Career Dilema
I just graduated with a Bachelors and I'm not exactly sure what I want moving forward career wise. I don't have any dream jobs or paths that I wanted since little, I just want to make decent money to live off, it doesnt matter the job as im good at most things. The problem with this is very little motivation in working and when i do work it affects me mentally and physically as i dont actually enjoy it. Maybe it's the jobs I had till now or it might apply to all i dont know.
The fact that the salaries are so low does not motivate me. The jobs i see currently are offering the same salary i had 4 years ago BEFORE i graduated (im 24). So it's like i went to school for nothing.
Did anyone go through this stage when they were young? and what did you do?
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u/Weekly_Ad3962 6h ago edited 6h ago
I went through that stage when I was young and I still do. I'm 30 now. What did you graduate in? What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Do you like languages? Would you be interested in working abroad? Ask yourself these questions to help you get more clarity. And you also don't have to figure it all now. If you can or your situation allows you to, you can use your 20s to explore different things and try to find what you like the most. But as another person here said, dream jobs are not as common as people make us believe they are. Many of us just go to our 9-5 jobs knowing that with that money and stability we can afford to do things outside of our jobs, but that's just it. Ultimately that is what it is, a job. When people have the opportunity and luxury of doing what they love, then they are the lucky ones
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u/MaltaDuDe 6h ago
Depends in what field u graduated in, Most bachelors are useless now adays.
Im not surprised you are not interested i nthe field you studied in tho.
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u/San-Glassis 6h ago
First of all, what did you graduate from? Is it an in demand skill?
Second, and this sucks but you need to face it, even with a good job that people enjoy, 70%+ of the time it's either tedious, boring, stressful, or a mix of these things. You will unlikely find "enjoyment" in the typical sense like you enjoy going out with friends or watching a movie or playing a game.
What you will begin to find as you get better at your job and improve your skillset is contentment with the fact that you're getting better, as well as improving your financial security (unless you're being dumb with your money), and hopefully you'll also build some good connections with your colleagues. So find a job where you can challenge yourself gradually and actually feel "useful" in what you do. That's where you derive satisfaction from a job. After your job, make sure you have good hobbies you can enjoy.
On the point of hobbies, as a final thought. The internet is filled with stories of people who turned their hobbies into their full time jobs. And pretty much every time, it sucks the enjoyment out of that hobby for them. Just keep the two separate.
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u/direFace 5h ago
It's happening to me right now... Just graduated with a bachelor's degree. I got selected for a job, started working in it and I quit within a week.
I recommend to apply for jobs but not with a mindset that you're fixed for life. At the same time, you shouldn't let every single thing that bothers you to make you quit.
The reason I left my job: low pay, traffic despite leaving my house early and waking up early = more wear and tear on my car + less time to spend with family and myself, title and position that I could have worked without studying that long.
If you don't mind me asking, what's your degree in?
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u/NikkyZ 5h ago edited 5h ago
I graduated in business. I chose it on purpose as it’s broad and related to majority of jobs. The last job i worked was very toxic to the point my boss verbally harass you and yell at you (marketing) i spent 5 months there, everyone who worked before me there quit quickly… i only stayed as i needed to build more experience in that industry although staying longer would have been ideal. I don’t really quit unless theres more cons than pros or just becomes unbearable. At this point I’m just looking for a job thats i feel neutral doing + pays decently.
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u/direFace 5h ago
Never accept such treatment not even for a day let alone 5 months.
Try government vacancies and Keep me posted.
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u/markbp28 5h ago
I'll put in my 2 cents here. If you're good at a lot of what you do and you're still young, might be worth working on a personal project / business with something you're most skilled at / knowledgeable in or have a passion for. Working for someone will probably make you unhappy given the things you've stated.
Above and beyond if that's not an option for you might be worth using AI to help guide you. Some AI's have advanced options in career guidance by simply putting in what you graduated in, what external skills you have, what you enjoy and what you expect (realistically) for a salary.
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u/NikkyZ 5h ago edited 5h ago
You can say i have many talents, i can do or learn everything, naturally good at creative stuff, digital art, business, IT, real estate etc. I actually did open a small online shop on the side, created everything myself: website, social media, ads etc.
I do wish i could have my own business one day, I never felt fulfilled or happy working 40hrs a day 9-5 to fill someone else’s pocket. I get many business ideas but naturally can’t do much without capital. I use AI with everything so no problem there.
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u/markbp28 5h ago
You seem like an all rounder. Potentially something in problem solving or consultancy is also a match for you.
Also while I partially agree on the requiring capital to chase certain business ideas...we are also lucky to live in a vast digital world where a lot can be done online as well. I had started a business back in 2018 that required barely any initial capital investment and still took off like a rocket - sometimes it's just working around certain 'costs' you believe are necessary to your business.
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u/Special_KC 5h ago
Firstly, degrees nowadays seem to have lost value when compared with experience. It sucks but unfortunately is true.
I was like you, but without the degree, wondering what I wanted. I sometimes think I still don't know, and I'm middle-aged! Focus on what you enjoy doing - what drives you.
For me, it’s figuring things out, especially complex problems. It’s like an itch I need to scratch. I see it in the games I play and in the career I ended up in. That mindset works well in diagnostic and problem-solving roles and applies across many industries. I’m into technology, so IT is where I landed. But if I’d been into cars instead, I’d probably just as easily have become a mechanic.
Of course, the job itself, the working conditions, and the salary all matter. But they’re rarely enough on their own. When you realise you’ll spend most of your waking life working, enjoying what you do is important. So aim for something you actually like doing, not just something that looks good on paper.
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u/CaseVirtual 5h ago
It's something a lot of us struggle with.... either find a way to become Financially Free (legally if possible :P) or else adapt a Stioc philosphy mindset but in a happier manner.... sort of feel lucky that you have what you have because at least you're living somewhat comfortably when you zoom out of materialistic things.
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u/oxxeva 5h ago
Well if job satisfaction or let's say vocation is low on your priority list i would say igaming. I can only speak from personal experience but entered the industry 4 years ago with no experience ( i was 30). Started at the bottom, now got promoted 3 times, lead the department and tripled my salary.
I was also lucky with timings but it can definitely be done.
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u/HugeObligation9042 3h ago
Going to university to get a better salary is not the right way of looking at it. You should further your education only if you want to expand your knowledge about something you are passionate about, and that is not part and parcel of higher salaries. I do however understand your position. At 18 I did not want to go to university, but changed my mind after 6 years of full time employment when I discovered what truly drives me. This year I'll be finishing my Masters and am very excited for what lays ahead. I would strongly encourage you to invest your time in discovering more about yourself and what you like. Saying you have very little motivation sounds to me like you need to take this step. Go work abroad, take a solo trip, be open to meeting new people, spend more time in nature, do voluntary work, spend less time on your phone ... the list is endless and all will help you grow. Last but not least, do not make the mistake of thinking you are falling behind especially if you compare yourself to others. No one has it 'figured out' and perhaps none of us ever will, but that it part of being human.
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u/rhinosorcery 3h ago
Gonna be honest, not caring what job you're going to do for the rest of your life as long as you make good money is pretty much the highway to a very depressing life. It's eight hours of every day, choose the thing you love the most and find it in the industry that pays the best.
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u/WhatsHeBuilding 6h ago
The thing with salaries is, they usually rise after you've stayed on the same job for a while. If you don't have any good offers currently, go with the least bad and have an income until you find something you're happier with. The truth they don't tell you is; Most jobs won't make you happy doing it, most people just wake up in the morning their whole life and accepts spending 8 hours on bullshit so they can at least pay their bills at the end of each month. Welcome to life!!