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About a year ago, I started my first (public sector) union job after years of non-union work for different companies in the private sector. The difference in collective bargaining (0-100), benefits, job security, and mental/physical well being has been nothing short of amazing.
If you are currently strung out, feeling hopeless about your career in a private sector/non-union position or field, and are wondering if thereās something better for you - there is. I took a massive pay cut from private-public for the many benefits of a union job, and it was 100% worth it. Roughly 35% of public sector jobs are union-represented, and that percentage is higher in blue, worker-friendly states. Start applying to open positions that may interest you on your local/state governmentās job board, use any connection you may have (I didnāt have one and still found something) - there is a better career for you out there :)
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I donāt have any degree and in another life I worked in restaurants and at CVS. Customers would grill me about my career aspirations and straight up beg me to go to college. I got sick of it pretty quickly and sat down and asked myself what I would want in a workplace and what skills I had that I could use to do something else.
I had some freelance experience and used that to enter my current field and continued pursuing organic opportunities for growth and learning. About a year ago I started working at a company that prioritizes employee development and internal promotion and Iām in the process of gaining enough experience and connections to be able to do something new again! I definitely think itās possible for people who donāt have a bachelorās degree to find these opportunities; you just have to be strategic about it and get your foot in the door at the right places.
There are so many transferable skills you gain in retail and food service that are beneficial in other professional fields like communication, multi-tasking, attention to detail, etc. So you can take those and add them to whatever skills you may have gained at your current job.
Ask yourself what it is that youāre better at than anybody else, the things you would want and definitely not want in a workplace, the kind of tasks you like doing, and kind of guide your search from there. Donāt fall into the trap of thinking youāre lesser than others just because you have less formalized education than they do and remember that people hire likable people they want to be aroundāeven that will take you far! best of luck! š
Sep 5, 2024
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I started out working in a career that was meaningful and provided me with a sense of purpose (I was a high school teacher), but after being worn down by the lack of work/life balance and having no opportunity to pursue my passions outside of work, I transitioned to my current career, which is much easier, and thoroughly just a job.
Albeit, its not soul crushing (as far as jobs go), I work from home, I work for a public employer (so I'm not just making someone else rich), and I have great work life/balance. So having seen both sides, I thank my past-self nearly every day for making the transition.
Anyway, it sounds like we have similar philosophies, which is basically: jobs should be for money, and fulfillment and meaning should be found outside of work (at least in our current capitalist hellscape). So I guess it just comes down to whether or not the soul crushing meaninglessness of your job outweighs the meaning you're able to steal back from outside of it, due to its ease. I know... not really all that helpful, given that you basically already arrived at this conclusion/dilemma š
Oh, I also think easy (and decent paying) jobs are hard to come by and that even meaningful jobs can very easily be made meaningless given the structure/motivations of society. You're also way more likely to be exploited in an industry that runs on passion and meaning due to the fact that social reproduction is valued way below economic production. But then again, change can also be good, and like in my own case, can lead to something even better... so who knows?
Feb 11, 2024
iāve worked in the arts for my entire career, mainly in art museums. iām also an independent curator and ran a gallery out of my storefront apartment for a year and a half. iāve archived photographs, led museum tours, curated exhibitions, couriered art across the country in an 18-wheeler, written wall texts, edited books, interviewed artists, fundraised, done countless studio visits, written exhibition essays, provided accessibility for disabled visitors, built a curatorial practice around working with disabled artists, project managed performances, and participated as a performer in a couple of pieces (including a Tino Sehgal).
i am immensely proud of my work and have done and seen some incredible things. iāve also worked with incredible passionate people who have the privilege and honor of making culture. but Iām also very burnt out and currently in the midst of plotting a departure from the art world, in search of a job that provides more balance. my whole job as a āmuseum workerā has been my identity for 14 years and Iām curious to see what my life looks like next. iām mediating on and grappling with the idea that we werenāt put on this planet to labor, which compounded with the effects of lockdown and the pandemic, has changed my relationship to work and having a linear career. life is too short and too precious to give all of ourselves to a job (hope that doesnāt make me sound far out or too radical).
right now Iām working with a career coach, doing informational interviews, playing with my resume and cover letter formats, and applying for a wild array of non-art / non-museum jobs. Iād love to hear if you have any insights or suggestions! itās scary making the leap but Iām trusting my gut here.
Feb 15, 2025
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Mar 5, 2024
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Iāve noticed that baths tend to have a certain stigma to them in modern society. In the past, when Iāve communicated my love for baths to family, friends, and strangers on the street, Iāve been met with judgement and condescension. Are you a legit baby?, Grow up!, Time for you to enter the 21st Century!
When you experience someone belittling you for your love of baths, it hits you in a deep part of your soul. I shouldnāt have to defend myself for taking a relaxing bath 2-3 times a day! Itās time for everyone to wipe the dust off their tubs, hop in, and rediscover the joy of baths!
Feb 14, 2024