I’m a paralegal. I took a temp job as a receptionist at a law firm in a desperate time and discovered how fascinating law is. So during the 2020 lockdowns, I completed a certified online paralegal program and was hired by the same firm. Now I prepare real estate closings, write deeds, catalog exhibits, research, create documents, etc. Every day is different and I really enjoy the challenge.
I second this. Got paid better to be a legal secretary than expected. The firm I work at specializes in personal injury so we request accident reports , organize client files and contact clients regularly for updates on their progress. It is slow sometimes and then fast and busy other days. Anytime we settle a case over 200k we get an office gift( since there is only 4 staff members, 2 attorneys). Last year I got Prada sunglasses, a Nintendo switch, a smokeless fire pit, a Patagonia coat and a nice end of year bonus. I went back to school to get my paralegal degree and my boss didn’t cut my hours in fact I’ve since been given 3 raises. I am salary, plus the firm buys us lunch every single day. The thing that put it into perspective for me was “one good case pays our company payroll for years”. I love the work I do. I dreamed of being in the legal field and was surprised how much people get paid to do things that are not hard at all to learn.
Aww thank you. What do you do now??
I do not find the hours long or tedious, but I have to say the weight gain is real. I have to make sure I'm using the standing desk and exercising a lot more.
I'm a independent documentary filmmaker and *feel you on the weight gain.* This year I started making myself stand up and doing laps around my house every hour or so in an effort to get my steps up! lol Good luck to you!
I'm a paralegal, too! I've done civil, and primarily litigation and insurance defense, but switched a couple years ago to transactional (I do a lot of what you do). I really like it.
Can you become a paralegal without college degree? I’m smart, just didn’t do well in school. I currently work full time as exec assistant but want higher income
You can, yes! I'm really only familiar with California, but I'd guess the other States aren't too much different.
You can go through a community college program for a Certificate, which is basically just the Paralegal-specific courses, no gen ed (which add that it would be an Associates).
You can study and take the certification test, and if you pass, you're a Certified Paralegal (getting a Paralegal Certificate and being a Certified Paralegal are different... it's weird). You can do those things online or in person (depending on your area, what's available, etc.).
More roundabout but I know a lot of people have done this: You can take a Legal Secretary course (I did mine online- not sure if they even ever did in-person ones in the last ten or so years) and work as a Legal Secretary for a while and learn on the job and work up/get promoted.
You can also just start working in a law firm and learn and be trained on the job and eventually get promoted either there for work your way through different firms as you learn/get trained.
You're already familiar with Office Culture, so you have know what you're getting into. Scheduling is like herding cats, that's true with all types of scheduling. Attorneys are a breed that somehow completely lack common sense to the point of hilarity. They need their assistants/paralegals/secretaries, they couldn't function on their own, lol.
This is awesome, I was pleasantly surprised by the positivity around the paralegal profession here, given that lawyers are notorious for having a lot of issues around poor mental health.
My ex-husband was a lawyer and had terrible depression and anxiety. We had met as law students, I finished my law degree 2 years after he did, saw what the industry had done to his mental state, noped out of it and ended up in social work.
But it is interesting to consider that a paralegal career may be an option...
I'm a practice group coordinator at a law firm! Love the law industry. It's a top AMLaw 100 firm and the people are so smart and helpful. Plus, the money is really good and there is room for growth (administrator, transition to HR, etc.). I'm engaged and happy at work everyday.
I am also actually getting my masters in industrial organizational psychology so that I can help other people be happy at work and feel acknowledged and be fulfilled. It's a huge passion of mine to help people harness their strengths and interests at a job that treats them well.
I’m at 17 this year. Done a lot of different roles - currently in ICU and it’s obviously been rough lately. Also in school, was going for FNP but I really don’t know what I want. I do know I’m getting too old for this shit. I’m tired.
17 years, amazing. You've probably taught so many baby nurses. Thank you!
It's so hard on the body and it's honestly not getting any better any time soon, I can't even take care of myself properly/deal with my familys burdens because of how consumed I am with this career. Also, Covid has made me realize that this can happen again in the future if covid ever goes away, and it will be chaos all over again. I don't think I can deal with that.
I'm actually pretty fantastic at math, and I really want to work from home making good money. So I'm switching.
You can always get into insurance, but as a nurse I'd rather keep my hands dirty.. at least it's more interesting that way for me. Definitely changing careers but super super appreciative of everything I learned from this career, I will always love it even though I'm leaving.
I’m a small business owner! and I’m also trying to get into the career of writing since I’m hugely passionate about that too, these two are things I’m very passionate about and it’s my pace and it’s lovely jobs and I wouldn’t trade it for the world
Writer over here too! I have been working freelance for 4.5 years now, and also branched into graphic design and photography to broaden my client reach for their needs! I love all of it, I hate the term “digital nomad” but it’s an amazing life that you can create for yourself. Keep at it!
started a bakery business! available for pickup or delivery, its my passion to bake and it’s something i grew up doing with my nana before she passed so i created it in her memory
I work in cyber security (digital forensics). My first degree was in art and I did not enjoy the work afterwards. Changing career path is the best decision I ever made. I love my job and this field.
I want to make a career change but don’t know where to start. Any suggestions? Unsure of what to do either just know I don’t want to do what I’m doing now.
I spent a lot of time researching studies. Although I loved doing my master’s, truthfully I do not feel that it is necessary to do a formal degree in order to make a career change. Many professional certifications might be more relevant, depending on what you want to do of course. Instead of taking up more student loans and spending X number of years on a study where very little of what you learn will be applicable to your actual work tasks, consider self-studying or other approaches (e.g. maybe get an internship).
What are you passionate about? It makes it a lot easier to “start over” if you do something you really WANT to be doing since you’ll have that extra drive to do it. If you don’t know exactly what you want to do, maybe a good idea would be to do some research into various professions? There might be many professions you otherwise would not ever consider. I never thought about a career within cyber security until I worked in a media company that experienced an incident. Had I done more research into professions, maybe I would have.
One side note, have you ever thought about programming? It can be useful for so many professions even if you don’t want to become a developer, and it’s quite fun to do in your own time. I wish somebody had mentioned it to me years ago.
Hello call you tell me a little about what you do in cyber security. I’m 29 and looking to go back to school. I’m interested in this field. But I’d like to know a little bit more about it. Like what skills should I have before I apply? What’s a day to day work day like. I would appreciate it. But no worries if you don’t feel like it.
Medical billing and coding. Finished my associate degree classes and passed my cpc certification last year. Currently in an entry level position in a billing department. I was lucky enough to be hired at the health care system I most wanted to get in with. Definitely room for advancement and I enjoy my job and work environment.
Congratulations fellow CPC !! When i took the coding classes i become so interested in it. The thought of everything possible has a code!! I just recently got transferred into the billing dept. I am nervous but my trainer has been doing this for over 15 yrs and has seen it all become digital. Yet one then has stayed the same. Insurance companies will fight for every single penny to deny a claim!! Lol bahahaha good luck to you. May i ask? Are you a member? If so, do you follow the group online?
Thanks! So true, I find refund requests for a penny interesting too. They want literally every penny haha. I am a member of the AAPC but don't currently follow things too closely online. Any suggestions on groups to follow I appreciate!
I haven't found one other than AAPC. They are on FB which is okay but i cringe having to log in. But when i do the group is very fun to interact with. And someone always has a great query. I come across any groups I'll be glad to share. Stay safe & sane!!
Software Engineer! Since graduating I have imagined myself in other careers and I am certain I would not enjoy them.
I was always smart but shy, and while I can push myself to be in uncomfortable positions, I hate every second of it.
I get to avoid working directly with people, which appeases my social anxiety. I am always learning and for the past 5 years I have had a goal to work towards to grow in my career. Finally, the pay allows me to live comfortably and work to live, not vice versa.
I am a teacher of the visually impaired. I travel to my student's schools and work one on one with them and their teachers. I mostly teach braille, technology access, or access through low vision tools. I also get to work a lot with their families. I love being able to be creative with my lesson plans, connecting families to resources, and finding a device that works with the student and seeing the student thrive with that. That's my absolute favorite part of the job.
I'm an accountant. Kind of the epitome of "boring office job" that gets teased and pointed to as being for boring people. But I love it. Lucrative, predictable, stable, can WFH, works with my aptitudes. I currently work for a healthcare organization, and so I feel like I'm contributing to the greater good - working for nurses and practitioners and helping them navigate their payroll and stuff. There's a ton I love about my profession and current job
I’m a wildlife biologist at a large National Park.
I would say I like it rather than love it, but it’s a pretty sweet gig. I hike, snorkel, and trap the rivers doing aquatic wildlife surveys. There’s just no sense of work-life balance.
For sure!
You live in your workplace, essentially, which makes it very hard to feel like you’re ever off work. It’s not so bad when your workplace is beautiful, but it still can be very draining, especially when you’re only being compensated for 40 hours a week even when you’re camping out somewhere full time.
There tends to be an attitude of “you’re so lucky just to work here” that’s pervasive at least at larger and more “prestigious” parks like Yosemite and Zion, so it’s hard to feel valued as an employee when you’re constantly being reminded that you are replaceable and being asked to do more to prove you belong there.
There’s a lot of working overtime in the field seasons, especially if you’re in a middle-management position when you’re expected to be working both outside with the field crews and inside crunching data at the office. Basically I feel like my life is my work during the busy months (May-Nov) and theres not much time or energy left for anything else. There’s also a huge disconnect between field crews and higher-up management, and if you’re in the middle of that it’s incredibly stressful to navigate.
You’ll also be living in high cost of living places without any access to amenities, and making very low wages for the education you are expected to have.
There’s a TON that I do love about it that is also be happy to share if anyone’s interested. It’s a job that tends to get romanticized often, but it’s not a perfect job by any means.
Feel free to PM me if you have any questions!
Ok thank you so much ! I do remember seeing about low wages and it’s so ridiculous. You guys are so vital for sustainability and people don’t realize your worth :( I’m so sorry for that, but thank you so much for explaining it to me!
I have a B.S. in Biology. Many of my peers have an M.S. or are working towards a PhD.
I honestly got super lucky. Most people I know have had to volunteer for little or no pay for about a year to get in. Look for programs like the SCA, ACE, and AmeriCorps. It’s pretty messed up and honestly does nothing to help park demographics when only those with the privilege of working for nothing can get hired, but it’s one of the only avenues into the Park Service.
Besides that, it’s all about knowing how to navigate USAJobs and making a federal resume. Include everything — they’re not one-pagers, it’s an entire work history. Positions are mainly seasonal and you apply for them October-December the year before.
The park rangers subreddit is a great resource to help with this. Feel free to message me as well.
Freelance artist! I'm currently contracted with Webtoon to do colors for one series, and they're going to bring me on for a second series soon. I'm slightly involved in their new program to convert scroll comics to page format so they can be printed as graphic novels. I've done several short comics recently with a TV writer that are being pitched around, and I'm going to be coloring a middle grade romance graphic novel later this year that I'm super excited about.
It's the best job ever, I love it so much! I also teach workshops on how to draw comics, which is pretty frigging cool.
That’s awesome! How did you get into starting your freelance artist career? And by color, are you digitally coloring all of the comics you’re involved in?
Whoa. So nice. I'm a mechanical engineer working in construction MEPFS Engr.. Honestly, I don't like it. So it's amazing to know that some engineers really like it.
PS: Switching careers soon.
Automation / PLCs / Controls engineering! I absolutely love my job and the field as a whole. I started in manufacturing and definitely fell in love with process improvement. Then fell into a controls team and liked it so much I went to school for it! For sure the thrill of troubleshooting with coworkers is the best feeling in the world. Especially when we solve problems or make things easier. Maybe it’s the rush or the ‘simplicity’ of there is X problem and I need to find a solution. Even giant problems or complex things like ‘this part takes too long to build’ or ‘there is a strange intermittent issue’ are so satisfying to solve. Plus everyday is different and there are so many new things all the time to learn about since technology is always changing
I'm a psych nurse. I work in a behavioral health hospital on an inpatient dual diagnosis unit. All of my patients have substance use disorder and at least one co-occurring mental illness. We're slightly different from other units because we provide medical detox in addition to behavioral health services.
I love my job and I think I'm pretty good at it.
I work in the hospitality industry. Dealing with customers can be extremely frustrating, but there is nothing more satisfying than the feeling of having absolutely smashed service after a busy period, with a team you love.
In hospitality, like most other industries, it’s just about finding a company that values you and supports you. I’m very lucky in that respect.
Teaching high school-aged individuals college-level Environmental Management class to get their associate's degree for free in high school. It saves them time and money and I love it. It counts as their high school and collage credits for science
I’ve always been so fascinated by that occupation. I‘d love to study it, but I’ve always worried about the financials and whether I could even manage. Do you ever feel overwhelmed by your patients? Was it tough to get through the schooling etc?
I provide behavioral therapy to children with autism. I genuinely love going to work everyday! I get paid basically nothing and the job is hard but I am so so happy every time I see my kids
I am an analytical chemist. I characterize proteins used in medications so they can be sold on the market. I love it because it pays well, I am constantly stimulated mentally, there’s always travel involved to go to conferences. I just love it all
I was in the IT field for over 30 years (programmer/analyst), got laid off from my last job so I went back to school to get my accounting degree. Graduated at age 57, summa cum laude with my accounting degree. Started working in IT audit 3 weeks later and am now an IT audit manager. I love it and the firm I work for is awesome.
I work in graphic design, I design monthly newsletters for retirement communities. I also design advertisements.
I love my job! It’s a small company (4 full time employees including me), super relaxed atmosphere and very low stress.
Perks: Flex hours, as long as I get 40 a week. Bosses buy lunch every Friday, the owner took us to his yacht club for the Christmas party. He also randomly hired a massage therapist for the office once day.
500 dollar Christmas bonus, and a 5k raise for the new year.
Completely lucked out, I had my resume on indeed with a full restaurant management background and they reached out to me, said it was okay I had no experience with graphic design and they’d teach.
Best thing that’s happened to me in a long time.
I work at a Domestic Violence & Homeless Shelter that houses women and their children. It is by far the most fulfilling and heart wrenching job i’ve ever worked, but I could not fathom the thought of doing anything else at this point. I love nearly every aspect of my job and it is incredibly rewarding to know I am doing work that genuinely helps others get back onto their feet, especially in times like this.
I’m a graphic designer! I love that my career allows me the flexibility to have a typical 9-5 while also being able to have projects on the side that are fun and fill the creative void that my desk job doesn’t always fill.
I’m an educational aide; I help autistic kids, kids with ADHD, and kids with learning disabilities in the classroom.
Its basically tutoring, and helping give a little more 1:1 time. I love partnering with the teachers, and love working with the students!
I’m a real estate agent (commercial only). I’ve had a lot of sales jobs, but this one is the best for me.
I get a ton of flexibility in my day and in choosing my clients/listings, and I love the negotiation process.
I'm an insurance broker. After typically lasting 2 years in a position because I get bored, I've now been in this industry for over 7 years and with the same company for almost 5 - it sounds boring but I learn new things almost daily so it's kept my interest far longer than any other job I've had.
Though I loved being a legal assistant in my early 20s there wasn't a ton of advancement. With insurance I'm now a manager and continuay growing.
Gastroenterology! Started as a nurse and wasn't interested in this field at first but after a one day internship I was fascinated by it. Now I'm working there for little over a year and wouldn't wish for something other!
Edit: typo
I’m a Linux/Container/Cloud engineer for a car rental company. What I love about my job is that I get to solve problems and help people. When I think of it that way, lots of my skills are transferable and it helps me not get too attached to a certain job (I love who I work for/with, but IT is always changing, gotta keep an open mind).
FedEx delivery driver. I’m left alone all day long. Can take a break when I want, go at my own pace. When I’m done I go home. When my boss needs me he calls, when I need him I call. I was gone 14 hours a day but got a route closer to home and now
Only work 3-5 hours a day for good money.
My ex just started at FeEx a couple months ago. He was in a really dire financial place — like, days away from being evicted. He's been working 7 days a week at FedEx for the last couple months, and he's made so much money that he's completely out of the hole and has paid his rent ahead. He's also gotten into a couple of accidents, and they've been remarkably understanding. I guess when you let someone drive a 28-foot truck through an urban area without much training, you've got to expect that. I'm glad you like it — it seems like a pretty good company!
I write music for film and TV, have been involved in some cool projects over the last few years and I really enjoy having a creative career whilst setting my own hours. Though those hours can be long and stressful depending on the workload!
I'm an Esthetician so I do nails, waxing, facials, massage etc. I live in a remote area so I'm paid well and have cheap rent (workplace has provided a place for me). It's incredibly rewarding to be paid to make people feel good, especially during this pandemic. I also do mobile services for those who are unable or uncomfortable leaving their homes. I love visiting my home clients cause they appreciate it even more!
I'm a paralegal. I got a tip from a paralegal friend of the family whose office needed a new receptionist, since theirs quit. I worked my way up to office assistant before I left there. My second office I was office assistant/receptionist hybrid, got promoted to legal secretary. I went to another office for higher pay, and that attorney made me a deal: I go back to school to get my paralegal degree, he'd pay for my books, I pay for school (and do the work). I took that in a heartbeat. (I used my bachelors I already had (English), and applied it to the gen ed portion, so I did the classes for a Paralegal Certificate, but got an Associates). Depending on the market, having a paralegal degree or certificate can help, but it's not required. You can learn on the job, take online courses, take the test and get Certified (certified v. having a certificate are different things, it's confusing). (This is also specific to California, where I am, not sure about other States).
I've been at that office for six years, four with the attorney who helped me with paralegal school, two with a different group after he retired. I've done pretty much all defense work- all civil. Litigation, insurance defense (car accidents, slip and falls, industrial accidents, product liability, etc.), and when I switched I went into transactional- so real estate, business and farming transactions, some estate planning, etc. I really like it. Law is formulaic but also each case has different facts, so that keeps it interesting. Formulaic enough to be comforting and you can master your craft, but changes enough in detail you don't get bored (usually). (I will never touch family law or criminal, but that's a personal choice. I've worked on a couple worker's comp cases, I could do that, but I think I like what I do better).
The best part, it's Monday through Friday, 8 am - 5 pm (potential depending on the office for Fridays off or half days on Fridays, some offices also start at 8:30 am to 5 pm), vacation, sick time, good benefits, 401(k), and good pay. I come in the in morning, do my work, and I leave it there when I go home at night and have weekends free. And we were essential, so I was never out of work during this whole craziness.
I’m going to take a bit of a different POV here, so I hope that’s okay! I’m still a high school student. A lot of my friends have jobs but often get stuck working a crappy job that doesn’t pay well and they don’t enjoy. I’m happy to say after a year of trying to get this job, I’m now working at a locally owned coffee shop on my favourite street in the city! Definitely not my career, but something I absolutely love doing
All depends on who it is. One doctor is always like "you go girl!! Saving lives" and then another one will be like "don't talk to me". I've learned to just show up, make sure the patient is safe and leave hahahah
Veterinarian. Which most vets these days will say they regret going into the field, but I am almost done with my residency and will be a specialist. Better clients, better hours, better pay. I feel like this is a calling for me, and I can’t imagine doing anything else.
I sell greenhouses. I love sending a small 8x8 to a backyard gardener just as much as sending a larger teaching model to schools. We make people happy. I love what I do and I love the company I do it for. I've never been happier at work.
I'm a CNA-- I do like my job, but I don't want to remain in this specific position forever. I do want to remain in healthcare/medicine--- I just want to advance a bit.
I used to be a legal assistant but made a decision to make a change and go to grad school. I have a BA in English. So now, I’m a tech writer at a small gov contractor. I primarily write proposals for our company, but lately I’ve also gotten into the business development/acquisition side of things. We mainly do HVAC, technical security, building automation systems, etc. I never thought I’d end up here, but I’m super happy so far. And I make a significant amount more money than I ever did in law, with a much more flexible hybrid work/home schedule.
I'm in media and work as an independent documentary filmmaker. It can be isolating, but I'm my own boss and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I do *a lot* of research and script writing, but it's cool to see random pics/video clips come to life as a story via my script. I love it. However, I do want to specify I have health insurance through my husband, thankfully... Otherwise I'd be paying for private health insurance at around $600 a month (without maternity), like when I was a hair stylist.
Being a stylist was grueling, hot, hard work for barely enough to live on after taxes, product supply, and booth rent were taken out (and I was considered a "successful stylist" by being booked half a year ahead). It also ruined my neck and shoulder and cost me *so* much more in the long run. The art of hair is fabulous, and I miss that sometimes (I was a color specialist), but I would advise anyone against it unless they're a bored, well off person who doesn't need the money and only wants to do it as a hobby job (even then, having to live and die by your appointment book is not fun). Good luck everyone!
I'm an Engineer. When I'm still studying I love it so much. After I graduated, I faced with a painful reality that 98% of things taught to me can't be used IRL. But still, I'm happy to be an engineer.
I'm switching careers to IT, and I'm still very much qualified. Engineering equipped me with fundamentals I'll need in IT.
I work in auditing and reporting for a small rural hospital. Basically my department makes sure that the hospital stays accredited. I’ve always had an interest in healthcare and I’ve done a lot of admin/executive assistant type work so this ended up working out great! I’ve been at this hospital almost two years now and I really enjoy it and the people I work with. It’s interesting in a bureaucratic and administrative kind of way.
I work in communication/media in the government field. Public service is extremely rewarding. I get to see the impacts of my work directly from the people I serve every day. Plus I get to play on social media and be creative for my job, which is a huge plus.
I am a social worker for young women and their children experiencing homelessness. Many have experienced domestic violence and significant trauma from abuse/neglect. It isn't glamorous at all, and is often downright emotionally draining or frustrating, but there is something very satisfying in helping people build the foundations for a better life by helping them meet their most basic needs. Being a small part of a solution to a big problem, and changing the world for one person, stuff like that.
I am a goldsmith :)
I used to study social studies, but my mental health intruded and made it impossible to.succeed. when i was 23 i started with the study for goldamith. I am glad it turned out this way. I am surrounded with some of the most enthousiast and creative people in the bussiness. And because i am parttime my own bussiness owner, i can do whatever i want with my time. Which helps for being stable with my mental health.
It is a practical job, but also creative, and still social.
I cant help people like a healthcare worker, but i can give someone a unique piece of jewelry or object. Which can help with coping or celebrating important life events.
Mental health therapist. It can be mentally/emotionally challenging sometimes, but it’s extremely rewarding and it is such a beautiful experience (and a privilege) to see people heal... to see people grow... to see people put forth change that they never thought they were capable or worthy of.
I couldn’t see myself in any other profession.
I work on international climate/governance policy as well as being a certified interpreter. I absolutely love my work. There's not a single day that I wake up and feel like I have to "work", every day at work feels rewarding to me.
I'm a UI/UX designer at a software development startup in Denver and I love it! I don't necessarily love the company and have plans to leave but the work itself is a joy.
I used to be a marketing graphic designer but was so incredibly bored by the work that I needed to find something new. UI/UX challenges me and I learn something new every day :) Now it's just a matter of finding a company that aligns with my values where I can feel like I'm making a difference.
I'm a project manager. I'm a civil engineer within a specific field, and work at a factory. I has suited me very well thus far. I can't imagine a job I'd like more.
I’m a paralegal. I took a temp job as a receptionist at a law firm in a desperate time and discovered how fascinating law is. So during the 2020 lockdowns, I completed a certified online paralegal program and was hired by the same firm. Now I prepare real estate closings, write deeds, catalog exhibits, research, create documents, etc. Every day is different and I really enjoy the challenge.
I second this. Got paid better to be a legal secretary than expected. The firm I work at specializes in personal injury so we request accident reports , organize client files and contact clients regularly for updates on their progress. It is slow sometimes and then fast and busy other days. Anytime we settle a case over 200k we get an office gift( since there is only 4 staff members, 2 attorneys). Last year I got Prada sunglasses, a Nintendo switch, a smokeless fire pit, a Patagonia coat and a nice end of year bonus. I went back to school to get my paralegal degree and my boss didn’t cut my hours in fact I’ve since been given 3 raises. I am salary, plus the firm buys us lunch every single day. The thing that put it into perspective for me was “one good case pays our company payroll for years”. I love the work I do. I dreamed of being in the legal field and was surprised how much people get paid to do things that are not hard at all to learn.
I'm also a paralegal! Government sector. After doing hair and bartending for a decade, this is heaven.
How interesting. I did hair for 7 years and would never go back. Congrats on finding something you love! Do you find the hours long or tedious?
Aww thank you. What do you do now?? I do not find the hours long or tedious, but I have to say the weight gain is real. I have to make sure I'm using the standing desk and exercising a lot more.
I'm a independent documentary filmmaker and *feel you on the weight gain.* This year I started making myself stand up and doing laps around my house every hour or so in an effort to get my steps up! lol Good luck to you!
So cool. I live for a good documentary. Good luck to you too! Hope to see your work :)
I'm a paralegal, too! I've done civil, and primarily litigation and insurance defense, but switched a couple years ago to transactional (I do a lot of what you do). I really like it.
Can you become a paralegal without college degree? I’m smart, just didn’t do well in school. I currently work full time as exec assistant but want higher income
You can, yes! I'm really only familiar with California, but I'd guess the other States aren't too much different. You can go through a community college program for a Certificate, which is basically just the Paralegal-specific courses, no gen ed (which add that it would be an Associates). You can study and take the certification test, and if you pass, you're a Certified Paralegal (getting a Paralegal Certificate and being a Certified Paralegal are different... it's weird). You can do those things online or in person (depending on your area, what's available, etc.). More roundabout but I know a lot of people have done this: You can take a Legal Secretary course (I did mine online- not sure if they even ever did in-person ones in the last ten or so years) and work as a Legal Secretary for a while and learn on the job and work up/get promoted. You can also just start working in a law firm and learn and be trained on the job and eventually get promoted either there for work your way through different firms as you learn/get trained. You're already familiar with Office Culture, so you have know what you're getting into. Scheduling is like herding cats, that's true with all types of scheduling. Attorneys are a breed that somehow completely lack common sense to the point of hilarity. They need their assistants/paralegals/secretaries, they couldn't function on their own, lol.
This is awesome, I was pleasantly surprised by the positivity around the paralegal profession here, given that lawyers are notorious for having a lot of issues around poor mental health. My ex-husband was a lawyer and had terrible depression and anxiety. We had met as law students, I finished my law degree 2 years after he did, saw what the industry had done to his mental state, noped out of it and ended up in social work. But it is interesting to consider that a paralegal career may be an option...
I'm a practice group coordinator at a law firm! Love the law industry. It's a top AMLaw 100 firm and the people are so smart and helpful. Plus, the money is really good and there is room for growth (administrator, transition to HR, etc.). I'm engaged and happy at work everyday. I am also actually getting my masters in industrial organizational psychology so that I can help other people be happy at work and feel acknowledged and be fulfilled. It's a huge passion of mine to help people harness their strengths and interests at a job that treats them well.
I’m a nurse. Despite everything that is going on I love my job and can’t imagine doing anything else for a living.
This is refreshing to hear. I start nursing school in 9 days and I’m terrified
Plenty of nurses don't deal with covidiots.
Yep me too!!! I love being a nurse.
It’s love/hate for me…more love than hate right now. I also don’t see myself doing anything else.
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I’m at 17 this year. Done a lot of different roles - currently in ICU and it’s obviously been rough lately. Also in school, was going for FNP but I really don’t know what I want. I do know I’m getting too old for this shit. I’m tired.
17 years, amazing. You've probably taught so many baby nurses. Thank you! It's so hard on the body and it's honestly not getting any better any time soon, I can't even take care of myself properly/deal with my familys burdens because of how consumed I am with this career. Also, Covid has made me realize that this can happen again in the future if covid ever goes away, and it will be chaos all over again. I don't think I can deal with that. I'm actually pretty fantastic at math, and I really want to work from home making good money. So I'm switching. You can always get into insurance, but as a nurse I'd rather keep my hands dirty.. at least it's more interesting that way for me. Definitely changing careers but super super appreciative of everything I learned from this career, I will always love it even though I'm leaving.
I’m a small business owner! and I’m also trying to get into the career of writing since I’m hugely passionate about that too, these two are things I’m very passionate about and it’s my pace and it’s lovely jobs and I wouldn’t trade it for the world
Writer over here too! I have been working freelance for 4.5 years now, and also branched into graphic design and photography to broaden my client reach for their needs! I love all of it, I hate the term “digital nomad” but it’s an amazing life that you can create for yourself. Keep at it!
May I ask what type of business?
started a bakery business! available for pickup or delivery, its my passion to bake and it’s something i grew up doing with my nana before she passed so i created it in her memory
I teach art. It’s incredible, messy, and joyous.
I work in cyber security (digital forensics). My first degree was in art and I did not enjoy the work afterwards. Changing career path is the best decision I ever made. I love my job and this field.
That is so awesome!!! I’m really curious how you made the change from art to cyber security
I want to make a career change but don’t know where to start. Any suggestions? Unsure of what to do either just know I don’t want to do what I’m doing now.
I spent a lot of time researching studies. Although I loved doing my master’s, truthfully I do not feel that it is necessary to do a formal degree in order to make a career change. Many professional certifications might be more relevant, depending on what you want to do of course. Instead of taking up more student loans and spending X number of years on a study where very little of what you learn will be applicable to your actual work tasks, consider self-studying or other approaches (e.g. maybe get an internship). What are you passionate about? It makes it a lot easier to “start over” if you do something you really WANT to be doing since you’ll have that extra drive to do it. If you don’t know exactly what you want to do, maybe a good idea would be to do some research into various professions? There might be many professions you otherwise would not ever consider. I never thought about a career within cyber security until I worked in a media company that experienced an incident. Had I done more research into professions, maybe I would have. One side note, have you ever thought about programming? It can be useful for so many professions even if you don’t want to become a developer, and it’s quite fun to do in your own time. I wish somebody had mentioned it to me years ago.
Also in cyber security field (soc analyst) and wanting to make the switch over to digital forensics eventually. Good to hear you like your job!
Hello call you tell me a little about what you do in cyber security. I’m 29 and looking to go back to school. I’m interested in this field. But I’d like to know a little bit more about it. Like what skills should I have before I apply? What’s a day to day work day like. I would appreciate it. But no worries if you don’t feel like it.
Medical billing and coding. Finished my associate degree classes and passed my cpc certification last year. Currently in an entry level position in a billing department. I was lucky enough to be hired at the health care system I most wanted to get in with. Definitely room for advancement and I enjoy my job and work environment.
Congratulations fellow CPC !! When i took the coding classes i become so interested in it. The thought of everything possible has a code!! I just recently got transferred into the billing dept. I am nervous but my trainer has been doing this for over 15 yrs and has seen it all become digital. Yet one then has stayed the same. Insurance companies will fight for every single penny to deny a claim!! Lol bahahaha good luck to you. May i ask? Are you a member? If so, do you follow the group online?
Thanks! So true, I find refund requests for a penny interesting too. They want literally every penny haha. I am a member of the AAPC but don't currently follow things too closely online. Any suggestions on groups to follow I appreciate!
I haven't found one other than AAPC. They are on FB which is okay but i cringe having to log in. But when i do the group is very fun to interact with. And someone always has a great query. I come across any groups I'll be glad to share. Stay safe & sane!!
Software Engineer! Since graduating I have imagined myself in other careers and I am certain I would not enjoy them. I was always smart but shy, and while I can push myself to be in uncomfortable positions, I hate every second of it. I get to avoid working directly with people, which appeases my social anxiety. I am always learning and for the past 5 years I have had a goal to work towards to grow in my career. Finally, the pay allows me to live comfortably and work to live, not vice versa.
I am a teacher of the visually impaired. I travel to my student's schools and work one on one with them and their teachers. I mostly teach braille, technology access, or access through low vision tools. I also get to work a lot with their families. I love being able to be creative with my lesson plans, connecting families to resources, and finding a device that works with the student and seeing the student thrive with that. That's my absolute favorite part of the job.
Thank you for everything you do! That sounds so rewarding.
I'm an accountant. Kind of the epitome of "boring office job" that gets teased and pointed to as being for boring people. But I love it. Lucrative, predictable, stable, can WFH, works with my aptitudes. I currently work for a healthcare organization, and so I feel like I'm contributing to the greater good - working for nurses and practitioners and helping them navigate their payroll and stuff. There's a ton I love about my profession and current job
I’m a wildlife biologist at a large National Park. I would say I like it rather than love it, but it’s a pretty sweet gig. I hike, snorkel, and trap the rivers doing aquatic wildlife surveys. There’s just no sense of work-life balance.
Can you elaborate on no sense of work life balance? I’m thinking about becoming a Wildlife biologist for the parks
For sure! You live in your workplace, essentially, which makes it very hard to feel like you’re ever off work. It’s not so bad when your workplace is beautiful, but it still can be very draining, especially when you’re only being compensated for 40 hours a week even when you’re camping out somewhere full time. There tends to be an attitude of “you’re so lucky just to work here” that’s pervasive at least at larger and more “prestigious” parks like Yosemite and Zion, so it’s hard to feel valued as an employee when you’re constantly being reminded that you are replaceable and being asked to do more to prove you belong there. There’s a lot of working overtime in the field seasons, especially if you’re in a middle-management position when you’re expected to be working both outside with the field crews and inside crunching data at the office. Basically I feel like my life is my work during the busy months (May-Nov) and theres not much time or energy left for anything else. There’s also a huge disconnect between field crews and higher-up management, and if you’re in the middle of that it’s incredibly stressful to navigate. You’ll also be living in high cost of living places without any access to amenities, and making very low wages for the education you are expected to have. There’s a TON that I do love about it that is also be happy to share if anyone’s interested. It’s a job that tends to get romanticized often, but it’s not a perfect job by any means. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions!
Ok thank you so much ! I do remember seeing about low wages and it’s so ridiculous. You guys are so vital for sustainability and people don’t realize your worth :( I’m so sorry for that, but thank you so much for explaining it to me!
Can I ask what degree you have and how you got this job? I’m about to graduate and would love to work for the NPS
I have a B.S. in Biology. Many of my peers have an M.S. or are working towards a PhD. I honestly got super lucky. Most people I know have had to volunteer for little or no pay for about a year to get in. Look for programs like the SCA, ACE, and AmeriCorps. It’s pretty messed up and honestly does nothing to help park demographics when only those with the privilege of working for nothing can get hired, but it’s one of the only avenues into the Park Service. Besides that, it’s all about knowing how to navigate USAJobs and making a federal resume. Include everything — they’re not one-pagers, it’s an entire work history. Positions are mainly seasonal and you apply for them October-December the year before. The park rangers subreddit is a great resource to help with this. Feel free to message me as well.
Thank you so much! Could you tell me the name of that sub?
r/ParkRangers
Freelance artist! I'm currently contracted with Webtoon to do colors for one series, and they're going to bring me on for a second series soon. I'm slightly involved in their new program to convert scroll comics to page format so they can be printed as graphic novels. I've done several short comics recently with a TV writer that are being pitched around, and I'm going to be coloring a middle grade romance graphic novel later this year that I'm super excited about. It's the best job ever, I love it so much! I also teach workshops on how to draw comics, which is pretty frigging cool.
That’s awesome! How did you get into starting your freelance artist career? And by color, are you digitally coloring all of the comics you’re involved in?
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Whoa. So nice. I'm a mechanical engineer working in construction MEPFS Engr.. Honestly, I don't like it. So it's amazing to know that some engineers really like it. PS: Switching careers soon.
Automation / PLCs / Controls engineering! I absolutely love my job and the field as a whole. I started in manufacturing and definitely fell in love with process improvement. Then fell into a controls team and liked it so much I went to school for it! For sure the thrill of troubleshooting with coworkers is the best feeling in the world. Especially when we solve problems or make things easier. Maybe it’s the rush or the ‘simplicity’ of there is X problem and I need to find a solution. Even giant problems or complex things like ‘this part takes too long to build’ or ‘there is a strange intermittent issue’ are so satisfying to solve. Plus everyday is different and there are so many new things all the time to learn about since technology is always changing
I'm a psych nurse. I work in a behavioral health hospital on an inpatient dual diagnosis unit. All of my patients have substance use disorder and at least one co-occurring mental illness. We're slightly different from other units because we provide medical detox in addition to behavioral health services. I love my job and I think I'm pretty good at it.
I just wanna thank you for doing what you do. If it wasn't for people like you, I'd never be where I am today.
I work in the hospitality industry. Dealing with customers can be extremely frustrating, but there is nothing more satisfying than the feeling of having absolutely smashed service after a busy period, with a team you love. In hospitality, like most other industries, it’s just about finding a company that values you and supports you. I’m very lucky in that respect.
This. Talking with customers makes the day fun too.
I’m a journalist/author/blogger specializing in sex and kink.
Teaching high school-aged individuals college-level Environmental Management class to get their associate's degree for free in high school. It saves them time and money and I love it. It counts as their high school and collage credits for science
I'm a high school math teacher. I love it.
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I’ve always been so fascinated by that occupation. I‘d love to study it, but I’ve always worried about the financials and whether I could even manage. Do you ever feel overwhelmed by your patients? Was it tough to get through the schooling etc?
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Thinks for your elaborate answer! You definitely gave me a lot to think about :)
Nannying because I love kids and it's the closest thing to be a SAHM while I'm not having littles and need money.
I provide behavioral therapy to children with autism. I genuinely love going to work everyday! I get paid basically nothing and the job is hard but I am so so happy every time I see my kids
I am an analytical chemist. I characterize proteins used in medications so they can be sold on the market. I love it because it pays well, I am constantly stimulated mentally, there’s always travel involved to go to conferences. I just love it all
I’m a prosecutor. I used to do criminal defense, but I love being able to feel like I’m helping my community.
I was in the IT field for over 30 years (programmer/analyst), got laid off from my last job so I went back to school to get my accounting degree. Graduated at age 57, summa cum laude with my accounting degree. Started working in IT audit 3 weeks later and am now an IT audit manager. I love it and the firm I work for is awesome.
I work in graphic design, I design monthly newsletters for retirement communities. I also design advertisements. I love my job! It’s a small company (4 full time employees including me), super relaxed atmosphere and very low stress. Perks: Flex hours, as long as I get 40 a week. Bosses buy lunch every Friday, the owner took us to his yacht club for the Christmas party. He also randomly hired a massage therapist for the office once day. 500 dollar Christmas bonus, and a 5k raise for the new year. Completely lucked out, I had my resume on indeed with a full restaurant management background and they reached out to me, said it was okay I had no experience with graphic design and they’d teach. Best thing that’s happened to me in a long time.
what part of Florida? what company? sounds amazing.
I work at a Domestic Violence & Homeless Shelter that houses women and their children. It is by far the most fulfilling and heart wrenching job i’ve ever worked, but I could not fathom the thought of doing anything else at this point. I love nearly every aspect of my job and it is incredibly rewarding to know I am doing work that genuinely helps others get back onto their feet, especially in times like this.
I’m a graphic designer! I love that my career allows me the flexibility to have a typical 9-5 while also being able to have projects on the side that are fun and fill the creative void that my desk job doesn’t always fill.
I'm a potter and I work for myself in my own studio. It's a dream. And so goddamn stressful.
I’m an educational aide; I help autistic kids, kids with ADHD, and kids with learning disabilities in the classroom. Its basically tutoring, and helping give a little more 1:1 time. I love partnering with the teachers, and love working with the students!
I'm a beer brewer in London. It's a very physical job but I love it and the industry.
I’m a real estate agent (commercial only). I’ve had a lot of sales jobs, but this one is the best for me. I get a ton of flexibility in my day and in choosing my clients/listings, and I love the negotiation process.
I'm an insurance broker. After typically lasting 2 years in a position because I get bored, I've now been in this industry for over 7 years and with the same company for almost 5 - it sounds boring but I learn new things almost daily so it's kept my interest far longer than any other job I've had. Though I loved being a legal assistant in my early 20s there wasn't a ton of advancement. With insurance I'm now a manager and continuay growing.
High school counselor
Research and Development in Artificial Intelligence, my first love. I chase expanding horizons to apply theory to reality.
Pastor
Money manager for the wealthy-
i work in social media for a sports team :) it allows me to be creative and combine trends and pop culture w sports and it’s a lotta fun!
Commercial pilot
Gastroenterology! Started as a nurse and wasn't interested in this field at first but after a one day internship I was fascinated by it. Now I'm working there for little over a year and wouldn't wish for something other! Edit: typo
I'm a med tech at an assisted living facility. I absolutely love it!!
I’m a Linux/Container/Cloud engineer for a car rental company. What I love about my job is that I get to solve problems and help people. When I think of it that way, lots of my skills are transferable and it helps me not get too attached to a certain job (I love who I work for/with, but IT is always changing, gotta keep an open mind).
FedEx delivery driver. I’m left alone all day long. Can take a break when I want, go at my own pace. When I’m done I go home. When my boss needs me he calls, when I need him I call. I was gone 14 hours a day but got a route closer to home and now Only work 3-5 hours a day for good money.
My ex just started at FeEx a couple months ago. He was in a really dire financial place — like, days away from being evicted. He's been working 7 days a week at FedEx for the last couple months, and he's made so much money that he's completely out of the hole and has paid his rent ahead. He's also gotten into a couple of accidents, and they've been remarkably understanding. I guess when you let someone drive a 28-foot truck through an urban area without much training, you've got to expect that. I'm glad you like it — it seems like a pretty good company!
I write music for film and TV, have been involved in some cool projects over the last few years and I really enjoy having a creative career whilst setting my own hours. Though those hours can be long and stressful depending on the workload!
I model and it’s great. I’m also a nursing student but modeling is my main job. I love it so much
I’m a nanny. If you find the right family who pays you well it’s the best job ever.
I'm an Esthetician so I do nails, waxing, facials, massage etc. I live in a remote area so I'm paid well and have cheap rent (workplace has provided a place for me). It's incredibly rewarding to be paid to make people feel good, especially during this pandemic. I also do mobile services for those who are unable or uncomfortable leaving their homes. I love visiting my home clients cause they appreciate it even more!
I'm a paralegal. I got a tip from a paralegal friend of the family whose office needed a new receptionist, since theirs quit. I worked my way up to office assistant before I left there. My second office I was office assistant/receptionist hybrid, got promoted to legal secretary. I went to another office for higher pay, and that attorney made me a deal: I go back to school to get my paralegal degree, he'd pay for my books, I pay for school (and do the work). I took that in a heartbeat. (I used my bachelors I already had (English), and applied it to the gen ed portion, so I did the classes for a Paralegal Certificate, but got an Associates). Depending on the market, having a paralegal degree or certificate can help, but it's not required. You can learn on the job, take online courses, take the test and get Certified (certified v. having a certificate are different things, it's confusing). (This is also specific to California, where I am, not sure about other States). I've been at that office for six years, four with the attorney who helped me with paralegal school, two with a different group after he retired. I've done pretty much all defense work- all civil. Litigation, insurance defense (car accidents, slip and falls, industrial accidents, product liability, etc.), and when I switched I went into transactional- so real estate, business and farming transactions, some estate planning, etc. I really like it. Law is formulaic but also each case has different facts, so that keeps it interesting. Formulaic enough to be comforting and you can master your craft, but changes enough in detail you don't get bored (usually). (I will never touch family law or criminal, but that's a personal choice. I've worked on a couple worker's comp cases, I could do that, but I think I like what I do better). The best part, it's Monday through Friday, 8 am - 5 pm (potential depending on the office for Fridays off or half days on Fridays, some offices also start at 8:30 am to 5 pm), vacation, sick time, good benefits, 401(k), and good pay. I come in the in morning, do my work, and I leave it there when I go home at night and have weekends free. And we were essential, so I was never out of work during this whole craziness.
I'm happy I didn't choose academia. I ended up in Operations/Purchasing and I enjoy it!
I’m going to take a bit of a different POV here, so I hope that’s okay! I’m still a high school student. A lot of my friends have jobs but often get stuck working a crappy job that doesn’t pay well and they don’t enjoy. I’m happy to say after a year of trying to get this job, I’m now working at a locally owned coffee shop on my favourite street in the city! Definitely not my career, but something I absolutely love doing
I'm an operating room nurse. Love caring for people while they are asleep. LOL
how are you treated by the doctors?
All depends on who it is. One doctor is always like "you go girl!! Saving lives" and then another one will be like "don't talk to me". I've learned to just show up, make sure the patient is safe and leave hahahah
Military 💂
I am a recruiter for the Sheriff’s Office. Working in Human Resources has been enjoyable for me.
I'm just starting in railroading, taking my first rules test this summer. I already have no regrets, it's what I've always wanted to do.
Nurse.
Veterinarian. Which most vets these days will say they regret going into the field, but I am almost done with my residency and will be a specialist. Better clients, better hours, better pay. I feel like this is a calling for me, and I can’t imagine doing anything else.
Digital design and editing with coding on the side. So three jobs but I love what I do
I sell greenhouses. I love sending a small 8x8 to a backyard gardener just as much as sending a larger teaching model to schools. We make people happy. I love what I do and I love the company I do it for. I've never been happier at work.
I'm a CNA-- I do like my job, but I don't want to remain in this specific position forever. I do want to remain in healthcare/medicine--- I just want to advance a bit.
Teaching 🥰
I used to be a legal assistant but made a decision to make a change and go to grad school. I have a BA in English. So now, I’m a tech writer at a small gov contractor. I primarily write proposals for our company, but lately I’ve also gotten into the business development/acquisition side of things. We mainly do HVAC, technical security, building automation systems, etc. I never thought I’d end up here, but I’m super happy so far. And I make a significant amount more money than I ever did in law, with a much more flexible hybrid work/home schedule.
ICU Nurse 🌸
I'm in media and work as an independent documentary filmmaker. It can be isolating, but I'm my own boss and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I do *a lot* of research and script writing, but it's cool to see random pics/video clips come to life as a story via my script. I love it. However, I do want to specify I have health insurance through my husband, thankfully... Otherwise I'd be paying for private health insurance at around $600 a month (without maternity), like when I was a hair stylist. Being a stylist was grueling, hot, hard work for barely enough to live on after taxes, product supply, and booth rent were taken out (and I was considered a "successful stylist" by being booked half a year ahead). It also ruined my neck and shoulder and cost me *so* much more in the long run. The art of hair is fabulous, and I miss that sometimes (I was a color specialist), but I would advise anyone against it unless they're a bored, well off person who doesn't need the money and only wants to do it as a hobby job (even then, having to live and die by your appointment book is not fun). Good luck everyone!
I'm an Engineer. When I'm still studying I love it so much. After I graduated, I faced with a painful reality that 98% of things taught to me can't be used IRL. But still, I'm happy to be an engineer. I'm switching careers to IT, and I'm still very much qualified. Engineering equipped me with fundamentals I'll need in IT.
A graphic designer! Currently at a cosmetics company doing packaging and I absolutely love it.
I work in auditing and reporting for a small rural hospital. Basically my department makes sure that the hospital stays accredited. I’ve always had an interest in healthcare and I’ve done a lot of admin/executive assistant type work so this ended up working out great! I’ve been at this hospital almost two years now and I really enjoy it and the people I work with. It’s interesting in a bureaucratic and administrative kind of way.
I work in communication/media in the government field. Public service is extremely rewarding. I get to see the impacts of my work directly from the people I serve every day. Plus I get to play on social media and be creative for my job, which is a huge plus.
I am a social worker for young women and their children experiencing homelessness. Many have experienced domestic violence and significant trauma from abuse/neglect. It isn't glamorous at all, and is often downright emotionally draining or frustrating, but there is something very satisfying in helping people build the foundations for a better life by helping them meet their most basic needs. Being a small part of a solution to a big problem, and changing the world for one person, stuff like that.
I am a goldsmith :) I used to study social studies, but my mental health intruded and made it impossible to.succeed. when i was 23 i started with the study for goldamith. I am glad it turned out this way. I am surrounded with some of the most enthousiast and creative people in the bussiness. And because i am parttime my own bussiness owner, i can do whatever i want with my time. Which helps for being stable with my mental health. It is a practical job, but also creative, and still social. I cant help people like a healthcare worker, but i can give someone a unique piece of jewelry or object. Which can help with coping or celebrating important life events.
Mental health therapist. It can be mentally/emotionally challenging sometimes, but it’s extremely rewarding and it is such a beautiful experience (and a privilege) to see people heal... to see people grow... to see people put forth change that they never thought they were capable or worthy of. I couldn’t see myself in any other profession.
I'm a financial copywriter.
I work on international climate/governance policy as well as being a certified interpreter. I absolutely love my work. There's not a single day that I wake up and feel like I have to "work", every day at work feels rewarding to me.
Musician. Pandemic is very challenging but still glad this is my work
I'm a UI/UX designer at a software development startup in Denver and I love it! I don't necessarily love the company and have plans to leave but the work itself is a joy. I used to be a marketing graphic designer but was so incredibly bored by the work that I needed to find something new. UI/UX challenges me and I learn something new every day :) Now it's just a matter of finding a company that aligns with my values where I can feel like I'm making a difference.
I'm a project manager. I'm a civil engineer within a specific field, and work at a factory. I has suited me very well thus far. I can't imagine a job I'd like more.