Finished a degree I hated, now stuck in a job I hate

Wyoming. Just Wyoming. said:Honestly, I feel like you'd have a much easier time working in a courtroom than sitting in a therapist's chair.
Living in France is a total money pit unless you're sitting pretty at the top of the social ladder.

Running my own private practice as a psychologist? That’s the absolute dream for me. But let's be real—everyone's wired differently.

Justin Gomez2 said:Look, you’re overthinking it. Being 24 isn't late by any stretch. Honestly, the easiest thing you can do is just stop stressing and get moving. By the time you hit 27, you could easily have that degree in hand and be out there actually making moves in your field. Just so you know, before they even consider putting you on a permanent contract, you’re gonna have to grind through a full year of internship work first. $800 And pass the bar exam, too.

Finally, I’m here. I just started working at the courthouse and honestly, it’s not really my vibe, but I’ve got seven legal subjects to cram for. Already hitting the books.
I’m putting in the work to prove I’m actually responsible, and I fully intend to pass this thing.
So what’s the big deal? I couldn't care less about legal studies in general—the only thing that actually holds my interest is family law.

Agripina80 said:That’s exactly where the problem lies. We're being forced to decide our entire life's path while we're still basically kids. Some kids head straight into vocational schools right after middle school. It’s wild to think about—you've got a fifteen-year-old girl basically starting her career path before she's even hit high school graduation. Thinking about signing up for barber school? Honestly, it’s one of those moves that can either set you up for life or just burn through your cash if you aren't ready to grind. It’s not just about playing with scissors; it's a whole different beast once you're actually behind the chair. If you've got the drive, go for it, but don't expect a free ride. Then at twenty years old, it finally hits you like a ton of bricks—wait, am I seriously going to be stuck tracking my steps for the rest of my life? Seriously?

I'm in. 😁
At 15, nobody actually knows what they want to do with their life. Honestly, I think being a hairstylist is a killer career choice. It’s fun, it’s creative, and you get to constantly switch things up with different styles.
Look, if you actually know what you're doing and you genuinely love the craft, the money follows. It’s pretty simple. If you're a killer barber who treats every cut like an art form, people will pay for that expertise. Period.

Agripina80 said:Seriously, people, are we even living in the same country anymore?
I don't know if it's even smart to be telling a 24-year-old they need to go get a degree. Especially when we're talking about preschool teachers—there are way too many of them out there already, and most can barely find a job. Half the people working in those roles probably aren't even using their actual credentials anyway. Look, following your dreams sounds great on paper, but let's be real: out here in the States, making that happen is incredibly tough. Honestly, for some people, it might just be impossible.
Look, at the end of the day, you honestly gotta be grateful just to have a paycheck coming in. You just gotta suck it up, grind through those eight hours, and be glad you’ve actually got a job to go to. It is what it is.

Exactly what you said.
I’m finally starting to get used to the vibe at the courthouse where I work, but honestly? It’s still just not it.
Look, I don't even know what I was trying to say there, but you've got a point. You can't exactly pick and choose what life throws at you these days. All I'm doing is praying to Bog that my health holds up.
I’m paying!

You really do have the power to choose—it just takes a certain amount of backbone to actually go for it. And honestly? You shouldn't feel obligated to settle for just any job that comes your way (at least not if you're looking at the long haul)... I know some people might disagree with my take here, but hey, I guess that’s just how I see things 🙂 .

neonsailor26 said:You really do have the power to choose—it just takes a certain amount of backbone to actually go for it. And honestly? You shouldn't feel obligated to settle for just any job that comes your way (at least not if you're looking at the long haul)... I know some people might disagree with my take here, but hey, I guess that’s just how I see things 🙂 .

I'm with you on this... honestly, I'd say just run away from the grind entirely! 😬

But if life forces your hand, then you might as well jump from job to job like you're changing socks. 👍

goldenheron6 said:It’s all just shopping to me. 😁

Life’s just one long series of lessons, whether you want them or not. 👍

My parents basically look at me like I’m some kind of high-stakes notary or a legal clerk, but honestly? That whole vibe just isn't my scene. It's totally not my thing, and frankly, I'm failing miserably at it.
It’s all buried in that mountain of paperwork. Like at work, when some judge needs something, they don't even look for it themselves—they just call their secretary to go hunt it down.
We should just swap them out entirely. Every time I show up in front of a female judge, she acts like she’s better than me the second I make a single mistake.
They see some tiny little detail and immediately act like, "Oh, you absolutely have to know this!" They play all these high-and-mighty types, acting like they’re some kind of experts, when in reality, they haven't accomplished a damn thing.
Law is basically the only field that doesn't have to deal with actual physics or chemistry. It’s just people arguing over words while everyone else deals with reality. 😁

I honestly think the real issue isn't even the job itself—it's that whole attitude coming from female judges.
I'll take gay guys over straight dudes any day. 👍 They're simple.

Back to that whole idea about working at a preschool. Honestly, it would be my dream job, but am I really going to enroll in college at 24? It feels wild. That being said, the curriculum for early childhood education actually really interests me, and I'm super into it.
Interesting. I actually already took a look at that school's curriculum. 🙂
I wouldn't mind grabbing some books just so I could dive straight into studying right away.

Look, it's fine if the workload isn't crushing you anymore, but honestly? Do you really want to spend years—decades, even—stuck doing something that bores you to tears? There’s no such thing as "perfect timing" to switch careers. Some people jump, some people stay put.

I’m definitely not telling you to go out and quit your job tomorrow, but seriously, use your downtime to level up your education or skills and start hunting for something that actually sparks an interest. When that door finally opens, you better be ready to walk through it. 😉

Nicholas Gonzalez8 said:Look, it's fine if the workload isn't crushing you anymore, but honestly? Do you really want to spend years—decades, even—stuck doing something that bores you to tears? There’s no such thing as "perfect timing" to switch careers. Some people jump, some people stay put.

I’m definitely not telling you to go out and quit your job tomorrow, but seriously, use your downtime to level up your education or skills and start hunting for something that actually sparks an interest. When that door finally opens, you better be ready to walk through it. 😉

I'm working on myself and planning to pass my certification exam.
Things are fine at the courthouse right now,
but if something more interesting pops up,
I'm taking it.

goldenheron6 said:I'm working on myself and planning to pass my certification exam.
Things are fine at the courthouse right now,
but if something more interesting pops up,
I'm taking it.

Just keep pushing forward. Sending good vibes your way!🙂

Look, I’m not saying working at the courthouse sucks, but my dream gig would be
living in Washington, D.C. just like this girl in the photo 😁



Or maybe owning a killer hair salon like this one



But hey, dreams are for kids. Once you grow up, you gotta get real and just deal with whatever life throws at you

goldenheron6 said:Look, I’m not saying working at the courthouse sucks, but my dream gig would be
living in Washington, D.C. just like this girl in the photo 😁



Or maybe owning a killer hair salon like this one



But hey, dreams are for kids. Once you grow up, you gotta get real and just deal with whatever life throws at you

Type a law attraction..
and read the book and movie Secret..

For crying out loud, you're 24; you can move and work while finishing your degree.
Just enroll full-time and handle it.

I'm 22 and I'm in the exact same boat. Get out of your comfort zone.👍

Thanks for the tip 🙂

goldenheron6 said:Look, I’m not saying working at the courthouse sucks, but my dream gig would be
living in Washington, D.C. just like this girl in the photo 😁



Or maybe owning a killer hair salon like this one



But hey, dreams are for kids. Once you grow up, you gotta get real and just deal with whatever life throws at you

Is that actually your own thought, or did you just pick it up from someone else along the way? Seriously, think about it—we soak up so much garbage subconsciously without even realizing it.

If you ask me, dreaming is just an escape for people who are either too scared or simply unable to actually live their lives. I mean, sure, kids can't do anything yet, but adults? Most adults are just too terrified to try. We’re experts at making excuses—blaming the economy, claiming there aren't enough jobs, saying the market is too tight, etc. But let’s get real for a second: life has never actually offered a more average person more opportunities than what we have right now. It’s all about mindset. You have to open your eyes to the possibilities, be willing to take a leap, fail miserably, learn the lesson, and get back up. When you actually feel that genuine spark for something, everything just kind of falls into place naturally. 🙂

The more I dig through this thread, the more I see my own life reflected in your story. 🙂

My advice? Just view this current job as a temporary pit stop. Use your off-hours to actually live—do things that bring you some semblance of joy. Study for something better, hit the gym, surround yourself with people who don't drain you, or just find a hobby that isn't soul-crushing.
Once you start doing that, you'll find the grind at work becomes significantly easier to stomach. 😉

I finished my vocational training right back in my hometown—that was a solid three-year stretch. After that, I decided to put in an extra fourth year through some correspondence courses just so I could qualify for university. Even back then, and certainly looking at my life today, I’m constantly surrounded by people who think it’s somehow "illogical" for someone with a vocational background to pursue a degree... honestly, they just don't get it! But you know me—I’ve always marched to the beat of my own drum because I refuse to settle for anything less than what actually excites me. I have never, ever let anyone else's narrow-minded expectations or outdated attitudes wash over me like brainwashing. Sure, I’ve made plenty of enemies along the way by standing my ground, but I’m not complaining one bit. Every single struggle has been worth it—and it's going to be even more rewarding once all my big plans finally come to fruition!

I’m giving you the exact same advice. Chase your dreams with everything you've got. Just tune out the pessimists—those folks have already lost the race before it even started.

neonsailor26 said:I finished my vocational training right back in my hometown—that was a solid three-year stretch. After that, I decided to put in an extra fourth year through some correspondence courses just so I could qualify for university. Even back then, and certainly looking at my life today, I’m constantly surrounded by people who think it’s somehow "illogical" for someone with a vocational background to pursue a degree... honestly, they just don't get it! But you know me—I’ve always marched to the beat of my own drum because I refuse to settle for anything less than what actually excites me. I have never, ever let anyone else's narrow-minded expectations or outdated attitudes wash over me like brainwashing. Sure, I’ve made plenty of enemies along the way by standing my ground, but I’m not complaining one bit. Every single struggle has been worth it—and it's going to be even more rewarding once all my big plans finally come to fruition!

I’m giving you the exact same advice. Chase your dreams with everything you've got. Just tune out the pessimists—those folks have already lost the race before it even started.

This is news to me.
I also finished vocational school, and I know plenty of people who went straight to college afterward.
Those social rules and expectations people cling to...🙈

It seems they are simply envious of your persistence. Kudos to you, and good luck with your studies.

It all comes down to the fact that people can be incredibly spiteful and malicious; they just love tearing others down to make themselves feel superior. Honestly, that’s exactly why I’ve distanced myself from certain parts of my extended family. When you have people in your life who choose to belittle you instead of cheering you on toward your goals, those aren't friends—they're anchors. You have to cut that toxicity out, find your own path, and put all that energy into believing in yourself and your dreams.

Whenever I hear that someone is looking to pivot careers, go back to school, or pursue a new passion, it genuinely warms my heart. I’m always rooting for them! Just keep moving forward.👍

silverhawk9 said:It all comes down to the fact that people can be incredibly spiteful and malicious; they just love tearing others down to make themselves feel superior. Honestly, that’s exactly why I’ve distanced myself from certain parts of my extended family. When you have people in your life who choose to belittle you instead of cheering you on toward your goals, those aren't friends—they're anchors. You have to cut that toxicity out, find your own path, and put all that energy into believing in yourself and your dreams.

Whenever I hear that someone is looking to pivot careers, go back to school, or pursue a new passion, it genuinely warms my heart. I’m always rooting for them! Just keep moving forward.👍

I also have immense respect for anyone showing the drive to learn and evolve. 👍

I’ve done the same with part of my family. Honestly, why bother with people who act like they’re still stuck in the early 1900s? 🎉

goldenheron6 said:Look, I’m not saying working at the courthouse sucks, but my dream gig would be
living in Washington, D.C. just like this girl in the photo 😁



Or maybe owning a killer hair salon like this one



But hey, dreams are for kids. Once you grow up, you gotta get real and just deal with whatever life throws at you

Honestly, what you're talking about isn't even that hard to pull off. Just apply for an apprenticeship in Germany for cosmetology—I think there's more info on the IRS website or something. If you pass the interview, you get free German classes, move to Germany, learn the trade, and work for two years at the same time. Plus, you actually get paid a wage you wouldn't see in America even in a management role. So yeah, just my two cents.

😒

David Miller5 said:Honestly, what you're talking about isn't even that hard to pull off. Just apply for an apprenticeship in Germany for cosmetology—I think there's more info on the IRS website or something. If you pass the interview, you get free German classes, move to Germany, learn the trade, and work for two years at the same time. Plus, you actually get paid a wage you wouldn't see in America even in a management role. So yeah, just my two cents.

😒

And please, stop confusing a hairstylist with an entrepreneur. A salon in a major city has a manager. It’s a business, not a "come over here and cut my hair" situation. 😒

I actually ended up loving my job.

But hey, thanks for all the advice anyway.

goldenheron6 said:I actually ended up loving my job.

But hey, thanks for all the advice anyway.

Nice job👍

👏

goldenheron6 said:I actually ended up loving my job.

But hey, thanks for all the advice anyway.

For sure, that’s way easier than trying to go back to college.🙂