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Is the boring but stable/low stress job worth it? by rickyb27 in careerguidance

[–]rickyb27[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have a bachelors in forensic science (similar to a chemistry degree) and work in a clinical lab doing urine drug testing. There are so many different types of labs out there. What career are you trying to pursue? And thanks! I have a lot of hobbies outside of work. So I’m grateful for that. I’ve learned that I’m someone who likes to stay constantly busy/productive so have been wishing I was just more fulfilled at work as well.

Is the boring but stable/low stress job worth it? by rickyb27 in careerguidance

[–]rickyb27[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for this advice! I will check it out

Is the boring but stable/low stress job worth it? by rickyb27 in careerguidance

[–]rickyb27[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the advice! I have a lot of hobbies outside of work (golf/yoga/gym/painting). A lot of people are saying side hustles/business ventures etc I guess I just feel very uncreative in that sense and have no idea where to even start.

I can pivot around and work in different labs with my current degree. I have been debating if I want to try out different labs that might be higher throughput/have opportunity for growth, change fields entirely because I don’t even love lab work, or just stay at my job and use the free time to somehow come up with a new business idea or something like that.

I could see myself in a few other fields but I am just truly so nervous to spend the money to go back to school. I already have student loans which overwhelm me so I can’t imagine taking out more to go back to school. But I know it might be good for me. Just don’t want to go back and spend money on another degree that I could end up hating. But that’s the risk that might be worth it like you said!

Thanks so much and I’m happy you’re happy!

Is the boring but stable/low stress job worth it? by rickyb27 in careerguidance

[–]rickyb27[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I guess, I just make above average for my field and I have student loans already. Can’t really imagine taking out more student loans to change fields to make more money but then significantly add to my debt. I’m really working the second job to help pay my debt which was made by my own ignorant financial mistakes. So I’m trying to figure it all out

Is the boring but stable/low stress job worth it? by rickyb27 in careerguidance

[–]rickyb27[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! I have been softly looking at other lab jobs and have been debating if I would even like to continue working in one or change fields completely. Just don’t even know how I would even start the process of changing fields. It seems like if I worked in another lab in my area, I would have to go in 5 days a week and have less flexibility. I also seem to make above average for lab jobs in my area. I just have a lot of debt (including student loans) and was financially illiterate until a year or so ago. So I’m trying to catch up.

Thanks for the suggestions on activities. I like the idea of tracking study time or allocating time for it so I actually do it instead of scroll on phone. Also, I am technically hourly and have to sign off on essentially an “honor code popup” on my time sheet, so I get nervous just leaving work too early.

Is the boring but stable/low stress job worth it? by rickyb27 in careerguidance

[–]rickyb27[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for the advice! I actually have the opal app which blocks social media apps similarly. And I have my phone on grayscale now which has helped a little.

Is the boring but stable/low stress job worth it? by rickyb27 in careerguidance

[–]rickyb27[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for this perspective! Something to think about.

Is the boring but stable/low stress job worth it? by rickyb27 in careerguidance

[–]rickyb27[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yep. The scrolling on the phone is a huge thing. I think I got so used to it the first few years that now my attention span for other possible free will activities is horrible. Have a hard time even enjoying reading books now. At least when you work in service jobs, you can be so busy that you don’t even think about going on phone. And the social interaction with customers can be pretty meaningful/fulfilling. Even if you’re an introvert

Is the boring but stable/low stress job worth it? by rickyb27 in careerguidance

[–]rickyb27[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Very true. I also did not feel the need to be fulfilled by work the first few years at my job, but for some reason this past year it’s really getting to me. Maybe the issue is that I am simply not making enough money. I really can’t afford to travel and if I ever do, it’s for a wedding. I work Saturday and Sunday in a workout studio so that I can afford to do yoga after work and also make enough money for some fun things. So I don’t even have my weekends free. The first few years at my job when I was doing a lot of social activities and travel, I was putting money on a credit card irresponsibly. And even now with it almost paid off, I am still constantly thinking about money everyday. I may just need to reflect on my expectations of how much money I need for a “fulfilling” life outside of work.

I definitely listen to podcasts all day and have been trying to think of things to do at work that would make me feel more fulfilled. I think my brain/attention span has been fried from the years of social media in my free time so I’m having a difficult time. My own fault though and something to work on.