#CareerStruggles #FindingMyPath #JobSearch
Hey there, it sounds like you’re going through a tough time and feeling really lost. It’s okay to feel that way, but remember that you’re not alone. Many people struggle with finding their path and it’s important to remember that it’s never too late to make a change. Let’s see if we can figure this out together and find some solutions that work for you.
First of all, it’s important to recognize that you’ve already made significant efforts to improve your situation. Joining the military, getting a college degree, and pursuing an MBA are all commendable achievements. It’s unfortunate that they haven’t led to the career opportunities you were hoping for, but it’s not a reflection of your abilities or worth as a person.
It might feel like you’ve bet on the wrong horse, but it’s important to remember that each experience has taught you valuable skills and knowledge that can be applied to new opportunities. Let’s take a step back and reassess your skills, interests, and goals to create a plan that will help you find a more fulfilling path.
Here are a few things to consider as you move forward:
1. Assess your skills and interests: Take some time to reflect on what you enjoy doing and what you’re good at. Are there any transferable skills from your military or educational experiences that could be applied to a different career path? For example, leadership, problem-solving, or organizational skills are valuable in many industries.
2. Explore new career paths: Don’t limit yourself to jobs that seem “appropriate” based on your education or past experiences. There are countless career paths that may align with your skills and interests. Consider industries that are in high demand, such as technology, healthcare, or environmental sustainability. These fields often offer opportunities for career growth and stability.
3. Networking and mentorship: Reach out to your professional and personal network to seek advice, referrals, and mentorship. Networking can open doors to opportunities that may not be advertised, and having a mentor can provide guidance and support as you navigate your career path.
4. Continuous learning: If you feel that your lack of experience is a roadblock in your job search, consider pursuing internships, volunteer work, or additional certifications to gain practical experience in your desired field. Online courses and workshops are also great options for expanding your skills and knowledge.
5. Create a compelling resume and cover letter: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight the most relevant skills and experiences for each job application. Use specific examples and quantifiable achievements to demonstrate your value to potential employers.
It’s important to keep in mind that finding the right career path takes time, patience, and perseverance. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed and scared, but try to focus on the steps you can take to move forward. Don’t be too hard on yourself – you’re doing the best you can in a challenging situation.
Lastly, it’s important to seek support from your loved ones and take care of your mental and emotional well-being. It’s okay to ask for help and lean on others during difficult times. Remember that you’re a valuable person with a lot to offer, and that there are people who care about you and want to see you succeed.
Hang in there – you have the strength and resilience to overcome this challenge and find a fulfilling career that aligns with your skills and passions. Keep taking small steps forward, and don’t give up on yourself. You’ll figure it out, I promise. 🌟
Hang in there, I can relate.
It will even out, just keep treading water.
Another, hang in there. It is tough right now and you are not to blame. Good luck.
This is how I feel.
I haven’t joined the military yet though…
OP- try getting into healthcare. There are plenty of jobs at hospitals, home health agencies and skilled nursing facilities with an MBA. I was in a similar boat and started working at a hospital and it has been life changing. I wish you good luck!
Sounds like you just need a start somewhere, anywhere. You have credentials that will open doors for you in many industries down the line.
What did you do in the service?
How are you defining success?
Is paying your bills without killing yourself success? Is becoming as rich as Warren Buffet success? Is getting promoted every two years success?
My son-in-law did a stint in the Marines as a scout sniper, no tech. He owns a $300K/year electrical contracting company now. My niece studied community college accounting. She makes 6 figures as the company bookkeeper and works from home 3-4 days a week. My best friend’s husband did marines with tech and now he makes good 6 figures configuring office networks for an international company.
I graduated as an engineer and loved the work until it all went offshore. Then I did business programming for years. Boring as hell but benefits, benefits, benefits. Then I became a counselor for families with children with disabilities. Less money but a joy to do. I paid all my own and my family’s bills since I was 18. I didn’t look for the big score or the perfect job, I just took the best available at the time. I did side-gigs whenever I needed extra cash. I was flexible, nothing is forever today.
Maybe your success mind set is getting in your way. Every now and again mine did.
Why didn’t you just stay in the military?
Feeling the same way, seems so hard to break into a field when every job wants experience in a million different things. Good luck, hope things get better for you
The name of this sub is what you need to do
Stop being so nomadic career wise and fucking find something
The only way to move up is to start
Then, the second half is sticking with it
I don’t know what you look like or how likeable/charismatic you are, but if those categories are looking decent, always, always go into a place and ask about employment opportunities. You’ll never get anywhere with job listing websites, they straight to cash 1000 resumes a week, and are usually awful jobs anyway…
Once you’re an actual person in their mind, especially if you’re a charming motha fucka’, it’s much much easier to find work/make connections.
You’re not alone my friend, I’m feeling the same way and I’m here thinking about enlisting into the military.
What branch did you join and what didn’t you like about it?
I feel similar. I have degrees, certifications, graduate hours beyond my graduate degrees too (they were free through grants), but I feel like so many of our positions should be more flexible. At least translate to other positions and learn on the job when we have degrees that can, at least, have transferable skills.
I actually know what you mean.
Recently I changed paths (again) and started entry level (again) and it was hard to convince employers I was not being wishy-washy and that I was truely committed.
I was too qualified and educated for entry level, and yet I could not lateral because I had zero experience, so no other choice but to start entry level.
I made that pivot a few years ago and now happy enough with my current career with relevant experience. But I definitely had to polish up my story telling and downplay my resume to get the entry.
What’s your undergrad degree in?
I was afraid to be in the same situation as you a few months ago before I started my terminal leave. I don’t understand what your situation is or what degrees you got in, but hang in there. Like you, I actually utilized the military to pay for my degrees. I was also very fortunate that I was able to find a career utilizing my degrees and clearance to land a couple of offers right before terminal leave. I have two toddlers, and I told myself that if I can’t find a job that can support my family I wouldn’t mind working two jobs (it can be Mcdonalds or Taco or any retail) until I can land that job that can support my family. I was not willing to lose to the job market or negative thoughts. My mindset is that, if I can’t find a job in IT/Cyber I will get certify in healtcare to break in. If that doesn’t work I will try different field even if I have to spend more time getting certified working two jobs. I will do anything to makesure my family doesn’t suffer and let myself suffer alone to get them there.
That being said, you used to work in aviation in the military, if you can get certified in a couple weeks I am sure you can find a decent job within the field. There are plenty of aviation jobs open for certified veterans with prior experiences. You need to have a stronger mindset and pull yourself together to get through this sh$tty job market. I wish you the best and as a fellow veteran, may you find what you are looking for soon.
Sounds like youre like a lot of people and youre afraid to settle. Gotta settle sometimes though.
Are there people with your background and education, who are doing really well? You know they are. So why not you?
Read Brian Tracy.
Wild to have another kid in the way with a lack of a plan
I feel this! I have tried so many directions and stuff haven’t found a path.. I hope you do figure it out, hang in there, you will.
Have you looked up cleared jobs? Government contractors? I mean the market sucks all around which is a struggle we’re all facing. Maybe you can uber in the meantime til you get something viable? If you’re not using this, you should def be on [USAjobs.gov](https://USAjobs.gov)
Also, with that MBA look up positions like contract administrator for the DOE or other department. I have a friend that does that and makes great money just basically handling paperwork for grants etc.
How’s your ear? Any musical background? Are you able to hear when music is in tune?
Don’t look for a job, make a job for yourself
If every instinct is wrong, then the opposite would have to be right.
Haven’t you heard? It’s about who you know. Go mingle.
Learn how to fucking sell software and work your ass off doing it
let’s start by saying that you’re not alone, and you’re not a failure. the fact that you’re reaching out shows that you’re trying to improve your situation and that’s a really important first step. you’ve invested in your education and that’s a very positive thing – it may not be paying off the way you hoped, but it doesn’t make it the “wrong choice”. you’re not defined by your job or your salary – you have value as a person, as a parent, and as a husband, regardless of whether or not you have a job right now. you may not have all the answers right now, and that’s ok. the fact that you’re concerned about doing better for your family is a sign that you’re a good and caring person.
Yep. That’s how it goes. And recruiters seem incapable of noticing value outside of their narrow instructions. Many over qualified ppl will apply for a position and they’ll be like… “oh well they never had to use Microsoft teams so they aren’t a good fit.” Or some similar BS response. They’ll overlook years of skills for some minor detail one could learn in a millisecond.
It seems like trying to find a job that does not require dealing with recruiters would be your best bet.
Most of us feel like we can’t fit in to save our lives. Most of us did what we were assured were the correct things to do, and we’re being punished for it forever.
You’re not a failure, sounds like you’ve done a lot in your life so far. Keep at it and stop being cruel to yourself. Network and keep learning every day, luck also has a lot to do with it.
have you ever considered the management aspect of “blue collar” work? like if you did the bookkeeping for a landscaping company? or worked for a contractor on project management and alignment? you seem to have more blue collar values while being qualified to be the “numbers guy” in the room. how good are you with technology? best wishes to you. you will figure this out. not everyone’s path is linear and straightforward. some of us have to circle the block a bit to find a place to park.
You aren’t alone. I was in the marine corps right after high school, now in college, and still completely lost. The marine corps was my answer, till I experienced it, infantry was no joke, I’ve never felt so lonely, scared, and confused in my life. College seemed like the answer, but it isn’t working. My passion doesn’t pay enough to live healthy (automotive), parents recently divorced, I mean what’s What’s next? Who fucking knows. All I can say is it helps to take it one day at a time. For me personally I think my problem is im too worried about pleasing everyone else and too worried about being a “failure”, but at the end of the day if you’re living you’re winning. Maybe it’s time to take a step back find your deep passion and put your all into it. One thing that helps me is, realizing there are people working as Starbucks managers who are living a better happier life than I am. It gives me hope, because it proves there is more to success than money
You just described my whole adult life… military, college, and I’m still stuck in poverty wage job…
The United States has an outstanding economy now, and has the lowest unemployment in the history of the country. You might be depressed. Maybe you should see a doctor. You also might have attention deficit disorder. Sometimes it is not diagnosed. A symptom of having ADD is having lots of life and career changes Continually starting over and not finishing things. I know some people that have made a ton of money in the military. After they got out based on their military experience. And there’s no reason in the world you do not have a job if you want one with a college degree in an mba. And I know many very successful, happy people who do not have any of those things. They just work hard and make their own way. I would encourage you to just do what it is that you enjoy the most. And to talk to a physician to see if you have depression, or some kind of a cognitive disorder.
You didn’t make the wrong decisions, you made the best you could with the information you had at the time. As someone more blue collar than you, I assure you, you are not alone in your frustrations.
The economy is trash and it’s not you.