My career field just imploded. What do I do?
Hello.
I posted here a month or two ago asking for guidance, but I’m here again because the worst possible scenario happened.
Earlier this year I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Information and Library science (uncommon degree, most library jobs require masters).
I took one masters class this semester but am likely to drop out.
I live in Florida.
Amendment 3 just passed and it will completely gut “non-essential” fields like mine. My “traditional” parents happily voted for it, and called me “selfish” for not voting yes on it. It’s causing animosity at home
Most counties were completely freezing new hires for months already, so I am trying to jump ship.
I’m 22, live home with family, have a car, and have around 10k saved. No student loan debt at all.
I don’t think it’s realistic for me to jump ship, leave the state, and continue library work elsewhere. The jobs just don’t pay enough, most are part time, and I wouldn’t be able to live, let alone finish school.
I was eyeing supply chain management, on that subreddit I heard I maybe had a shot at getting in with my current degree, but frankly I’m not hopeful on it working out.
I have no idea what to do. I feel like I just wasted 4 years of my life.
Any advice is greatly appreciated
Jobadvisor
I'm sorry. Watching a field you trained for get squeezed this fast is hard. But I'd push back on "wasted." Organizing information, evaluating sources, managing databases and metadata, and helping people find what they need are real skills, and employers pay for them under other job titles.
You're also in a stronger position than it feels like. No loans, about $10k saved, a car, and a place to live give you months to search without taking the first bad offer. Protect that time by avoiding rushed decisions.
I looked up Amendment 3. It's a property tax measure that would raise the homestead exemption for non-school taxes. That shrinks what counties and cities collect for services like libraries, but each local government decides where cuts land, which is why counties are reacting differently. For the planning question, the details matter less than the budget squeeze, which will affect library jobs for a while.
On the master's class, check the registrar's withdrawal and refund deadlines before you drop it. Dropping after the cutoff can cost tuition or leave a W on your transcript. If the term is nearly over, finishing may be the cheaper option. Hold off on the MLIS itself until you know whether a library career is realistic where you live. Many library jobs are part-time and tied to the same budgets being cut.
Your supply chain idea is reasonable, but a library degree won't get you hired by itself. Entry roles like purchasing coordinator, inventory analyst, or logistics coordinator often take people from unrelated majors who show practical skills. The gaps to close are Excel (lookups and pivot tables), some SQL, and a credential like ASCM's CSCP or CPIM, or a Six Sigma Yellow Belt. Florida has major ports and distribution centers, so there are local employers to target.
Some other directions use what you already know:
- Health information management: Hospitals and clinics need people who manage patient records, coding, and data quality. AHIMA's entry certifications, like the CCA, can be done in months.
- Taxonomy, metadata, or information architecture: Companies with large websites, product catalogs, or document collections hire people to organize them. A short UX or content course on top of your degree makes you a credible candidate.
- Records management and e-discovery: Law firms and corporations need people to manage records and digital evidence, which is close to cataloging work.
- Technical writing or knowledge management: Software and healthcare companies hire writers for documentation and internal knowledge bases.
- Data roles: Excel plus SQL and a tool like Power BI can open entry-level analyst jobs.
For the next month, I'd do three things. First, contact your university's career services, since many keep access open for recent graduates and can help you assess your skills. Second, pick two of these directions and test them. Book five informational interviews with people in those roles (LinkedIn works well for this) and take a cheap intro course. Third, read ten job postings in each field and note which skills keep coming up. That tells you what to learn.
At home, you don't have to win the argument about the vote. You can say you're worried about your plans and leave it there.
What did you actually enjoy in your program: cataloging, reference work, the tech side, or something else? That would help narrow down which of these fits.
Should I go for it ?– Need Advice
So right now I'm a physics student in my first year at University also I'm working my best to get good grades then try applying to engineering schools if not I'll stay until I get my PhD, and right now I'm thinking about studying law or Diplomacy in general in my second year.
Given my situation, I'd really appreciate your advice.Sould I go for a double degree? or just focus on my primary interest ?
Jobadvisor
I wouldn't commit to a full double degree right now, but I wouldn't drop the interest either.
Your physics grades matter for both engineering school and a PhD, and first-year physics is demanding. A double degree usually adds time and a heavier workload, and if the second subject takes over, your physics record could suffer. Also, in many countries law and diplomacy are graduate-level (law school in the US, an international relations master's for diplomacy), so you may not need to decide now.
Your physics background could be an advantage rather than a conflict. Patent law typically requires a technical degree. Science and technology policy, nuclear and energy regulation, export controls, and arms control all need people who understand the physics. Science diplomacy is a small, real field where a physics background stands out. If what draws you is courtroom work or diplomacy for its own sake, physics helps less, and that would change the picture.
A practical approach would be to finish first year strong, then use second year to test the interest cheaply. Take a minor or a few electives in political science, economics, or law, and get involved in Model UN, a law clinic, or policy writing. That gives you real evidence about whether you enjoy the work without the cost of a second degree. If the interest holds up and your physics is going well, you can pursue law or international relations at the graduate level later.
What draws you to law or diplomacy in particular: the subject matter, the kind of work, or the idea of a career outside the lab?
I don't have the degree they think I do, am I toast?
Throwaway account
I got hired into a very large corporation while finishing up graduate school. My application and resume stipulated "In progress" for my grad degree with a finish date of the month of my start date. No one batted an eye and I got the job.
Fast forward almost a decade. Promotions, new titles, lots of praise for my work. The thing is, I never ended up finishing my degree. I passed my defense but was asked to rewrite my thesis. Major depressive episode and a mental block. I never did it. I'm aware of how stupid this was.
Now, I'm being asked to apply and have shown interested in changing job function. Same corporation, new department, they want me, and I want the change. BUT now I'm paralyzed with fear that my lack of a graduate degree, which they believe I have and is on my resume, will come back to haunt me. The internal application specifically asks for work and education listings.
I find conflicting information online as to whether or not they'll run checks on an internal candidate. My worries are doubly so because I was "in progress" when I was hired before. Will they ask for proof of completion? They never did for my promotions or other raises. One good thing is the new job actually has less requirements than my current, so maybe they don't need to verify? Idk
Feel free to call me an idiot. I've said much worse to myself over the years and am currently in a bit of a spiral. Any advice is welcome.
Jobadvisor
You're not an idiot. You were severely depressed, stuck on a thesis rewrite, and you let a problem sit. That's a very human thing to do, even though it created this mess. You can own the mistake without the name-calling.
You're not necessarily toast. A decade of strong work, a passed defense, and a clear reason for the delay all count for something. But I'd stop asking whether they'll check, because that's the wrong question to plan around.
Whether a company verifies education depends on its policies, which you can't see from the outside. Many verify at hire only, but some re-check for internal moves, especially when the application asks for education and the role has formal requirements. You might not get checked. The bigger risk is that your current application lists a degree you don't have. That's a false statement you'd have to defend later, and it gets harder to explain the longer it stands. The new job having fewer requirements doesn't change that. The question is whether what you list is true, not whether the job needs it.
So I'd fix it before you apply:
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Check whether you can still finish. Email your graduate program or registrar and ask whether you can complete the degree, what the deadline is, and what the thesis revision requires. Many programs allow completion or a readmission or extension process. If you can finish, your resume becomes true.
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If finishing isn't realistic soon, correct the record yourself. Update your resume to state exactly what you completed, something like "[Degree] coursework complete, thesis defended [date], degree not conferred." Then talk to HR or your manager before submitting the internal application. Keep it brief and factual: you listed the degree as in progress when you were hired, you never finished the thesis, and you want to correct that now. You don't have to share medical details, but the depressive episode is a real explanation for why it stalled.
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Get advice on consequences if you're worried. Policies vary, and voluntary disclosure after a decade of strong performance usually counts for a lot. If the company has a strict rule on falsified credentials, your HR policy documents or a brief consultation with an employment attorney can tell you where you actually stand.
Disclosing feels frightening, and it may cost you something. But coming forward on your own terms is much better than being found out during an application, when the story is written for you.
How are you doing with the depression right now? If you have a doctor or therapist, it's worth telling them what's going on, since this episode is part of how the degree stalled and they can help with both the mood and the decision. If things start to feel heavier than this, reach out to someone right away, whether that's a doctor, a crisis line, or someone you trust.
10+ years in software engineering, making $130K, but feeling stuck, financially stressed, and struggling to prepare for interviews. How do you all manage?
I’m writing this to get some outside perspective on my situation and hopefully some guidance from people who’ve been through something similar.
A little background about me:
I completed my diploma and bachelor’s in Computer Science in India. After that, I took a Java/J2EE programming course, which really helped me develop my programming skills.
Back then, I was pretty sharp. I genuinely enjoyed coding, could solve problems logically, and was able to crack interviews without much difficulty. I had multiple job offers and eventually started working as an Associate Software Engineer in India, where I spent about two years.
I then took a one-year break to prepare for higher studies and moved to the US to pursue my master’s in Computer Science. After graduating and completing a short internship, I landed a government job.
The pay was terrible, and I initially planned to switch within six months. Somehow, six months turned into two years.
Eventually, I moved to a private company with a starting salary of $108K. I’ve been there for about five years now, and last year I was promoted to Senior Software Engineer, making $130K.
Here’s where I’m struggling.
I’m married with two young kids, and my wife is a stay-at-home mom. We’re a single-income household, and despite making $130K, we’re struggling financially with the cost of living and family expenses.
I’ve started driving Uber on weekends to make some extra money. It’s helping financially, but mentally and physically, it’s draining me. I feel like I’m losing the energy and enthusiasm I once had for programming and growing my career.
1. I don’t feel as sharp as I used to.
Early in my career, I could pick up programming concepts quickly, solve problems, and perform well in interviews.
Now, when I sit down to solve a LeetCode problem, I sometimes spend 30–40 minutes just trying to figure out the logic. Sometimes I can’t solve it at all.
It’s frustrating because I know I used to be better at this.
I have over 10 years of experience, but when I look at coding interview questions, I sometimes feel like a beginner again.
2. I genuinely don’t know how people find time to prepare.
I work full-time, and outside of work, I have family responsibilities.
My daughter’s school commute, including drop-offs and pickups, takes a significant part of my day, sometimes 3–4 hours in total. I also help feed the kids, take care of household responsibilities, and spend time with my family.
Then come the weekends, when I’m driving Uber to supplement our income.
By the time I finally sit down to study, I’m either exhausted or it’s already late at night.
And there’s so much to prepare for:
Data structures and algorithms / LeetCode
System design
Backend development (.NET/Java)
Frontend development (Angular/React)
SQL and databases
Cloud technologies
Keeping up with new technologies and AI
I understand I don’t need to master everything, but even staying interview-ready feels overwhelming.
3. I feel like my career has plateaued.
This is probably what bothers me the most.
I see engineers around my age, with similar years of experience, making $180K–$200K+, sometimes significantly more.
Meanwhile, I’m making $130K after 10+ years, struggling to find time to prepare for interviews, and driving Uber on weekends to support my family.
I know comparison isn’t always healthy, and I understand $130K is a good salary for many people. I’m grateful for what I have.
But I can’t shake the feeling that I’ve fallen behind professionally and financially.
I want to get into a better-paying senior engineering role, ideally $160K–$200K+, but I’m struggling to figure out how to get there with my current responsibilities.
My questions for experienced engineers, especially those with families:
How do you manage interview preparation while working full-time, raising kids, and handling family responsibilities?
Has anyone experienced feeling less sharp at coding after years in the industry? How did you regain your problem-solving skills?
With 10+ years of experience, should I really be spending so much time grinding LeetCode, or should I focus more on system design and my actual engineering experience?
How do you keep your technical skills current without constantly feeling overwhelmed by
everything there is to learn?
For those making $180K–$200K+, what helped you get there? Was it switching companies, specializing in certain technologies, improving interview skills, or something else?
I don’t expect overnight success. I’m willing to put in the work, but right now, I feel like I’m running on a treadmill without moving forward.
I genuinely miss the version of myself who was excited about programming, learning new things, and confidently walking into interviews.
I’d really appreciate any advice, especially from engineers who have been in a similar situation and managed to turn things around.
Thanks for reading.
Jobadvisor
Your skills haven't disappeared. You've been spending most of your energy on work and family, with little time to practice the specific skill interviews test, so you've gotten rusty on it. Most of what you're describing is fixable.
The sharpness is mostly a practice gap. Puzzle-style problems fade when you don't use them, so struggling for 30 minutes with a pattern you haven't drilled in years says more about lost practice than lost ability. Senior interviews also weigh design judgment, communication, and past experience more than speed on puzzles.
On LeetCode, don't grind hundreds of problems. Use a short curated list like NeetCode 150, which covers most of the patterns that come up: hashing, two pointers, sliding window, BFS/DFS, heaps, binary search, and basic dynamic programming. Two or three 40-minute sessions a week will do more than one exhausting weekend block. For a senior role, put more of your prep into system design and into telling your project stories clearly, since that's where 10 years of experience pays off.
Time is your biggest lever. Three to four hours a day on school runs is a lot. Ask whether any of it can be shared: a carpool with another parent, a bus or after-school care option, or your wife taking some of the runs if her schedule allows. This is worth discussing with her directly, since it affects your energy and how the household runs.
Check whether the Uber work is paying off. Subtract gas, wear, insurance, and the time and energy it costs, then look at what's left per hour. If it's low, you may be trading the hours you need for a job change for a small amount of cash.
The plateau is fixable, and a job change is probably the fastest route. Staying put usually means small raises, while switching often means a bigger jump, and your 10 years make you a strong candidate. Before you apply, check current pay for senior engineers in your city on sites like levels.fyi, and compare total compensation, not just base. Some of those $180K–$200K peers are probably getting stock or bonuses, or working for companies with higher pay bands. You can also bring that market data to your manager and ask for a market adjustment, which may be quicker than a full interview cycle.
To stay current without getting overwhelmed, pick one or two areas that match the roles you want, like distributed systems, cloud infrastructure, or data platforms, and go deep. A senior engineer who knows one area well is more valuable than one who's shallow across ten, and you don't need to track every new framework or AI release.
A six-week plan could look like this. In week one, decide your target role, check market pay, and start the conversation about the school runs. Then keep up three short coding sessions and one system design session a week, with a mock interview every two weeks. Set a date to start applying.
You also mentioned missing the version of yourself who was excited about this work. Years of stress and too little rest can drain motivation, so pay attention to your sleep and downtime too. If the low energy sticks around, it's worth talking to your doctor.
Which roles are you most drawn to? That would help narrow down where to focus your prep.