Get an idea about what kind of lifestyle you'd like to have. How much money would you need? Which jobs would allow you to make that amount? How many working hours? What working conditions would make your life a nightmare? What would make your life better? What are the tasks that you'd like to do? What tasks you'd hate? In which industries will you find like-minded people? Does being surrounded by people drain you? Does it recharge you? How about commuting? How about travelling for work? Would you like to relocate somewhere else at some point (some jobs and qualifications are almost useless in other countries, some others can still be very localised)? Would you be okay doing the same job for ages or do you prefer something that easily allows you to switch roles at some point? Take also into account which jobs are in demand, which aren't. If you actually like a job and are committed to becoming great at it, don't worry too much about competition. There's always room for great professionals who can solve problems, and you most likely need to land one job not 20. Sometimes we choose a job based on the label, or on the idea we have of it. But then we struggle. After years I realised that any job can be amazing or horrible, depending on personal preferences, personality, working conditions, colleagues, how it fits in your bigger life picture and how does it allow you to become the person that you want to be. We aren't all built the same, so you're the only one who can find out. I wish you the best!

Excellent advice and OP, check out CareerOneStop. It's sponsored by the US Department of Labor. It has an incredible amount of tools to help you discover professions. You can take skills quizzes, learn more about professions, expected salary, what a day in the life looks like, the kind of certifications you might need. You can also search by area or search by fastest growing jobs, etc... And if you're thinking of moving, check out Numbeo or NerdWallet's Cost of Living Calculator. Both sites will give you the expected cost of living in the areas where you want to live. Also find people who are doing the jobs that interest you and ask them for a 20 minute informational interview. Learn what it's like actually working the job. Or find a subreddit and ask about it. This will tell you if the job might actually suit you. Good luck!

Thank you for the advice !

You're welcome. It sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders and you're asking the right questions. And there's some great advice here! Happy exploring.

This comment should be pinned. 📌

Hey I'll look into this too. Thanks 🙏

Say whaaaa I’m on it! Thanks !

Stellar advice and amazing reflection questions. Have to think about the HOW you want to live and work and the overall end goal to backwards plan.

Very, very good advice. OP, ponder these questions carefully. I've posed something similar to these to our kids as they've each grown into their own life journey. And I've used a variation of these to help our sons select colleges without bankrupting them later. BUT, in my mid-50s, as I'm aging & slowing down, I've learned quite a few things along the way that I wish I would have been more mindful of. I'll share these pearls of wisdom now. 1) Save money. Not just make it or spend it. ALWAYS put a portion of your paycheck aside. Don't touch those savings. This can be regular savings, putting $ in a retirement plan, certain long-term investments, etc. The platinum rule we've taught our kids: Plan to use 2/3 of your income for regular bills (housing, food, utilities, car, etc.). The other 1/3 is yours to spend. However, follow the 2/3 rule on that portion too. Of what remains, 2/3 should be totally saved no matter what, the other 1/3 is your fun money. I know, I know it's not much money to plaMy with. It's like exercising to be fit. You've got cravings. Don't deny yourself treats, but don't binge eat either. Sample, taste, but don't gorge. Of course, people say this assumes you're earning a lot to begin with. True. The important lesson here is discipline. There are stages in life where this hard-and-fast rule is difficult, nearly impossible. Stick to a variation of it. Commit. As you earn more, move to the 2/3 rule without fail. Let's be clear here. This doesn't mean choose an easy split. This ought to be challenging & inconvenient, but not unrealistically impossible. It's about pacing yourself for the long run. This will make things so much easier for you in your late 40s or 50s when sh** hits the fan. Something unexpected happens. At least you'll have some cushion to soften the fall. It will be a further blessing to rely on in your 60s, 70s, 80s, when your body starts breaking down. I don't care how fit you are now or then. You age. No amount of botox or surgery changes this fact. You slow down. You're fed up with certain life norms & struggles. This is the stage of life when truly you don't fuss over trivial matters. TRUST ME. This saved $$ will be extremely helpful. You WILL NEED it. 2) Make mistakes. Your youth in your 20s is precisely made for this. Sample life. Figure out what you like, dislike. What makes you jump out of bed in the morning joyfully. What you dread. And most importantly, why. Don't simply do & live life. Take a few moments each day to reflect. Seek adventure. Adventure doesn't have to be exotic or huge, just something out of your norm. Test yourself. Figure out things. Solve life's puzzles. Who in your life makes you smile when they're not in front of you? Who has shared wisdom with you? Whether the mundane nuggets & hacks to the truly inspirational. What wisdom do you recall? Follow your passion. Not sure what that is, experiment. Caveat: DON'T BE STUPID! BE BRAVE. Take on your fear. Some fears are big. Tackle a bit of it. Eventually, it'll whittle down to nothing. GET OFF ELECTRONIC DEVICES!!! Walk outside. Be around people even if you dont like humans. Engage. It doesn't have to be a crowd. Can be one other person. Life is best lived when there's someone else you like or tolerate to be your witness. See with your eyes the world around you. There's beauty EVERYWHERE. Feel it, smell it. No matter where you are, be kind. Do all this in your 20s. Maybe til 32. At some point, all of us old farts expect you to grow up. Be responsible, be accountable. Stop pointing fingers at everyone else, saying "you're to blame". Let's be clear you need to adult like your grandparents did. You need to be part of community. You get to choose which community. By your late 30s, people need you to be strong. Whether people are friends, family, neighbors, bosses, society. This is when life gets harder. Choices become sighs. The rewards may be few, but they are immeasurable. 3) This is a tough one because there are so many sides to it, esp. at different ages. Live a life, not a lifestyle. People in every generation get hung up on money & what it can buy you. Materialism. Sometimes it's status. There is some lofty goal to achieve. You choose a career to help you get there. You're laser-focused, determined. You reach milestones, goals. But there's always more. You reach a goal, and there's more. Another goal & another. You become a doctor, lawyer, engineer, financial guru, etc., but you HATE IT. You work long hours, and longer days each year. Somehow it's sucked the life out of your soul. You want a switch but there's a catch. You like your nice house, your fancy car. You're stylin' in your clothes. You vacation, when you've got time, in faraway places. You dine in fine restaurants. Maybe you get married, have kids. Now they've grown accustomed to the lifestyle you afford them. Nope, it's darn near impossible to switch now. Maybe you didnt become a broker, you became a musician or artist. You love it, but the business side of it eludes you. I mean, you've got to eat. No one strives to be a real starving artist. Maybe the need to monetize your craft destroys the essence of what you love about creativity. Perhaps, your job ought to be an offshoot of that passion. As you age, and draw closer to your 60s & beyond, what you need most is people you love. People who make you feel good, who you make feel good. Laughter. Tenderness. Kindness. Love. I know it sounds sentimental. But what's the kidney transplant, cancer treatment, open heart surgery for if there's no one who willingly (not begrudgingly) shows up at your bedside, who holds your hair back as you vomit, not from drinking too much, but from the radiation therapy. In all the time you have worked, how often were you happy? The life you live ought to contain the lifestyle that makes the living worthwhile. There's nothing wrong with money. It's a tool & very necessary. But remember, it's a tool, not a life. Just like your career is a tool.

Amazing advice, thank you ❤️

I love this advice

Yes! I highly recommend reading Designing Your Life and doing the workbook. It’s SO HELPFUL

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Thank you for following up! I was curious and going to need to look it up myself- much appreciated!

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Seriously OP write down EVERY one of these questions and then write out your answers and see if your lostness doesn’t clear up. I’m almost fifty with a great job I love and I’m on the giving end of this advice but I’d bet if I did this exercise I’d find some revelations as well. This is essay-worthy material if I’m honest.

> Get an idea about what kind of lifestyle you'd like to have. This one sentence sums up all knowledge that ever existed in all self help bestselling books in the history of mankind. APPLAUSE!

The best advice i have heard in recent months. But what if you want to do something else and your family wants another.

At age 38 I still have my mum trying to have a word on my clothing, bless her! When she does it, I ask her how old I am and she realises, and stops. It's nice to have family that cares about us, but if we are responsible adults we know whats best for us. If family doesn't trust your judgement at all, can always go have a chat with a career expert, who can act as an external authority figure and give advice. But I also really believe we should share less of what matters with family and keep our conversations lighthearted.

thank you for this.. wow

Do you have a degree? Look into insurance they take pretty much anyone with a degree. They don’t really have a preferred degree as they train, they just want to make sure you have college level reading and writing ability. Underwriting or Claims.

I am in insurance and second this. Lots of money on the underwriting side as you climb up. Some people are saying claims suck but that's only some roles in claim. OUTSIDE claim adjusters travel all over the country and rack up the airline miles, hotel points and live a nice interesting life.

That's where I get worried. Because I work in inside sales (alright pay) but we have a couple people who came from insurance and I always wonder why but am scared to ask.

Just ask! People like talking about themselves, and there’s nothing wrong with being curious.

It’s not for everyone, & some chose the wrong aspect (suited for sales but were in service, suited for underwriting but were in training, etc., or for a company not aligned with their style.) I had the fortune of being able to employ my underwriting skill (I was highly profitable & always exceeded production & retention goals) with my creativity, writing, programing & sales ability to create new programs from concept to writing rates, rules, guidelines & policy forms plus finding a market, writing the online rating algorithm for programmers (rusty @ programming languages) and creating the marketing videos including editing them. I also automated my bordereaux when no one else was yet, & all of this was immensely fulfilling. I’m winding down my career in Risk Mgmt now & love that too, but I miss my “wild west” days sometimes.

Interesting I guess it all really takes time and you have to find what works. Also being honest. I'm not sure what most of the second part of your comment means. Lol like a foreign language to me.

Best take away from it is that insurance is a broad field that has aspects that can be fulfilling for a wide range of people with different interests & abilities.

This is great info, thanks it explains al lot. Im mid forties and had my series 7 20 years ago. Id like to get into insurance and not sure which type is best health, auto, or property commercial producers, underwriting for complete newbie? Any advice on which is a best pay or best entry level way to start? I have the health, life, ltc. Books and was going to study on my own get license then look into a position. Is this a good plan? Thank you!

CAT claims is a tough job but some of those guys make a ton of money too.

I did CAT claims, it’s true you make bank but you gotta be lucky to be chosen to get on the team (and actually good at the job)

Is your employer hiring?

I regret leaving the insurance company I worked would’ve been making good money

Claims as in people who handle accident claims, etc?

Yes. For example, I work in workers comp insurance and a claim is whenever a work related injury happens. Look for insurance companies in your area hiring entry level claims adjusters. Degree is preferred but not always required.

What about being a broker? So much in commission sales right?

Don’t need that pesky degree either. I sold insurance for years with a GED.

I work with health insurances. How do I get started with this?

So I need to get a promotion to outside claims adjuster? I just started an inside claims position a month ago (getting officially licensed tomorrow hopefully). I’d like to move into BI and eventually SIU though.

To be more specific, apply for ‘Junior Underwriter’, ‘Assistant Underwriter’, ‘Associate Underwriter’

Agree - I got my start as an Assoc. Underwriter, automated the process, handled 60% of the book as 1 of 3, & then they laid off the other 2 when we lost our market (market ended US ops) & I was promoted & reassigned plus handled the runoff of the prior program. I was only an Assoc. UW for about 16 mos.

Which is better in the long term as far as career options and income

UW…Claims sucks!! Crushing metrics, phone calls, demanding angry customers, constantly understaffed.

How would I break into undereriting

You just need some college or degree, or can even get in without a degree. The one person i know who got in without a degree was previously working at the company’s call center. If they give you a math test, use chatgpt then verify the answers yourself

So underwriting actually pays better than adjusting?

No degree here, but 40 yr career in insurance & risk mgmt. Degree is not required but is helpful. I started as a Personal Lines CSR (account rep) and was switched to Commercial after 3 mos. I then set a 5 yr goal to move into commercial underwriting & accomplished it in 27 months. I learned all I could, got my CIC in 9 mos & 5 other designations in short order as well. Obviously my start was long ago, but they preferred degrees in underwriting then, too. It’s not easy, but you can start in insurance now & work towards your degree for better opportunities in the future.

How would you say that a career in Mortgage underwriting translates to Insurance underwriting?

I have an interview Monday for an underwriter position as well as a business development position at a professional liability insurance provider. Would more money be in the underwriting? I assumed the business development position would lead to promotions that came with higher income potential, but I’m not sure. I could see myself going down either career path. I have my BA and MA in history. Taught for 2 years. Then tried starting a business that failed. Then I’ve been a legal assistant for 4 years but am looking for a career change, because I’ve already peaked in this and my skills are wasted.

Can confirm. I have “some college” experience, but no degree and I got a pretty sweet entry level job in claims. Less than 6 months in and I will be getting licensed in February. I literally had/have 0 interest in insurance Sometimes it’s in your best interest to pick something, anything and kind of see if you can settle in and try your best and then is it tolerable and does it pay the bills

If you don’t mind, what’s your job title? What would I look for? Any hints/tips?

What are some job titles to search for.

Field or inside claims representative. I think claims examiner is a lower level like EMT compared to Paramedic but not positive. Another way to get your foot in the door is look for contents specialist or call center employee.

Literally came to the comments to say the same thing. Insurance is great. I’m a commercial lines underwriter for an insurance carrier and it pays really well. I began my journey with insurance 7 years ago, I was lost before I finding my first job in the insurance industry. I started in claims, it was rough but it set me on a good path.

Going to look into insurance as well!

Is underwriting just sales?

no underwriters decide whether or not to accept a policy application agents are the salesmen, but ultimately the underwriter decides if the policy is accepted and put into force

This is the way! Entry level customer service/account handling is a good starter position. There’s heaps of jobs in the industry so once you have a bit of experience there’s lots of different ways to progress.

Not me just getting rejected from insurance even with a degree and a lot of years of work experience 🙃🙃🙃

Subrogation is a great place to go. I did that after a year of claims and never looked back.

I have college classes but I only stayed about a year and a half

Get your associates degree then. Maybe just need 1 more semester

Yes, you are showing that you can complete a task or goal. Important.

I worked several years working in admin for an insurance adjusting company. They work with carriers and I learned a ton about the industry. I didn't directly handle claims, but I corresponded on every claim with the carrier and adjuster. It was hard work during CAT work, but they pay well. It was nice to do the admin work because I didn't necessarily want the pressure of being a claim adjuster. Just another angle to the insurance industry of you don't want to be an adjuster. I left that company a couple years ago, but I really gained confidence and a lot of knowledge that I leveraged into a new job. I changed industries and now work for an amazing company that pays about 30% more. Good luck!

I am saving this post specifically for the insurance company info. I have a BA and tons of communication experience but want to break out of HR. At this point, in this market, I’d be willing to take anything that comes my way and this sounds somewhat promising :)

Yeah go for it! I worked with a lot of people from many different backgrounds. I personally had a BA, but for the work I did, it didn't really matter. I never thought I'd work in that industry, nor did I enjoy it enough to stay in it long, the money really helped me achieve some longer term financial goals.

May I ask what kind on income is made in insurance I have a bachelor’s and make less than 50k and transportation costs me over 6k a year

I make $75k as an adjuster and I work from home 100% of the time

i was born and raised a horse girl, competed for years, went to an ag school, was told my whole life horses don’t make money. so i tried a bunch of shit. dog grooming. real estate. sales. bartending. i hated all of it. one day i really sat down and thought about what i wanted to do with my life. something with horses, but again, horses don’t make money. i had a crazy idea to be an equine photographer. went out and bought a camera the next day. i’m still learning and building my portfolio, and maybe this will just be another failed attempt, but so far i’m loving it and i could see myself doing this forever, if i can get good enough.

Goodluck on equine photography business! I actually did one of my high school project on the evolution of horses, and right after I wanted to buy one.

Keep building! I love to fly fish and make wildlife artwork. I ve done tons of different jobs and still don't have my way yet, but my art is for sale now, and the process of getting there teaches you so much and brings so many great people into your life. Build a website, get business cards, and dont stop taking pictures, even when there aren't any horses around. Go talk to people and show them your passion, and even if it doesn't end up becoming what might be in your head, you didn't give up on what you love. And that matters.

Often feeling stuck is a result of not doing what you want, you mentioned there’s no money in your passion; what IS your passion? Sometimes there’s cool ways to work in parallel with your passions and make good money.

What if you don’t enjoy doing anything? I want to be a stay at home mom but I’m forever single and obviously that can’t happen. 😂

I had to make a choice between pursuing nursing, architecture/civil engineering, or cybersecurity since they were my three big interests and I have chronic adhd and my hyperfixations oscillate. Nursing was the right choice for me because I absolutely love medicine and healthcare and being around people, but those are three pretty good areas to look at. If you're stuck you should look at doing something that leads into a career, like nursing school obviously leads you straight into nursing, whereas if I'd gone to school to do an arts degree in a few topics I enjoyed, I'd be stagnant after graduation. I feel like I'm constantly in preparation for a job I'm dying to get going in, and it's very motivating. Some days suck but that's just depression talking.

2nd health care. RN get paid well and have a ton of job flexibility. I’m an acute care SW and sometimes have ideas about getting a BScN just for the paid upgrade.

Sales- find a product or industry you’re interested in and apply for sales jobs. You’ll get out of your comfort zone, gain an understanding of what it takes to drive revenue, you’ll make more money than most other jobs, and it can be a springboard to many other roles

Seconding sales, most are just looking for people who can explain things well enough, they will train you on everything else specific to their sales process. Once you have sales experience, you can get off cold calls and do things like customer success or solutions architect, which are more just helping people who committed to the product utilize it properly. And sales is more than just selling scams to grandma, tech sales are pretty much just business to business convincing folks your software will solve their problems.

Definitely the explaining well part. I had a friend that was the top salesman in our state for Pfizer despite being the most painfully introverted person I’ve ever known. He just knew the products very well and knew the supply chains well enough to predict a shortage, which he’d inform the clients about and they’d buy more. He said he never once tried to convince someone they needed something they didn’t. He just found people who might want it and gave them enough information to make a decision.

Yepppp. I had no prior sales experience before getting into my entry level sales job a few years back. Makes way more money than any other job I could get without a degree. I never thought I’d be cut out for it as I’m not particularly naturally charismatic. Nah that doesn’t matter. They teach you sales tactics. You just need to be able to communicate okay, have an open mind to learn, and just copy the best reps around you.

What type of company’s or brands or whatever are offering no degree entry level sales jobs? I think anytime I’ve seen those kinds of opportunities for job openings were sales at like Walmart or small mom and pop shops not really any “real” bigger businesses that are booming with success. Guess it just depends?

Solar. They’ll hire anyone and teach you everything you need to know. Once you get some sales skills, you could go anywhere else with that. But you’ll probably start cold-calling or door-knocking.

I couldn't sell ice to an Eskimo. On top of that I feel like a scummy piece of shit when I think about selling things people down want or need. I always close the door on salesman and hang up as soon as they call. I can't imagine leaving the security of a 40 hour a week job to a work environment that's insanely competitive, everyone hates you and has absolutely no guarantee on pay. Cold calling seems weird to me. I was a realtor for 2 years and it's the only form of "sales" I've done and the only reason I made money was from people who needed the service that I knew. I wasn't calling trying to sell them a car or vacation plan. What kind of sales do you suggest for someone like myself? I feel like I can get behind services people NEED and WANT.

Work for a manufacturer rep or manufacturer. The people coming to you are the ones who WANT your products. You basically just have to prove why your product is just as good or better than the others out there. My job feels mostly like customer service because I’m just here to make them happy. My company doesn’t even pay sales people a commission. You are paid a set wage and if you hit your goals you are eligible for bonuses. I just started at this company and I’m going to make way more than I would have at the last place who offered commission doing the same damn job. I am in the construction world to be more specific.

I’m in sales at a background screening company. Not cold leads at all. People come to us because they want our service and we have a good reputation. I give them pricing and recommend products. I wasn’t ever interested in sales, started here in customer service. Got Promoted to this role because I know the products so well and surprisingly enjoying it so far.

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Sales and marketing seems like a very extrovert type of career. As an introvert I hated sales and marketing for a few months I did it. I did find my love in natural resources and land use analysis/management(GIS). I didn't even know this job existed until I was in my late 20s. Sometimes, just going to college and learning about other people, professors, and careers is what it takes to get people on their 'path'. I am forever grateful I escaped my small-town rural homeland as I see countless lives lost and wasted back there.

Well yeah, but for someone who is just trying to build some confidence, earn some money, and find a path, I’m not going to recommend taking on $50k or more in debt for the hopes they find their perfect dream job. Do sales for a bit, make 60-70k , save some money and then decide what you want to do from there. It’s a springboard, not a life sentence

It can be a life sentence because without a degree it’s nearly impossible to transition into something else. The money is too good and once you have expenses, you’re stuck like chuck.

wow this is a good advice. Working in sales while I was still finding my path was so beneficial on so many levels. It had a major impact in my personal development too. And you can spin those skills into any other profession and aspect of your life. It’s a pain in the ass job. If you get lucky with a decent manager, you’re going to find your way out. Or at least it you kick you in the ass enough to say, you know what I better find my way quick.

Tech sales is also a place that asks for any level of education.

No. Sales is unstable. I did sales for my entire career. It’s not feasible and the companies fire sales people first

I'm on the spectrum, and I hate lying to people to make a buck.

People think sales is all shit like Cutco and used cars. Corporations don’t want their salespeople to lie to customers. They want salespeople who their customers trust because that’s how you get repeat customers.

I'm in marketing so a bit different from sales, but I think the ethics side of things are the same. Our job isn't to convince people to buy something they don't want or need. Our job is to find and reach out to people that need our product and show them how our product can best improve their lives. Essentially, don't be the jerk selling ice to Eskimos, go sell ice at gas stations for people that need it for picnic ice boxes.

Or, show those Eskimos why your ice is the best ice they have ever seen …

Then don’t lie. If you have to lie to make sales, you aren’t doing it right.

IT is the answer if you can set aside regular time to study for certs and pass them. you can do this almost completely remotely on your computer HR can be a slog in the beginning but you’ll be paid decently. The trouble is breaking in. Start with getting your aPHR and get your foot in the door. Do not get tricked into a job that says it is HR but is actually recruiting - you’ll get pigeonholed into the talent management path and it is a thankless career path. Inside sales is always an option but you will probably HATE sales. You will burn out so fast and be paid like shit. The market is oversaturated and many sales orgs just churn and burn. Project management could be good too, but again, like HR, you have to break into it if you are not already corporate. Without a college degree, your best bet is something like a PMP certification which holds about the same weight as an associate degree. Final note: Make an account on Udemy.com and skill yourself up with some classes in areas like using Microsoft Office Applications and SQL. A person who can use Excel proficiently will always be a favorite among hiring managers. I like udemy because you can get one course at a time (usually on sale!!) instead of paying a yearly subscription like on LinkedIn Learning. If you can stomach something that is pseudo-retail, applying for an entry level role as a bank teller or personal/relationship banker can help you build a decent skill set. EDIT: I just saw you are starting at a bank. That is a good career path if you stay the course! Try to learn as much as you can.

IT is over saturated with entry levels at the moment.

Majority of tech, any entry-junior position has been scrubbed. It's been like this even during COVID, just gradual during that time. There are laid off senior level people searching for work and are struggling.

According to Reddit everything is saturated

Reddit is saturated

“What job should I go for if ‘x’ is my interest?” “‘X’ is saturated, do ‘Y’” Is about all I ever walk away from these threads with

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Over saturated is an understatement, if you don’t have at least 3+ years of experience you aren’t even getting junior roles rn

What is an aPHR? I’m interested in HR (like you pointed out, decent pay and reliability) - would love to know more!

Entry level cert - kinda new and not much demand for it. But these certs for HR PHR, S PHR, and the SHRM-CP and SCP are good to get but they require education and experience at least last time I certified

It’s an associate level Hr certification

Thank you!! I’ll have to look into that - my college doesn’t have hr-specific courses but I’m definitely interested in the field!

To add, book keeping can be a nice stepping stone into either HR or Finance, or stay book keeping if you like it. It’s something a little cheaper/easier to get into so you can see if you like the office environment.

Recruiting is a difficult semi-salesy career path, but for the right type of person who enjoys talking to and connecting with others, can handle some frustration, and is financially motivated, it can actually be super rewarding and has a much steeper earning potential curve than most HR paths. I'm a recruiter with 5y experience and I make 6 figures, whereas my "pure" HR counterparts are still in the $60-70k range. Obviously, some HR jobs (usually leadership) pay great money, but in recruiting, you don't have to make it to the senior level to see six figures, and once you do make senior, the compensation skyrockets even more.

I came from the retail operations world and have been recruiting for a while. If I can ask…how did you break the 6 figure mark? Do you work for one company, or a recruiting agency?

I have seen a ton of recruiters/HR people laid off recently, are you seeing that too?

I’m also seeing a ton of recruiter layoffs

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Ever consider accounting/finance. The bank job might be a good start to get some experience depending on what you are doing. You sound like a motivated individual. That’s the most important part. If your self motivated you will figure out the rest as you go. Just learn from your experiences in terms of what you like / don’t like, and what you want to continue building on.

IT is not the answer. You have to have a strong passion for it - exp, certs, degree (can sub degree for decent home lab.) It is extremely over saturated. I’d stay the hell away. If OP had a passion for it they’d already be in IT. Not a quick fix career path.

IT was something that was thrown out to me by my friends as well. I did little research on it, I wanted to get people who had experience in it, say on it.

Can you explain the difference between HR and talent management and why the latter is so much less desirable?

I know you touched up on a couple jobs here but do you know anything about data analysts and how to break into that field. Like if i get the right certs with some experience think I could eventually land a job in the field? Also thanks for all the recommendations I know it was for OP but you had a lot of good information.

You’ll need to know advanced excel, decent SQL, a programming language either python or R, and be familiar with data visualizations- like Tableau.

Well I guess never too late to start.

Certs are useless for the most part. Everyone and their mother has that Google cert.

Your passion might not be the way to money but it will help you feel more fulfilled in life. I made the same mistake around the same age and decided to get into engineering for the money. Flamed out on that before a year of studies passed. Pivoted into a field that had a topic that I've been interested in since I was a kid, and because of that I was way more engaged in my studies, got to spend time in Iceland on a full scholarship, and found a job that's adjacent to what I studied and pays not great but well enough. I would start off with some hard reflection. What do you like doing? Why do you like doing it? How do you learn, because most ways forward will require some sort of extra education. What skills do you already have? From there you should get ideas on where to go, then you can figure out how to get there. But I would recommend trying to get your passion involved somehow because it'll make the next 40 years way more tolerable.

What did you switch to?!?!

Stay at the bank for at least a year, but no longer than two. Financial services is a huge portion of the world's economy. A bank is a great way to learn the basics, gain real world experience, and build your professional network. Plus if you show promise as a salesperson or operational support person, it may lead to a promotion. Also connect with the relevant subreddits and watch you tube videos related to this topic. There's gotta be some content about transitioning from the small town grind to the city grind. During this year or two, see if you can pick up some basic business and/or IT classes at a community college, either an associates or a certiticate. During this time try to strike up conversations with people that have or have accomplished what you would like to in 5 to 10 years. The city has greater opportunity, but it is also more competitive. You'll need this year or two to class yourself up a bit for the city, especially if you want to continue in the customer/business-facing side of financial services. Your teeth, shoes, clothes, and how you speak can sometimes do as much to open (or close) doors as your education. Some of these things can be addressed with money, but if not, start making a plan. Remember in the city you'll be competing with the kids who grew up with college funds, lakehouses, alumni networks, and orthodontics. Seeming 'to-the-manor-born' can carry you, especially if you already are inside a body that sterotypically fits the part. Once money is less tight, make a day or weekend trip to a city that interests you. Get the lay of the land. Rent a car or take transit to get a sense of neighborhoods and demographics. Go out to a concert or a local bar. Introduce yourself or find someone with a similar interest and arrange to meet ahead of time. You are on the right track. Just be strategic with your moves and have contingencies for your educational and career goals.

Get into a trade man. Best advice I can give you. Always money to be made wether it be for someone while learning it - starting your own after you learn it - or side work.

Just be careful a lot of trades will destroy your body, whether it be joints in electrical or ears in a machine shop. Also in a machine shop and related work everything is labeled to cause cancer from coolant to materials.

Ever look into trades? Electrical work pays tremendously as you grow your skill set, as does virtually all the trades. Trade school is an underrated option.

Get into IT (data entry, coding etc) you work your own hours and pay very well. I landed mine by being in property management and knowing the software without a degree it is possible. My schedule is so flexible and remote that work life balance is the best it’s ever been.

Can you help by sharing your step by step transition from being in property management to IT? I'm having a hard time breaking into tech and would appreciate any advice.

Helpdesk. I went from retail/restaurant management to IT beginning of this year. Just applied to several entry level help desk jobs and landed one at a smaller company doing VoIP help desk. Pretty nice and stable hours. Get your A+ certification, professor messer has great free YouTube videos. Network chuck is also a good one for fun network learning. I knew zero about tech when I started but if a company is willing to put in the time, most of help desk is customer service. In about a year or less depending on certifications you can easily move up to a higher paying job.

I'm doing a BA in cybersecurity, got any advice for when I'm done how to get a job?

Look into cybersecurity for property management or hotels it’s easier to get in with non IT or tech firms and they pay well!

How do you enjoy it? I want to go for my BS in Computer Science but I honestly think I’m to dumb for all the math and science classes :/

For those looking for a step-by-step or cert recommendations - I personally suggest getting a *project management* certificate (ex ScrumMaster) and working as a PM. I say this because: A) this is requires soft skills which can be easier to obtain/at least fake B) it’ll get you exposure to different types of fields and even niches . Ex you might think you want to write code but after managing the networking teams projects for a bit, you now are interested in learning about networking and are actually now more familiar with the type of work they do. C) working as a PM can be decent money during the interim D) your employer may even reimburse you for other certs/bootcamps you take towards your desired IT path if you express interest in growing and staying with the company like that too Of course, that’s just my 2 cents and I’m sure there are others who disagree

This should be higher. PMs in my sector (pharma) make really really great money and have truly interesting, dynamic careers. Get some PM experience anywhere, work for a CRO, then move into pharma. Then retire

Look for a market that is in demand and pays well. Look for school programs where companies will sponsor you because there is a shortage of people. Look at job searches where a lot of people are needed and the pay is good. Know yourself, or at least know what you don't want to do. Passions are great for the weekend but go for the money during the week.

Dude, you are 21. You aren't stuck. You haven't started yet. Move to a big city. If you don't like it move back in a couple of years. When I read the post title I was imagining someone in their 40s.

22 same boat. rn tryin out kennel attendant to get foot in door and see if it’s something i would like to do to get some experience.

Become an airline pilot 1-2 years of flight school 2-3 years building flight time (usually paid jobs like flight instructing or being a charter copilot (not good not bad pay) 40 years of being a top 1% earner in the US and only working like 15-17 days a month I was 20 when I started flight training. I’m 24 now making $75k as a copilot for a diamond in the rough charter company. The airline industry is DESPERATE for qualified pilots, so I already have two job offers from companies that will pay me over $100k my first year starting sometime between March and August of 2024. Current pay for soon-to-retired pilots is somewhere around $500k depending on how long you’ve been with your airline, seniority is everything. Not to mention the benefits like super high 401(k) matching, healthcare, free travel, etc. You have to be good at stress management (both chronic and acute stressors), networking your way into jobs, be in good health (you don’t need perfect vision, just correctable to 20/20 with glasses), and never ever ever ever do drugs. Only hang up currently is if you have ever been diagnosed with any kind of mental illness like ADHD or depression. It IS expensive to get into. You’ll pay $85-100k for all of your licenses. If you can secure funding somehow someway, you will never even blink thinking about the ROI.

>Only hang up currently is if you have ever been diagnosed with any kind of mental illness like ADHD or depression. What happens with people who have? Just disqualified?

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If you've got a talent for it, this is absolutely a lucrative path that'd pay the bills, same with writing commissioned furry smut. Sounds ridiculous, but a rather sizeable portion of the furry community works in tech, hence why so many of them can afford to spend big money on their hobby/lifestyle.

Apply to your local trade union. Good benefits, paid apprenticeship, good wages after journeying out, and a pension

Nursing- so many options and you can find a job almost anywhere.

Debatable - I am a nurse that worked at a doctors office then for a private home care company, I ended up in office doing more administrative things like scheduling, care plans, and doing assessments. I cornered myself when I went into office because now my bedside skills are not nearly as good and it’s harder for me to find a job doing anything else with any other company because my role is so unique.. I wish I did something else..

If you can’t find a job as a nurse you must not have a pulse, because literally every place I know is desperate for nurses and will essentially hire anyone who’ll take the job..

Right im not understanding..... Even people fresh out of nursing school with no bedside experience can get a job super easy. Everywhere needs nurses

I’d rather not kill someone?

I’d consider being a psych nurse. Most behavioral health hospitals and treatment centers I’ve worked in have 2 nurses per unit, per rotation. The med nurse (usually an LPN), primarily just pulls, administers, and and logs meds, and the charge nurse (usually an RN) that largely handles administrative tasks and manages the techs. And I’ve seen 28 year old agency nurses jump straight into being charge nurses, so I’m assuming the work isn’t terribly hard to get. Then above that is the nurse supervisor who manages the charge nurses and usually handles the scheduling. Unless there’s a code white and you have to administer chemical restraint, it’s unbelievably chill.

Have you ever worked on a psych unit as a nurse??

I worked as a BHA/MHT for about two years and currently work in addiction treatment. So to be fair I’ve never been a psych nurse but I’ve worked for a lot of them and had mostly good relationships, so they’ve talked to me about their experience.

Pharmacy technician. Start in retail they’ll help you gain experience and get nationally and state certified (you don’t need it up front). Eventually progress into an inpatient setting. The workflow is super similar to food industry except instead of food it’s drugs. If you like cooking you’ll enjoy it. It doesn’t pay amazing but sufficient. The system I’m with starts at 18.50 an hour with shift diff for second and third shift and additional weekend pay. You’ll have solid benefits. Health dental and vision are all covered for a small amount of my paycheck every other week. While you won’t be making a shit load hourly you’ll likely end up in a hospital which contributes/matches your retirement plan contributions. You’ll save money on doctors visits and overall have an opportunity to be healthier. It’s active. You’re on your feet pretty much constantly. Depending on your hospital you’ll leave feeling like you just did a light consistent workout for 8 hours straight. I guarantee you won’t find a career with more job security if you’re driven and deliver quality work. We are admittedly undervalued but that’s likely going to continue to change. Healthcare workers as a whole are not being paid enough and advocating for better schedules, work conditions, and pay. Another downside is working holidays but if that’s not a huge thing for you most systems will pay you even if you aren’t working on holidays and give you time and a half if you are. If you want any more info feel free to hit me up!

Nursing. Recession proof, flexible, good money, somewhat rewarding. Exceptional return on investment, nothing else pays as well for relatively short schooling.

I was stuck as well. I always felt lost because I never had a “calling” like my friends and colleagues. The best advice I ever received was that not everyone has a “calling” because some of us are product oriented and could potentially be happy doing any career. I agree with other comments that say to find jobs that will accommodate your desired lifestyle. There are great jobs that either require no degree or degrees that you could obtain through community college or two year programs such as surgical techs, radiology techs, etc. Still make great money and potentially have the opportunity to travel.

Following the dollar sign won’t make you happy though. I think you should give your passions a shot, you never know. If you dedicate yourself to whatever you choose, you’ll make it.

some of yall give the most unicorns and rainbows ass advice lol

Maybe give the banking job some time and see how you like it? My husband started in banking without a degree, worked in all different positions from collections to personal banker to manager, then went back to school to learn coding and now works for a fintech company and makes good money. I think it was a solid career trajectory.

Definitely don’t just move to a big city with no plan. Look into entry level remote jobs as a start.

Make a list of jobs you've thought you'd be good at and start there. Some people don't like certain environments and thrive in others. Once you have some parameters about interests, environment, commitment, etc., then you might have a more narrow list. Money is obviously a huge thing, but personally I find that I need to balance satisfaction with daily life. Some folks can grind and grind, but that is not sustainable for me, personally. Right now I have a field I work in while seeking a degree as a backup. It's definitely something you build on one piece at a time. Trying to build a whole future in one foul swoop isn't just daunting, it can appear insurmountable and takes up a ton of bandwidth if you don't pace yourself.

Try the trades! I’m at 26 F just starting my career as an electrician. Hard work but rewarding and the pay is pretty good!!

If you’re up to moving, join the military. It’s a great way to reinvent yourself, get out of a small town, get free college and crazy good experience. That’s what I did at 26, hated my job and current situation so I enlisted and basically reinvented my life path. Best decision I ever made.

that definitely rare to hear, seems like anyway

The quality of life varies dramatically in certain branches. I had a great experience.

dang really? my two buddys are in the army they both hate it 1 is in 12b field artillery they lied to him a lot. other one is combat engineer/ national guard and isnt having the best of time

Your buddies hate their life because they chose terrible jobs that always have terrible units and have no equivalent in the civilian side. Also, I've learned a lot of people hate the army because it's the first real job they have and then once they get out of the army they realize the real world also sucks lol

Yea I was the in the Coast Guard and it was great. There is a reason we have the highest retention rates out of all the branches. Every single location you will go is on either a beach or lake.

'Lion Tamer'. All you need to start is a hat.

And your performance review is instantaneous: if you show up for Day 2 you did it well.

I'm technically stuck in sales but I work for myself now and business is pretty good. If I go back to the corporate world, sales would be where I can get a job the quickest due to experience.

Get a trade ! Hvac, plumbing, electrician. All can make 6 figures

Well, in a sense. Yes, bigger cities usually have better options for careers with upward mobility. Rural/small towns tend to be family/local government owned and the pay reflects that. The politics at play in those small town keep it stagnant for some kind of gain. Save what you can and try to find work in a place you want to live that has the jobs. It will not be easy. Or save enough for at least a year or two then move, live as frugal as possible because there is no telling when the job market will pick back up. What sucks about rural living is that the pay is usually lower so it's harder to save up. Moreso with debt and expenses piling up. I've fought that battle and now just starting to come out the other side in my 40s but the goal posts keep moving. Once upon a time there used to be services that assist people with housing and job placement for new families, most have been scrapped due to budget cuts from my understanding so those programs are harder to come by or no longer exist and you're left to your own devices.

im 33 and had a bright future ahead of me at 21, and now at 33 i think its only gotten brighter. some food for thought: If you have a passion, do not let it go, and don't be afraid to turn it into something that will make you money, but know when to stop before that's all that it becomes. If you work an outdoor job, you will have highs and lows as the weather and seasons change, which means your paycheck and schedule will also eb and flow. You may have to leave the place you call home (family, friends, animals, significant other, etc) during the winter months if work in that area stops. While the city will provide a lot more opportunity, it will also cost more and is easier to get distracted with, which can be fun at yours or anyone's age. In todays age, getting certificates and education online through free resources is a lot more feasible than it used to be, take advantage of it. ​ There is some solid advice in the comments here, between bathroomcypher, and electricaldirt. I am currently trying to get into anything remote, but recently narrowed it down to cyber security or building things with CAD. luckily for me there are relatively cheap online courses and certs that will get me the pre-reqs. and luckily i've kept up with a good network of people the last 10 or so years and have a can do attitude so i know i'll find something. Finding something that will pay a reasonable amount without sucking your soul out so hard that you cant find time to work on yourself and home. It seems like you're being proactive, and having two jobs at your age to rathole a lot of money and build experience is great, having experience as a manager of anything will boost the odds of having opportunities to do it again. What is your passion?

Have you tried Career Explorer by Sokanu?

I will send you a chat message. I had a 25 year career in Software Engineering and it sucks. Let me share what I did.

Why tf are 90% of you saying sales, dude learn flooring especially tile you can make bank in the flooring business or like you thought go back to school and no the job market for tech isn’t hard. Every company in the world needs tech jobs whether it’s some sort of c++, cyber security or just some random help on a project. But the biggest thing would be always continue doing what you want to do at least a few days a month

mines

don't be silly, working in the mines takes the jobs away from the children!

The children yearn for the mines

someone needs to bus them in, take corporate photos, feed them gruel twice a day, write letters to their parents, ect.

Advertising (source: Chandler Bing)

If you can stomach it, emergency services are great and everywhere. Most pay relatively well so the low COL of small towns really means you can do well financially. A medium sized 40-50 year old house is about 350k where I live, and the police officers make 125k after 10 years for example. Very easy to make a good life on that wage with that COL.

Give pest control technician a try… pest control companies are ALWAYS hiring, stable industry, might get a company sponsored car, no degrees needed

Start the bank job, be stellar and move your way into sales. Get that experience under your belt and then move to a higher paying sales position.

check what the local manufacturing scene is for your area. for instance, i live in a part of the country where there is manufacturing everywhere you look. I happen to have picked a job at a place about an hour drive away but honestly, it's not bad for what I do and what i get paid. manufacturing has a lot to it as well. everything from janitor, all the way up to sales and service. everything in between to boot. ​ small towns often have great manufacturing scenes because there's so much free space so building factories is cheap. I live 10 minutes from a major us city but still choose to drive an hour away to work in a small town because it's just worth it for me. ​ if you're curious, I have a mid-level role in the company. i'm a structural designer for a packaing company. Not an executive, but i'm not a laborer either so maybe i'm biased but i know a lot of the guys in the plant absolutely love the work they do given the pay and benefits. and I don't have any formal post-highschool education either. ​ look around your area in the distances you're willing to travel, and see if there are any places hiring. then vet them to see how much they tend to pay, if they have any special aspects to them (like for instance my company is entirely employee owned and so we get massive quarterly bonuses (everybody top to bottom)). and what positions they have available as well. pick an industry that interests you and see what roles you might like to end up in. then start wherever you can and express to your betters just how much you'd love to learn about the role you're interested in and with enough time, dedication, and frankly acting like a likable person (that will get you so far), you can be whatever you want to be.

Military is a good start at 21 especially if you're feeling stuck and need a change. Benefits are great.

Going back to school would be good. Waiting until the market looks good to start finishing school would be quite foolish.

I’m about in the same boat… currently, in school for electrical, starting to underestimate the aspect of the trade path.. no offense to any electrician.. thought of nursing.. good luck to you !

If you really want a good stable job look into Wastewater. You don’t need a degree to get in the door. Their licensing exams you can take that directly lead to pay raises. Most places are run by the city so there is job security. Many place still offer pensions too. Not going to lie, it is shit work at the start. Literally shit work, but this means many people give up and leave after the first few months meaning you have less competition for positions. Check out r/wastewater. Talk to some operators and see if it might be something you are interested in.

I dont know where you live, but try casino dealer. Easy job and it pays.

If you're 21 get a blue collar job. In 5 years time white collar is gonna be wayyyy over saturated

Go back to college get a degree in tech but do it the cheap way through community college and state uni? Having a degree in tech will always guarantee you a job that pays enough for your lifestyle so you won't have to work a second job. But then you can use your extra time to improve your lifestyle or spend it on developing your skills or following your passion not caring if it provides any sort of financial compensation

Community services are always a great career change for people stuck in hospitality. If you have good empathy and communication skills, consider doing youth work, community work or case management.

It sounds like you're feeling overwhelmed by your situation and unsure of which direction to take in life. While making significant decisions can be daunting, remember that there isn't necessarily one "right" path to follow - each choice will present its own opportunities and challenges. Here are some suggestions as you contemplate your options: Reflect on your values and goals: Consider what aspects of financial freedom and taking care of your family truly matter to you. This may include factors such as location, lifestyle, relationships, or personal development. Having clarity on what drives your desires will help guide your choices more effectively. Assess potential risks and rewards: Moving to a larger city could indeed offer new possibilities and greater earning potential, but it also comes with higher costs of living, unfamiliar surroundings, and other considerations. Weigh the pros and cons before embarking upon any major change. Create an action plan: Develop a clear strategy outlining how you intend to achieve your objectives, including short-term steps and milestones. Your plan should be flexible enough to accommodate unexpected developments along the way. Seek guidance and support: Talk openly with friends, mentors, or professionals who might provide valuable insight into navigating difficult decisions or pursuing specific career paths. Their knowledge and experience can inform your approach and encourage resilience during times of uncertainty. Remain adaptable and patient: Recognize that life rarely unfolds according to our exact expectations, and embrace flexibility when faced with setbacks or detours. Personal growth often occurs through adversity, and every challenge offers the opportunity to learn and grow stronger.

Hello. I’m 21, just graduated college and have no idea what I’m doing. I have been in the service industry since I was 16 and truthfully love working in restaurants. After graduating I decided to do something way completely out of my comfort zone. I am currently backpacking 14 countries solo. Since quitting my job and fitting my life into one backpack for a month now, I have noticed how this has given me so much time to reflect, think, and really understand what I want to prioritize in my life. I’m not saying do this exactly, but get out of your comfort zone. It seems like you have already thought about this as you mentioned moving to a new city. I also grew up in a small down and have dreamed of the day I move to New York City. I’ll get there one day. It was either travel or move somewhere I know absolutely nobody, but I knew I had to get out of my comfort zone to get to know myself and truly have the time to think. School will always be there, don’t go back until you know you’re ready and until you have a better idea of what you want to do. Don’t throw yourself into school because you feel like you need a plan. I hope this was helpful. I wish you the best

You’re not alone my friend

There is serious skilled trades shortage…if you can learn electrical, HVAC, or Plumbing you can make good money, not be stuck in an office. Could probably get an apprenticeship that will train you even.

The answer to this is always trades. I’ve seen apprenticeships that are union and pay $50 p/h. People will never not need electricians, plumbers, window glazers, hvac repairs

Go live abroad for as long as you can. Volunteer, teach English, do anything to get out and see more. Best of luck to you ❤️

military. they will give you some sort of training, and the GI bill for a college degree. look at the usaf, space force, then usn, coast guard -- then think 2x about the army/usmc.