Took a career break too early, now struggling to land a decent job after multiple degrees. How cooked am I?
So basically what the title says. I started with a bachelors in accounting then got a masters in accounting new I didn’t care for the career but did what I thought was right at the time before I ran into data and decided to get a masters in that too. The degrees are all from local universities.
I worked as a risk analyst at a Fortune 500 company for a year (25-26) and had a hard time there mentally and decided to quit and take a mental health break. It’s now been 1.5 years since I have been unemployed. I had ptsd from my first and only corporate experience so it took a long time before I finally forced myself to start applying to jobs. I’m now 28 and I can’t find a reasonable job in anything that makes sense. I’m ok making less than I used to but I need the title/experience to be something that I can eventually turn into a nice career.
I’ve finally reached out to a psychiatrist and will be starting therapy soon. I’m on Wellbutrin now because of depression and possible adhd (I expressed concern about it and we will discuss it more during upcoming visits).
I’m looking for general career advice because I feel lost and to figure out if I’ve essentially locked myself out of having a good career.
Jobadvisor
This is a tough spot to be in, and it takes a lot of courage to share your story and seek help. First and foremost: you are absolutely not "cooked." Many people successfully navigate career gaps, shifts, and mental health challenges to build fulfilling careers. What you are experiencing is a very real, but temporary, setback.
Your situation presents challenges, but also significant strengths. Let's break it down:
Your Strengths (The Silver Linings)
Multiple Degrees (Accounting & Data): You have a powerful, in-demand combination of skills. Accounting provides business context, financial literacy, and regulatory understanding, while the Data Master's gives you analytical and technical expertise. This makes you a prime candidate for roles like Financial Data Analyst, Business Intelligence (BI) Analyst, Risk Modeling, or even certain specialized audit/consulting roles.
Fortune 500 Experience: Even one year as a Risk Analyst at a F500 company is a substantial, reputable line on your resume. It proves you can handle a high-stakes corporate environment, even if it wasn't the right fit long-term.
Taking Action for Your Health: Prioritizing your mental health by seeking a psychiatrist and starting therapy is a massive, productive step. This foundation is essential for succeeding in any job. Wellbutrin and therapy can make a world of difference in your energy, focus, and resilience, which will directly impact your job search and performance.
1 Age (28): You are still very early in your career. Many successful people don't find their true footing until their late 20s or 30s.
Addressing the Challenges (The "Cooked" Feelings)
1. The 1.5-Year Unemployment Gap
This is the main hurdle, but it is manageable.
How to Address it on Your Resume/Interviews:
Be Strategic, Not Apologetic: You do not need to overshare in an interview. You can phrase the gap professionally:
Example 1 (Focus on Health/Personal): "I took a necessary personal leave to address some health and well-being matters, which allowed me to return to the job market focused and ready for a long-term commitment."
Example 2 (Focus on Self-Improvement/Transition): "Following my time in Risk Analysis, I utilized the break to deepen my technical skills and ensure a smooth pivot into a data-focused role, which led me to complete several intensive personal projects [mention them] and prepare for this next chapter."
Fill the Gap with Activity: To make the time productive now, start certifications, personal data projects, or volunteer work.
Good Certifications: Google Data Analytics, Microsoft Azure/AWS Data-related certs, CompTIA Data+, or focused Coursera/Udemy specializations (e.g., specific Python/R libraries, SQL mastery, Tableau/Power BI dashboards).
Projects: Create a portfolio of 3-5 high-quality data projects that combine your accounting knowledge (e.g., analyzing market data, creating a financial forecasting model, or visualizing a company's past performance). This demonstrates current skill and passion.
2. The Job Search Struggle (Title/Experience)
You have to leverage your unique overlap.
Target Overlap Roles: Don't just apply for generic "Data Analyst" or "Accountant" roles. Focus on the intersection:
Financial Data Analyst
BI Analyst (specifically within a Finance or Risk department)
Regulatory Reporting Analyst
Internal Audit Analyst (focusing on data-driven auditing)
Credit/Market Risk Modeling Analyst
Adjust Expectations (The Stepping Stone): You mentioned being okay with less pay, which is good. You might need to accept a title that is slightly less than ideal, but crucially, is in the right department or uses your skills. An entry-level Jr. Data Analyst at a mid-sized company can be a better long-term step than a high-paying role that locks you into a field you dislike.
Networking is Key: Your multiple degrees and F500 background mean you have a network. Reach out to alumni, former colleagues, and professors. Informational interviews are less pressure than job interviews and can lead to unposted jobs or referrals, which bypasses the standard, gap-sensitive HR application process.
2
Your Immediate Action Plan (The Next 3 Months)
Prioritize Therapy and Treatment: Continue your mental health journey. This is the foundation. If your focus/energy improves, everything else becomes easier.
Develop a Project Portfolio: Immediately start one or two robust data projects that you can talk about in detail. Put this portfolio on a simple website (GitHub Pages, Tableau Public, etc.) and link it on your resume. This counteracts the employment gap by showing recent, relevant work.
Refine Your Resume/LinkedIn:
Skills Section: Make it highly keyword-dense with the software/languages from your Data Master's (SQL, Python, R, Power BI, Tableau, etc.).
Experience Section: Frame your Risk Analyst experience using data-centric language (e.g., "Analyzed large datasets to identify regulatory compliance risks," instead of "Monitored compliance").
Network aggressively: Attend local university alumni events (from both your Masters programs), reach out to people on LinkedIn in your target roles for a 15-minute chat, and ask for advice, not a job.
In summary: You have the credentials, the experience, and now the self-awareness to course-correct. Your challenge is not a lack of value, but successfully navigating the perception of the gap. Focus on demonstrating current skills and leveraging your unique dual-expertise. You are in control of your next steps.
will my boss know i reported her?
i’m 18, still in school, so i work in the food service industry. I’ve held my current job for some time, and make decent money, but my boss is an absolute bitch.
i’ve honestly been letting stuff slide for years, but it just gets to a point. she doesn’t follow child labor laws, probably because the staff is mostly 14 year olds who are honestly super annoying and not very good at their job. she also recently decided to withhold our tips as collective punishment for a GLOVE being left in the freezer. she wrote up my coworker for missing work when her aunt died, she wrote me up when i had kidney stones, the list goes on.
i just got super pissed and honestly tired of her bullshit and so (i live in ohio), i reported her for both the child labor violations and the withheld tips. nothing has happened yet, and i actually did email the department of commerce to confirm my identity will remain confidential, but idk im still worried they’ll tell her that im the one who filed this complaints against her.
edit: thank you for all the help! i am getting a new job and have a few interviews already lined up. i also do have proof for all the things i reported her for
Jobadvisor
This is a stressful situation, and it's completely understandable why you are worried, especially since you are still in school and rely on this job. It took courage to report these issues, and you did the right thing by taking action against unfair and potentially illegal practices.
Here is some advice regarding your concern about your boss finding out:
1. Confidentiality of Complaints
Standard Procedure: Generally, government agencies like the Department of Commerce in Ohio (which handles certain labor complaints) are set up to handle complaints confidentially. This is crucial because they rely on people being able to report violations without fear of retaliation.
Retaliation is Illegal: Even if your boss did find out, retaliation (like firing you, cutting your hours, or treating you worse) for reporting a legitimate labor violation is usually illegal under both state and federal law. Since you reported child labor law violations and wage/tip issues, you have legal protection against retaliation.
Why They Won't Need to Name You: When the Department of Commerce (or another appropriate agency like the Wage and Hour Division) investigates, they usually send an investigator to the workplace. The investigator will look at payroll records, schedules, and interview employees and management based on the allegations (like withheld tips or scheduling minors too many hours), not on who made the complaint. They rarely, if ever, disclose the name of the complainant.
2. What to Expect and How to Protect Yourself
The Investigation: The investigation might take some time, and you might notice an investigator show up at your workplace or your boss suddenly changing a few policies (like scheduling or tip distribution).
Maintain Professionalism: While the investigation is ongoing, continue to perform your job duties to the best of your ability and maintain a professional demeanor. This minimizes any potential excuse your boss could use to discipline you if she suspects you filed the complaint.
Document Everything: Since you already have proof, keep collecting it. If your boss asks you any questions about the investigation or seems suspicious, write down the date and what was said. If your hours or pay change, or if you face any disciplinary action, document that immediately.
New Job is the Best Security: Since you are already looking for a new job and have interviews lined up, this is the best step you can take to protect yourself.
Once you have a new job offer, you can resign from your current position. This completely removes the worry of your boss retaliating against you or making your work life miserable.
Wait until you have the new job confirmed before you put in your notice.
Summary
Based on standard practice for labor complaints, it is highly unlikely your boss will be explicitly told you are the one who filed the complaint. The agency wants to protect your identity.
Your focus should now be on:
Securing a new job (which you are already doing—great job!).
Keeping good documentation of everything at your current job until you leave.
You did a great thing by standing up for yourself and your co-workers. You deserve to work in a fair and legal environment.
I love working in an office, but how can I make it a career?
I love filing paperwork. I love sending emails and answering phones. I love decorating my cubicle with stupid succulents and pictures of my family.
I used to think it was a soul-sucking sort of work, and I know some corperate jobs are, but some aren't. I actually like the work itself, as long as the company isn't shit.
But what sort of job titles should I be looking at? I want to be able to grow within a company, get promotions, and make more money if I'm lucky.
Any advice?
Jobadvisor
That's wonderful that you've found work you genuinely enjoy! It sounds like you thrive in an organized, structured environment and appreciate roles that involve administration and support. Many people think of these jobs as just "entry-level," but they are essential and can absolutely be turned into a rewarding career with significant growth potential.
Based on the activities you enjoy (filing paperwork, sending emails, answering phones, being the organizational hub), you should be looking for roles in administration, operations, and executive support.
Here are some job titles to search for, ranging from entry-level to more advanced, that could form a solid career path:
Entry/Mid-Level Roles
These are great places to start, build foundational skills, and demonstrate your value:
Administrative Assistant/Admin Assistant: The classic role that encompasses everything you described. It's the central support for a department or smaller team.
Office Assistant/Office Clerk: Often focused on the general day-to-day running of the office, managing supplies, mail, basic filing, and reception duties.
1 Receptionist: The first point of contact, handling phones, greeting visitors, and managing the front-end schedule/mail.
2 Data Entry Clerk/Specialist: If you particularly love the filing and organizational aspect, this role focuses on inputting and maintaining accurate records, which is crucial for any business.
3
Career Growth Titles (Mid to Senior Level)
Once you gain experience, you can leverage your organizational skills into roles with more responsibility, better pay, and management opportunities:
Executive Assistant (EA): This is a significant step up. EAs support a single senior leader (CEO, VP, Director). The work is often less about general office tasks and more about strategic support, managing complex calendars, coordinating high-level meetings, booking travel, preparing presentations, and often handling sensitive, confidential information. This role can pay very well.
Senior Administrative Assistant: An experienced Admin Assistant who may support a larger team or complex department, and might train newer staff.
4 Office Manager: This person manages the entire office environment, including overseeing all administrative staff, handling facilities, managing budgets for supplies and vendors, and implementing office policies.
5 This is a clear management and leadership role.Operations Coordinator/Specialist: A broader role that uses organizational skills to manage the smooth running of a specific business function or project (e.g., coordinating logistics, managing vendor relationships, streamlining internal processes).
6
Management/Specialized Path
These roles build on the operational and organizational foundation:
Administrative Services Manager: A more senior version of the Office Manager, often managing multiple office locations or a large administrative budget and team.
Chief of Staff: In some corporate structures, an experienced Executive Assistant/Operations person can move into a Chief of Staff role, which is essentially the right-hand person to a very senior executive, focusing on strategic planning, communication, and ensuring the leader's time is used effectively.
Advice for Turning it into a Career
Develop Software and Technical Skills: Basic MS Office/Google Workspace skills (Word/Docs, Excel/Sheets, PowerPoint/Slides) are a must. To advance, you need to master:
Advanced Excel/Spreadsheet skills: Pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, data analysis.
Project Management Software: Tools like Asana, Trello, or Jira.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software: Like Salesforce.
Calendar Management: Mastering complex scheduling with time zones and multiple stakeholders.
Focus on Efficiency and Problem Solving: Don't just file papers; create a better filing system. Don't just answer phones; document frequently asked questions and streamline call routing. When you describe your work, frame it in terms of the value you created: "Implemented a new digital archiving system that reduced retrieval time by 40%."
Find the Right Company Culture: Since you noted that the company environment matters most, look for organizations that:
Value their support staff. Do they give all employees a clear path for professional development?
Have an established career ladder. When you interview, ask: "What does the typical career path look like for an Administrative Assistant here? Are there opportunities to move into an Executive Assistant or Office Manager role?"
Have low administrative staff turnover. High turnover can signal a toxic environment.
Network and Be Visible: As an Administrative Assistant or Receptionist, you are often the most connected person in the office. Use that to your advantage. Learn about different departments and express interest in how your skills could support their goals. Ask for opportunities to take on small projects outside your core duties.
You have a clear understanding of what you enjoy, and that's the hardest part! Focus on upskilling and seeking out those higher-level support roles (especially Executive Assistant and Office Manager), and you will absolutely find the career growth and increased earnings you're looking for.