You make $65,000 (USD 🤢) in a dead end career... (piefed.social)

submitted 13 hours ago by Tooks@piefed.social to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

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You make $65,000 (USD 🤢) in a dead end career doing nothing but showing up sometimes. Guaranteed employment without change in intensity or salary until retirement in 15 years at age 62. You receive 3 weeks paid vacation, reasonably priced medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401k matched at 2.5%, and virtually unlimited sick days as long as you don't call out too often (>3x month). You are given 6 college credits per semester to use at the local university. You're currently working on a PhD.

You live comfortably and have 1 year's salary saved. Zero dependents.

Do you ride it out, or do you seek a career change before it's too late.

I know, infinite unknown variables, but what would you do regardless?

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[-] meco03211@lemmy.world 9 points 11 hours ago

Your potential doesn't need to be limited to work. You can exhibit that in a multitude of ways with no connection to a job.

[-] Tooks@piefed.social 2 points 1 hour ago

Having a job was my parents only aspiration for me. They thought college was a waste of time, and that I would be better off finding a job in retail, working my way up the ladder into management like my father, and live with self-inflicted misery for the rest of my life.

I've been employed since 12 years old. I'd only been without a job for roughly 18 months back in the early 00s when I was furloughed from a customer service role at a bank. I was given a nice retention and severance bonus, so I took that money and started an associates degree. Finished it in under two years, picked up a part-time gig, transferred credits, worked and earned my bachelors.

I equate success to maintaining a job. Just the way I was wired, I suppose. I would much rather find success in something not involving money, but I can't separate the idea of success from money. Capitalism.

[-] meco03211@lemmy.world 1 points 29 minutes ago

That still doesn't need to be tied to a 9-5 job. Some advice I'd once heard was to get at least 3 hobbies. One that helps you stay in shape, one that is just pure fun, and one that can earn you some money. Find potential in a hobby that can earn you money.

this post was submitted on 06 Aug 2026

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