It’s sad how many young people feel like losers in this society.
I’m 25M and honestly I’ve been a bit depressed lately, looking at pictures from a couple of years ago even when I was 19 I looked like I had so much more life in me. Im still staying with my mom but I’m doing my best to save every dollar I can, I have a decent to now ok job being they have crappy hours for the winter(High rise window cleaning).
The amount of people I see around my age going through the frustration of figuring out life is honestly disheartening, I may not have it the worse but it feels like every you want is so far away even if you work hard for it. I hang off of buildings to clean windows for money for god sake and THATS not enough.
I’m trying not to give up, I’m trying to keep trying, I’ve been going to the gym, want to get back to Jiu jitsu and work towards my purple belt, but fuck man I feel like it all comes down to money as well that seems more and more like a struggle to get some solid stability.
Jobadvisor
I hear you, and it takes real courage to be so honest about how you're feeling right now. It is incredibly tough and disheartening to feel like you're working so hard—especially in a physically demanding job like high-rise window cleaning—and still feel that stability and your goals are perpetually out of reach.
What you are describing is a very common experience for young people today, and I want to emphasize that your feelings of frustration and feeling like a "loser" are understandable reactions to a challenging economic and social environment. You are not alone in this struggle.
It sounds like you are already doing some really positive things:
Financial Prudence: Saving every dollar you can is a huge, responsible step toward future independence.
Physical/Mental Health: Going to the gym and wanting to get back to Jiu-Jitsu shows a commitment to your well-being and discipline. Working toward a purple belt is a significant, high-level goal in itself.
Let's focus on the career/financial side, as that seems to be the core source of stress right now. You mentioned "Findapath-Career Change," which is a great place to start.
Shifting Focus: From "Just a Job" to "A Career Path"
Your current job is providing income, which is crucial, but it's physically taxing and doesn't offer the stability or growth you desire. The key now is to leverage your discipline and work ethic into a path that offers more long-term return on your effort.
Here are a few initial questions and potential directions to explore for a career change, keeping in mind your current situation:
1. Leveraging Existing Skills (Discipline & Safety)
You have experience in a highly specialized, dangerous, and disciplined field (high-rise work). This gives you skills that are highly valued in other industries:
Safety/Risk Management: Could you transition into a Safety Inspector or Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) role? Companies pay well for people who understand high-risk environments and can ensure compliance.
Action: Look for OHS certifications in your area. Many are courses you can take online or part-time.
Building Maintenance/Trades: Your comfort with heights and structure is valuable. Consider roles like Rope Access Technician (for non-cleaning maintenance) or getting into a trade like HVAC or Electrical. These often require apprenticeships, but the earning potential and stability are high.
2. Connecting to Your Interests (Jiu-Jitsu/Discipline)
Your dedication to Jiu-Jitsu is a strong indicator of your ability to commit to long-term, incremental improvement. What kind of work requires that kind of dedication?
Skilled Trades/Technical Work: Think of roles where practice, precision, and incremental learning lead to mastery—similar to BJJ. This includes coding, welding, specialized mechanics, or CNC operation.
Coaching/Instruction: Have you considered becoming a certified BJJ instructor or fitness coach on the side? This could generate supplementary income while you build your primary career.
3. The Stability Play (Government/Utilities)
These sectors often offer excellent benefits, pensions, and predictable hours, providing the stability you are seeking.
Government/Municipal Jobs: Look into public works, transit (bus/train operators), or utility services (power, water). These often hire for entry-level positions that provide on-the-job training.
Unionized Work: Investigate trade unions in your area (electricians, pipefitters, etc.). Unionized jobs often mean better pay, training, and a clear path for advancement.
Next Steps You Can Take Right Now
Don't try to solve the entire problem today. Just focus on a few small, actionable steps.
Define Your Minimums: What is the minimum salary and benefit level you need to achieve financial independence? Use that number as a filter when looking at new jobs/paths.
Spend 2 Hours Researching: Pick one career path from the list above (e.g., OHS certification or a local trade apprenticeship) and spend two hours researching its entry requirements, typical time-to-certification, and starting pay in your area.
I have tried to “get a job, any job” but not a single one will hire me, it is destroying my life. I think there actually isn’t a path
I’ve tried applying for retail, postal service, janitor, security, etc… nothing.
I’ve tried tailoring my resume, using ATS keywords, leaving my bachelor’s degree off, practicing interviewing with my counselor, mass applying with AI, checking in with temp agencies… nothing.
1000+ applications, somewhere between 35 and 40 interviews, about 50 different resumes sitting on my computer… nothing.
28 yr old (closer to 29) male, graduated in 2022 with poor grades and a degree that was not ideal, have never had a “real job”, no marketable skills, still living with my parents, never been in a long-term relationship, might be neurodivergent but undiagnosed, friends have mostly moved away and speak to me less and less, mental health has taken a severe decline and three different therapists have failed to help, made more money gambling on event contract positions and begging family and friends than I ever have working. The magical “opportunities” I keep hearing about that come to seemingly 99.9% of people never got around to me. Who would hire or date or hang out with someone with such little life experience? It’s a loop that won’t ever close itself when nobody wants to give me a chance.
I think about a year ago I could’ve been convinced of a light at the end of the tunnel, but I can’t even imagine what that looks like anymore. A job or an apartment or a friend group or a girlfriend or children for me all seem like delusions that slowly faded away. I don’t know what to do anymore, just hoping I go to bed one day and don’t wake up in this nightmare, I so much prefer being asleep and dreaming of anything but this.
Maybe I don’t know what I’m doing here, I guess I’m seeing if there’s any last-ditch efforts I can make? Have I tried everything?
Jobadvisor
I am so sorry to hear about the immense stress and despair you are feeling right now. It sounds like you have been facing an incredibly difficult and disheartening experience with your job search, and it’s completely understandable that you are feeling hopeless and overwhelmed. Please know that your feelings are valid, and the sheer persistence you’ve shown—over 1000 applications and 35+ interviews—demonstrates incredible effort and resilience, even if it doesn't feel that way right now.
🛑 Before We Discuss Job Search Strategies
Given the severe mental health decline and the thoughts you shared about preferring not to wake up, your immediate well-being is the most important priority. Everything else—the job, the relationships, the apartment—comes second to your safety.
Please, if you are feeling actively unsafe or in crisis, reach out for help immediately. You do not have to go through this alone.
In the US/Canada: Call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline).
In the UK: Call 111 or 999.
In your location or anywhere else: You can often find a local emergency number or crisis line by searching for "crisis line" and your location, or by calling your country's emergency number.
Connect with a professional: If your current therapists aren't helping, it is okay to try a new one. Finding the right mental health professional is often like finding the right coach—sometimes it takes a few tries.
Your life is valuable, and there is a path forward, even if you can't see it yet. Please take the step of reaching out to one of the resources above first.
🔎 Reviewing Your Job Search Efforts: Last-Ditch Options
It sounds like you have exhausted the conventional "mass-apply" and "entry-level" strategies. It's frustrating when those paths fail, and it suggests that the solution may lie in a different approach, moving away from high-volume, low-contact applications.
Here are some last-ditch, less conventional efforts to consider:
1. Networking and Informational Interviews (The Hidden Job Market)
This is the number one strategy for people who are being filtered out by applications alone. Approximately 70-85% of jobs are filled through networking.
Goal: Bypass the resume pile and the Applicant Tracking System (ATS).
Action Plan:
Reach Out to Everyone: Friends, family, former professors, or even contacts on LinkedIn who work in companies you admire.
The Script: Don't ask for a job directly. Ask for an Informational Interview. Say something like, "I admire the work your company/department does. I am trying to figure out the best way to enter this field, and I would be grateful for 15 minutes of your time to hear your advice on what a person with my background should focus on."
The Power of Connection: If they like you, they will often become your internal advocate and refer you, which is a much higher-conversion method than an online application.
2. Targeted Skill Acquisition with Credentials
Since you mentioned "no marketable skills," a short, sharp focus on a certifiable skill could be the necessary pivot.
Goal: Gain a tangible, in-demand skill that you can list on your resume and discuss in an interview immediately.
Action Plan:
Trade Skills: Look into short-term certifications for trades where demand is high, such as welding, HVAC, or even a basic bookkeeping certificate.
Tech Skills: Spend 4-6 weeks getting a highly recognized entry-level certification:
Google IT Support Professional Certificate (via Coursera)
CompTIA A+ (for entry-level IT/Help Desk)
Salesforce Administrator (high demand, good entry point)
3. High-Contact, Non-Traditional Applications (Foot-in-the-Door)
Instead of applying online, try these tactics for specific local businesses:
Internships (Even Unpaid/Low Paid): Look for local, small businesses or non-profits that desperately need help. Offer a specific, time-limited internship (e.g., "I will organize your files/manage your social media/etc., for 10 hours a week for one month at $X"). This provides you with experience and a potential reference.
"The Day-of-Application": For small retail or service jobs, print your resume and go in person during a slow hour. Ask to speak to the manager. Do not just drop the resume off. Say, "I submitted an application online, but I wanted to introduce myself in person. I am available immediately and very eager to start." This shows initiative.
4. Addressing the "Overqualified" Problem
Since you've been leaving your degree off, the hiring managers might be perceiving a long gap or a lack of commitment.
The Fix: You need a narrative for your time since graduation and your employment gaps.
Instead of: "Unemployed and looking."
Try: "Since graduation, I've been focused on (a project, volunteering, or independent study) while searching for the right long-term fit. I've taken this time to improve my (time management/organization/specific software skill), and I am now ready for a consistent full-time role."
5. Revisit the Interviewing Practice
If you're getting interviews but no offers, the problem is likely in the interview, not the resume or the application volume.
Focus on the "Why" and Enthusiasm: For low-skill jobs, they are often hiring for reliability, attitude, and fit. Are you communicating genuine enthusiasm and a commitment to showing up every day?
Practice with a Friend (Not just your counselor): Have a friend role-play a tired, skeptical manager. Get feedback on your energy, eye contact, and body language. Sometimes, a subtle shift in presentation can make all the difference.
🫂 Next Steps for Your Personal Life
You mentioned a loop that won't close, and it is crucial to start closing one part of it to build momentum.
Focus on the easiest win: Health/Fitness. Starting a simple, free exercise routine (like walking or bodyweight exercises) can demonstrably improve mood and energy levels, and is something you can control. This is a crucial step for mental health, which in turn impacts your job search presence.
Environmental science grad here struggling to get work
I've been applying to remote environmental consulting and consulting sustainability roles for 2 months now with maybe 3 callbacks. My current lab job is draining and I know there are better fits out here.
I'm sure am not alone and anyone in my situation is getting ghosted. I think my resume could be the problem and need a resume builder that works with ATS systems and has helped job seekers like me in finding remote opportunities.
What's worked for you? I'm more interested in tools that can translate my 2 yrs lab exp into a good consulting role.
Jobadvisor
This is a very common challenge for environmental science grads, especially when trying to pivot into consulting roles that often prioritize project management, client-facing communication, and regulatory knowledge over pure lab skills. Two months of searching with only a few callbacks points strongly toward an ATS/Keyword issue or a narrative mismatch on your resume.
Your suspicion about your resume being the problem is likely correct.
Here is a breakdown of what has worked for people in this exact transition, focusing on the tools and the content strategy needed to translate 2 years of lab experience into a successful consulting or remote sustainability role.
🛠️ ATS-Friendly Resume Tools & Builders
The best tools for you are those that help you build an ATS-friendly format and analyze your content against the job description to bridge the keyword gap.
| Tool | Focus & Key Feature | Why it Works for You |
| Teal | Resume Analyzer & Builder (AI-Powered) | It allows you to paste a job description, then gives you a real-time ATS Score and clear recommendations on missing keywords, skills, and hard/soft skills. The builder is free for unlimited resumes. |
| Jobscan | ATS Optimization Checker | It is focused purely on ATS compatibility. It compares your resume side-by-side with a job description and highlights which keywords are missing, giving you a high match rate. |
| Enhancv | Modern ATS-Friendly Templates | It offers tested, clean, ATS-friendly templates and includes AI-powered tools to help write achievement-focused bullet points, which is critical for making a career pivot. |
| Standard Text Editor (Google Docs/Word) | The Simple Approach | If you prefer a completely free, classic option, use a simple, single-column Google Docs or Word template. These are inherently ATS-friendly because they have no complex graphics, columns, or tables that confuse the system. |
Recommendation: Use Teal or Jobscan to analyze your current resume against a few target job descriptions. The feedback will be immediate and actionable, telling you exactly which keywords you need to incorporate.
🔬 Translating Lab Experience to Consulting (The Narrative Pivot)
The core problem is that a lab job emphasizes precision, analysis, and method, while a consulting/sustainability job emphasizes compliance, strategic impact, project management, and client communication.
You need to use your 2 years of experience to tell a new story using the consulting language.
1. Revamp Your Summary (The Consulting Elevator Pitch)
Replace a generic objective with a 3-4 line Professional Summary that positions you as a consultant first.
| Instead of Lab-Focused | Use Consulting-Focused Language |
| "Highly detail-oriented Environmental Science graduate with 2 years of experience in lab procedures and sample analysis." | "Analytical and results-driven Environmental Consultant (or Specialist) with 2 years of experience leveraging technical expertise to inform strategic decision-making. Proven ability to translate complex data analysis into compliance-focused recommendations and detailed technical reports." |
2. Transform Your Bullet Points (The STAR/CAR Method)
Every bullet point for your lab job must be re-written to emphasize the Contributing Action and Result, not just the Duty.
| Lab-Focused (Duty) | Consulting-Focused (Impact & Transferable Skill) |
| "Conducted weekly testing of water samples using chromatography and spectroscopy." | "Analyzed 50+ water and soil samples monthly, interpreting complex chromatography/spectroscopy data to identify regulatory exceedances and inform client compliance reports." |
| "Maintained and calibrated sensitive laboratory equipment." | "Managed quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) program for specialized instrumentation, resulting in a 99% data integrity rate and reducing operational downtime by 10%." (Project Management / QA) |
| "Documented all findings in a lab notebook." | "Authored 15+ technical reports and memoranda summarizing environmental findings for senior scientists/clients, ensuring all documentation met federal/state regulatory standards." (Technical Writing / Regulatory Compliance) |
3. The Essential Consulting Keywords
Scan the job descriptions you are applying to and make sure these terms are present (where applicable) on your resume, backed by your lab or academic experience:
Regulatory Compliance: (e.g., Familiarity with Clean Water Act, NEPA, ISO 14001, etc.)
Data Analysis: (You did a lot of this! Emphasize the interpretation of data, not just the collection.)
Technical Reporting/Writing
Project Management/Coordination (You managed your samples, timelines, and QA/QC processes.)
Stakeholder Communication (You communicated results to senior scientists—this is internal client communication.)
ESG/Sustainability Frameworks (If you have any academic or volunteer experience with these, list them.)
🚀 Your Next Step
I recommend you take one of the target job descriptions that excites you the most and use one of the tools mentioned (Teal or Jobscan) to get an actionable score.
When should I give my boss notice?
I'm currently on a very lean team - just me and my boss. I've accepted a new role that starts January 26.
My boss will be on vacation from Dec 17 - Jan 12.
I have 3 main options for giving my boss notice -would really appreciate opinions on when I should give notice (I'd really like to not burn a bridge here):
tomorrow = 6 weeks notice. it's right before christmas holidays, but gives him a few days to put together a job posting?..
on january 5= 3 weeks notice. I'll have to inform him while he's still on vacation
on january 12 = 2 weeks notice
feeling very torn about this! thank you
Jobadvisor
This is a classic professional dilemma, especially when working on a lean team and managing a boss's vacation schedule. You are wise to be cautious about burning a bridge, and thankfully, you have several good options because your new start date allows for significant flexibility.
Here is an analysis of your three options and a strong recommendation based on professional etiquette and practicality.
📅 Analysis of Your Notice Options
| Option | Date | Notice Period | Pros | Cons |
| A | Tomorrow (Dec 13) | 6 Weeks | Maximum Professionalism. Gives your boss ample time (4 days) before vacation to draft a job description, start the posting, and assign coverage. Very low chance of burning a bridge. | Your last 4 weeks will be during the slowest period (holiday season) and the busiest (right after boss returns), potentially creating awkward tension or unnecessary downtime. |
| B | January 5 | 3 Weeks | Ideal for Handover. Provides a respectable notice period that allows for a thorough, in-person handover when your boss is back. | Highly Discouraged. You would be interrupting your boss's vacation and potentially causing stress during their personal time. This is generally poor etiquette and could sour the transition. |
| C | January 12 | 2 Weeks | Standard/Minimum. Follows the basic professional standard for a short notice period. Allows you to enjoy your holiday break. | Provides the least amount of time for your boss to react, hire, or plan the transition, especially since they just returned from a long break. Higher risk of causing undue stress and potentially straining the relationship. |
✅ The Recommended Strategy: Option A (Tomorrow)
Giving notice tomorrow (December 13) is the strongest professional choice for this specific situation, despite the proximity to the holidays.
Why Option A is the Best:
Respect for Your Boss's Vacation: By telling him tomorrow, you are respecting the integrity of his four-week vacation. He can deal with the initial shock, start the administrative steps (like getting HR approval for a replacement), and delegate tasks before he officially signs off.
Mitigating the "Surprise" Factor: Your notice will be received well in advance of his return. He can mentally process the change and start planning while he is away, instead of having a bomb dropped on him the day he gets back.
Maximum Transition Time: A six-week notice period is a generous gift to a lean team. It allows for:
Pre-Vacation: Job posting is started (Dec 13 - Dec 17).
During Vacation: Applications roll in, and HR can pre-screen.
Post-Vacation: Your boss returns (Jan 12) with two weeks left for you to focus purely on knowledge transfer and handover. This is excellent bridge-building.
How to Deliver the Notice (The Script)
When you give notice tomorrow, frame it with a focus on proactive transition planning:
"Boss, I need to share some news. I've accepted a new role that is an exciting next step for my career, and my start date is January 26.
I wanted to tell you now, before your vacation, because I know we are a lean team. I want to use the next few days to document everything, and I want to give you maximum notice so you can enjoy your time off without worrying about the job posting.
My goal is to ensure a smooth transition before my last day on January 26. What can I prioritize in the next few days to set you up well before you leave?"
Conclusion: Give notice tomorrow. It is the most respectful and professional option, allowing your boss to plan before his vacation, which is the key to not burning a bridge in this specific timeline.
Bio graduate and want to become financially successful without having to go to medical school. How do i do this?
Bio graduate and don’t know what to do
Hi! I’m an ex pre dental student that graduated and has been working in the service indistry and recently quality control industry for biotech. I hate lab work and want to position into a career that allows for significant growth and the ability to be successful financially. Is there anything i can do with my bachelors in biology/minor in chemistry that aligns with this or should I just go to law school/get a masters?
Jobadvisor
This is an incredibly common and smart pivot. Many people enter a Bio/Chem degree thinking "pre-med" and later realize they hate the clinical or bench lab environment, but still want to leverage their science background for high earning potential.
The good news is that your degree is an asset in several of the most lucrative, non-clinical sectors. You absolutely do not need to go to medical school or law school to become financially successful. Your background in Quality Control (QC) in biotech is the perfect springboard for a non-lab, high-growth career.
Here are the top career paths that allow you to leverage your science expertise without doing lab work, focusing on significant financial growth potential.
🚀 High-Growth, Non-Lab Career Paths for Bio/Chem Grads
The key to financial success without a professional degree is moving to roles that intersect Science and Business.
1. Regulatory Affairs (RA)
What it is: The function that ensures a company's drug, medical device, or biotech product complies with all government regulations (like the FDA). Your job is to compile, submit, and manage the documentation for clinical trials and product approval.
Why it's a fit: It requires an intimate understanding of the science (which you have) but is entirely paperwork, strategy, and cross-functional project management. Your QC experience is highly relevant, as Quality and Regulatory are closely linked.
Financial Growth: Excellent. Entry-level salaries are competitive and can quickly climb into the six figures as you become an RA Specialist, Manager, and Director.
Path to Entry: Start looking for Regulatory Affairs Associate or Regulatory Specialist roles in biotech or pharma companies. A 1-year certificate in Regulatory Affairs is sometimes useful, but not always required for entry-level if you spin your QC experience correctly.
2. Clinical Research Associate (CRA) / Clinical Trials Management
What it is: CRAs manage the logistics of clinical trials (phases I, II, III) at trial sites, ensuring the study adheres to the protocol, regulations, and Good Clinical Practice (GCP). It involves a lot of travel and auditing.
Why it's a fit: Requires a deep understanding of human biology and is 100% non-lab. It's project management, auditing, and high-level communication.
Financial Growth: Very strong. High demand, and compensation increases rapidly with experience.
Path to Entry: Look for entry-level roles like Clinical Trial Assistant (CTA) or In-House CRA at a pharmaceutical company or a Contract Research Organization (CRO) like IQVIA or Parexel.
3. Medical Science Liaison (MSL) / Pharmaceutical Sales
What it is:
Sales/Account Management: You sell pharmaceutical or biotech products (like reagents, instruments, or drugs) to universities, hospitals, or other companies. This is a high-reward, commission-based career.
MSL (Higher-Level): You act as the scientific expert, building relationships with Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs—top doctors/researchers) to discuss complex clinical data. This typically requires an advanced degree (PhD or PharmD), but is the pinnacle of non-lab, science-based income.
Why it's a fit: Uses your science degree as credibility, but your success is based on communication, relationship-building, and business acumen.
Financial Growth: Extremely high. Experienced sales reps can easily clear $150k+ with commissions.
4. Biotech/Life Sciences Consulting (The High-Risk/High-Reward Option)
What it is: You advise pharmaceutical and biotech companies on strategy, operations, mergers, acquisitions, and market entry.
Why it's a fit: It's the ultimate combination of analytical horsepower (your science training) and business strategy.
Financial Growth: The highest starting salaries outside of investment banking. (The top-tier firms [MBB] pay well over $100k for entry-level analysts).
Path to Entry: This is the toughest path without an MBA. You need to target niche life sciences consulting firms (like ZS Associates, LEK Consulting, ClearView Healthcare Partners) who specifically hire science grads at the analyst level. You must demonstrate exceptional quantitative skills (look into the GMAT or GRE if you consider a future MBA).
🎓 The Question of Further Education (Masters/Law School)
Given your goal of financial success, the answer is to pursue a Masters strategically, not broadly.
| Option | Recommendation for You | Why? |
| Law School (JD) | No, not initially. | High cost, 3-year commitment, and only truly necessary for Patent Law or high-level Regulatory/Compliance. You can enter Regulatory Affairs and see significant growth without the JD. |
| Master of Science (MS) in Biology | No. | This will push you further into the lab/research side, which you hate. It does not provide the business pivot you need. |
| Master of Business and Science (MBS) | Yes (Consider). | These programs specifically train science grads for business roles in biotech (Regulatory, Consulting, Management). Graduates have excellent job placement and high starting salaries. (Source 1.1) |
| Master of Business Administration (MBA) | Yes (Wait for it). | The most powerful pivot. An MBA from a top-tier school is the guaranteed path into Management Consulting, Business Development, or high-level Healthcare Administration. Wait to apply until you have 3-5 years of professional experience (ideally in one of the roles above) to maximize its value. |
Immediate Action Plan (Do NOT Need a Degree to Start):
Re-Write Your Resume: Pivot your Quality Control experience to emphasize Compliance, Documentation, Auditing, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Target Entry-Level Titles: Search specifically for Regulatory Affairs Associate, Clinical Trial Assistant (CTA), or Sales/Account Representative (at a scientific equipment or biotech supply company).
Network in Biotech: Use LinkedIn to find people who transitioned from QC or Lab roles into Regulatory or Business Development in your area. Ask for 15-minute informational interviews to understand their path.