them. I'm an extrovert, but due to trauma, I have no social skills, and it'll take me a few years to get my struggles to be removed. So, if my strengths were originally in this area, I can't rely on them either. I genuinely don't know what career I could pursue because most math-based fields (which I can handle to some extent) are related to physics. I'm also more prone to burnout, so the medical field (which fucks over pretty much everyone who works in it) isn't for me either. Personally, i wanted to choose something related to art, but most of the times, to make money, one needs to be incredibly talented(which i am not,as i stated earlier)

WHAT JOB CAN I PURSUE?