Need help changing careers and tired of living in poverty
27F. I need to find a career that pays $40-60k a year without a bachelor's degree. I'm a loser who works part-time at Burger King. The only thing I have is a worthless associate's degree in graphic design. I keep getting rejected from jobs that only require a high school diploma. I'm not interested in nursing, engineering, the military, heavy lifting jobs like warehouse, or pharmacy. (FYI, I failed nursing when I was younger.) I like science, and I've been applying to entry-level lab tech jobs that only require a high school diploma, but I keep getting rejected. I only have retail and fast food experience. Can someone please recommend me career options? I'm trying to get a new job soon because I'm only making $100-200 biweekly.
Jobadvisor
First, I want to say that you are not a "loser." Working in fast food is incredibly demanding, and doing it while making such low wages is a high-stress situation that would exhaust anyone. Failing nursing or having an associate's degree you haven't used yet doesn't define your value—it just means those specific paths haven't clicked for you.
To hit that $40,000–$60,000 range without a bachelor's and without heavy lifting or nursing, you should look into roles that value "soft skills" (customer service) combined with a specific certification.
1. The Science Path (Lab Support)
Since you enjoy science but keep getting rejected, the issue is likely a lack of a specific "bridge" certification. Most entry-level lab jobs prefer candidates with some clinical training.
Phlebotomist: You draw blood. It’s science-adjacent, requires 4–12 weeks of training, and pays around $38k–$45k.
Medical Lab Assistant (MLA): Unlike the "Technician" role (which requires a degree), an MLA handles specimen processing and setup. Look for a MLA certification (often 6 months). It is less "gross" than nursing but keeps you in a clinical lab setting.
Quality Control (QC) Assistant: Look for these in food or manufacturing plants (e.g., a Coca-Cola or snack factory). They need people to test batches for safety. Your fast food experience with food safety protocols is actually a selling point here.
2. The Creative/Tech Hybrid (Using Your Degree)
Your Graphic Design associate's isn't worthless, but trying to be a "pure" designer is hard. Instead, use it as a "plus" for administrative or marketing roles:
Marketing Coordinator: Many small companies need someone who can handle social media, write emails, and use Canva/Photoshop. Your degree gives you the edge over someone with just a high school diploma. Salary: $45k–$55k.
UX/UI Research Assistant: This is the "science" of design. You help test how people use apps. You can take a 3–6 month certificate to pivot your design knowledge into this high-paying field ($60k+).
3. The "Service-to-Professional" Pivot
These roles use your BK experience (handling difficult people, speed, accuracy) but move you into an office:
Claims Adjuster: You investigate insurance claims. Most companies provide on-the-job training. It’s analytical, requires no degree, and often starts at $50k.
Customer Success Representative (SaaS): This is not a call center. You help business clients use software. Because you have a design degree, look for companies that sell creative software or marketing tools (like Adobe, Canva, or email platforms).
Comparison of Options
| Role | Avg. Salary | Training Needed | Why you're a fit |
| Phlebotomist | $40,000 | 2–3 Months | Science interest + patient care |
| Claims Adjuster | $52,000 | Licensing (varies) | Retail/Fast food "people skills" |
| Marketing Coord. | $48,000 | None (Portfolio) | Use your Associate's degree |
| Lab Assistant | $42,000 | MLA Cert (6 mo) | Science interest + attention to detail |
Immediate Next Steps
Stop applying to "General" Lab Tech jobs: Without a certificate, the ATS (software) is likely auto-rejecting you. Look for "Specimen Processor" or "Lab Aide" instead.
Fix your Resume: Don't list your BK duties as "flipped burgers." List them as: "Managed high-volume transactions, adhered to strict FDA food safety protocols, and maintained 99% accuracy in fast-paced environments."
Check for "Workforce Development" programs: Since you are low-income, your city or state likely has programs that will pay for your certification (like Phlebotomy or IT) for free.
Has Anyone Here Quit Searching and Just Chased The Bag?
Hey! I'm new here.
Interested in whether anyone on here gave up searching for their path and just pursued a high paid career? And if so, how'd that pan out?
I am mid 20s with a masters in engineering, and i have very limited interest in my career or much adjacent for that matter. Anything i am interested in or passionate about doesn't make money (travel, wildlife, cultural experiences, food etc.).
The thought of working a corporate job forever sucks, but if I am to have to do that, i may as well get a high salary right?
I have always been drawn to entrepreneurship but that hasn't gotten off the ground at all yet.
Thanks if you made it this far!
Jobadvisor
It is funny how perspective works—the previous user is desperate for the stability you already have, while you are feeling suffocated by the very "success" you've achieved.
The "Chase the Bag" strategy is actually a very common pivot for people with high-intelligence degrees (like Engineering) who realize their passion doesn't pay the bills. Here is the reality of how that usually pans out:
1. The "Golden Handcuffs" Reality
Most people who "chase the bag" don't find happiness, but they do find freedom. With a Master's in Engineering, you have the analytical foundation to jump into high-margin sectors.
The Pro: You can afford the travel, food, and wildlife experiences you love. You stop stressing about the cost of a flight and start stressing about meeting a deadline.
The Con: High-pay usually equals high-intensity. You might make $150k+, but you might only have 2 weeks a year to actually see the "wildlife" you’re working to fund.
2. High-Pay Pivots for Engineers
If you want to maximize income while moving away from "pure" engineering, look at these roles. They value your technical background but focus on business and "the bag":
Technical Sales / Sales Engineering: You explain the product to clients. It’s heavy on travel and social interaction. Commission-based pay means the ceiling is incredibly high.
Management Consulting: Firms like McKinsey or BCG love engineers because of how you think. You’ll work 60–80 hours a week, but you’ll see how businesses run (great for your future entrepreneurship) and get paid a massive premium.
Quantitative Finance: If you’re a math-heavy engineer, moving into "FinTech" or hedge funds is the ultimate "chase the bag" move.
3. The Entrepreneurship Connection
You mentioned an interest in entrepreneurship. Chasing the bag is often the best way to start a business. Why?
Capital: You can't start a business when you're worried about rent. Two years of a high-paying "soul-sucking" job can give you the $50k–$100k runway you need to launch your own thing later.
Skill Stacking: High-paying corporate roles teach you operations, networking, and sales—the three things most failed entrepreneurs lack.
Comparison: Chasing Passion vs. Chasing the Bag
| Feature | The Passion Path (Wildlife/Travel) | The Bag Path (High-End Corporate) |
| Stress Level | High (Financial stress) | High (Performance stress) |
| Lifestyle | Flexible but "budget" | Rigid but "luxury" |
| Exit Strategy | Difficult to pivot back | Easy to "retire" early or pivot |
A Mindset Shift
Instead of thinking of a corporate job as "forever," think of it as A High-Interest Savings Account. If you decide to "chase the bag" for exactly 36 months, live like a student, and save 60% of your income, you could walk away in your late 20s with a massive safety net to go live in the jungle or start your food brand.