Double college dropout.
27 M, double college dropout. ADHD out the ass. Got on the school's Dean's list and then decided I hated it. Been good at every job I've ever had and despised every job I've ever had plain and simple. Hated elementary middle and high school, hated college. Said I never knew what I wanted to be or where I wanted to go, never did anything besides frustrate older people when I was a kid talking about how I'd hate every job they thought would fit me.
I desperately desperately hate my current job in retail management. I have almost 7 years of leadership experience in very high volume businesses but I don't want to work food service or retail or in a leadership role again even if I know I'm gonna have to. I've had a date planned out to quit that I procrastinated on. No job lined up. No clue where to move forward from here. Been in this headspace for easily 10 years maybe more. Anyone with similar experience?
Jobadvisor
I hear you, and honestly, the "Dean’s List to dropout" pipeline is a classic ADHD hallmark. It’s the **"I’ve mastered the challenge, now it’s boring/meaningless"** cycle.
You aren't broken, but you are likely suffering from **occupational burnout** compounded by a brain that thrives on novelty and dies in the "daily grind" of retail management. Being good at something you despise is its own kind of hell because people keep pushing you to do more of it.
Here is a breakdown of why you’re feeling this way and some paths that actually fit the ADHD/Leadership/High-Volume profile without being "Retail Hell."
Why You Hate Everything (The ADHD Factor)
* **The Boredom-Pain Connection:** For an ADHD brain, boredom isn't just "meh"—it’s physically painful. Retail and food service are high-stress but low-novelty; once you've solved the same customer complaint 500 times, your brain stops producing dopamine.
* **The "Performance Trap":** You're competent, so you get promoted. But leadership in retail often means being a "babysitter" for corporate policies you don't care about.
* **The Autonomy Gap:** You likely crave "Expertise" over "Management." You want to solve a problem and move on, not manage people’s schedules and feelings for 50 hours a week.
Pivot Paths (Low Schooling, High Engagement)
Since you’ve spent 7 years in high-volume leadership, you have "Operational Intelligence." You need a job where the scenery changes or the stakes are high enough to keep you focused.
| Path | Why it fits ADHD / Leadership | Barrier to Entry |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Project Coordination (Tech/Construction)** | You manage a "thing" from start to finish, then it's over. New project, new brain hit. | CAPM Certification (Cheap/Fast) |
| **Trade Specialist (HVAC/Electrician)** | Physical, immediate feedback, logic-based. No "corporate speak." | Apprenticeship / Trade School |
| **Event Operations** | High volume, high chaos, but it *ends*. You build it, run it, tear it down. | Experience (Which you have) |
| **Logistics/Supply Chain** | It’s a giant puzzle. It requires the "high volume" brain you already have. | Certifications or entry-level Ops |
The "I'm Quitting" Strategy
Since you have a date planned but no backup, don't just jump into the abyss. Use your procrastination to your advantage by **reframing the exit.**
1. **Stop being "The Best" Manager:** Scale back to 80% effort. Do the job, but stop emotionally investing. Save that energy for the search.
2. **The "Bridge Job":** If you quit without a plan, the ADHD paralysis will hit hard. Find a "braindead" job (delivery, warehouse, night security) that pays the bills but leaves your brain empty so you can actually think about your next move.
3. **Identify the "Anti-Job":** Write down the 3 things you hate most (e.g., "managing people," "being indoors," "fixed schedules"). Any new path must lack at least 2 of those.
A Different Perspective
You said you've hated school and work for 10+ years. That suggests you might be a **"Sprint Worker."** You aren't meant for a 30-year career in one building. You might be meant for contract work, seasonal work, or project-based roles where you go 100mph for three months and then disappear for a month.
Working adult needs help finding the best online degrees for a 2026 finish, Need to finish by next year and I'm totally lost.
im 28 and have hit a hard ceiling at my job. to move up i need a bachelors degree. i have about two years worth of credits from community college a decade ago and i need to finish completely online because i work full time. my goal is to be done by the end of 2026.
ive started looking into programs but every search for best online degrees 2026 just shows me slick ads and lists that feel sponsored. its impossible to tell whats a legitimate respected program and whats a degree mill. im looking at general fields like business communications or it because i need the credential more than a specific major.
terrified of wasting time and money on a program that employers will side eye. im not looking for the easiest path im looking for a smart one. any real advice would be a lifeline.
Jobadvisor
Absolutely — your concerns are real and valid. There are legitimate, employer-respected online bachelor’s degree programs, but a lot of what you’ll see in ad-heavy lists is marketing, not substance. What matters most for your goals (finishing online, advancing your career, and having a degree that employers accept seriously) is accreditation, transfer-friendly policies, and institutional reputation — not slick ads. Here’s how to navigate this with clarity and confidence.
1) First: Confirm What’s Legitimate vs. What’s Not
Accreditation is critical.
Only consider colleges that are regionally or nationally accredited by a recognized agency (in the U.S., agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or CHEA). Accredited programs are the ones employers and other universities accept when transferring credits or evaluating credentials. Unaccredited institutions are often degree mills and won’t help your long-term prospects. (Research.com)
Red flags to avoid
Institutions with no recognized accreditation
“Finish in 6 weeks” degrees for a fee with no real coursework
Employers increasingly can tell the difference, and bad credentials can hurt you. (WIRED)
2) Focus on Programs With Strong Transfer Policies
Since you already have about two years of community college credits, finding a school that will accept as many of those credits as possible will be the fastest path to finishing by the end of 2026.
Here are reputable programs known to accept substantial transfer credits and cater to working adults:
Reputable, Transfer-Friendly Online Degree Finishers
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU Online)
Nonprofit, regionally accredited (NECHE). Accepts up to ~90 transfer credits and offers hundreds of fully online programs. (Research.com)Western Governors University (WGU)
Nonprofit, regionally accredited (NWCCU). Competency-based model lets you move at your pace and transfer in many credits. (Research.com)Franklin University
Accepts many transfer credits (around ~90+). Strong focus on adult learners and career relevance. (Research.com)Excelsior University
Very generous transfer policy (up to 113 credits) and flexible options. (study.com)Charter Oak State College
Public, online-only program with generous transfer (up to ~87 credits) and options for prior learning evaluation. (Research.com)Purdue University Global
Online campus of a respected public university system, with transfer credits and work experience credits counted. (Research.com)University of Phoenix
Accredited by HLC, widely recognized and transfer-friendly (but for-profit perception varies among employers). (Research.com)
(Note: Every program will evaluate your old credits individually — exact transfer totals depend on grade, course equivalence, and major.)
3) Degree Fields Worth Considering (With Broad Applicability)
You mentioned business communications and IT — both are solid, versatile fields.
Business / Business Administration
Typical major for career advancement
Employers widely accept this degree
Offers flexibility in electives and specializations
Communications / Business Communications
Focus on writing, presentations, digital media
Online programs often have transferable core credits
Employers in many sectors value it as a generalist credential
Information Technology / Computer Science
If you want a more technical path, many schools offer online IT or cybersecurity degrees which can be lucrative and respected — provided the program is accredited and rigorous.
Online communications and business degrees from accredited schools carry the same diploma and credential as on-campus programs, and many employers do not distinguish between online and on-campus formats. (learn.org)
4) Practical Steps for You Right Now
Step 1: Evaluate Your Credits
Request official transcripts from your old college(s).
Many schools offer free preliminary credit evaluations before you apply. This tells you how many of your credits will count. (Best Accredited Colleges)
Step 2: Contact Admissions Advisors
Reach out to 3–4 schools on your shortlist and ask:
How many credits they’ll accept from your transcripts
Whether they offer accelerated terms or competency-based progress
The real cost per credit and total estimate to finish
Step 3: Set a Timeline and Term Plan
Working adults often finish faster when they:
Take courses year-round (summer terms included)
Balance course load with work
Use transfer/PLA (prior learning assessment) to maximize credits
Step 4: Review Accreditation and Employer Perception
Regional accreditation is much stronger than narrow, program-specific accreditation
Nonprofit or state university programs generally carry more weight than some for-profit institutions in conservative industries
5) Quick Program Comparison (2026 Focus)
| School | Accreditation | Transfer Policy | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SNHU Online | Regional (NECHE) | up to ~90 | Large offerings, strong support |
| WGU | Regional (NWCCU) | generous | Competency-based, flexible pacing |
| Franklin Univ | Regional (HLC) | up to ~94 | Adult focus |
| Charter Oak State | Regional | up to ~87 | Designed for degree completion |
| Excelsior | Regional (MSCHE) | up to ~113 | Very transfer-friendly |
| Purdue Global | Regional (HLC) | up to 75% | Career-focused online |
| University of Phoenix | Regional (HLC) | ~87 | Mixed reputation but legit |
(All are accredited and recognized by employers if degree is earned in good standing.) (Research.com)
Final Tips for Your Situation
Never pay for “degree help” from unaccredited providers. They may be diploma mills.
Start the transfer evaluation process now. This clears the biggest question fastest.
Consider schools with flexible terms and strong adult support. They will help you balance work + study.
Struggling to feel confident about any career path I’ve considered.
19M. Quick about me; I've looking back what I loved to do when I was young and compare them how much I still like them now, most of them are related to creativity. I used to have a camera and would bring it all the time with me. I also want to try out art again weather that is 2d or 3d. The most commitment I have still playing the guitar and always thought of playing two instruments.
Newly hired at a restaurant, though not very confident it would last due to holidays as of writing this and the short hours, but that doesn't stop me from doing my best. I love the people I work with and the customers with small talks.
From what I understand, the hobbies I mentioned turning into work often rely heavily on networking, gig/freelance work, and can be financially unstable especially early on. I didn't want to say competitive as I think the job market is atrocious for all, but the industry for my hobbies feels the most competitive. I like these fields, but I’m not confident enough to ignore the risks. But please prove me wrong if that isn't the case.
Thats why my thought process of my future is that I would love to do one of my hobbies into freelance until I find success, or for fun and post them online while I work a day job that is able to keep me stable and support my parents, but I'm struggling to find what that day job can be for me.
For a month I was at my lowest point being on my computer morning until night looking at education, looking at pathway careers from that degree, going through companies actual websites(cause linkdin sucks) to see what I have to learn and experience I need, and by the end of the day when I thought of something I want to do, it still doesn't feel like the right choice because of factors like wasting my time, money, and the changes in the world that makes me question what job even is safe anymore?
I'm scared that I'm taking way too long to decide. I would be very happy with any job that has good security to ease off the anxiety. This year, I was already layed off on two jobs on the first to third day cause of overstaffing or some other excuses, which completely destroyed how I view the world.
After being hired at the restaurant job, I decided to take a break and cure my mental health and split the money into savings and explore my interests. This job also kinda saved me cause I was really feeling myself getting worse. (Not in harmful ways, just depressed.)
Also not that I don't want to work at corporate, I just don't feel the spark to learn to code but I did consider web development because of how close it relates to creativity to atleast be both financially stable and have a "better chance". I could learn it, I could either love it or hate the process. For non coding, I also considered administrative, accounting, music teacher and all that stuff.
This is already getting too long, appreciate to have some help and advice on careers.
Jobadvisor
I understand your situation completely - it's really tough when you're trying to figure out your career path, especially at 19 when you're dealing with so much uncertainty and recent job instability. Let me offer some perspective and suggestions:
**Your Creative Interests are Valuable**
The fact that you've consistently been drawn to creative pursuits (photography, art, music) throughout your life is meaningful. These aren't just hobbies - they're part of your identity and what brings you joy. Many successful people integrate their passions into their careers, even if it's not a direct 1:1 translation.
**Practical Career Paths That Combine Your Interests:**
1. **Photography/Videography** - Can start with local gigs, build portfolio, work with small businesses
2. **Graphic Design** - More stable than fine art, combines creativity with practical skills
3. **Music Industry Roles** - Not just performing: sound engineering, music production, venue management
4. **Content Creation** - Social media management, video editing for brands
5. **Event Photography/Videography** - Weddings, corporate events, concerts
**The "Stable Day Job" Strategy:**
This is actually a very smart approach. Many creatives work stable jobs while building their passion projects. Good options might include:
- **Technical roles in creative fields** (audio-visual technician, studio manager)
- **Customer service/sales** in creative industries
- **Teaching assistant** or substitute teaching (especially music)
- **Retail management** in creative sectors
**Important Perspective:**
- At 19, you have time to explore and pivot
- The "safe" jobs of yesterday aren't necessarily safe today either
- Many people change careers multiple times
- Your recent layoffs aren't a reflection of your worth - it's a tough job market