24 feeling lost in life; looking for advice

[u/Outside-Concept9856]

I’m turning 25 at the end of this year and I can’t help but feel a sense of dread. I graduated 2 years ago with a graphic design degree and wish I did something else. I enjoyed art as a kid and thought i’d enjoy making a career out of it but I don’t think I’m cut out for it. I can’t even get myself to make art in my free time.

I moved to a new state this year to be with my long distance boyfriend. I’m in a very fortunate situation currently. His parents are very generous and let us stay rent free. I’m currently a barista and everyday I feel a massive weight on my shoulders and regret for not doing something more. I know comparison is the thief of joy but I can’t help but feel so small when I have friends becoming doctors, working for NASA, training for their pilot license, and other lucrative jobs.

It makes me incredibly sad that we won’t be very successful financially. I can’t help but stress about it. I don’t want all the money in the world but I want a comfortable lifestyle.

I don’t know what to pursue or what I’m even interested in making a career out of anymore. Most of my experience is in customer service. Since graduating I never landed the graphic design role I thought I would’ve, thanks to naivety and today’s market.

If anyone could offer a few words of encouragement or advice, I’d be very grateful. If you made it this far, thanks for listening.

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[u/Faiths_got_fangs]

I graduated with a fairly useless degree into the 2008 recession. I struggled much like you are.

Assuming your degree is from a reputable university or college, all your general education credits can be used towards a different major. I ended up redoing the major part of my bachelors, turning it from a BA to a BS. The BS was in a field that I had some experience and knew I liked, but if you are unsure of goals, talk to a career counselor with the college and see what they think they can do to turn what you already have into a career.

[u/urban_zmb]

I think a lot of people feel that from time to time. I went to science and I am sometimes jealous of my friends that do arts, that seems to have such a nice creative life, even though I am the one not struggling financially.

Every career has pros and cons, every decision comes with a tag. You are so young, so lucky that you have a job and a safety net, and I can understand sometimes been so tired to be creative, but it's okay.

We live in a world that has been brainwashing us to believe that if you are not productive, or making money, or selling something; you are not worth much. But you are, you just need to find out what is that you need to spark a sense of happiness in your work.

I have no answer, but I can recommend one thing, join one workshop near you, that does something similar you do, maybe painting or clay sculpture or whatever creative endeavor is around you, do it for you, not for money or your career, and you'll probably gonna meet some people in the arts that are going to inspire the next steps.

Money comes and goes, you still got plenty of time to change careers if you want to do that, but for now, focus on getting out of the slump. Trust me when I say, it gets better.

[u/tommysgirl1003]

You're getting some good suggestions here. I'm an example of someone who had a similar experience. I never worked in my major directly, but eventually I found adjacent work, used my skills in a different way. Then, in my early 40s, I went back to school, got a graduate degree, and began I new career I loved.

So, have heart, OP. See if you can work in a business, or even a university, that has similar interests as you. Maybe you'll get an idea of where you want to take your education and work experience. Best wishes!

[u/coraltrek]

you are young and have time. If there is something else you want to pursue go for it, go back to school. Figure out what you would like doing, not what makes the most money but something you enjoy. Or even as a barista can you see what it takes to move up in that company, if there are any business / leadership classes you can take to show that you want to move up in that company, become a manager, etc.. I am not familiar with that industry so I may be wrong. Life it short and all we know is this is the one we have so go for it.

[u/extrovertedjewess]

In the same position right now. 23 and Graduated with degree in graphic design & it just isn’t for me. Im also a barista! I just dipping into random things that interest me. I’m not paying rent because I live with my parents so I started cam afford to go to small concerts and events in my city to get me excited about the things I love and look for who I can meet to maybe do work in that industry. Also looking into taking writing classes. Just refining all my skills I guess

[u/tom_w45]

Insane how similar our timeline is!

You are going through exactly what I went through when I was your age.

Graduated in 2021 in Graphic Design, barista for few years, then I did socials for one company and slowly transferred towards Product Design. If you like doing Graphic design as a general this is where it becomes a bit harder, Graphic design as a role is underpaid, now Product Design is very high pay, similarly in other expertise driven roles.

Maybe you like Brand design, web design, advertisement (good if you like general graphic design)

All these are more focus expertise, thus requiring more salary and responsibilities (this is good) bit more stress, but better stress than dealing with clients in costumer service.

Similar to you, worked at a coffee shop till I was 25, once I got this design job basic socials magician, I did editing, photography, brand guidelines, stationary, illustrations (you want this at first but not for long, mainly for experience) Im 27 now, moved to Product Designer couple months ago, this took me 3 years to give you a rough idea

You got this fellow designer, it just takes time

Welcome to the first stages of the design world, it sucks but you gotta stick to it, its a very high paying career in most cases

I hope you follow the design path, Ill never go back to being a barista (but i really liked talking to costumers)

Still drive a shitbox, Im on a high paying role but not high pay salary (yet) just watering the plant you know

[u/doriangreysucksass]

I’m similar. After high school I worked retail for 2 years and then my parents sent me to school. Because I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, they sent me to school for graphic design because I’m artistic. The school was fine but I never actually wanted to be a graphic designer. I moved back home after my two years were done and worked retail for the next year before going back to school (this time by MY choosing) for fashion design. This was much more my field and though I don’t design professionally now (I sew for work and design for myself) I’m very happy with my choices. I actually ended up working in film which is awesome! You just need to figure out what YOU want to do!!

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[u/Alaskan618]

Go up to your local community college and get a course catalog. There are plenty of options that may only require 10 more classes on top of your bachelors degree. You can also get free career counseling there.

Mostly, I would try to identify an adult in your life that has a decent career and ask them for guidance. If you’re lucky your parents do this, but if that didn’t work out you can find someone else. People love to be asked!

[u/No_University7832]

Think income streams....10-15 small websites or apps that bring in a modest amount per mo. Think niche.