Career Transitioning & Finding Purpose
46 posts across 9 communities in the last 30 days; 52% from r/careerguidance.
“Hi all, As the title says, I want to look to do something that I actually find interesting. As the title says, I want to transition into a position that deals with things on the for profit side (for profit auditing, financial due diligence, etc.) but the only problem is that I…”
“I’ve been working in tech sales for about 5 years and I’ve come to the realization that I don’t think sales is the right career for me. For a long time I thought the problem was something else. First I thought it was the company, so I changed companies. Then I thought it was the…”
“Hi everyone. I've been commenting on posts on this subreddit for a while and noticed there are a lot of recurring questions. I work as a career transition coach so have seen these cases often outside of this subreddit. A very common one I see on here is something along the lines…”
Several individuals are seeking guidance on career transitions, exploring new fields after feeling unfulfilled or burned out in their current roles. Many express a desire for more meaningful work and better work-life balance.
SOURCES (60)
“(M24 from India) I'm thinking that I'm currently stuck in a sales profile and i have tried all sorts of things to switch my career but it's not happening. About my education- I have done my graduation in Arts alongside my job and currently I'm…”
“Hey guys, how was your day? I wanted to ask: how did you know whether you chose the right or wrong career path? Right now, I’m in my final year of college majoring in marketing, which I got into completely by accident. For the longest time as a kid, whenever people asked me what I wanted to be, I’d say a cop. Later, as I grew up, I got a bit more specific and wanted to be a forensic scientist. I think American movies really got to me, lol. Since my school only went up to 9th grade. I wanted to g”
“Looking for business ideas that I could potentially start with A BS in psychology. I graduated almost a year ago and still haven’t found employment so I’m thinking starting a business might be a better option for me thanks in advance submitted by /u/Southern-Biscotti-25 [link] [comments]”
“For context, 26yo with over 5 years in corporate. I worked a major alcohol distributor in commercial strategy/operations and marketing analytics. My first team, I spent my time learning the industry but was able to do great projects that introduced me to agile principles and tool development. I really enjoyed creating a new key operating platform for internal users and the collaboration that included. The main reason I left over 2.5 years was due to low pay and corporate politics. As for my seco”
“Hi all, As the title says, I want to look to do something that I actually find interesting. As the title says, I want to transition into a position that deals with things on the for profit side (for profit auditing, financial due diligence, etc.) but the only problem is that I only have four years of NFP and Govt auditing experience. Starting over is not the deal breaker for me but I seem to be having a hard time landing interviews and avoiding automatic rejections. Any advice? Below is a bit of”
“I will graduate in the next 4 months. I am pursuing a Bachelor of Management Studies (Major in Marketing) UG degree. After doing research and completing 2 marketing internships in my 2nd year, I have decided to pursue a career in sales, but I am not sure which niche to start in. My questions are: 1) Your suggestions on which industry I should start my career in and why. 2) What skills should 1 master for that job. I wanted guidance from your experience. Thank you in advance. submitted by &”
“Hi I'm currently questioning my career choice. I'm in a good company earn around 1 LPM but I wanna get out. Try something else. Hence need guidance... submitted by /u/Expensive_Local_4768 [link] [comments]”
“I’m a marketing generalist who has spent the past few years in music/live entertainment and I’m looking to leave that specific industry (7+ years of working 12+ hour days and weekends is enough for me). I have experience working in (briefly) higher ed, a bit in F&B/hospitality, and then a decent amount in non profits (worked at one that had a music/arts component). My resume is kept pretty general, showcasing achievements like “drove $X in revenue,” “increased engagements by X%” etc. and all”
“Been a bar manager and bartender for a minute, looking for a job where I can sit that's not in sales (been there, done that). Would be interested in customer service/IT but don't know where to start/how to market my skills. Any advice? Also, any other fields/roles I should consider? submitted by /u/12throwaway510125 [link] [comments]”
“I’m looking for some career advice because I feel like I’m at a point where I need to figure out what I actually want to do long-term. I’ve been working in sales/business development for around 3–4 years now. Throughout that time, I’ve realized that I really dislike cold calling and a lot of the day-to-day responsibilities that come with the job. I don’t find the work particularly fulfilling, and I’m starting to question whether sales is the right career for me in general. I don’t think it reall”
“Hi I have a psychology BSc. Any advice on how to get into advertisement writing/design, UX writing, copywriting, or PR? I knew I never wanted to work in anything clinical when choosing my degree. Hope I haven’t made finding a job I like too difficult. submitted by /u/GuavaAble1295 [link] [comments]”
“I have an interest in sales but I’m hesitant because a lot of sales jobs are commissioned. What could I do? submitted by /u/idontlikehotdogs [link] [comments]”
“I really need some clarity because I've been going back and forth between different career options and I'm not sure what makes sense for me anymore. I have an MBA in Marketing and around 1.5 years of freelance experience. Honestly, freelancing wasn't something I planned. I got a few gigs, learned along the way, and ended up doing work around audience research, competitor analysis, positioning and content strategy. I did get good results for clients, but eventually the work started be”
“I’ve been working in tech sales for about 5 years and I’ve come to the realization that I don’t think sales is the right career for me. For a long time I thought the problem was something else. First I thought it was the company, so I changed companies. Then I thought it was the territory I was given. Then I thought the product was too technical. But I keep ending up in the same situation. I start a new job feeling motivated, after a while I become increasingly unhappy and burned out, my perform”
“While I consider myself lucky to have had worked in the same industry since graduating college, I'm now 45 and thinking of making a change. I work in advertising, specifically commercial production dealing with actors. I love it but am slowing finding myself not as interested in the latest trends and the direction that advertising is going. The original plan in college was to become a teacher. I got a degree in international studies. However, my extra-curricular experiences with production l”
“Hi i’m currently in my early 20s this year and have had a long passion for working in the food line. Be it in kitchens, bars, service u can name it over part time jobs. However, during my internship in a restaurant. Where the hours and days of work has just been so different from my general group of friends and even family. It has made me rethink if this industry is really sustainable as a career, when you have to find a wife in the future and even spend time to raise a family. My passion for fo”
“Hello! I have a bachelor’s degree in psychology and my entire career history has been in mental health care/psych related roles (other than an 8 month stint 5 years ago where I worked as a floral designer randomly because I was so burnt out from working in mental health care). I have been in my current mental healthcare role for 4 years and I think this role is officially the straw that broke the camel’s back. I desperately need to change career paths and would love to work in something more art”
“Has anyone here moved through completely different profiles/fields at different stages of their career, with some gaps in between? I’ve switched fields more than once and had a couple of gaps while figuring out what I actually want to pursue long-term. I’m currently in a Data/Analytics role and came from a non software engineer role, but I’m still working towards the area I want to settle into. For people who’ve been through something similar, how did you eventually figure out a career path that”
“I’m currently working a sort of “bullshit job” in copywriting that provides no sense of purpose or challenge. I’ve hit a glass ceiling and there’s no real possibility of new projects or promotions. The job does, however, have a ton of benefits: great colleagues, easy work, little real responsibility, decent pay, working from home, working part time, working in a nice office. Overall, I’m a little embarrassed to explain how little I do when I meet new people, but I’m happy and I know I am extreme”
“I wonder if it’s a good time to do so now. It’s been something I’ve wanted to do for years but never really focused on. What skills do I need to pickup? Will it make it harder for me to land a job in 2026? submitted by /u/genzbiz [link] [comments]”
“Hi everyone. In case this helps anyone :) In my day job some of the most common questions are something along the lines of "I want to change careers, but have no idea what to change to", or "I want thinking of doing A and B, but don't know . Here's somewhere to start. TLDR: Get clear on what you want from work and life, look for clues in things you’ve enjoyed doing, and revisit ideas you’ve dismissed. Pick 2–3 possibilities and speak to people doing the work. Clarity comes”
“I have about 7 years of hospitality experience and loved bartending, especially the people/relationship side, but I can’t keep doing something that physically demanding long-term. I’m currently in wellness sales and realized I actually like sales, but probably more consultative/relationship-based sales than aggressive, high-pressure selling. I like connecting with people, figuring out what they need, educating them, and helping them find a solution.I’ve been trying to transition into medical/hea”
“Hi everyone. I've been commenting on posts on this subreddit for a while and noticed there are a lot of recurring questions. I work as a career transition coach so have seen these cases often outside of this subreddit. A very common one I see on here is something along the lines of "I want to change careers, but have no idea what to change to". Here's somewhere to start. 1) Get specific about what you want. Most people start from the position of "I hate my job", which”
“I've (early 30s) worked in social media marketing for about the last four years remotely. My last position, which I resigned from a month ago due to burnout and toxic higher-up management (I stayed much longer than I wanted and tried to find a resolution to the issues, but there were major leadership issues), was with a coaching program in the health and wellness space. I managed their social media accounts, including moderation, engagement, and DM setting/sales. It was a high-stress job. I”
“TLDR: What questions would you ask yourself before making a career switch and going back to school? Hi there. I (22FTM) have been an esthetician for about 3 years now. I’m good at it, have an established clientele, and do find enjoyment in what I do. BUT! It’s destroying my body. The constant leaning, pulling, tugging, and repetitive motion is leading me to constant body pain and fatigue. I work so hard, and yet I’m continually burnt out. Simply put, I’m no longer enjoying my industry. I don’t f”
“I’m in my early 30s and recently went back to school part-time for a degree in SCM after not finishing college the first time around. Currently, I work in territory sales for a large beer distributor in the Northeast, managing a route of ~80 off-premise and on-premise establishments. Before that, I was the lead buyer and department manager for multiple retail beer stores. Between the two, I have about 7 years of experience in the beer industry, with experience in purchasing, inventory management”
“I’m 32 and live in Nova Scotia. I was laid off from my previous marketing/project manager job almost 2 years ago and haven’t been able to find a new position. I started bartending again in the meantime, but it’s becoming unsustainable and is fuelling a lifestyle I don’t want long-term. I’ve also realizing that I don’t want to go back to marketing, so I’m trying to figure out what direction to take instead. Considering going to university, but I don’t have any savings and taking on significant de”
“Does anyone had any advice that might help me figure out a career path? I am 34M and recently quit my good paying sales job without having a plan. I know, not a good idea to quit without having a job lined up. I discussed this decision with my wife before quitting and we both agreed that she would go back to work full time while I took care of our child. I very much regret my decision, but I could not handle sales anymore. I feel lost and am really struggling to find a path forward. I thought I”
“I did my Masters in Organisational Psychology only to realise that I’m more inclined towards marketing. I’m currently looking for a job but I’m afraid given the shitty job market that no one would hire me because I got no previous job experience and a degree that’s not really related to Marketing. And I have limited time to look for a job as I’m on a Graduate Visa. So, I just want a bit of guidance about the job situation and about the career switch that I wanna do from psychology to marketing.”
“I’m currently in marketing and as many of you have probably seen it is the first to get cut when the economy is bad, the pay has dropped and become stagnant and plenty of burn out since we are expected to produce the same results with leaner teams. I’m mid-late 20s, single and with no kids so I have the opportunity to possibly go back to school and choose a higher paying career field with more stability. My initial thoughts were: A) go the part time / evening MBA route to switch to either busine”
“I’m 25 and looking for some career advice. I have a BS in Exercise Science with a Psychology minor and have been working in senior living/memory care for almost 3 years. My experience has mainly been in activities/resident engagement, but I know I don’t want to stay in activities long-term. I’m interested in moving into something with more career growth, ideally a corporate or hybrid position in healthcare, wellness, senior living, or a related field. I’m open to different types of roles and don”
“What career paths did you decide to go for and why? I just graduated in May with my BBA in marketing, I still fully intend on pursuing marketing, but I’m also considering back ups since I still haven’t gotten a job in the field tha I studied for, however I never thought this far and I feel lost as too alternative routes I can go down that still leave me financially stable, especially as someone who’s a first gen and didn’t grow up financially stable, Also please don’t suggest sales, anything but”
“What career paths did you decide to go for and why? I just graduated in May with my BBA in marketing, I still fully intend on pursuing marketing, but I’m also considering back ups since I still haven’t gotten a job in the field tha I studied for, however I never thought this far and I feel lost as too alternative routes I can go down that still leave me financially stable, especially as someone who’s a first gen and didn’t grow up financially stable, Also please don’t suggest sales, anything but”
“I’ve gone through multiple career changes since I was 25 (currently 33). From non-profit work, to factory work, and now a part of sales for manufacturing companies; I’ve had multiple experiences and leadership opportunities with each position. I’m currently contracted by a Chinese manufacturing company. They have been kind to me, but kindness does not pay my bills. I am both salaried and commissioned by this job. I love this job very much, but there have been some issues on the backend where I’m”
“I’m 25 and in the middle of a career transition, but I’m still trying to figure out what I actually want out of a career. I’ve talked to a lot of people about this and gotten wildly different answers, which has left me debating a few trade-offs: High pay / Long hours: Is grinding early on worth the paycheck? Growth vs. Stepping stone: Better to find a company to grow with, or use a role as a launchpad for the next big move? Work-life balance: Is lower pay worth more personal freedom? I know find”
“I’m 25 and in the middle of a career transition, but I’m still trying to figure out what I actually want out of a career. I’ve talked to a lot of people about this and gotten wildly different answers, which has left me debating a few trade-offs: High pay / Long hours: Is grinding early on worth the paycheck? Growth vs. Stepping stone: Better to find a company to grow with, or use a role as a launchpad for the next big move? Work-life balance: Is lower pay worth more personal freedom? I know find”
“Hi! I’m 24F and have been working in marketing for about two years now. I’ve realized that, while I’m good at it, I absolutely despise the industry. I’m exhausted from juggling 10+ roles within a two-person department, the constant AI-slop, and the pressure to “go viral” rather than actually market around what consumers need. The endless quick-turn trends that ultimately provide no real value to anyone… bleh. I’m very empathetic and analytically driven, and I’d really like to transition into som”
“Please comment and share your journey submitted by /u/UnderstandingNo2008 [link] [comments]”
“I’m leaning towards wanting to leave my buyer role but not sure what other role/industries I could translate into. I enjoy talking to people and don’t have a lot of that in my current role. What are some roles that I could look into? submitted by /u/Ryanf_2413 [link] [comments]”
“I’m looking to be a career switcher! Currently in marketing looking to pursue a MAcc. Curious your age and previous work experience. I’m 30 and nervous about switching 😅 And congrats to you!”
“I'm currently job hunting & I have previous experience in international sales, quotas, handled full sales cycles, initiated marketing campaigns to increase revenue, cold called, consulted on products, moved products into lateral & verticals, and expanded into new territories. Eventually, I got burned out by unrealistic quotas, once I was laid off I returned to school full time to study accounting. Now that I am job hunting the only jobs returning my calls are sales. I don't mind”
“Hi all, I’m a 31 year old on the vendor side of market research. I’ve been at the company 8 years - really the only place I’ve been at post-college. I was promoted to Director in March this year. I had been wanting to leave to try something different but thought the promotion would be a good stepping stone. After starting the position, I got a new boss and the company made a ton of changes. I’ve been through changes here but this is by far and away the largest change. All the senior folks I work”
“I’m generally very capable and adaptable, and I learn new things quickly. What are some ideas for a midlife job/career change that are a step up from lowest entry level/unskilled but not “needs a new degree and experience?” I’m thinking of things for which one can be certified in a matter of months and not for many thousands of dollars. For example, a fire extinguisher service tech or an insurance agent getting the basic certification. What other options might be out there with a minor retooling”
“SUGGESTIONS NEEDED!! I work in event/growth marketing and I’m burnt out by corporate life, especially the lack of work-life balance, after-hours expectations, and constant fear of layoffs. I want to be a mom someday and don’t feel like this lifestyle is sustainable. I enjoy strategy, problem-solving, variety, and project-based work, but want something with better balance, more stability, and clearer boundaries. Has anyone made a career change into something they love that has some aspects of wha”
“I bloody love marketing. I currently do UGC for brands but would love to divert into the actual marketing scene. I think I have the thinking style which would thrive in that type of environment (relational , weirdly good pattern recognition, analogical , contextual etc) or specifically something working with the strategy. My only issue is I tend to over analyse, which I think could be a common downfall of those with AuDHD hence my query Sk for those who do have it, how have you found working in”
“I’m 26F and tired of the analysis paralysis I feel trying to choose a career. I’ve spent most of the last five years working retail. I always knew I didn’t want to stay in it long-term, but mental health issues through my teens and early 20s delayed school and career planning quite a lot The field I was most interested in was diagnostic imaging/sonography. What appealed to me was the combination of technical work, helping people, decent pay, job stability. Unfortunately, the program is extremely”
“Will be looking to start my MBA next year to pivot away from marketing and the creative burn out. I have a few fields I’m considering but would like outside input. Which field do you think is best to get into right now? submitted by /u/Low_Wasabi_8481 [link] [comments]”
“I'm 25F, with 4.5 years of experience working in an MNC. My background is in operations and management, and I have a bachelor's degree in business. Lately, I've been thinking a lot about my career and what I actually want to do long-term. My current role isn't particularly technical, and while I've gained professional experience, I often feel like I'm just going through the motions. When the work becomes repetitive and there's no more learning, I start losing interest”
“I’m 27 and completely lost career-wise, so I’d love to hear from people who have been in a similar situation. I studied marketing and communications, then briefly worked as a Community Manager at a startup before my probation period ended because of budget cuts. After that, I found a long-term freelance contract with a company that assigns me their own clients. For the past 4 years, I’ve been consulting entrepreneurs on marketing, communication and developing their projects. I also have another”
“Hey sales brothers and sisters. Need advice on how to position myself for career growth within sales and what sort of roles I should be going after. I have been in a North American Sales Lead (I know weird title) for about 10 months. I sell an extremely niche, technical input, into a niche industry. I started in this role after working 10 years in operations in the same industry and using the products I currently sell. I'm at a small mom and pop shop, 7 total sellers, remote, but with travel”
“Have been planning on it and working towards it for over a year and a half. Should be fully transitioned in another year or so.”