At a crossroads in life… what should I do?

[Anonymous]

I just feel stuck… working a contract job that I do like in terms of the work but the pay is not great and there is no sign of that changing soon, and to go direct you need a bachelors degree… to do the same work I’m already doing now. I’m just feeling burnt out between the constant stress of not making enough and trying my best to change that. The constant hoops you have to jump through are just turning me off to the company and industry at large.

Part of me wants to move out of state where I know I can get a job with the schooling I have done. But part of me wants to just take a step back, look into an accelerated college program, and work part time until I’m finished. Could be a year, maybe more or maybe less. I have the means to do it too. Kinda thinking it might be a much needed break from my current environment.

I just don’t know what to do. Feeling like shit going into the holidays.

[Oliverlogan263]

Wow man, that's a tough situation to be in. It sounds like you've put a lot of thought into your options, which is good. Here are a few thoughts from my perspective:

- Taking a step back to focus on school full-time while working part-time seems like a really smart move. Getting your degree will open so many more doors career-wise down the road.

- An accelerated program is perfect if you want to finish your degree ASAP so you're not stuck in limbo too long.

- Holidays are always stressful when you're feeling lost. But maybe use this break as a chance to really recharge so you can come back strong next year.

- Moving somewhere with better job prospects could be worth it too, as long as it doesn't set your degree progress back. Is there a way to transfer credits maybe?

Overall it seems like prioritizing school is your best bet. The payoff will be so worth it once you graduate. And you've got tons of life ahead of you still to figure things out. Don't be too hard on yourself - you'll find your path. Just focus on you for now. Let me know if you need anything else, bro!

[GreenLanternI0I]

The right path for you would be a path that would bring you MORE money. People say that money don't bring happiness, that is true, BUT it will make your life a Whole lot more easier and a whole lot more enjoyable to live, ergo making you happier. The way I see it, you already self-sacrificing yourself by making other people happy who are abusing you by not giving you a fair or a high salary. So, since you already on a sacrificial table and bleeding, why don't you spill some blood for your own life. Build a solid strategic plan (accelerated education or whatnot) that would bring you The MOST amount of money and go for it. Commit yourself, sacrifice your next few months to a year of hard life due to your short working hours and A LOT of studying. Don't be afraid to take a leap of faith, especially if you have a solid and smart plan that would make your paycheck Bigger and therefore your life a whole lot more easier and eventually happier.

[bededazzle]

In these cases, I don't think there is much in the way of a wrong choice exactly, but from what you're saying, it sounds like a degree might give you a sense of accomplishment and working towards something in a way that you aren't stuck. I should give this advice to myself, but whenever a friend is like I'm thinking of moving etc. etc. I always say go for it, because it's liberating to dive into something.

[exitseven]

Okay- I worked full time and went to school at night for 27 courses and then went to grad school right after that. It took me 8 years to finish my BS and then do my masters program. It was not easy but I ended up having a good career in IT. I am getting ready to retire but I am really glad that I did it.

[sawno]

Dont do collage its a trap, you may earn higher pay but the debt might make it even worse. It will be a waste of your time.

[sawno]

(Fact check if what I said applies to your specific circumstance but I know US collage is crazy expensive)