I was working in retail after many years as software engineer. I was great and the salary was great too. But in 2021-2022 my working conditions became a way worse (considering inflation I was doing less money/hour as mid-career with tons of responsabilities than as junior, this despite a promotion and changing to a better company; on top of that less benefits, more extra hours and work from home revocated).
Even being the best worked in two different teams was not enought to have a good career.
I received other offers in my field, but simply the salary or the hours were too bad.
I'm actually satisfied of the retail work because the actual pay is good compared to my almost zero responsabilities, but of course is a dead end job for the future, and it's not what I want considering that I spent so much for getting my degree, the extra courses and everything related.
What about you? What do you feel and what are your plans?