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?

UPDATE: I’m slightly taken aback by how many of you actually took the time out of your day/evening to reply to my personal crisis. I’ve think I’ve replied to everyone, which, in doing so, made this morning surprisingly sunnier. So thanks for that.

Adding some thing I’ve shared in replies. I’m a homeowner with zero debt aside from a very affordable mortgage. Purchased my car outright new in 2024, had household concerns addressed over past five years (new roof, HVAC systems, sump pump, water heater, shed, remodeled bathrooms), have three degrees, and a lifetime of piss poor fortune.

  • Dookieman12@piefed.socialEnglish
    2·
    3 days ago

    Despite having your needs satisfied, you sound unfulfilled. More money won’t necessarily change that.

    People say, “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life,” but the truth is the opposite. When you do something every day, you become good at it. That skill, that proficiency fosters enjoyment and leads to us loving what we do. I’m not in my career field because I love it, I love what i do because I’m very good at it and mastery is its own reward.

    Are you certain there’s no way to monetize your PhD? Surely you could teach with those credentials?

    • Tooks@piefed.socialOPEnglish
      1·
      2 days ago

      Teaching is likely where I will end up. I’m already responsible for employee onboarding (it’s an email), and have conducted many public speaking affairs, most involving some new change to something nobody is going to love. Or “special projects” as they like to call them. The projects I’m given are those others have failed because I’m a mark for getting stuff done. I could teach as an adjunct now with my masters, but the pay is abysmal.