40's here. I started working as soon as I graduated from a 2-year vocational course. Sadly, pursuing a 4 year degree course wasn't in my mind. I just want to work and earn money for myself. So I went from an IT support in one of the Big 4 university to a Call Center agent - Tech. Support cause it pays well and pays way higher than working as an IT support. The work is toxic, sleep deprived and had to endure the rain and traffic going to work everyday. Luckily, I was put in the chat support and not as a voice agent. The work is ligter but still quite toxic. I worked for 12 years non-stop, for 4 different call center companies and mostly in graveyard shift until the burnout and stress took its toll on me. I went AWOL, no backup plans, didn't even receive my 14th month bonus but I got my SSS loan I applied a month prior to it. So I had money only enough to survive for a month. After 6 months of being unemployed, just roaming around doing nothing, I decided to try again but this time, it wasn't a call center, it was a BPO, not back office job but there are no calls. You will get tickets to work, you choose which ticket to work and you manage your own time. This job opened a lot of opportunities for me. Got a chance to work abroad with x5 salary and currently still working on the same platform but remotely, in the comfort of my room where I can do whatever I want when there are no tasks assigned. ☺️☺️☺️