Disclaimer: I understand the anger towards certain jobs in certain industries not paying much. The frustration isn't lost on me that there are jobs where working 40-60s won't pay for a place to live and food. Please don't take this as a lecture or someone who is against most of what you stand for. It's just something I want to get off my chest and advice that may help at least someone.
I've enjoyed the antiwork subreddit a lot lately, especially the rants on return to office emails. As I've recently been put on return to office alert myself. However, during my exploration of this subreddit I've noticed, and rightly so, that a lot of the posts stem from people just not being happy with life. And possibly not being fulfilled. I'm not one to judge on this subject as I'm constantly putting efforts toward getting out of my current career and working for myself somehow.
With that being said, helping people get better jobs or chasing their dreams/passions has become sort of a sub-passion of mine. I've been in IT a pretty good while and know how to “play the game” and get just about anyone an entry level IT job if they're willing to put in some minimal effort to get a foot in the door. Out of college I was able to get into IT fairly quick thru the luck of a good interview and having a degree that was IT adjacent (communications) and my first job was about 50% video work as well at IT/PC troubleshooting. And I've often wondered if that luck was actual luck or what I have been better off “starting from the mailroom” in video production like I actually wanted to. That thought has led me to imagine and map out just what I might have done had that first IT job not fallen into my lap. Subsequently those thoughts have made me want to write this post on here for a little while because they may benefit someone.
Similarly to not really having to pursue my entry level job for very long. I also look back on my high school and junior college years with a little regret on the job front. When I was 16 and got my 1st truck I made sure to go out and get a retail job to pay insurance, gas and have a little foldin' money. But even then I did bare minimum most of time. Yes, during the spring and summer when I didn't have practice after school I'd try to get in about 30 hours a week to make sure I had somewhat cushy savings for a teenager. Nothing too fancy, but I made sure I had like $1-2K in savings most of the time. I could always take a girl out to what might be considered a nicer place or buy a gun or something I cool I wanted. But I only had just the 1 part time $6/hr job. Probably not that big of a deal since my end game was to get a degree and a career. But the regret is still there that maybe I could've been just a little bit busier and maybe gotten my own little place or nicer vehicle back then, rather than just being what could be considered lazy. Because when I wasn't at work or school I was drinking, hunting or spending time with my girlfriend at the time. I think the regret came from not trying to take a mailroom approach to my future career even back then in my small town. Or even trying to become a manager at my store to make a little more bank while still attending school.
So I just want to encourage everyone who might not seem happy at that shitty job. Maybe try to pursue management status, yes I know they can be considered scum of the earth. But if it's something that can get your bank finances in the black it'll be worth it. IF while doing this you make an attempt to pursue your actual dreams. Don't get me wrong, I'm NOT saying sell out to a retail/fast food giant. I'm saying use and abuse that system they have in place. People are leaving, getting fired and not showing up all the time. A little faking it until you make it will help you climb up just a little, stack some bills and get somewhat ahead.
The key here, again, is to pursue your dreams while doing so. Find a local organization, even if you have to pay a little to play at first, to start doing WHAT YOU WANT TO DO and get some experience. I promise you if you put your eyes on the prize, actually work towards something with a goal in mind, your world and happiness will improve greatly. Say you've always wanted to be a back country wilderness guide. But here you are at Wendy's until 10PM but you've clawed your way up a little and get a few more days off than the regular drive thru crew. Well reach out to friends, ask around at church, get on social media and link up with a local camping group, get some 2nd hand gear and get as much quasi back country experience you can. Even if it's 1 weekend a month, Maybe you create a little online blog/social media presence just posting gear reviews and camping videos. This will get you followers who are also interested in this area. Then you can morph that into a larger camping group, where you might be the guide. Then you make a deal with a park or landowner to lead little weekend trips, yada yada yada. You get where I'm going with this, baby steps. It might take you years to make it something where you can do it for a living, but it's possible because someone else has done it. If you want to make it happen it will happen, just keep grinding
An example in my own life is I have discovered that producing podcasts seems to come a little natural to me. Plus it involves all of my love for tech, video, the great outdoors and hanging out with friends/interesting people. It can get difficult and is time consuming, but I enjoy the hell out of it because it gives me something to work toward. Yes, I hit tons of roadblocks getting guests, having actual time to produce as well having the energy after work, gym and taking care of my family. But sometimes you get that on little run where you feel like it all means something. And I just know that one day I'm going to string a couple of those little runs together and this shit will take off. Also, I do jiu jitsu, which is a struggle in and of itself, and it too makes me feel alive. Learning the technique, exhausting myself physically and hanging out with all of the different people make it all worth it.
The moral of the story is yes, the system is fucked. But there's no need to sit around and gripe about it while you could be climbing some ladders and getting around it. I wish each and every one of you good luck and fortune in life and hope that one day you'll find happiness. I'm still in pursuit of it myself, so I'll let you know when I do find it.
Lastly, watch this video every day for inspiration, it helps me when I just feel the walls closing in: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRK8qhuniJQ