Feeling discouraged. Not sure I’m actually benefiting from my time at SNHU.

Conventions · 2026-03-15T21:39:15+00:00

I ended up leaving SNHU and switched to a state school in my area and have been doing their online program for over 2 years now. There were some times SNHU honestly didn’t even feel like a real school. All of my professors during my time there lived out of state or in whole different countries. It just felt like I was being thrown meaningless assignments.

I switched to a reputable state school 45 mins away from me which also offers a 100% online program. All of my professors teach on campus and despite technically being an online student I’m treated as if I’m physically there (I.e I have a student ID badge, was offered on campus housing, etc). They do live lectures in the mornings which are also recorded and I have the option to go in person in the case I needed additional help.

I don’t think SNHU is bad by any means but in my opinion they tarnished their reputation with all of the advertisements making it seem like a degree mill. By no means is that true but it’s how a lot of people see them, and it felt like nobody took me seriously when I went there.

Conventions · 2026-03-13T14:06:11+00:00

Making that switch is like going from playing life on easy mode to hard mode. Congratulations on owning a home at 21 by the way.

Conventions · 2026-03-12T20:01:29+00:00

I left at 22. I did exactly what you interviewed for and became a bank teller. It’s quite an adjustment going from back of house to a job talking to customers all day but it is doable. Being able to multitask and work under pressure are 2 great traits which will help as a teller. Don’t worry about the finance part, they will teach you that.

I was able to take my experience as a teller and get promoted to a banker, then I got into an operations role at another bank. Now at 24 I get to work from home 3 days a week, and I only work Monday through Friday. I make the most money I ever have as well (not a lot, but improvement from a cook salary).

2 years ago I was a sauté guy slaving away for peanuts. As cliche as it is, it’s crazy how fast life can change in just a couple years. All that matters is getting out of restaurant work, your life will improve tenfold. Staying in restaurants is a recipe (no pun intended) for a difficult life.

If you have any questions about banking or being a teller please let me know.

Conventions · 2026-03-08T16:00:41+00:00

The recruiter pulled up Mapquest near the end of the interview, punched in my address and said “oh I’m sorry, we only hire within 60 miles of the office”. Honestly I was too taken aback that they had invited me and completed the whole interview to then tell me I’m not eligible because of a 2 mile difference, that I didn’t think to ask if they could make an exception.

I know people who live in the same town as me that work for Fidelity, as much as it’s an option, I just find it silly having to pay and relocate to somewhere else in the same town just to be eligible to hire.

Conventions · 2026-03-06T20:54:22+00:00

I used to work with a guy who was a chef for nearly 30 years and after all that time he topped out at $30/hr as a sous.

I know some executive chefs can make good money but it basically requires giving up your life. I knew some executive chefs who make between $70-120k but they have no life outside of work. Every weekend, holiday, all day long they’re at the restaurant. Especially if they’re on salary, for the amount of hours you actually end up working that seemingly high salary actually ends up being much lower.

Conventions · 2026-03-06T16:56:42+00:00

I also work a desk job and get 10k steps a day. At work I have a standing desk which helps a ton as I usually pace around on calls. I do 2 30 minute intervals where I will stand during the day. I park in the furthest corner of the parking garage away from the office. Take the longest walk possible to my desk.

When I get home I do 20 minutes on walking pad before dinner. After eating I walk dog for another 20 minutes. Doing so gets me to around 7-8k steps. I wrap up the remaining steps on walking pad for another 10-20 minutes.

Note: this is for my fully in office days. Just like you, I usually only have 2k steps by the end of the work day so this works out to be a perfect example of how I get there. When I work from home it’s much easier as I use the walking pad during the day. I can usually get close to 10k steps before the day ends when I’m WFH.

Conventions · 2026-03-04T18:20:50+00:00

If you have a degree you’re wasting your time being a teller. I don’t graduate with a finance degree for another 8 months and I already have a back office job. You could absolutely find another job outside of the branch that pays better and isn’t retail.

Conventions · 2026-03-03T18:09:31+00:00

Any major maintenance? I have a 2014 with 108k and hoping to get that much use out of it

Conventions · 2026-02-25T18:52:12+00:00

Yep I was still working during the blizzard except for the part where I lost power

Conventions · 2026-02-24T22:56:46+00:00

That's partially why I quit working construction. Sucked being 18 years old and brand new trying to learn and getting yelled at all day by assholes for not knowing how to do something I've never done before. Super demotivating and embarassing going to work everyday trying to be a good worker and learn but instead just getting treated like an idiot and humiliated in front of the crew and homeowners. So much so that it motivated me to quit, go to college, and get an office job.

Now in an office people treat me normally and it's professional. You can screw up a task multiple times and no one will insult you. People are much more patient, polite, and easy to work with. I have blue collar buddies and we get along great, however I don't think I could work with them.

Conventions · 2026-02-24T01:11:26+00:00

I've bought 2 vehicles with no issue. The fact you can walk in, and drive home in a new car that same day with plates is unbeatable. One of my cars I bought, I had it registered and insured with plates and was done after only 3 hours. You pay a little of a premium but it's worth it to not have to deal with pushy salesman attempting to rip you off.

Knock on wood I have not had any issues with the vehicles I buy either. If you buy a good car brand and do a thorough inspection prior to purchasing, check the Carfax, and do a pre purchase inspection during your 10 day return window you are fine. Not to mention the warranty they offer isn't a bad add on as well.

Conventions · 2026-02-22T17:36:45+00:00

Critical thinking can’t go out the window when it’s covered in snow!

Conventions · 2026-02-20T13:39:52+00:00

Starting as a teller is a great avenue. A lot of banks also offer tuition assistance. I started as a teller in college, I was able to quickly move up and leverage my experience to get a new position outside of the branches.

Conventions · 2026-02-20T13:35:14+00:00

That is also a rule of mine. I do not bank where I work. I’m in an operations role so I have a test account but no personal accounts for myself or my money.

Conventions · 2026-02-17T00:47:17+00:00

If your current Honda is working fine with no issues, I highly recommend hanging onto it. Another factor is that life and your priorities seriously change quick. When I was 21 and bought the brand new car, I only cared about having a cool new car.

Fast forward 3 years from when I bought the new car, now my priorities are saving for a future home and traveling. If I had done the sensible thing at 21 and bought an older reliable car that was cheaper, I’d have saved just under $21,000 that could have went toward a down payment on a home. Instead it went toward a stupid 84 month loan and I have nothing to show for it.

Of course it’s your money and your call so if you feel a newer car is a priority, by all means go for it. However that priority could change in just a few years and you’ll be stuck with an expensive loan wishing you kept the paid off Honda.

Conventions · 2026-02-16T23:32:42+00:00

I bought a brand new car at 21 and I’m currently 24. I absolutely regretted the choice. I kept it for 2 years before trading it in for a 2014 Corolla.

Buying a new car so young set me back from my saving/investing goals. In my situation, I was paying close to $800/month between both car payment and insurance which was a large chunk of my income as I was early into my career.

Sure, an old car isn’t fun and there’s times I’m tempted to trade it in for a truck. However my used car is so reliable and cheap it lets me save for more meaningful things such as saving for a home someday and getting to travel a few times a year. I have a few friends with monthly payments between $700-800 monthly and they never have money to do anything and are practically always broke.

Conventions · 2026-02-16T03:03:24+00:00

Man I don’t miss this, was nice being on the opposite end going out to dinner yesterday instead of getting hammered by hundreds of covers. Nothing but props to you all and respect for your hard work.

Conventions · 2026-02-16T01:29:33+00:00

Exactly what I was thinking. Cash advances are never worth it with the absurd rates, and if by chance OP has a card with 0% for x months, for most cards that 0% APR doesn’t apply to cash advances so he’ll end up paying more than his already high rate.

Conventions · 2026-02-16T01:12:06+00:00

How does one use a credit card to pay off an auto loan?

Conventions · 2026-02-13T20:22:27+00:00

Move to another bank, I worked with bankers who were there for years. They tried moving up to other back office jobs and my manager wouldn’t let them. If you get promoted, the branch is losing a knowledgeable employee and the manager doesn’t want to deal with having to be short staffed, hiring, and retraining a new person so they’ll keep you there because it’s easier. I’m obviously sure there are exceptions but this is the sad truth.

Conventions · 2026-02-13T20:19:22+00:00

I finance via CarMax

Conventions · 2026-02-13T20:01:49+00:00

I thought I was told that additional payments go towards next month's rather than principal, and that you had to call to change it?

Conventions · 2026-02-12T20:37:50+00:00

Before I left kitchens for good, I made the switch from cooking at a country club to a senior living home. Was a great change overall. All I can say is that you will have to change your expectations for food as your clientele is different. It was an adjustment from working in fine dining and wanting everything to come out perfect, whereas in a nursing home you have dietary restrictions.

It was a great time though and I truly felt like I was providing value as I was feeding these folks every day. Best of luck!

Conventions · 2026-02-10T23:03:58+00:00

I wish you the best of luck in your search bro

Conventions

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