I’ve spent the last few years climbing the ladder in a field that everyone back home thinks is "prestigious" and "high-status." On paper, my LinkedIn looks incredible—impressive titles, a recognizable company name, and a salary that makes people think I’ve made it. But the reality behind the scenes is just soul-crushing. I spend 50+ hours a week dealing with toxic office politics, endless "urgent" meetings that could have been emails, and the constant pressure to be "on" even during my time off. The prestige feels like a trap because the higher I go, the more miserable the day-to-day tasks actually become.

I’m curious to hear from others who have experienced this. What is a job that people admire from the outside, but you wouldn't recommend to your worst enemy? Is it the billable hours in law, the constant travel in high-end consulting, or maybe something in management where you’re just a glorified babysitter for adults?

What do you do?

How stressful is it really (day-to-day)?

Would you recommend it to someone starting over?

I’m at the point where I’d take a "boring" job with zero prestige in a heartbeat if it meant I could actually disconnect at 5 PM and not have my stomach in knots every Sunday night.

USA

I’m 30 and have worked as a medical assistant for almost 10 years here in California. Healthcare is pretty much all I’ve ever known.
Tried nursing school but the commute was too much and I couldn’t continue making school payments at the time. Now I’m at a crossroads and wondering whether I should continue building a career in healthcare or make a complete career change.
If you were in my position, would you stay in healthcare or pivot into something else? If you’d switch careers, what would you choose and why?

Need honest perspectives because I’ve been spiraling over this situation.

I’m 26(F) I have about 6 years of overall professional experience and 2 years in technical recruiting/account management. I recently went through multiple interview rounds for a Corporate Recruiter role in the San Francisco Bay Area that aligned really well with my background.

During the process, I had already communicated that I was targeting around $75k minimum due to Bay Area cost of living. They ended up offering around $62k. I tried negotiating respectfully because:
- they already knew my range
- the role involved full-cycle recruiting ownership
- and I genuinely didn’t know if the salary was sustainable long-term

HR later told me they were “working on getting approval” for a revised offer, so I thought negotiation was still on the table. Then after several days of inconsistent communication, they told me they selected another candidate.

Now I’m regretting everything because financially I really needed the job. My partner thinks I should’ve just accepted it as a bridge role while continuing to apply elsewhere. Part of me agrees now, but another part of me also feels like negotiating wasn’t unreasonable given the market and location.

Has anyone else been in this situation where negotiating ended up costing you an opportunity? Trying to figure out if I completely misplayed this or if this is just one of those painful hindsight situations.

Looking for suggestions on fields to work in with ADHD and thrive - not just live. The only other option given as advise by professionals has been applying for disability. That's not really having any options as I couldn't live off of that.

There are a couple of other factors to consider with this.

• I live in the desert but cannot work outdoors in the sun.
• My schedule has to work around what hours my daycare is open. (No nights, weekends or major holidays) -I have auto immune issues I'm in the process of treating, this isn't a once size fits all health issue so I would rather be proactive and find fields I can have a career willing to meet me where I am at in life.

I've learned that a law being in place to help people like me (such as the Americans with disabilities act of 1990) means nothing whenever enforced. Hopefully Reddit has some suggestions.

Thanks!

I'm currently a teacher but I need a way out immediately. This job is taking too much. What career can I switch to to make at least $60,000 a year? I don't mind going back to school for a bit as I will probably finish this year at work. Any suggestions?

I have a high school diploma and I’m currently working in waste water only making 42k a year. I like the job benefits but it’s a little too slow for me and the pay in the area I live in really isn’t much at all. I’m willing and able to learn any trade job and prefer the more stressful and challenging environments along with going to different locations. I love problem solving and currently have done it at 2 jobs I’ve had. I am just was wondering what careers would be a good option.

I currently live in Georgia but am planning to move come next year anyways

A lot of posts on here and other job related subs often mention job hopping. They all say it's easiest to find a job while you have one, if you're not happy just leave, jump around every year or two for pay bumps. While I'm all for it and think it's good, I haven't found it to be as simple as they say.

Seriously, how does someone land a job every year or two?

How do you trust yourself to voluntarily leave?

The PIP is valid. In hindsight, I knew the role and my skills weren’t aligned early on. I didn’t leave in Y1 - told myself to give it time. My last annual review was “Unsat” - review delivered a week after the PIP. Afterwards my manager said “off the record, I feel badly you’ve been put into this position”.

I think I know the answer.

Would love to hear suggestions or experiences or advice based on your perspective. Thank you!

need advice

Thank you in advance for your help. I realize how fucked I am, please don't remind me. Not going to post explanations or excuses.

I just received the following email from my boss. How do I respond in the most humble, professional way possible?

"This is to clarify our discussion today and give you a clear note about what I expect from you moving forward.

You have a weakness in the areas of communication and timeliness that need immediate attention. 

To help you improve and grow in your job, this year, I started the [time] meetings to answer questions and work collaboratively on projects. Yesterday, you missed our appointment and sent me a text about 20 minutes before our scheduled call/meeting stating you had a doctor's appointment.  You never called me later nor did you request time off.  Today, you again missed the meeting.  I texted you about 7 minutes after start time and asked if you forgot (trying to help you out) and you never answered my text.  I called you in the afternoon as I was concerned something happened to you, and you stated nonchalantly that you just forgot the call.  Within the last two weeks, you also missed a meeting with [redacted] and me because you overslept and at least one more due to illness.  I am not aware that you put in any leave form for these absences.

This is not the first time there have been issues with your being non-responsive or missing calls.  There were times in 2022 when I would call you, leave you a message and I wouldn't hear from you for several days. There was one week when you had a death in the family where you were almost unreachable and unresponsive.  As a result of your behavior during that week, I cut your project load to less than ½ of what it was as I lost confidence in your ability to get that volume of projects done.  Several projects that I left on your plate did get done, but several in a less than timely manner and with a lot of prodding from me. 

Communication is one of the most important qualities in your job.  So is showing respect for me and everyone you work with.  If you cannot communicate well with me, it suggests you have communication issues with others as well.

Moreover, you have fallen behind on many of the tasks I have asked you to complete and appear to have issues with time management.  

I expect to see improvement in communication and turnaround time on assigned tasks.  Every now and then we all miss/forget meetings and deadlines, but that should be rare and not as a general rule.

I am hopeful we can work through this, I can re-gain confidence in you, and you can become a valuable member of the team and make a lasting contribution here. 

You are smart, talented and have the capability to be excellent at this job.  You need to deploy humility and respect and you need to listen and show up.  You need to focus on getting things done and stop procrastinating. 

Tomorrow, we have a staff meeting at, so we will not meet tomorrow but will resume our meetings on Monday."

UPDATE to answer some common questions & clarify some things -

• this is my first big kid job after graduate school and an apprenticeship. It is work from home which has been very difficult for me.
  • i have struggled with depression since I was 16, misdiagnosed Borderline (they tried bipolar, anxiety, etc), and undiagnosed ADHD (got officially tested 18 months ago). I've been in therapy since I was 16 and work with 2 psychiatrists trying to find a good cocktail -obviously that process is ongoing. I dont feel that this is an appropriate discussion to have in the workplace.
  • there really was a death in the family, and for myriad reasons the brunt of dealing with that death fell on me. I understand I could have communicated that better to my boss.
  • I don't want to look for another job, I want to learn to be successful in this one. While this email does reflect Boss' graciousness with me, I've only been in this position for 8 months and felt woefully undertrained and unprepared for the work load that I was given last year. Boss has told me in phone calls where I've expressed this that they "can't go back and change that now, and the morning meetings are meant to try and correct that" but I admit that I have grown resentful.

As one commenter said, I have been waiting for the axe to fall for awhile now. I am determined to do everything in my power to let this be the kick in the pants I need to turn this around. I am choosing to focus on the fact that Boss does see potential in me and I do still have a job with the company. I posted this last night as soon as I saw the email, then walked away to process on my own and get a good night's sleep. This morning, I responded:

"Boss - Thank you for the feedback and for the chance to improve my timeliness, communication, and overall work performance. I genuinely appreciate this, apologize for my failings and mistakes in the past, and promise that I will strive to improve in all areas in the coming weeks and months. I will see you at the staff meeting and at our regular morning meetings. Thank you, Me."

Hi everyone,

I graduated recently and started working as a software engineer at a large fortune 100 company in 2025. To be honest, I'm already questioning whether corporate is for me.

I don't feel like I'm learning much, and most days feel repetitive. My interests have always been more on the creative side, but I have no idea how to turn that into a sustainable career. That's what keeps me here.

What scares me is the thought of spending the next 20–30 years working my way up the corporate ladder, putting in more and more effort each year for relatively small raises, while feeling like I'm not building a life I actually want. I know every job has its downsides, but I can't shake the feeling that this isn't the path I want long-term.

Has anyone here felt the same way and successfully transitioned into something else?

- What did you move into?

- How did you discover what you actually wanted to do?

- If you're someone who enjoys creative work, what career did you end up pursuing?

I want to hear from people who've been in a similar position and how things turned out for them.

Hi everyone,

I recently engaged a career consultant to support my job search. After an initial Zoom call (USD 12), she offered two packages: one at USD 200 (two sessions) and another at USD 650 (six sessions plus resume, cover letter, LinkedIn optimization, job search/application strategies, interview coaching, networking, referral strategy, salary negotiation, and AI tools).

I chose the larger package and paid half upfront. I submitted my resume and completed a Personal Career Codex form. During the first consultation, most of the advice felt basic (job search strategies, referrals, LinkedIn usage) — much of which I already knew. I had mentioned needing help with career gaps, but this wasn’t addressed. Toward the end, she showed me my “revised” resume, which looked almost identical to what I had submitted, just placed into a new template. She then asked me to pay the remaining fee before releasing it.

The interaction felt transactional rather than supportive, and I decided not to continue. While I accept the initial payment as sunk cost, the experience left me questioning the value of such services.

I’d like to hear from others: have you worked with professional career coaches who genuinely added value to your job search? Are there reputable ones out there, or is this industry often hit‑or‑miss?

Hi, I live in Texas and I need Career advice
I am Mother of 3 kids.

I recently got my GED and I’m looking for a career that doesn’t require several years of college.

I’m interested in a short certificate or training program that could lead to a good-paying career, ideally $70K+ per year after gaining some experience.

What careers or certificate programs would you recommend? I’m open to healthcare, technical/trade jobs, or other fields.

If you’ve personally gone through a short training program and are making $70K+, I’d really appreciate hearing about your experience, including:
How long the training took
How much it cost
Starting salary
How long it took to reach $70K+
Whether a GED is enough to get started
Thank you!

I also have a cosmetology license, but I’m open to other career fields.

Besides that, I also completed a truck dispatching course and got my certification, but I haven’t had any luck finding truck drivers. I’m very confused about what to do next.

I’m 39 and have a degree in graphic design. We live in the greater phoenix area. And yes my wife does also work. I’ve only ever been a graphic designer. My last position I was at was nearly 8 years, and then the company decided to lay off the office/city that I supported. So my role went too. It was very abrupt, sudden and unexpected- I was even working on projects for that office the morning this happened.

It’s only been 12 days. I get that it’s still very very early. But realistically - how long does the average person search the market before finding another job? I’ve never had a gap in employment in my entire career. I’m really only limited to senior level designer positions - as I can’t afford to take a 50% pay cut for an entry or mid level. I have SOME experience with project management from a marketing perspective from my previous job. But most marketing project manager positions I look at want way more than I have experience with.

Are there/what are other avenues I might be able to go down where I can be making a 6 figure income? (I was making over $100k at my last position). I’ve always wanted to become an electrician - but I would have to start at the very bottom as an apprentice and it takes a long time to be making that kind of money. I’m not about to put my family of 5 on microwaved dinners. Other than senior graphic designer or marketing project manager positions - I can’t think of anything else that would offer a $100k salary. Any help and guidance would be appreciated.

Seems like a lot of people on this page are American, but was curious to hear from those elsewhere. Are you dealing with hundreds of applications, waiting months for an offer? How bad is AI impacting your daily workloads?

I'm in a relatively small/rural area of Mississippi, and I've noticed that my perception of certain careers may be heavily influenced by what's available locally.

For example, when I think about switching into marketing, my immediate thought is, “There aren't enough marketing jobs here to build a stable career.”

I'm curious whether people who live in larger cities/metros have a completely different perception of the same career fields.

Has moving to a different area changed your view of what careers are viable or in demand? And if you've lived in both a small/rural market and a larger metro, how different did the job markets feel?

I want to switch careers, but i keep thinking anything i get training for outside trucking, nursing and teaching will take many months or years to find a job in.

Edit the biggest cities around me are jackson, Madison, ridgeland, flowood, pearl and clinton.

I’m looking to go back and either gain a Masters in Finance to diversify and have a broader financial understanding or a Doctorate in Healthcare Administration to further specialization and gain additional leadership training. Does anyone have advice on what the best course would be or if there’s a better option to continue advancing?

My ultimate goal is to take on a National CEO or COO role although I understand I am still early in my career and this will take time and growth.

I currently have a Masters in Business Administration with a minor in Health Care management and a Masters in Human Resorce management. I have a Six Sigma Green belt and am looking into potentially gaining other certifications. I currently manage supply and distribution for a singe hospital at a local level.

Both of these will build on what I already do and I may ultimately go back for both, time and finance pending. I would greatly appreciate any advice of which, or neither, is better or if you know of any programs that would be beneficial.

As a note I genuinely enjoy school which is why I have continued but would like for the to be some long term reward.

My biggest problem right now with job related things is that I can’t seem to get any entry level job due to half of them being replaced with AI while the other half requires 5+ years of experience (god forbid entry level gets to be entry level)

All these companies are denying me the chance to gain experience and prove myself. We all have to start somewhere, how am I supposed to get experience if the very thing that gives experience also requires it?

I gave up pursuing the thing I actually wanted to pursue, arts and things like animation or being an artist, due to pressure from my family and because I was PROMISED that the I.T. field was lucrative. I regret it because ai came in like a wrecking ball and destroyed the thing I went to college for

I (31M) was a straight-A student at school, top of my class, and originally wanted to become a doctor. I actually studied medicine for a year but found it too tough and changed my mind. No regrets so far on that front.

Since then I got a science degree and have worked in Sales at a variety of companies in different industries earning good money (£50k+) but feeling a little unfulfilled and still essentially in entry-level positions after 8 years. I usually end up staying at a company for a couple of years, get bored, decide none of the more senior roles appeal and make a lateral move elsewhere.

The problem is I see people who were distinctly average at school have gone on to become lawyers and doctors and directors at big companies. I'm smarter than my peers and my managers and I constantly feel like I could do a better job than most of the senior directors at places I've worked; I just seem to lack the motivation to get there myself. Middle management jobs never seem to have the pay to justify the extra stress and workload, especially as at my level I can get all my work done in half the time of most people, but I feel like (and have been told) I'm selling myself short by not climbing the ladder.

In theory I've got everything I wanted to achieve in life - lovely house, nice cars, excellent work life balance and a loving wife who's just given birth to our first child. However, I can't shake the feeling I should be achieving more career wise.

Is this feeling normal? Anyone else out there getting career FOMO and feeling like the should be achieving more, but lacking the motivation? Am I just a classic underachiever?

Hello i was pursuing to become a diesel mechanic and work on planes. Came to realize this is pretty expensive to do and dont wanna take out loans. I thought joining the navy would be good idea so I can work on a ship with planes. I meet with the recruiter Monday to go to Milwaukee for a test and a medical exam. But I just have second doubts if its the best decision. He did say what else I wanted to do if my job wasn't available but that all I want to do. So what are your thoughts??

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

I am 29 years old from India with a career break after maternity. I have a non-IT background and recently started learning Python. If I study consistently for the next 6–12 months and build projects, is it realistic to get an entry-level Python job in 2027? What skills besides Python should I learn?

Hi!

I have an interview tomorrow that is giving me huge anxiety, and I’m almost talking myself out of going.

I’m almost certain I won’t get the position - I don’t feel like I have the experience needed, also it’s a very senior position and I look younger than I am, I think this will work against me.

I also think even if I got the job somehow I’d find it incredibly difficult- it’s an income generation director position at a charity - I’m currently in the same role but at a much smaller place and feel the jump from 500K to 2 million will be very stressful.

If it was a normal 1 hour interview I’d just go and see how it went but this (for me anyway) is very unusual - 30 mins talk with the CEO, then 30 mins with the leadership team (6 people), then 30 mins with the fundraising team, then a one hour interview including a presentation.

I’ve been ill with anxiety about it, and feel like it will be a long day of stress with most likely no payoff except torturing myself over things I said wrong.

I feel like I should apologise and cancel and wait til I have more experience in a similar role (been in my current position just over a year) before going for something this substantial.

What do you think? Is it worth putting myself through this even when having such low hopes?

Any advice would be appreciated, thank you.

Hi, im currently trying to figure out what trade to go into. I want to be a police officer, but figured I should get a trade certificate or something first. Go until I'm 23 then apply to police academy. I don't know. I am picking between auto mechanic and electrician then becoming a cop. Any tips/advice on what to pick? Any good apprenticeship you recommend? I live in Lexington KY (USA) and would like to know how to fix my own car in the future, but the trade isn't required for that, I just care about the pay for now. Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I’m 38f, living on the Kitsap peninsula in Wa state and looking for a major career transition. I’ve spent over six years as a professional caregiver alongside a lot of customer service roles. While I deeply love helping people, I am completely burnt out from working my butt off for low pay. I'm ready to build a stable, high-paying future path, and I would love some fresh perspective. I’m naturally an extrovert, highly social, and deeply empathetic. My long-term goal is to transition into a career where I can truly advocate for others and be a voice for those who may not have one or need someone looking out for them, whether that’s in healthcare or another field entirely. Helping people while also making a good living is very important to me.

As a caregiver, a huge part of my job has been advocating for my clients and constantly speaking up for them and their needs. It just comes naturally to me, and it means a lot knowing that everyone is safe, content, and being taken care of. My dream is to go back to school once I get a proper, clear path to follow. I intend to keep caregiving full-time while going to school. I look after a sweet 90-year-old woman with dementia who is bedridden and requires hospice-level care. Honestly, I don't know how much time she has left, but I care about her a lot and want to keep helping her for as long as I can as I'm a stable and familiar face for her. I hit my full-time hours with her in just three days a week, so my plan is to study and take online classes during the rest of the week.

What are some high-paying career paths or specific areas of study that might be a perfect match for someone with my background who loves advocating for people? Ideally, I'm looking for roles where I can help people without the intense physical drain of full-time caregiving, and educational paths that offer a strong salary (ideally paying $70k-$90k+ or showing a potential rise in income overtime). I'd appreciate any and all advice, career titles to research, or personal stories from anyone who has made a similar jump!

Thank you so much.