I'll be upfront, I might be a little melodramatic right now because my "Next Steps" plan just completely fell apart.

I won't say the specific field but what you need to know is it's niche enough that absolutely no hard skills transfer to other jobs. All our software is proprietary, all our processes are unique to the industry and my company has a monopoly in my country. Soft skills galore though and if I left I'd have a glowing recommendation.

I'm just about to turn 30 and this job is livable, wage wise. I have decent insurance, can save a little. But it's got a very very narrow bottle neck. I've probably got about 2 promotions in the next 10 years and that's it. There's no where else in the country I can go.

My original "Get Out" plan was to self fund a 1 year nursing degree. Get my foot on the door and hope for some kind of internal support, or pathway to RN once I had some experience. I cannot get any type of public financial aid since I've maxed out the lifetime allowances for University.

I could fund 4-5k for the equivalent of an associates. I cannot fund a bachelors.

Unfortunately it seems everyone else had the same idea. Nursing degrees are booked out for the next 2 years. I really feel like I need another plan.

Here's what I'm looking for in a career. I don't need all of these to apply, but more than 1 would be nice.

Something that uses my body and mind. I don't mind a desk job but I want an excuse to move. I also want to feel clever and useful.

Something with very little ambiguity about what you're supposed to be doing at any given point in time. I can work like a mule but I suck at looking busy.

Something that is an overall next positive to society would be nice.

What I've got going for me.

A random handful of certificates and half finished degrees. Hairdressing, support work, HSK level 1 with slightly higher conversational skills.

I'm good with computers. Not amazing but I can write a basic script or make a pivot table. (Also I can rotate a PDF)

I'm really fit. Lifting 20kg+ would be fine.

So uh, wtf should I do with my life to put together a career.

HR told me that I got laid off due to my performance but the truth is company is taking a lot of losses due to AI and are letting people go by restructuring teams.

Should I sign? Would that look good to future employers? That I resigned and have to follow that up with probably a made up scenario. Or not sign and have future employers know that I got laid off due to restructuring, given my organization accepts that and does not include the performance part.

EDIT: I have been offered 6 weeks pay if I sign the resignation letter.

Hi guys, I'm a young father (senior software engineer, 1 kid). Feeling kinda hopeless nowadays because of the difficult times finding jobs. Was laid off few months ago because of AI. Freelance business also stopped because of that exact same reason.

I've sold everything to survive, gambled my money to start a small food business.. It doesn't work. People are just too broke to buy stuffs. I have nothing left to sell, if I fail now I'd be dead.

Been applying hundreds of job vacancies, its all silence. I think it's because I didn't have bachelor's degree. So I took one, will start in a few days. But honestly, I don't think this is the right choice knowing that I have a wife and a kid to feed. But I cannot get a job without a degree anyways so I thought I'll just do it and figure out a way later.

Applied for student pass on Github and Google AI, now I have access to AI for free until my graduation but honestly, I no longer enjoy building apps, I see no reason why building one when everyone can just build for themselves.

I don't know what to do. Wife's having sever mental health issues so she can't work. Me too, I had bipolar so that's making it even worse sometimes. The remaining runways that i have are more likely to hold just 1 month. Everything collapsed. Everything's fucked up. What should I do?

I'm three weeks into a new job and all I can think about is how I made a mistake. I was burned out from the intense "always on" culture and upset that I was passed over for promotion. But I enjoyed the work and had worked there for nearly 6 years, had so many friends and relationships, and a good reputation. Now I'm at a new firm and I feel devastated. I was excited about this role because of better work life balance and exposure to hyped up tech clients, but I already feel like this work is less interesting to me and I'm really missing my old company - the people, the nature of the work, even the intensity that I claimed I wanted less of. I feel like I'm realizing over and over again what I gave up and I'm feeling sick to my stomach. I'm thinking about reaching out to my old manager.

I'm having a really hard time mentally with this and would appreciate any advice from others who have been in this situation.

I was with the same company for 11 years, but this year has been difficult personally and professionally. I had to put both of my parents in assisted living in January. In March my best friend passed away from cancer. The company I worked for has been struggling for a few years and the prospect of closing their doors seemed always looming. I finally decided to take a job offer in Florida. I was in Texas at the time. After a couple weeks there I discovered that they were doing some things that I did not morally agree with, so I came back to Texas. I had multiple job offers there, but I still felt drawn to Florida. I ended up taking a couple of different job offers in Texas but only stayed a short time before moving on. I got another offer in Jacksonville, and while I loved the job, I hated the city. I tried to convince them to let me work remote but they were not interested in that. I went back to Texas and worked remotely for them for a little while until they found a replacement. I got another job offer in Texas and one in Orlando. I worked the job in Texas but didn't love it, so now I'm back in Florida. I'm sharing a completely dark room with no noise. The other 2 young guys like that environment, but I hate it and now I want to go back to Texas. I have a couple of other prospects as well, but I feel like I'm burned out and I want a career change. I have a specific skill set in my industry and while it is not difficult, no one seems to want to learn it, so I find myself in demand. Not in demand enough to be highly paid, but enough to not lack for interest. It's a small industry though and I'm afraid that I'm starting to burn through my options.

Should I change careers and find something more satisfying or just appreciate that I have many opportunities in a sometimes tight job market?

I’ve been at a company for over two years and have my performance review next week. I checked in with my boss recently about a role that isn’t filled in our department currently and asked about the opportunity to advance. Her response was that she wants to wait until we implement a new AI software because it may “change our needs” and also said higher up approval for promotions and structure changes are going to take much longer because of leadership changes. Is this just a way of saying “you’re not getting promoted”? Any tips on what to say in my performance review?

I am leaving my current job of 20 years, and I like my coworkers. I won’t get to tell many of them goodbye since few people will be in the office.

Would leaving a handwritten note to each of them, leaving it in the mailroom to be distributed to them by the internal mail delivery, be ok? (As opposed to leaving a note on their desks, which might be an invasion of their personal space?)

If this is a good idea, if I don’t leave a note for the CEO, but I leave a note for everyone else, would that cause a tiff? The CEO loves being recognized and worshipped, but I don’t do that.

Thanks.

I’m a little nervous about the meeting and want to handle it professionally.

For those who have been in a similar situation:

•What should I expect from this kind of meeting?
•What questions should I ask my manager?
•How can I show that I’m taking the feedback seriously without sounding defensive?

I am looking for advice on my current situation. Quick bit of information about me. I graduated with a Bachelors in Criminal Justice in 2014. I’ve always wanted to go to law school, but never had the guts. Twelve years later, and a ton of FOMO, I’m looking to pull the trigger.

I’m 34 andI’ve got three kids, and am working full time as an industrial maintenance tech at a chemical factory, a job which I hate. I realize my situation doesn’t make me an ideal candidate for law school. I am currently considering UD’s online hybrid program.

Any advice is appreciated. I am fully aware that I may be barking up the wrong tree, so please feel free to be critical of my situation.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

So, I’ve been working at my company as a sterile processing tech for almost 9 months. Up until recently, all of the new hires from this year were making the same amount. I’m currently in the class to get certified, and will be getting a $1 raise after that’s completed. About a month and a half ago, we got another new hire. She is 18y/o, and has no prior experience. She was started out $0.32 higher than the rest of the new hires. This is something that has been bothering me, and I would like to address it with my boss. However, I hate confrontation and conversations like that, and tend to get super nervous, and clam up. There’s another matter I would like to address in addition to this one. Our department used to be separated by dispatch, and processing. A few years ago, they merged the departments, and all new hires were forced to cross train between the two. Employees from before the merge were not forced to cross train. As a “hybrid” employee, you’re required to do more work, because if you’re scheduled in dispatch, and all the work gets done, you’re required to go to the processing side and start working. That’s not required of the employees not cross trained, because they don’t know how to do both sides. So any of the longer standing employees are just supposed to do little tasks on the processing side, but that rarely even happens. I have absolutely no problem doing both jobs, IF I’m being compensated for it, as I am more valuable to the department. I don’t have high hopes for getting anywhere with the second thing, but would still like to address it. I am actively looking for a better career opportunity, because I have realized this management is going to be a consistent headache, but I do like my job, and would like to try to come to some resolution, if possible. I’d love to get some advice on how to address it, and what to say. I don’t want to come off as whiney, and right now, I’m so frustrated, everything I want to say would either be whiney, or angry. I plan to talk with my boss about this on Friday. I appreciate any advice!

Hi everyone,

Long story short, I was suddenly made redundant due to a company restructuring and I’m exploring a career direction that would fit me perfectly.

My background includes:
Key account management
Sales in both B2B and B2C
Data analysis on a rather low level
Some supply chain experience

I have worked with various business softwares, data, quotations, documentation and coordinating processes.

I’m interested in these roles:
Business Operations Manager,
Operations Manager,
PMO/Project Coordinator,
International Sourcing Specialist,
Procurement Specialist,
Vendor Coordinator,
Commercial Coordinator,
Supplier Relationship Manager

I’m looking to move away from sales-heavy work and focus more on internal processes, coordination, research, problem-solving, organising and making sure things run smoothly. Also, I don’t want to go a step down because I have already almost 11 years of experience - I can’t go from Key Account Manager to an assistant commercial coordinator for example.

I’d love to hear from someone who works something similar and some actual day-to-day experience:

1. ⁠What do you really spend most of your time doing?
   
2. ⁠Which parts of your job do you enjoy or dislike?
   
3. ⁠How stressful is the work, and what skills are most important?
   
4. ⁠Are these roles genuinely different, or do the responsibilities often overlap?
   
5. ⁠Which positions would you recommend for someone with my background who wants to use their existing experience but move in a new direction?
   
6. ⁠Are there any job titles I should look into that I might be overlooking?

I’m particularly interested in practical experiences rather than generic job descriptions. I’d appreciate any insights, advice or examples from people currently working in these roles.

Thanks!

P.S Not sure if it matters but I’m really used to home office jobs, I guess I could make a compromise if it’s a hybrid model.

Advice needed please. I am thinking about leaving academia, where I am administration staff. I like it, but the pay and politics are horrible. I’m worried about the transition to corporate. Has anyone had this path? What was your experience? What do you like and hate? What was the hardest part? What’s the biggest difference?

I have just completed my bachelors in computing and i am choosing my Masters in data science or Data engineering with cloud course. Honest opinions please:

1. Which is worth it in today’s market?
2. Which has the higher AI automation risk?
3. Which do you think will have more demand in coming years?

I am seeing that the data people is divided into two groups :

Group 1 : Who says Data science will grow in future and it has less ai impact then other data jobs.

Group 2 : Who says Data is fuel so data engineer will be in demand for future

If you work in either field, I would love to hear what the job is like day to day. Thanks!

I’m really stuck on what to do. I was unemployed for months and at the end of the august I finally was able to get a job. Fast forward to now I’ve received another 2 offers, one I have declined but unsure what to do about the other. I don’t want to leave my current job as I’ve practically just started it but also don’t want to decline the other offer I’ve received as it could be a great start for my future career. There’s also the possibility that I may not like the job If I was to leave my current role but deep down I do really want to give it a go and would be disappointed with myself if I never tried. Has anyone else been in a similar situation ? The offer is 20 hours and I could ask my current job to cut down my hours a little but I’m not sure how that would go.

I was offered a fully remote role with $7k less pay and my current job (hybrid) countered and said they would let me go fully remote. Should I stay at the current job or leave?

More details:

I like my current role but I don’t like the company. There has been recent restructuring, awful leadership, they demoted someone in my team, and a there’s been a lot of change. But I do like my direct team, I am up for a promotion next year, and if they let me be fully remote that would be huge.

The new company is less money and not as good benefits (they’re standard but current job has extra perks) but remote first. It’s a similar job but I would be starting over as far as building relationships and establishing myself.

I’m afraid to walk away from a potential promotion, more money, and what I know. But I’m scared they could take away the remote work option at any point where the other job is remote first and that wouldn’t be a fear. I’m also scared I’ll put a target on my back and lose the promo opportunity. But I talked with a coworker who said she really doesn’t think that would happen but also who knows.

Is the right move to stay and accept the counter or leave and accept less money?

My partner makes good money and even with the $7k pay cut we could be okay but it would be an adjustment.

I've been on the fence about whether I should apply for a role at an AI company. I've read the job description, and the total compensation and responsibilities all look good. However, after doing some research into the company, I discovered that it's main product is AI generated porn.

Would having a company like this on your resume be considered a red flag when applying for future roles, particularly at established companies?

Would you work for an AI generated porno company?

I'd love to hear from anyone who has worked in this industry or has insights into what it's like, particularly regarding workplace culture and long-term career prospects.

Hello! I work an academia-adjacent job with a lot of connections I'd like to preserve. (Letters for grad school, possibility of rehire way down the line, etc.) They've been good to me and I've tried to do right by them, and overall I've had a very positive experience working there.

They require 30 days notice, and I gave five weeks.

As my initial last day was in the middle of a heavy busy season, I was asked to stay two more weeks. After thinking about it, I said I could do one more.

Personal logistics are making it increasingly difficult, as I have to move immediately after. I asked for some flexibility and was basically told there wasn't any (was offered a half-day). At the time I folded.

I'm considering being firmer and apologizing, but taking back two of the extra five days, saying it's the most I can do. How likely is this to burn a bridge/come off as unprofessional? It's now about 3 weeks out. It is truly a pretty busy time I am leaving during, but I do know the reason they were antsy about keeping me was to potentially train a replacement. (That is not going to happen in the time remaining.)

I asked a trusted friend who told me not to do it, that it would make me seem like a head case.

edit: (I did ask to stay on as a PT contractor for a small portion of my role which complicates things).

I desperately need a career change. I have a bachelors in psychology and a bachelors in human services. I worked as a certified medical assistant for a few years and I’ve worked in the mental health field in various roles (peer recovery specialist, suicide hotline operator, etc). I’m burned out. I’m still working for a suicide hotline, been here for almost 4 years and I’m drowning. I don’t know what to do instead. For the longest time, I just wanted a career where I could help people. I don’t want that anymore. At least not in a patient/client facing way. For a while I wanted to get into nursing but now being so burned out and frankly apathetic, I have no interest whatsoever. I don’t mind if I have to go back to school or do some certification things. I just need a light at the end of the tunnel. Something to work towards. I’ve been told to look into consulting but frankly I don’t know where to start or even what it is. Any ideas are welcome. I don’t have to make a fuck ton of money. Currently make barely $55k so preferably something more than that if possible.

One thing I've noticed is how many people get discouraged because they can't land the exact finance role they want right out of college.

There's so much focus on investment banking, trading, and other competitive positions that people overlook opportunities in risk management, treasury, operations, FP&A, business management, and commercial banking.

A lot of these roles give you exposure to how financial institutions actually operate, and the experience can be valuable when you're looking to move into other areas later on.

Your first job doesn't have to define your entire career. Sometimes getting your foot in the door, learning how the business works, and building relationships is more valuable than waiting another year for the perfect opportunity.

Curious if others have taken a less traditional path into their current careers.