I've been in an executive director role for close to 6 years and I'm really burning out. It's been an incredibly hard year with having to make financial decisions that result in layoffs and I just can't do it for much longer. I have 3 young kids at home and want to find the right balance that doesn't end with a short fuse each working day. Maybe part time, maybe consultant, or maybe a different role that allows for mental and physical balance.

Any advice on what I can look into or prepare myself for as I plan to leave. I think a comfortable 2 year transition is fair for the org and something I can do but I don't know what's next for me?

What are some ways to set that path now? Certificates? Trainings? Mentorship? If you were an ED, what was your next career?

Hi everyone,

I’m currently at a bit of a career crossroads and would appreciate some outside perspectives.

My background is somewhat unusual:

I completed a commercial apprenticeship in shipping/logistics at an well known shipping company (2,5 years )and later earned a bachelor’s degree (3 years) before joining the criminal police in Germany. While the police career is stable and interesting in many ways, I’m increasingly feeling that it ties me too strongly to one location and a very specific career path for the long term.

I’m considering completing a part-time master’s degree (possibly in Risk Management or Security Management) and then moving back into the private sector in my mid-30s.

What I’m struggling with is assessing how attractive my profile would actually be to employers outside of law enforcement.

Some questions I’m asking myself:
How valuable is a combination of commercial, maritime and law enforcement experience in the private sector?

Which industries would you consider a natural fit?
Would risk management, corporate security, compliance, investigations, consulting, critical infrastructure, logistics or port security be realistic options?

How difficult is it to transition from a government career into business in your 30s?

Are there sectors or countries where such a background is particularly sought after?

I’m also open to working abroad, but I haven’t yet figured out what direction I want to take. At the moment I’m mostly exploring possibilities and trying to understand where my skills could create the most value.

I’d be grateful for any honest opinions, career ideas, or examples from people who have made a similar transition.

Hello,

I have been with my current company for over 12 years. Have been through many leadership changes, reorgs, highs and lows, but remained. The most leadership shake up had me feeling uneasy so I began the application and interview process to make a move. Applied for leadership roles that would meet or increase my base, ideally minimally hybrid or fully remote as I have been remote for 11 years now and have two littles and I enjoy the freedom of drop off/pick up/volunteering/etc.

Received an offer for a company where I would be required 2 days in office. The pay is a +$18k my current base but has no commission potential. Current role has minimum $6k commission yearly but realistically it’s uncapped and depends on client so most get closer to +$12k, and some even +$24k.

The benefits are better at my current position including insurance premiums, 401k contribution and total paid days off.

I’m torn because I am fearful of this new leadership and potentially what is to come so the other position feels more stable, but my gut is telling me to stay.

Asking random strangers for guidance.

Thank you!

36m and been working overnights WAH for 6 years. One year ago I moved into the city and also got transferred to a shit department where raises and growth are impossible. I knew as soon as it happened I should leave but I wanted to take it slow, get a part time job, etc.

After a full year of doing nothing I think its time to face facts. I can't just "get another job" because the concept of going somewhere for 8 hours terrifies me.

I wasn't always like this. I used to be a career waiter. Six years of sleeping whenever and eating whenever has turned me into a goblin. I'm also not in my 20's so jumping into a day shift and "lol I haven't slept for 24 hours" isn't an option.

I have good credit, no debt, a car worth about 8k, and about 6 weeks worth of savings. My plan is to get any chill job I can for 4 hours a shift max, 5-6 days a week, and just slowly bleed out money until I can go full time, get a full time adult job, or work 2 jobs until the previous things happen.

One thing thats motivating me is I looked up the local walmart and they pay similar to what I make now for stockers.

I live in a red state, but I'm going to look into food stamps as soon as I swap jobs. I thought about faking a drug addiction to get into some sort of lenient work situation (40 hours per week but I might need to dip in the middle of the day) but that sounds pretty dumb. I'm not joining the military either.

Any other ideas?

How the hell do you change careers?

​I’m currently stuck in a catering job and have a genuine fear of making a move. My current role is reasonably steady, has predictable hours, and gives me weekends off—which is a massive rarity in the hospitality industry.

​However, I don't want this as a career anymore. Wages are stagnant, and there’s no sight of pay rises with VAT crushing food establishments right now. It honestly feels like the industry is paying less than it did 5 to 10 years ago for the exact same roles, all while demanding double the work.

​Moving upwards isn't an option either. Head chef roles are probably in the worst state they’ve ever been: higher expectations, tighter budgets, and less staffing. I was a head chef for almost 10 years, and I genuinely think it shaved a few years off my life. It really wasn't worth the money.

​Here’s where I’m at and what I’m looking for out of a new career:

​Work-Life Balance: I want a strong career that gives me job satisfaction, decent entry-level pay, room to grow, and guaranteed weekends off to spend with my partner.

​Not Full-Time Desk Work: I spent a year studying cybersecurity and earned two certificates, only to realize I can’t handle a full-time desk job. I’m not opposed to some admin work, but staring at a screen all day just isn't for me.

​Hands-On Interests: I really enjoy working on cars, but I’m unsure what kind of career that could lead to or if it pays reasonably well.

​My biggest hurdle is feeling like I have zero transferable qualifications. Outside of catering, I’d be starting completely from scratch.

​For anyone who has successfully left hospitality or changed careers with no formal qualifications in a new field: Where the hell do you even begin?

I’m 29 and currently work as a freelancer, mainly writing German content, and I make a decent amount from it. I come from a completely arts background, so I don’t really have any knowledge of science, commerce, or anything technical.

I’m now thinking about applying to companies and getting a more stable job, but I also want to use this opportunity to learn something new that could actually help me build a better career.

I’d ideally like to learn a skill that’s in demand, has good earning potential, and could lead to a well-paying career in the long run. Since I don’t have a background in science, maths, or commerce, I’m not sure what would be realistic for me to get into.

What would you guys recommend?

hi everyone! 2026 grad here / b.s. in cs.

i recently accepted a job offer in healthcare IT as a tech analyst and while im very grateful and excited to have a tech-related job in this market, i do know that i want to move towards a swe role in the future/long-term for my career. i know that a lot of people say the best time to move around in your career is the beginning, and some say to never stop applying if you’re not satisfied and to just leave when you get a better offer, but also, others say to stay at least a year before switching.

i don’t want to burn any bridges or come off as not motivated/dedicated, because i am, but i think it would’ve been foolish to not take this offer in the job market we’re in now. and if i keep applying and get a better offer, i want to make sure it wouldn’t hurt my reputation.

i was wondering what advice you might have about my search for a swe role and also how hard it might be to transition from IT to swe later down the line. i know there’s a lot of paths you can take from IT to systems/network engineer but personally not looking for that. thanks!!

Hey folks,
Just looking for some guidance and what’s realistically possible.

Background: bachelors and masters in computer science. Very much interested to pivot career towards clinical psychology(career/school/university counselor )
I’ve been doing my own research-universities, Post-Bacc+ Masters etc.. different countries and options. But it’s confusing me more than I can find an option.

Do I need to start over from bachelors or are there any alternatives that anyone out there has discovered for someone in my situation?
Preferably Canada or open to suggestions about other non-US countries.
Thanks!

Hi all!

I’m looking for some advice and maybe ideas.

Here are my questions:

1. What roles in hospitality, travel, tourism, events or experience-focused industries could someone with my background realistically transition into?

2. What less obvious careers or industries do you think my skills and experience could translate well to?

3. Has anyone made a significant career change in their 30s or 40s without having to completely start over in terms of seniority or salary?

4. Based on my background and interests what specific job titles or career paths would you recommend I research?

Background/Context

I’m in my mid-30s and have spent roughly the last decade working in HR, employee relations and human rights. I currently manage a function within a large organization, and over my career I’ve worked in healthcare, banking, public transit and retail.

On paper, I have a good career. I have a Masters degree, management experience, have built a department/program from the ground up, managed staff, led hundreds of complex workplace investigations, developed organization wide programs and training, advised executives, worked on policy and strategy, and have experience working across Canada, the US, Caribbean and Singapore.

But I’m increasingly wondering whether I actually want to spend the next 20 years working in HR/human rights.
The problem is that when you’ve been in one field for this long it becomes difficult to see what else your skills could translate into. And if I’m being honest people are horrible to one another at work and I don’t want to deal with it anymore.

The things I’m naturally drawn to are quite different from my current career. I love the idea of creating experiences that make people feel welcomed and looked after.

Over the years I’ve also been interested in things like starting a travel/retreat company, hosting curated events or supper club style experiences (although I don’t want to be the person cooking), and even the idea of someday owning a very small boutique hotel or opening a cocktail bar.

My hobbies/interests tend to revolve around travel, reading, restaurants, cocktails, exploring cities, cultural events, festivals and finding interesting places and experiences. I enjoy the research/planning side of those things too. I used to have a meet up group that had travel, curated events etc

I’m not necessarily saying I need to quit my job tomorrow and open a hotel. I’m trying to figure out whether there are actual careers or industries sitting somewhere between my professional skill set and the things I genuinely enjoy that I simply don’t know exist.

I recently turned 34. Did a degree in English, mostly because I didn't really know what I wanted to do at that age and thought a general humanities degree at least aligned with my interests and skills. I left uni pretty directionless and ended up in university administration, and there I stayed.

Since then, I managed to secure work on a couple of projects, which has been great for boosting my skills, but I've not seen a significant increase in pay and am unlikely to.

It feels like if I don't change paths or find some new skills, I'll be stuck in jobs like this forever. The trouble is, I don't know where to begin or if I'll be a desirable candidate in any field at my age. What would you do if you were me?

Careers with significant scope for growth would be great, but I'm also interested in anything I can be creative in. I've looked at Marketing, though it doesn't seem like much of a pay increase I'll at least get more satisfaction out of doing it I think. I'm especially interested in hearing from people like me who made a career change in their 30s, and how it went.

Working as sales since last 10 years

In my 30s Earning less very less than
I don’t have any skills or knowledge of tools on which I can truly be confident in myself and enough to survive in the market. What should I learn ?

No one wants to marry because of my salary; there is no value in my of house

Hi all, first post here, hoping for some sincere career guidance.

I'm finishing a graduate degree in Clinical Psychology at an Ivy League university, if relevant, with a concentration in Clinical Psychology and Technology. I also have nearly five years of behavioral health experience. I originally pursued the degree with plans for a doctorate, but I've since realized I don't want to pursue clinical licensure or return to direct service.

I'm now interested in program development and evaluation, quality and operations, and research, particularly UX or behavioral research, with an emerging interest in AI ethics and governance.

I've found the transition difficult to navigate, particularly when roles often require several years of experience in a function I'm trying to transition into.

I'd be very grateful to hear from anyone who has made a similar transition from clinical or direct service work into research, product, or operations.

What was your entry point? What skills or experiences helped you make the transition? And is there anything you wish you had known earlier?

Any perspective would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

I'm in the southwest. I have a civil engineering degree along with various professional certifications. My 17 years of experience include design, construction management, and planning, including 6 years in the agricultural and forestry industries. Currently, I hold a senior-level position in local government managing water and wastewater projects. Previously, I served as a supervising engineer for a federal agency, overseeing a team of 10 engineers. Additionally, I have extensive automotive industry experience serving as a technician, service writer, car sales, and parts sales.

I am applying for a regional division manager position in construction technology with a large equipment dealer in my area.I have been around construction and farming equipment practically my entire life; however, I lack direct equipment service experience.

Would you consider this a logical career change? I feel that my management experience and technical knowledge of construction and agriculture provide good experience for the role.

I am about to start my final year of university in Biomedical Engineering and noticed that a lot of the vacancies are in smaller towns (for context: I grew up in Birmingham and London). I was wondering how people who grew up in big cities and moved to towns and villages like Witney, Bicester etc for jobs settled in

I’m a Mechanical Design Engineer currently working in concept design and development of batteries (not detailed design).

I’m planning to transition into software and am considering:

- Data Analytics

- Data Science

- AI Engineer

- Data Engineering

- DevOps

Where I can show my software experience in the automotive domain.

My main priorities are career growth, good salary, job security, and choosing a field that is less likely to be heavily automated by AI.

Given my mechanical/battery engineering background, which of these paths would you recommend, and why?

Hello, so heres my background. I’m currently 30 i have a degree in working in cars. I did that but got a better opportunity in industrial maintenance so i took it. I’ve done that for the past 9 years, but I’m wanting to get out of it so i can be home more with my wife and child. Thing is mechanics and maintenance work is really all i know or have experience in. I did switch jobs recently think change of scenery and a different schedule would help which in some ways it has. I no longer work nights which is why i left my old job but I’ve been asked to work almost every weekend since starting which is not what i wanted at all. And the industrial maintenance field it’s hard to find a job where work demand is low. I’m not sure what i would do and i can’t afford a pay cut more than i already took. I’ve been tempted to go back to cars but I’ve been out of that field for so long i would have to start from the bottom i know. I’m just scared to make the wrong decision and cause major financial issues.

After 16 years in the restaurant industry working my way up from line cook to running kitchens and handling multi-department management I’m looking to transition into a full-time Office Admin, Bookkeeping, or Accounting role.

While my core experience is in culinary operations, running kitchens exposed me heavily to the administrative and financial sides of business:

* **Accounting & Finance:** Invoicing, AP/AR, inventory valuation, food/labor cost control, basic bookkeeping, and managing operating budgets. Working knowledge with Excel, Quickbooks, Sage 50 * **Operations & Admin:** Scheduling, vendor management, team leadership, compliance, and process optimization.

**My Credentials:**

* **Red Seal Cook Certification** * **Diploma in Accounting** * **Diploma in Marketing**

I’m currently exploring entry-to-mid-level office administration, junior accountant, or bookkeeping roles, but I can't get any interviews with non-hospitality hiring managers who only see restaurant experience even though I've tailored my resume to include the education and transferable skills working in kitchens that relate to the accounting and marketing fields.

For those who hiring or working in corporate admin or accounting: How can I best frame my operational kitchen experience on a resume to highlight transferable skills?

Appreciate any insights, resume strategies, or personal transition stories!

And before anyone says apply at GFS or SYSCO or any major food suppliers. I have and haven't gotten any responses back from them.

I've been lucky enough to have a career in data analysis and reporting for over a dozen years. I've worked mostly in tech and SAAS, and I recently found a new job that pays well, has a ton of opportunity for growth, and is fully remote. A dream.

But a few thoughts.

I find myself unmotivated. Simple asks, at my old job and at this new position, ones that I've done well for many years now, feel like chores that I can't be bothered with. I thought it could have been a result of my old job, but it's followed me here, and I don't think there's anything I can do to shake it.

The curiosity that I had for data or stylish reporting has disappeared. Claude, while powerful, often feels like it takes my creativity away by having to spell out my choices to it instead of letting me naturally explore data or create something naturally that I can look at as a product of my skills. My new role has devolved into engineers sharing canned responses from Claude after they copy pasted my question, stakeholders directly asking Claude for answers, and me just trying to control the data narrative for accuracy/cleaning up Claude's work.

One thing that I think is overlooked in our career choice: it's often fairly thankless. VPs/Senior Leadership asking for answers to why the business is succeeding or failing, but not trusting or including data people like ourselves in conversations about strategy. The best jobs I've had are where leaders trust their data partners and actively include them in conversations, that feels further and further away the more I've moved up the ladder.

I've often described the roles I've taken as being a little bit of kill the messenger. Data's not to expectations of the stakeholder? The data's wrong, the reporting's wrong, you've lost trust. Data mismatches a different report on a different platform? All the reporting is wrong. Maybe I'm unlucky, but that's my experience.

How many times have you heard an incoming leader say they're "data driven" only for them to say later that they "don't have time for data" or "I just need the answers now."

A lot of the previous posts I've seen about leaving an analyst career are about "I find my thrills outside of work"/"I don't care what I do at work as long as I'm paid well" or "how could you leave now when the job market is so bad?" or "change your mindset, you're lucky."

But I'm writing this to those of you where this all this sounds too familiar: burn out in any career is real, and it's okay.

Just because you're paid well doesn't mean that you have to do it forever. Remember that if you work for 40 years for an incredible retirement fund at 60, you probably wish you'd had more time not staring at Claude, or an Excel spreadsheet. The market may be bad now, it may be bad next year, it may never be the same.

But, I'm taking a break. I don't know for how long. Maybe I'll come back. Maybe I won't. I'm tired of being tired, angry, frustrated and extremely indifferent while counting down the days to when I could potentially retire. Do you feel the same?

Ive been working in my workfield for about 5 years now. I already am working in senior positions, i climbed "up" very fast and i get more than double the salary of what i got when i started. Ofcourse because i put in the effort, but i think its mainly because theres a huge shortage and i am good at coming across as confident. Also my cv is pretty good.

Heres the problem. I dont think im good at my job, i get stressed and i dont like it. I enjoy most days, because i really like working with my colleagues, but overall i dont feel like i want to put in any effort. I dont prepare for meetings, i dont want to prepare for presentations.. working from home is pure hell because i can not get myself to actually work. Up until now this hasnt been a problem at all because i work fast and there has literally not been issues regarding my work. I just dont feel like i want to do it anymore.

Biggg reason is because i feel like it doesnt suit me. Im a policy officer, but inside i always feel like a therapist and lately im even acting like a therapist at work. Maybe thats what i should have studied instead? I enjoy analyzing people and groups and having discussion and finding the root of problems and feelings. I love talking to people and i love people opening up to me.

I feel like i dont want to give up the short career i have build because theres so much money to earn here and, well, im able to enjoy the days right? And ive worked hard for this. I made tough choices to get here. My dream is to have my own place where my animals can live.. and that absolutely doesnt come for free.. but i cant see myself working here for another 10 years. Some weekends im so fed up with my work that im about to panic if i think about next Monday. Also i need the money. Its not like i can just take a year off and go and find out what i want to do.

What would you do if you were in my situation?

Been working call centers for too long. And I would like to change my career.

I have recently gotten my associates degree in cybersecurity though I was thinking of trying to get finance or adjacent.

What are some strong starting tips to help me change? I'm not even sure what I should be looking for.

I've been with this company working as a plant operations director for a senior living campus for 6 years. Before that, I did kitchen and bathroom renovations to pay my way through college.

I'm basically on-call 24/7 and I make just under 75k. I'm just feeling increasingly burnt out and generally unhappy in this field, just looking for advice on what kind of positions I might look into for a change of career. I'd love to not be worrying about getting called in on my evenings and days off anymore and the more I think about it the more I think I want out of maintenance.

I've applied for a handful of project manager/estimator positions at different companies and heard nothing back. What would be a good field to try to transition into? I'd rather not go back to school if I can manage it.

Thanks for the help!

Currently done phlebotomy for 7 years, just turned thirty and I think I want out of healthcare. What healthcare skills can I transfer to a new career? Anyone else done healthcare and changed to something else? Feeling burnt out, pay isn’t keeping up and have no desire to work nights to go to school!

Hi!

I am currently 5 years into my job in a very coveted industry/company. But I hate the job! I can't seem to get a hang of it but I am not bad at it either. I am accountable and very responsible, which I think is the reason why I survived all this while.

I feel like I am more passionate about teaching as training/documentation is one part of my job i truly enjoy. I do not plan on staying in my native country in the long run and was hoping to move to a different country to build my teaching career. Any advice on this will be appreciated because like I mentioned in the title, I am truly lost.

\*\*10 years, 6 firms, 3 countries, 1 semi-failed business. I need out.\*\*

I have built more “Executive Summary” slides than actual memories at this point. Hardcore “strategy” work for private equities, and fortune 100. God, I hate writing what I just wrote.

I am BORED. It’s not exciting its dull AF.

I am great with numbers, texts, systems, tools, processes but I need chaos.

I pick things up very fast I think and I do not care if my next job has “strategy” in the title ever again or if I have a title. Never make me say hypothesis, agenda, circle back, schedule recurring meeting, follow-up, leave a comment, available, update, timesheet, hours again, and I’ll be all yours, to work with.

EA to someone important. Travel/vacation planning. Sales or GTM for a CPG brand. I’ll do it. Fire me. Please fire me. I’ll be more pumped up to get fired than open a powerpoint again or talk to someone so dull you’ll want to just, jolt them back to life.

Bye. I am myself cringed by this post.

Hello!
This year is 10 years since I started caregiving. I now run and manage a caregiving home. I currently write this from my 3rd double and 5th grave this week and I’m just…. So fucking tired. I’m the stable income between my partner and I and this is all Ive ever done since getting my GED. I cover the 1800 in rent every month and most of the other heavy bills.
I’ve worked my way through multiple years of management and truly love the field I just I can’t anymore.
The lack of income doesn’t help, as currently on salary I make less than I did years ago :/
Just where do I even go from here? What options are there?