Ive been reading these posts on breaks at my current shitty job. I find it very comforting hearing about the regrets and mistakes of other people, makes me feel like less of an outlier fuckup.
Job stacking is working two full-time remote jobs simultaneously, collecting two FT paychecks without working really any extra hours or either employer knowing about it. The Tortuga society is doing is essentially training people on how to do it and providing networking and other services to help. It costs money to join their group and it's focused on men (although I'm pretty sure there's a couple ladies in there helping), but that's the concept in a nutshell! Most companies are adamantly against it and will fire you if they find out, but my hat's off to anyone who can pull off the heist 😄
Ugh. Yeah, perhaps they've become more hostile to women joining since it started in the beginning. I'm sorry. But if you have tech skills (coding languages, data analysis, etc) you could jump into it without their assistance. I wish I was actually doing this so I could offer more advice, but I've only cheered on the practice from the sidelines.
If you don't have tech skills yet and want to go that route, I've found some great online courses that aren't terribly expensive when I was getting to get into data analysis earlier in the year before I switched tracks. I started with front-end stuff (HTML, CSS, Javascript) with DevMountain. The class was only $49, and it was honestly fantastic. The price is crazy low for what I learned and the quality of my instructors. I had fucked around with HTML and CSS before, but not really knowing how it all fit together, and this class really helped, whiteboard with the addition of Javascript and how that fit into the other two languages.
I took an SQL class (necessary for data analysis and anything database related) afterwards with Anoka County Technical College. I don't live in that county (or state) anymore, but it doesn't matter, anyone can take it. It's a really intuitive and easy language to learn.
Also check out this place. I did their assessment and did well teaching myself the basic HTML and SQL needed for them with the resources they provided, but I didn't finish Javascript. After I took the class with Javascript last year, I'm confident I could get through it this time. York is really interesting because they have paid training and place you in an entry-level job where you learn skills and gain experience, have a one-year commitment to the client they'll place you with, and then you are free to use that experience to move elsewhere. I know folks who work for the company in Minnesota, and when they offer remote trainings, they accept out of state applicants. It really seems like a great opportunity for people new to tech careers who want to switch. A friend I know IRL who works there referred me, and I trust his judgment. My experience with them was great, personally, I just didn't finish the last one, so they told me to try again after learning the language better.
this is amazing. and i have a few friends to send this to. will credit you. I actually want to build something small- an interactive application that places inspiration shared by community on a diagram. Have you ever explored no code software? I need to learn how to develop this with some AI integration. I am def not a coder and just trying to find the leanest way to achieve this. Thank you anyway for your reply. The one guy followed me, not sure if it's meant to be nice or not.
Great article and really appreciate your transparency. I feel as if I’m in a similar boat. There is a kind of endless cycle of meaninglessness where you know you’re not doing something you love but feel obligated to continue doing it to ensure you can provide for yourself and your loved ones.
It’s an exhausting place to be in, knowing you want to take a chance on yourself but feeling neglectful for forcing your family to experience the residual effects of that. Meanwhile, another weekend passes and you continue the same role on Monday, knowing it isn’t what you are passionate about, yet feeling like you have to do it.
Yes, exactly. And just to add on that, I remember when I was still in retail and imagined how amazing an office job would be. Then when I got into one, I'd say I definitely found it preferable overall, but I also learned exactly what people meant when they'd say their job was "soul-crushing." At least in the (non- call center) office jobs I've had, it became quickly apparent that it was not at all necessary to be there 9 hours a day (including the mandatory 1-hour lunch) in order to accomplish everything you need to do. The fact that the job itself was kind of a waste of time and the actual work, if condensed throughout the day, would probably amount to 2-3 hours worth. Then you look out the window (if you're lucky enough to be near one) and see the hours of your life, ticking away, that you're spending basically locked in some depressing concrete tower not doing a single thing that actually moves or inspires you and for which you cannot find an actual meaningful purpose, and then the realization that you just have to keep doing that forever sets in, and then the existential dread takes over...
I wish I could follow up this whole jobs series and epilogue with actual useful advice, but I managed to escape it (for a little bit, anyway) due to some unexpected lucky breaks that allowed us to get by on just my husband's income for awhile so I can pursue cecertifications to help me get into an industry I enjoy and think I'd appreciate more.
The thing about retail work that I think is different from office work and the "soul-sucking" quality of it is that, with retail work, you at least get to really *see* the results of your work. Your successes and failures are both much more tangible, and even when you're paid next to nothing, there are often still opportunities to take pride in your work when you can see the direct result of it on a daily basis. Of course YMMV depending on job, etc, but it's an interesting difference. There are some retail jobs I might not hate if they had better overall compensation.
When I saw you mention starting working at age 14 you reminded me how at age 13 I lied on what was probably my first job application and said I was 14 in order to get my first ...outside of the family business.....you had to be minimum age 14....to get a job working as a dishwasher at a restaurant at the then brand new mall.....working nights and weekends in whatever grade that was ....of course it never felt safe at home .....
Lots of shitty jobs out there for people without college degrees especially.....but Don't worry I can tell you now from personal experience that if you work literally 50 years at minimum wage....or just above or below Minimum wage.....mostly with zero sick days or any benefits of any kind......if you live long enough......you will qualify for $813 a month in Social Security "retirement" benefits......
Of course they know poorer people on average die earlier than wealthier college educated people but they don't include that in calculations.....
I am currently on what I hope is my last couple jobs.....Substack Poetry in "posts" ....various comments on "notes".....coming Substack based meaningful journalism.....and a seperate print on demand POD art sales site where people can buy t shirts and coffee cups and prints etc.
I don't think I'll survive around real Jon job.....
Ive been reading these posts on breaks at my current shitty job. I find it very comforting hearing about the regrets and mistakes of other people, makes me feel like less of an outlier fuckup.
I'm so glad they're having that effect! We're not the only ones.
So many suffer a random series of meaningless occupations - glad you are still here!
What is this job stacking. I went to that tartuga page and had no clue. Thank you for sharing all this
Job stacking is working two full-time remote jobs simultaneously, collecting two FT paychecks without working really any extra hours or either employer knowing about it. The Tortuga society is doing is essentially training people on how to do it and providing networking and other services to help. It costs money to join their group and it's focused on men (although I'm pretty sure there's a couple ladies in there helping), but that's the concept in a nutshell! Most companies are adamantly against it and will fire you if they find out, but my hat's off to anyone who can pull off the heist 😄
Sexy stuff
I asked them what it was - reply: don't worry about it babe. Nice huh
Ugh. Yeah, perhaps they've become more hostile to women joining since it started in the beginning. I'm sorry. But if you have tech skills (coding languages, data analysis, etc) you could jump into it without their assistance. I wish I was actually doing this so I could offer more advice, but I've only cheered on the practice from the sidelines.
If you don't have tech skills yet and want to go that route, I've found some great online courses that aren't terribly expensive when I was getting to get into data analysis earlier in the year before I switched tracks. I started with front-end stuff (HTML, CSS, Javascript) with DevMountain. The class was only $49, and it was honestly fantastic. The price is crazy low for what I learned and the quality of my instructors. I had fucked around with HTML and CSS before, but not really knowing how it all fit together, and this class really helped, whiteboard with the addition of Javascript and how that fit into the other two languages.
https://devmountain.com/coding-basics
I took an SQL class (necessary for data analysis and anything database related) afterwards with Anoka County Technical College. I don't live in that county (or state) anymore, but it doesn't matter, anyone can take it. It's a really intuitive and easy language to learn.
https://www.ed2go.com/arcc/online-courses/sql-introduction/
Also check out this place. I did their assessment and did well teaching myself the basic HTML and SQL needed for them with the resources they provided, but I didn't finish Javascript. After I took the class with Javascript last year, I'm confident I could get through it this time. York is really interesting because they have paid training and place you in an entry-level job where you learn skills and gain experience, have a one-year commitment to the client they'll place you with, and then you are free to use that experience to move elsewhere. I know folks who work for the company in Minnesota, and when they offer remote trainings, they accept out of state applicants. It really seems like a great opportunity for people new to tech careers who want to switch. A friend I know IRL who works there referred me, and I trust his judgment. My experience with them was great, personally, I just didn't finish the last one, so they told me to try again after learning the language better.
https://yorksolutions.net/career/emerging-talent
this is amazing. and i have a few friends to send this to. will credit you. I actually want to build something small- an interactive application that places inspiration shared by community on a diagram. Have you ever explored no code software? I need to learn how to develop this with some AI integration. I am def not a coder and just trying to find the leanest way to achieve this. Thank you anyway for your reply. The one guy followed me, not sure if it's meant to be nice or not.
Great article and really appreciate your transparency. I feel as if I’m in a similar boat. There is a kind of endless cycle of meaninglessness where you know you’re not doing something you love but feel obligated to continue doing it to ensure you can provide for yourself and your loved ones.
It’s an exhausting place to be in, knowing you want to take a chance on yourself but feeling neglectful for forcing your family to experience the residual effects of that. Meanwhile, another weekend passes and you continue the same role on Monday, knowing it isn’t what you are passionate about, yet feeling like you have to do it.
Yes, exactly. And just to add on that, I remember when I was still in retail and imagined how amazing an office job would be. Then when I got into one, I'd say I definitely found it preferable overall, but I also learned exactly what people meant when they'd say their job was "soul-crushing." At least in the (non- call center) office jobs I've had, it became quickly apparent that it was not at all necessary to be there 9 hours a day (including the mandatory 1-hour lunch) in order to accomplish everything you need to do. The fact that the job itself was kind of a waste of time and the actual work, if condensed throughout the day, would probably amount to 2-3 hours worth. Then you look out the window (if you're lucky enough to be near one) and see the hours of your life, ticking away, that you're spending basically locked in some depressing concrete tower not doing a single thing that actually moves or inspires you and for which you cannot find an actual meaningful purpose, and then the realization that you just have to keep doing that forever sets in, and then the existential dread takes over...
...What were we talking about again? 😅
That is exactly how I feel lol. I’m just not quite sure how to get out of it.
I wish I could follow up this whole jobs series and epilogue with actual useful advice, but I managed to escape it (for a little bit, anyway) due to some unexpected lucky breaks that allowed us to get by on just my husband's income for awhile so I can pursue cecertifications to help me get into an industry I enjoy and think I'd appreciate more.
The thing about retail work that I think is different from office work and the "soul-sucking" quality of it is that, with retail work, you at least get to really *see* the results of your work. Your successes and failures are both much more tangible, and even when you're paid next to nothing, there are often still opportunities to take pride in your work when you can see the direct result of it on a daily basis. Of course YMMV depending on job, etc, but it's an interesting difference. There are some retail jobs I might not hate if they had better overall compensation.
When I saw you mention starting working at age 14 you reminded me how at age 13 I lied on what was probably my first job application and said I was 14 in order to get my first ...outside of the family business.....you had to be minimum age 14....to get a job working as a dishwasher at a restaurant at the then brand new mall.....working nights and weekends in whatever grade that was ....of course it never felt safe at home .....
Lots of shitty jobs out there for people without college degrees especially.....but Don't worry I can tell you now from personal experience that if you work literally 50 years at minimum wage....or just above or below Minimum wage.....mostly with zero sick days or any benefits of any kind......if you live long enough......you will qualify for $813 a month in Social Security "retirement" benefits......
Of course they know poorer people on average die earlier than wealthier college educated people but they don't include that in calculations.....
Dodobbird.pixels.com
https://www.gofundme.com/f/my-puppy-wants-a-cheeseburger
I am currently on what I hope is my last couple jobs.....Substack Poetry in "posts" ....various comments on "notes".....coming Substack based meaningful journalism.....and a seperate print on demand POD art sales site where people can buy t shirts and coffee cups and prints etc.
I don't think I'll survive around real Jon job.....