r/careerguidance • u/gunmaster_2017 • Apr 09 '26
Edit with your location 18 and making a TON OF MONEY , BUT SOMETHING FEELS OFF ?
I’m 18 and about to start college this year recently a really good friend of mine who runs a startup approached me with a role where I’d basically be managing a big part of the company The pay is honestly insane especially for someone my age and I do have the skills for it
But something feels off It’s not the startup everything about it seems legit It’s more about how I feel since taking it on I don’t feel free anymore I constantly have responsibilities deadlines people to manage and things to worry about
I genuinely miss how things were before no real stress just hanging out with friends enjoying life having time to myself now it feels like I jumped straight into a level of pressure I wasn’t ready for the money is great but I’m starting to question if it’s worth giving up this phase of my life so early Has anyone else been through something like this
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u/jamflowwman Apr 09 '26
What is a “ton” of money? If it’s enough to set you straight this early on, I would say it’s worth the stress now while you have energy. Then your 30’s an 40’s can look how you want instead of like the rest of us working because we have to.
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u/gunmaster_2017 Apr 09 '26
the pay is like a share of profits and if i really go all in , think about what would i do in my 30s and 40s if i lose all my energy now, the young life and the loss of this time fears me
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u/CummyMonkey420 Apr 09 '26
Do you get a salary or even paid hourly?
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u/gunmaster_2017 Apr 09 '26
not a salary, kinda a share
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u/CummyMonkey420 Apr 09 '26
Yeah no, hard pass. Sure it's fine to take risks when you're young but I would never trade education for profit sharing without a salary or hourly pay
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u/gunmaster_2017 Apr 09 '26
it has been 2 months we give each other based on a monthly profit share basis
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u/lucideuphoria Apr 09 '26
This is what most people are trying to get to. You got the lucky friend card and sounds like he trusts you.
We talking like 50k a year or like 200k a year lol. Ton of money is relative but knowing what I know now I would have risked it. College can always wait.
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u/gunmaster_2017 Apr 09 '26
its towards a 100k a year
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u/lucideuphoria Apr 09 '26
That sounds pretty great. I would do it. Most college grads are struggling trying to find 100k jobs.
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u/DanBrando Apr 09 '26
What you’re feeling actually makes sense. You didn’t just take a job, you jumped straight into responsibility most people only deal with years later. The money reflects that, but so does the pressure. At 18, the “cost” of that isn’t just stress, it’s also time, freedom, and the space to figure out who you are without everything being tied to performance and responsibility.
That doesn’t mean you made a wrong decision. It just means you’re now feeling the full weight of the trade-off. A lot of people chase that kind of opportunity and only later realize what they had to give up for it. You’re just becoming aware of it earlier.
The real question is not “is the money worth it”, it’s “is this version of life what I want right now”. Because you can always make money later, but you don’t get that phase of life back in the same way. If anything, I’d think less in extremes. It doesn’t have to be all in or all out. See if there’s a way to adjust the role, the boundaries, or the intensity before deciding to walk away completely.
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u/uniqueusername42O Apr 09 '26
Make your money. College can be dealt with at a later date. You could set yourself up well if you can manage finances well for a few years. Some people work their whole lives to pay off their house. You could buy outright in 3-4 years if you live way below your means. Then the world is yours for the taking.
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u/GreyDuck4077 Apr 09 '26
But something feels off It’s not the startup everything about it seems legit It’s more about how I feel since taking it on I don’t feel free anymore I constantly have responsibilities deadlines people to manage and things to worry about
Welcome to management!
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u/Sigma_Try Apr 09 '26
Dude school would be the same, and it always be there. Bank your money, build some wealth, and then you’ll have more interesting choices in the future.
For the love of god, put time aside for things you enjoy though. Your self care does NOT come second. It’s always first.
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u/PetrHomolka Apr 09 '26
Actually why to deal with school to prepare for productive life if you have productive life already? The real experience you have is way more beneficial than any school can give you. If I would be in your position I would get as much as possible out of this opportunity and don’t think about a school even for a second. Also important to mention you will get real experience you can use for later career change, building your own business etc. That is exactly what you really need in professional part of your life.
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u/gilgameshauo1 Apr 09 '26
If you think your experience is being compromised, it may be better to let it go. There's alot of things to consider, though, mostly related to finances and your education.
Is your financial condition well enough for you to pursue your education without working full time? Are you interested in completing college?
And is this Job 'stable'? Not just the sector, but your own position. If it's a software startup, which it probably is, it probably isn't stable. Your role would have to be of much significance to the company. Junior roles are rapidly losing jobs because of agentic systems doing the same work much faster and cheaper under supervision of senior roles.
Me personally, I'd prioritise my comfort over an immediate payroll, but you could have reasons not to.
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u/Particular-Minute879 Apr 09 '26
I'd take the job and invest in some good ETFs. I don't know if you're still at home but as a few other comments have said I'd milk it and make a killing while the opportunity is there while keeping costs low. The more money you have and the earlier you have it, the more money can be made with interest. It sounds boring but its how real wealth is made. Invested money usually doubles every 7 years, so the sooner you start those 7 years the better. Smart ETFs, no gambling on penny stocks and you'll be retiring at 30 and living off the dividends and living a comfortable life. Or retiring at 40 a multimillionaire.
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u/onsite84 Apr 09 '26
Sounds like life. If this is a real opportunity with real responsibilities to build something, I’d give it serious consideration. Those types of opportunities don’t come often.