Planning

I feel completely lost with my career after the last three years. Three years ago, I left my public-sector job after almost a decade working in government ministries, hoping to build a proper career in accounting. I have an accounting degree, but I never really had the chance to practice it properly. During these years, I tried to transition into the private sector and even decided to pursue the CPA. I managed to pass 1 out of 4 exams, but now I'm seriously questioning whether I should continue down this path. The tough part is that accounting was never really my choice. I've always been more interested in media, public speaking, and journalism. I enjoy communication, talking to people, and having some freedom in my day-to-day life. I chose business/accounting mainly because my family insisted on it. Now, I'm unemployed and honestly feel completely lost. I want stability more than anything, but I also don't want to spend the next decade forcing myself into a career I hate. I'm at a crossroads: should I continue with accounting and the CPA, or should I finally pursue something I might actually enjoy? Has anyone been in a similar situation?

I have a job interview for a Supervisor Janitor position at an Amazon warehouse through Compass Group. I'm currently working overnight at HEB as a Tsst. I'm trying to weigh the pros and cons of leaving my current job for this opportunity. If anyone has insights or experiences with Compass Group or the role itself, I would really appreciate your feedback!

I recently landed my second job after a challenging period. I spent two years working as an auditor, which was incredibly tedious and had a toxic manager, leading me to resign. I decided to pursue the CFA and took my Level 1 exam, currently waiting for the results. During this time, I started applying for jobs, aiming to pivot into the Corporate Finance or Investment sector. I also applied for a taxation role a few weeks ago. After about 6-7 months of being home, I went through the interview process with a startup firm. Initially, they offered me a salary that was significantly lower than what I made before, but I negotiated and managed to increase it after a meaningful conversation about my concerns. It's rare for companies to engage in such discussions, but it really helped clarify things. I ultimately accepted the position, even though it wasn't my original goal, but I believe this is a step towards my career aspirations. I'm excited for this new journey!

I have 8 years of experience in total, with the last 5 years spent as a product manager. Currently, I am on the job hunt, actively looking for new opportunities in this field. I'm focusing on roles that will allow me to leverage my skills in product development and team leadership.

Today, I'm heading to Tampa International Airport for a job fair that could lead to immediate hiring. I'm feeling a mix of excitement and nerves as I prepare to meet potential employers. I'm really hoping that this opportunity will result in a job offer by tomorrow, especially since the company I'm targeting offers full benefits for both my wife and me. I'm trying to stay positive and make a great impression. Wish me luck!

I'm currently in a challenging situation with my job as a Growth Engineer at a startup. I joined this company after a long job search, and while the role has allowed me to work on various tasks like building and optimizing the website, handling SEO, and even posting job openings, the environment is quite unstructured. My responsibilities seem to change daily, which can be both exciting and overwhelming. Recently, the company announced a restructuring of compensation, which has left me feeling uneasy. They plan to reduce my fixed salary by 34% while introducing performance-based incentives. While I understand the rationale behind incentives, I feel uncomfortable with the reduction of my agreed-upon salary. Additionally, the work environment has been somewhat toxic, especially in terms of communication, although I have been trying to tolerate it. On top of this, I have another potential job opportunity that could lead to a full-time position, but I won't know more for another 15 days. This uncertainty has me questioning whether I should confront my current employer about the compensation changes, accept the new structure temporarily, negotiate a middle ground, or simply wait to see how the other opportunity pans out. I’m also feeling insecure about my skills after a recent interview went poorly, which makes me doubt my ability to find another job quickly if I choose to leave. My financial situation is unstable, and earning more is crucial for me right now. I'm really torn about what to do next and would appreciate any advice.

I've been working as a Library Assistant for a couple of years now, and while I initially loved the job, I've come to realize that I no longer want to pursue a career in libraries or become a fully-fledged librarian, despite having a BA in History. The thought of continuing my education for an MLIS feels overwhelming, especially since I can't handle dealing with the public anymore. My neurodivergence makes it hard for me to fit into an office environment, and I find that I really enjoy solitary tasks like repairs, processing items, and shelving. I'm looking to pivot to a new career path, but I'm feeling lost and overwhelmed. It's been years since I've had to search for a job, and I'm not sure where to start. I'm specifically seeking recommendations for jobs that don't involve working with the public and require minimal coworker interaction. I want something more solitary, but I only have my BA in History to offer. I'm scared and unsure of how to navigate this new phase in my career.

I was recently laid off from my position as a broadcast technician at a media company. The layoff happened unexpectedly during a live broadcast, which was quite shocking for me and my colleagues. It felt surreal to be in the middle of work and suddenly find out that my role was no longer needed. I've been reflecting on the situation and the comments from others, with some suggesting that my previous employer's focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives may have played a role in the decision-making process. Now, I'm actively searching for new opportunities in the broadcasting field.

I recently quit my corporate job due to burnout, and I’m taking some time to recover. This was my first experience in a large corporate environment, having previously worked in consultancy firms and government roles. I found the corporate culture to be quite disheartening. Most of the senior executives I interacted with lacked both technical expertise and basic leadership skills. The environment was heavily politicized, with many executives more focused on managing their image than on contributing meaningfully to the business or leading their teams. I witnessed blatant favoritism, particularly from my executive manager, who would invite other team members for coffee while excluding me. It was frustrating to see low performers being rewarded with better positions and pay simply because they were favorites. Meanwhile, mistakes made by those lower in the hierarchy were met with harsh consequences, while higher-ups seemed untouchable, even in cases of financial misconduct. The disparity in how people were treated based on their status was discouraging. I felt that my skills and work ethic were exploited rather than rewarded, and I often found myself setting boundaries just to cope with the incompetence around me. This led to conflicts, especially with my boss, who was paid significantly more than I was despite adding little value. I confronted him about his poor performance, which was not the best political move, but I was at my breaking point. Overall, my experience in corporate life was marked by high salaries for low competence, a lack of meritocracy, and a focus on image over impact. I’m now contemplating my next steps—whether to return to consulting, move to the public sector, or even consider self-employment. Has anyone else had similar experiences in corporate environments?

I’ve been jobless for over two months now. At 22 years old, I recently moved to Pasadena, California, and I’m actively searching for any entry-level hospital jobs to get my foot in the door. I’ve been applying to about 10 jobs a day, keeping track of the dates and the places I apply to, and I follow up, but I keep facing rejections. I’ve tried tailoring my resume for each position, but nothing seems to work. I’m open to any advice on how to improve my chances.

I recently faced a double whammy in my life that has left me feeling a bit lost. Just a week ago, I went through a painful breakup with someone I was dating who also happened to be a coworker. We were in different departments, but the emotional fallout has been tough to navigate. Then today, I received the unexpected news that I lost my job. I had been in a demanding leadership role for nearly a year, which was both rewarding and stressful. Despite the challenges, I was proud of my contributions and accomplishments there. Losing the job feels like a significant blow, especially so soon after the breakup. Now, I'm grappling with the grief of a relationship that meant a lot to me while also having to pivot and think about my next career steps. Thankfully, I have some professional support and I'm already exploring new opportunities, so I do have a safety net. However, emotionally, it feels like the ground has been pulled out from under me twice in just one week. I'm reaching out to see if anyone else has experienced similar back-to-back life changes, particularly a breakup followed by job loss. How did you manage to keep moving forward professionally while dealing with the personal emotional fallout? I would love to hear from those who have gone through something like this and eventually found themselves in a better career situation than they expected.

I just received a text message at 10:58 AM for an interview scheduled at 11 AM. I'm feeling a bit stressed about making it in time, as I only have a short window to prepare and travel. It seems like they might have found a way to perfect teleportation to expect someone to be ready so quickly!

I recently accepted a job offer from Company A as an independent contractor, with the understanding that I would transition to a full-time employee after a couple of months. However, shortly after signing the agreement, they informed me that they had to lower both my contractor rate and the future full-time salary by $20K due to a client budget cut. While the pay is still decent and I am currently unemployed, I feel uneasy about the situation and have lost trust in the company. I recognize that nothing is guaranteed until it’s in writing, and even then, they’ve already shown they can change the terms. I’m also aware that as an independent contractor, I lack the protections I would have as a full-time employee in my country. I have another opportunity with Company B that seems promising, but it might take a month to get an offer. In the meantime, I’m applying for other positions as well. If I receive a better offer, I plan to give Company A the required notice and leave professionally, ensuring a proper handover. I’m wondering if my approach is reasonable and how I can navigate this without feeling guilty about leaving Company A.

I recently found myself on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) at my job in higher education, despite having great metrics. I’m a woman in my mid-20s and have been in this role for about a year. The situation escalated after I returned from a trip to Vegas in April. I had a casual conversation with a coworker about my trip and mentioned that I was chatting with a guy from across campus. Shortly after, I received an anonymous complaint alleging sexual harassment, which was baffling because there was no actual harassment involved. HR investigated but found no grounds for the complaint. However, things took a turn when a coworker I suspected of filing the complaint confronted me about my silence. Last week, I attended a meeting with donors, where I mentioned my connection to the guy I was talking to, and now I’ve been put on a PIP for supposedly sharing personal information about him. They’ve taken away my responsibilities with donors and informed his boss about my comments. It feels like my life is falling apart, and I’ve been feeling out of place at this job since the beginning. On a brighter note, I was asked to interview for a position at a school I really want to work for just yesterday. I’m passionate about my career and have worked hard to get here, so being in this situation is incredibly disheartening. I know I need to leave this job before they terminate me, and I’m trying to view this as just a bump in the road. It’s hard to believe how quickly things escalated.

I am currently navigating a challenging situation at my job in Massachusetts, where I work as a manager at a small business without an HR department. Three months ago, I requested and was granted two weeks off, using my PTO to cover most of it. However, just four days before my vacation, my employer expressed concerns about my commitment to the company, suggesting I was 'quiet quitting' and that my time off was 'suspicious.' She informed me that I would be demoted upon my return, along with a significant pay cut and the dissolution of my PTO. This new position description she provided was confusing and seemed hastily put together. While I am on vacation, I unexpectedly received a jury summons that will extend my leave by an additional 3 days. Upon informing my employer, she insisted on scheduling a meeting to discuss my demotion and pay cut, which is quite alarming given the financial impact it would have on me. I suspect this may be retaliation for my taking time off and for my ongoing job search, as I had previously informed her that a prospective employer might contact her for a reference. I have never filed for unemployment before, but I know my employer typically denies claims. However, I believe I may have grounds to argue retaliation based on our email exchanges. I’m seeking advice on how to proceed from here.

I recently received an offer for an entry-level IT position at a bank as a digital consultant. This role involves assisting customers over the phone with their digital banking issues. The pay is $23.50 an hour, which is about $500 less than what I was earning at my previous job. I left that position because I was constantly overworked, often putting in 50 hours a week, and felt micromanaged with no clear future at the company. My hours were all over the place, ranging from early mornings to late nights, and I was working weekends and holidays. The work-life balance was terrible, even though the pay was better. The new job offers a much better schedule, Monday to Friday, with weekends and holidays off, totaling 40 hours a week. The benefits seem solid, and the company has great reviews for its work culture and team dynamics. I'm currently in a good financial situation—no debt and minimal bills—so I could manage with the lower income since I only support myself. Now, I'm weighing the decision of whether taking a pay cut for a healthier work-life balance and my sanity is worth it. I'd appreciate any insights or experiences others might have had with similar decisions!

Today, I had a phone call scheduled with a bank for a teller position. I'm feeling really anxious about it because I don't think I have much to offer. I'm in my mid-30s and have only worked at a grocery store for almost five years, which is my only work experience. I got fired from that job for being late too often, and I struggle with depression and anxiety, which makes it hard for me to feel confident. I know I need to 'sell myself', but I feel like I have nothing to sell. My high school diploma is my only formal education, and I don't have any passions or hobbies to talk about. The grocery store job was tough for me; it was physically and socially draining, and I ended up experiencing severe burnout. I really don't want to go back to that kind of work, but I'm worried that I won't be qualified for anything else. I’ve read that entry-level jobs are a good starting point, but I thought that’s what I was doing with the grocery store. Now, I feel trapped and unsure of how to present myself in this call. I just hope I can find a way to communicate my experience without focusing on my past failures.

I’m 25 years old and feeling completely lost in my career. I didn’t finish college, but I’ve been working since I was young, mainly in property management, customer service, leasing, and sales. I’m good with people—I know how to connect, make them feel comfortable, solve problems, and market creatively. I even ran my own photography business, which gave me experience with clients and social media. The issue is, I really don’t like property management. It drains me, and I feel unfulfilled. Yet, every job search seems to push me back into that field because it’s where most of my experience lies. I feel trapped in a career I never chose intentionally. I know I have valuable skills, but I’m not sure what job titles to search for or where my skills would be appreciated. Not having a degree makes me feel even more limited. I’ve thought about going back to school, but it feels overwhelming and far from improving my life right now. I want a career that values my personality and strengths—something involving people, relationship-building, creativity, customer experience, sales, or helping others. Stability, decent pay, and room for growth are also important to me. Ideally, I’d love a remote or hybrid role, but I know that may not be realistic right away. I’m grateful to have a job that supports me, but I feel guilty for being unhappy when I’m technically doing “better.” I don’t want to spend years in a job I despise just because it’s familiar. Has anyone else transitioned out of property management or built a good career without finishing college? Based on my experience, what roles or industries should I realistically be looking into? I feel like I have a lot to offer—I just don’t know where I belong.

I recently lost my job as a Software Development Engineer at Zoom due to layoffs. I'm now on the lookout for a new position and would love to find a company known for its stability and minimal layoffs. It's been a challenging time, and I'm hoping to connect with others who feel proud of their companies for maintaining a steady workforce.

I currently work in a data collection role where my main responsibility is compiling reports based on assigned tasks. Each report comes with an estimated time allocation, but I've been consistently working around 10 hours a day, not counting my two-hour commute. The workload has become overwhelming, with an average of over 9 hours of tasks assigned daily, and that's before factoring in meetings, training sessions, and unexpected issues that arise. This week has been particularly intense, as the entire team has been assigned a staggering 16 hours of work per day. To make matters worse, there's no overtime pay, yet we're expected to work beyond our regular hours to meet these demands. Additionally, every report undergoes a final review, where any mistakes—no matter how minor—are pointed out, which adds to the pressure. I'm seriously considering quitting, but I'm unsure if other companies will have similar issues. This is my first job, and I'm seeking advice on whether I should stick it out or move on.