Hey, guys. I'm 20 years old (on the verge of 21, as a matter of fact) and I'm currently in college. First, I was a psychology student, but after 6 months, I decided to change my major because I discovered psychology wasn't really what I wanted to study for the next 4 years of my life and now I'm studying visual arts. The thing is, I need money right now, and I've been unemployed for almost 6 months. My last job was a shitty 9-5 one while I was studying part-time, so I resigned cause it was really doing bad for my mental health and sleep schedule. But now, I'm kinda scared and a bit desperate.
I apply for jobs everyday, I have a profile on LinkedIn, I even distribute resumes in person at random places, but even so, nothing yet.
Guys, I'm suffering. A lot. I hate depending on others, it is so sad and humiliating, you feel like trash. I feel like everyday that passes I'm running out of time, my Dad (who pays for my studies since I'm unemployed) will retire in a couple years and then will no longer be able to help me. I don't know what to do.
As I said, even tho I give resumes everywhere, I'm not even called for an interview most of the time. I've already sold almost everything I owned; clothes, shoes, my videogame collection and my childhood consoles, my guitar. The only thing that's left is the computer I managed to buy after months of working that odd job I had—which I think will be sold soon, too.
I'm living off my family, and I hate it. To make it worse, whenever I talk to my friends and other people my age, they all seem to be making actual progress in their lives; almost graduating college, cars (I don't even have a license yet), decent-paying jobs, girlfriends, etc. I know I shouldn't compare myself to others, but I can't help but feel like I'm way behind whenever I talk to them.
Ever since high school I worked these odd low-paying jobs and even though I hate them, I would even accept them now just to not be unemployed anymore, but it's practically unfeasible for me to work a 9-5 again right now due to the fact I have classes every Saturday morning, and I wouldn't want to drop these subjects because I'll graduate around the age of 25 (if everything goes well) and I don't want to postpone it any longer.
So tell me, guys. Anyone else here who was broke in your 20s, what did you do? What's the longest you ever been unemployed? And what were you doing to make ends meet in this period of your life?
I appreciate any advice.
10 comments
I started teaching straight out of college at 22. I’m now entering my 18th year in the same profession, but I’ve moved to a private school. Same job, much better work-life balance, way better salary (not that I’m parking a Lambo in the faculty lot or anything) 😂
Oi oi oi.
I got my first job at 20 working at Shake Shack. I spent 7 long years at shake shack and eventually i decided this is where my journey had to end. This is actually the first time i decided to look for different job in that long and it’s actually nerve racking.
I was in the Navy in my early 20s. Signed up under delayed enlistment and left the next month after I graduated high school. Thought I would make it a career but when Clinton took office and scaled back the DoD, I was told my job was now considered overmanned.
I got out and went to trade school for electrician. I worked construction for a few yrs but quickly got tired of the feast/famine cycle of paychecks in construction and decided I wanted better. The teacher I had in trade school tried to talk me into going to college for electrical engineering since I solved a math puzzle he gave us on a quiz for extra credit. Said I was the only student he ever had who figured it out. Thus I enrolled in college at the age of 25.
5 yrs later, I graduated with my Bachelor’s of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE). I was a fall grad and my last semester was when 9/11 happened. About a month before my 30th birthday. Seriously considered dropping out to reenlist that day but came to my senses and graduated. I did work for the Navy as a civilian for many yrs before moving on. Was hired right out of college.
Today, a well paid engineer. Not something you’d guessed of me back in high school. I was a Burnout back then. Dirty jean jacket, long hair, poor grades, lots of detention, etc. Not unlike [John Bender from the movie Breakfast Club. ](https://thebreakfastclub.fandom.com/wiki/John_Bender)
My advice? It’s okay not to know what you want yet. Many of us don’t at that age. Just keep your options open and know that life can take you places you never imagined.
I worked as a customer service representative at a call center.
A lot of the employees were college students because the hours made it easy to attend college.
> I know I shouldn’t compare myself to others
welp
> What’s the longest you ever been unemployed?
0 days. I held a job for every single instant of my 20s.
> What did you do?
I joined the military at 18, got out at 23, and started working at a semiconductor plant while I went to school. I then switched over to software once I finished my degree, and I’ve bounced around my employer since then, mostly doing dev-ops-ish stuff. I also went to grad school, although I took it pretty slowly and didn’t finish the masters until I was in my 30s.
> What were you doing to make ends meet?
I was dating (and am now married to) a nurse. Frankly, we were pretty comfortable with both of us bringing in decent money.
Hoping around part time jobs while I took way too long to finish college because I turned to alcohol instead of going to therapy. I’m an attorney now.
TL;DR: OP didn’t give one, so why should I? This is more directed at OP than anyone else anyway. He seems to enjoy well formatted long-form text.
In my early 20’s I dropped out of grad school to work at a little independent new age gift shop for less than minimum wage. I got bumped to minimum wage after a week because he didn’t want to lose me. I was managing the place after a couple years. Then we expanded to a second location and I ran that. It was a failing business and closed when I was 25.
I attempted to be a financial advisor then motorcycle sales after that. I suck at sales. After 15 months of failing and relying on family, mom told me about an eyeglass chain moving into town. She used to work in that industry. They were opening like 30 locations in the metro area and hiring anyone. They’ll weed out the under-performers later. I got in as a lab tech.
After a few months my hours were getting cut and I told my boss I needed another part time job so my availability would be limited. I had one lined up but not committed to yet. Never bluff. Do your homework. (I used this tactic to get another raise later) They were like *Nope. We don’t want to share you*. So I was fast-tracked to management. I was always at the top of the rankings for our area. It was fine until I wanted to move up into a regional role.
I asked what I needed to do to move up. They told me just keep doing what you are doing and you are next in line. Then I saw people from outside the company hired into these positions. It wasn’t a knee-jerk reaction. This went on for a year and a half. I had interviewed other places and turned them down. It would have been no better there.
Ended up leaving the management position for a lackey position at an independent boutique shop. Better hours, better pay, and less responsibility. It allowed me to buy my house and afford hobbies. The owner even bought me a lawnmower as a housewarming gift. Life was great! That lasted until the pandemic. I got paid to stay home for 3 months. The first month was all on his dime. In the first 2 weeks full salary, the second two weeks was half salary because that’s all he had left. The PPP loan finally came through and I got a full salary for another two months.
At 40 I started over again as an entry-level chimney sweep apprentice. I told myself *I’ve done this before and I can do it again*. After about a month in the field, an issue with my hands landed me on desk duty in the office. They never let me back in the field. At first it was customer service, answering phones, writing up orders, and it sucked. I hated it. When the person who did the daily books left, I was given that duty (not the guy who trained me as a CSR). A pay raise for this added duty was never discussed. I just did it and got a raise next pay cycle.
When the boss needed someone to fill in for the warehouse manager when he went on vacation, I was tapped for that. Learned the warehouse side a little and got forklift certified. Never discussed a pay raise and got one on the next pay cycle.
After a few years of that and taking on other responsibilities plus things getting more expensive, I needed to ask for a raise. I found a part time job that would technically work with our office schedule, but I wouldn’t be available last minute if the warehouse manager calls in sick. I had gone over my finances and knew exactly what I needed. $3/hr raise is what I would need to not look for a part time job. A couple days later and I had it.
This will not work for most folks though. I started at the bottom and worked up. I do the hiring for that position now. The folks that come in for this position are usually garbage. It’s no wonder I got hired for this entry level position.
In my early 20s I was in the army. I needed it at that point in my life, but I can say it’s not for everyone.
i somehow landed myself at a career facility search place when i was 25. (Terre Haute, Indiana) I took an aptitude test and they said if i learned CNC machining they would pay for the certified course at IVY Tech. I knew nothing about CNC or what it was. but here i am 11 years later still doing CNC and making almost twice as what i started out.