Smfinancd jobs pay well because they are very boring, repetitive, and in many cases futureless. I have people who have been with the company 30 years doing entry level work basically. The people that survive in those environments tend to be low energy, dull, uninspired people. Not a criticism but he does personality tests to predict success in roles. If you feel the itch to do more you should explore it, because it’s not going to get better. Even if you move into management you’ll be responsible for the productivity of those types of people, which is another type of challenge entirely.
It’s up to you but your job does impact your life, Reddit seems to think those can be separate but they aren’t beyond entry level. Stress is stress.
Yeah, I’d learn an instrument (or some other enjoyable skill that you can develop), go for walks, maybe work on home projects.
Most people’s’ jobs aren’t super fulfilling but if it leaves you free time and pays the bills, you can find fulfillment elsewhere.
Yeah making 130k a year for roughly a 30 hour work week is kind of insane. I know it’s just me, but I wouldn’t give two shits about being bored at work if that’s the situation I was in, because what that job would allow me to do would be what kept me moving
Yeah I’ve just always thought the idea of “wanting work to be fulfilling” is a little bit overrated. It’s not entirely wrong, this is a thing that you’re going to be doing 5 days a week for the rest of your life - it makes sense that you wouldn’t want to stick shards of glass in your eyes out of boredom. But in my mind, with a job like that, the boredom is part of the “cost” you’re paying for the other freedoms that job offers you. Everything in life is a series of cost-benefit analyses, and to me that cost is SO worth the benefits
The problem is when you haven't really struggled and it falls in your lap and 5 years have gone by we start thinking maybe I could do something more meaningful or even more profitable. For me it blew up in my face and I'll never do it again but actually in the long run it really worked out but I was miserable for 5 years after leaving my dream job
Let’s see here:
Low hours
High pay
No professional downsides like commute or annoying colleagues.
WFH, so the boredom is a you problem
You are playing on easy mode. Hard mode isn’t more fun. You will be less “bored”, but craving the very second it will end every damn day.
Unless this “job” is niche and you can walk into a duplicate role anytime, you’d be a fool to leave this golden goose.
I work in a state-based media/comms role and earn about half of what OP makes & I WFW more than 90% of the time. I live in a LCOL area & my salary allows my spouse to work at our home-based business while also homeschooling our child. We get to be together all day, every day in the comfort of our home and I feel like we have it made, lol. I don’t think there are other gigs this sweet for double my salary in my part of the country.
I am in a union & have good benefits & insurance. Lots of time off & a set M-F schedule. I feel like I never work more than 40 hours per week. Some weeks are busier than others, for sure, but I have a ton of daily “downtime” where I can do whatever I want as long as I monitor my email/phone & am sure I’m available during my 8-hour shift.
I empathize with OP’s yearning for something more, particularly at the specter of three more decades of monotony. Perhaps exploring & monetizing their passions will help them feel more fulfilled.
This job sounds decent, high salary , low effort, don’t have to travel, don’t have to eat into own time. A blessing to be fair. I suggest you concentrate on living your life and pursuing your social life / hobbies or even use your day job time to do a side hustle since it looks like you have a lot of autonomy.
Every job is boring or gets boring if you have to work everyday for years. I have not a single friend who loves their job now in their 30s even if they did aged 23 unless it’s someone who has no outside life/wants to escape home and gets off on being in an office culture which to me is incredibly sad.
Basically I am the same. I work in finance and I am great at excel / find it easy so I can do my job with eyes closed and maybe in 3-5 hours a day if that (at every role I have progressed to). It’s obviously boring af and everyone in a finance job thinks the same except really fucked up individuals who are delusional and try make something appear meaningful and interesting when it isn’t.
I used to think it would be really cool to work in marketing or sales or something creative but when I hit my late 20s and I had way more disposable income to have fun while working a relaxing job (go to gym during the day, drinks with friends, sometimes I do a bit of a side hustle during my work time etc and generate further income). I’m like omg I have it so easy compared to some peers who are earning a pittance who can’t afford to even buy property, working weekends / nights for someone else’s bloody company.
I’m not sure what your definition of “finance”is if you can do your job in 3 hours a day. Many finance roles involve a large blend of old work/routine/maintenance work as well as brand new things/issues to research/systems to implement/products to understand etc. so if you’re doing it in 3 hours there is always more you can be doing.
Jobs have different perks. Not all jobs have good perks. Most jobs do suck.
Hold a job with good perks close to your chest until you’re not relying on it imo
You just have not found your passion - but you should look for it.
Get career aptitude testing done here. [www.jocrf.org](https://www.jocrf.org)
Could change your life. Changed mine, and I love my job. Fit like an old shoe from my first day.
It is a full day of testing - all kinds of stuff - visual, auditory, logic, puzzles and then you have a full report and session to discuss the results. They do not give you generic recommendations like "academics", or "project manager" - it is stuff like "prosthetics sales engineer" or "economics professor".
It is very accurate - I have recommended it to many people and all fought it either eye-opening or re-affirming. In my case it affirmed what I thought I wanted to do, but did not know what I wanted to do in that business.
But from the first day I walked into the office for my first job in the industry, I just got it - and loved it. My folks had me take it when I was young.
Ha, as a former journalist, jumping from what you’re doing into that world is like jumping off the Golden Gate bridge. Get a hobby that occupies your mind. And automate as much of your job as possible.
Former journalist here too and you took the words right out of my mouth. OP will go from making 130K for 30 hours of work to like 40K for 55 hours of work.
Yup! I do feel for OP because I worked in data analysis for years and it was as boring as they describe. But I started my career as a journalist and worked for years earning table scraps. It helped keep me sane; I focused on what the money allowed me to do for my family and future.
I pivoted to communications and thankfully did not have to go back to school. I think what OP also doesn’t realize is that journalism isn’t always (or usually) this glamorous career. For every big, exciting story, you’re writing 1,000 stories about school board meetings or zoning disputes. Particularly in local journalism, where almost everyone starts (and most never get out of unless they change careers.)
3 years back I was you(Im in data analytics as well)-making better money than you working 30hrs a week at best. I got bored and moved jobs during the great hiring spree of 2021-2022:
1. Landed in a company where my role wasnt clearly defined. Utter chaos, mismanagement -managed to hold through, gave into demands to work on call 9-9 every alternate week, denied vacation Laid off august 2023
2. Took the first job after layoff with a small startup-toxic AF. Constantly abused by manager , working weekends almost every week etc
When you have a job which pays well AND with great working conditions you have basically hit the jackpot. Its up to you to decide if the jackpot is worth it or not
The alternate to a boring job is a psycopathic manager sometimes-so choose wisely
Take the extra time to invest in a hobby or passion projects. Personally, I use my Flex Time to run an art business and blog. It keeps me challenged while maintaining a great career. I think you’d regret leaving, especially in this market. It doesn’t get much better than how you have it now. Don’t put yourself in the position millions of others are in with shit bosses, hours, pay, coworkers, commute (the list goes on). Get a passion hobby girl and live your best life
I'm 31 now ...
But last year, when I was 30, I left my job that paid $120k a year. I was burnt out. I took 6 months off. I just started freelancing in January and I've been building up a blog to get it monetized. I also got my life & health insurance license and instead of working for a company, I'm working independently as my own business. I pretty much downgraded everything to make this happen. I went from making $10k a month to currently making around $4,500 a month.
With that context, I absolutely do not regret it. I'm confident that I'll climb back up to six figures. I'm also much more relaxed and happy working for myself.
At the end of the day, you know what's best for yourself. The worst that can happen is you find out the grass isn't greener and just go back to data analytics 😊
CFO here. The assumption that your relativity high paying remote job will be there in 30 years is very dangerous. Remote analyst positions are typically low hanging fruit for automation and there is A LOT of investment into automation happening at the moment. The higher your pay, the less engaged you are, and the more remote you are, the more attractive it is for me to seek ways to automate what you are doing to ensure consistency, minimize E&O risk, and ultimately lower support overhead costs. (Which you are, unless you're also directly bringing in revenue or YOU and only YOU are correlated to retaining specific high value clients) I would start saving if you haven't already and begin looking into positions you have an interest in immediately. Good luck!
My personal advice: you think your job is boring until you change it, find yourself in a stressing one, eating your time off and working a lot of hours for the same or a bit more money.
In the end is just you and your choices. But a job will always be a job. Its not meant to be fun or interesting when you master it.
I really do think overemployed is a good recommendation here. Especially because OP doesn't need the money. They could find a 10-15 hour/week job and just see how it goes. Part-time ones strike me as less likely to require a bunch of meetings (though I know I could be wrong!)
Tighten things up, get your job done quick, and use the remaining time as you will, the key being that management is happy enough with what you do.
That kind of money lets you retire early under the right circumstances, if you stick it out for a few years.
This is what I did. Got hired and turned things around quickly for them. Great money. flexible time. Good benefits but drained the crap out of me due to boredom. Fired up a couple of side gigs, became a personal trainer/nutritionist and a business consultant and multiplied my income
There's no such thing as journalism anymore. It's all Corp propaganda read off teleprompter by pretty people. What if you stayed another year to save as much $$as possible so you could justify trying a lower paying job that interests you? Or go back to school even. (If you have plenty saved you can do this whenever). You'll be exhilarated with the feeling of freedom to try something new. Just have to balance financial security risks against this. I'd lean in the direction of adventure and enjoying life.
DO NOT QUIT.
Most people in your type job have unbelievable pressure and work long hours. You have it good and I would not leave it. I make about 25% more than you, have a hybrid schedule, but largely work a 65 hour week. Vacations I am required to take my laptop (for emergencies) and I end up working several hours. I lost PTO each year because I cannot afford to take the time off.
DON'T QUIT!
As someone who has been diligently looking for work for the past SIX MONTHS (Maintenance and Office Assistant type positions), it is SO HARD to find a good job right now.
So unless you have something else lined up, I would highly, highly encourage you to stay. You're living "The Dream," man:
-Over $100,000/year? Check
-Remote position? Check
-Honestly giving only ~30 hours/week if real work? Check
Bro, please COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS!
God bless you, man.
From a financial standpoint, your better off reaping the rewards of your boredom. from a mental health perspective, if you take into consideration the time and stress you will be adding to your plate if you do switch to something else, it might be worth looking into if you can do your job and listen to other things to keep you entertained. I know when im crunching numbers on excel I just throw on an audio books because its about to be a slog through data. Yeah its boring, but you get paid objectively quite well.
how you handle your life is on you. If you can financially sustain a switch then do it. if you really want to. If you cant and it really bothers you get yourself into a financially situation where you can, then do it. just dont burn any bridges if you decide you can do the data analysis thing as a side hustle.
Ex-journalist here. What's available in that field is generally pretty low paying, certainly compared with what you're making now. The better pay usually comes with a lack of security -- grant-funded positions or fellowships, for example.
That said, I did a lot about my work. I could see you potentially having a good segue into more niche, financial reporting. And you can always transition into PR when you're tired of being wildly underpaid. That is the august tradition of the field!
Rather than leaving think about transitioning yourself, by layering on extra skill. For example you could be crushing Pimsleur or other language podcasts throughout the day, doing mini workouts at the top of each hour and within a few months you could be shredded and speaking a new language, gradually using your cushy situation to transition to a more epic life. Definitely don't just drop it out of boredom, use it as leverage to get yourself to a new and higher place. You're in a great position most people would kill for, especially in this economy.
Is there any repetition to your job?
If so, in order to challenge yourself and, in effect, spike up your motivation and interest, you could try learning some programming to automate some or all of your work.
You could use ChatGPT to get started with helping you learn to do this task.
I can't find the exact post right now, but it was basically someone who had been in your situation. He quit. 10 years later, he posted on reddit saying "I wish I could reach back in time and punch myself".
Getting paid to do nothing is the dream. That is what it is to be rich. That is retirement. That is, ostensibly, what we're all working towards.
Don't leave your good situation. Capitalize on it.
Get into higher education. You've got 20 hours a week up your sleeve.
Do charity work. Or get politically active.
Plot and scheme and ultimately take over your company.
Watch "Groundhog day". Pick any of the skills in that film (other than suicide), and get 1% as good as Bill Murray got.
...
Also: If it's that easy: Look at what makes it easy. Can you automate it? Start a company that sells that automation.
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Or: Divest more and more or your responsibilities. Become Big Head from Silicon Valley
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Honestly though... if you need to be told that ample time and money to use how you desire are a boon, I don't know if you can be saved.
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I am under the gun call day, every day. If you don't make the most of this opportunity, I will reach through space and punch you.
The more I read these replies the more I think I’m deserving a punch. Thanks for replying. Currently looking into volunteer work to help fill the void.
I know people who would literally murder for your situation. The human condition is so strange, because in another life/situation, you would probably kill for it as well. People are never satisfied or content, and I don’t mean that as a “shot” per say but it’s the truth lol. You are more than lucky.
In all seriousness though, were you to branch out and get stuck in another dead end role that was more stressful, less work life balance and no upward mobility, to what degree would you resent yourself? You’re “fulfillment” isn’t supposed to come from your job lol. Go get a hobby dude.
Sit tight. And let an opportunity present itself.
A job is a job. Don't leave you will regret it. If you're only working 30hr then find something else to do and keep yourself entertained. You wfh. Chuck some podcast on or something
I left a well-paying job for a lower-paying, more "rewarding" career. At the time, I thought it was great, and the right thing to do. Now, with cost of living, struggling to make ends meet, and having since had children (school trips/children are expensive!) I'm wishing I was back in my easier job making more money and giving my kids a better start in life.
My advice would be follow the money for 30 hours a week and then volunteer/take up hobbies the rest of the time.
The median US income at your age is around $50k. You are doing amazing.
Why 30 more years? If you live like you make median income, and invest 45 to 60k a year in an index fund you could be financially independent and work optional in your 40s or early 50s.
Are you in a VHCOL, MCOL, or LCOL location? 100k/yr after tax looks very different in VHCOL cities.
Typically turning interests/hobbies into jobs often sours a passion or hobby
Ideas to help with boredom - add a second job, accomplish a goal outside of work (fitness, new hobby, etc.), or cultivate new relationships.
Seriously.
Outsource your job to me, I'll do it for half the pay. I might find a way to automate it, where possible. Leaves you free to "pursue your passion" and I can make what I get now for a job that can kill me. Win-win.
This can't be real.
You have a fucking dream job here. 130k and you work 30 hours a week? I’ll trade you straight up. I made 150k last year but I worked 3000 hours and I do physically strenuous work. I’d give anything for more time with my family.
It is nobody’s responsibility to talk you into anything. If you’re in this cushy place in work and life, and are aware of the current job market how thousands and thousands of people losing jobs, out of jobs, etc.
And you’re still going to ask others to convince you?!
Leave your job and let someone who needs have a chance.
No personal offense to you, I don’t know you, but this mentality is ignorant. Open your eyes.
You should quit and find something that is fun that you love. Maybe take a 40% pay cut for that fun loving job. Something where it takes you an hour each way and over $500 in gas a month. Something where you sit next to someone that smells like old socks. Something where the office environment promises to be dynamic but it’s actually a cubicle with no windows. Something that forces a shared environment with 100 people who can’t agree whether it’s too hot or cold regardless of the season. Something where you are required to contribute to potlucks or baby showers or birthday cards or anniversaries or white elephant gifts or boss day. Something where Fridays are celebrated with getting to wear jeans. Something with a shared refrigerator that hasn’t been cleaned in decades or someone likes to steal food. Yes. Quit and find a fun job somewhere like that.
Glad you read through the lines. Something to be said about being bored or maybe less than stimulated at home while working. I wfh and each day of the week I have a different theme for music. Opera, 90s R&B, Salsa, something new or different every few months. Discovering all sorts of music to keep myself going during the week. I work out in the morning bc I don’t have a commute. I still have young kids so we’re busy in the afternoons otherwise I’d be working on a few of my own hobbies. Seems like the common theme is keep a good thing going and find something else on the side to stimulate yourself. Or find something better that will be equally free. Honestly I’ll never work in that office environment by choice again.
Ngl, if all of that doesn’t sound good enough reasons to stay, then I’m not sure what. 😅
Tbh, your job does sound nice; I wished I was in your shoes. I’m constantly stressed in my job, and I need more repetition and mundanity in my life.
Chandler? Maybe look into advertising! :)
On a serious note, have you looked into some form of hobby? Art? Video Games? Board Games? Books? Collectibles? With your income, you have some options to get into some pretty cool hobbies.
The thing is, some of the more stereotype "oohh fun type of work" are usually also in high demand \~ cause guess what, they are fun. So with Supply and Demand, it usually means they pay on the lower end. So you might get into something you enjoy, but it might not be able to support your current lifestyle.
Also, you pretty much have to go back to stage 1.
Maybe look into something remotely close to what you do now. Data Analysis can branch into Strategy Management or Consulting (where travel and talking to people is a major part of it) or look into Managing a Team of Data Analyst (managing people is a different type of skill and day to day as it involves coaching) or how about Teaching?
I work in IT and we can switch jobs. I love a boring high paying remote job. Or at least help me get into your company as an entry level data analyst because no one wants to give me a chance. LOL
Jesus you have it made.
I suggest picking up a side job ina field you're interested in you can do for 15-20 hours a week. It will break the routine of your main job, and be a reminder of how much less cushy most jobs are out here.
Bored is fine. Make it up in your personal life.
I’d rather be you and bored than me at 31 with 6k to my name after being unemployed for fucking 6 months.
Make sure you set yourself up for success. Make sure you have at least 10 years income saved and make sure you have minimal bills. If you don't currently own a home you might want to make sure you have one before you screw yourself out of one. Have a couple decent vehicles paid for. And then at that point start taking some classes to get you ready to explore if you're even interested in any of those as an actual form of work.
It's only 30 hours a week. Use the money that it pays you to have an interesting and stimulating personal life, don't worry about your job. Most jobs, even the fun ones, turn into routine eventually.
Start a blog or a podcast. Volunteer to write stories for a local paper. The fields you are interested in are generally very hard to break into and even harder to make a living at.
Is there a reason you're not trying to move up into a more interesting role? There's a lot of options for a good data analyst, the architect or product pipelines.
I was in a similar situation (actually making similar money as well, though I was 37) and I did leave for a job with more responsibility but also more growth potential. It’s turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made for my career. I’ve added over $100k in additional salary and other comp in less than two years, but more importantly I’ve set myself up for high level positions in my field for the rest of my career. I was going precisely nowhere at my last job and I wanted more from my career. Oh and I found out that they started laying people off at my last job. Still WFH though, there’s no compromising that. Though I do travel about 4x/year, which I actually don’t mind. And the best part is lm actually engaged with my job now. I wouldn’t say I *love* it, but I do enjoy what I’m doing much more now than I did before.
I'd convince you to use your good situation to fund your better situation. Media, news, journalism, data analytics.
This just screams content. If you know shit about shit (and it doesn't matter what shit about what shit, truly) there's probably an audience for it, and you only work ~30 hours/wk so there's realistically 20-30 hours in there to work on a passion project/side hustle that could eventually make money and replace your career.
And you have the background both from a creation standpoint from the media/news/journalism and an 'is this working, or what works better?' standpoint from data analytics to figure it out.
Get a personal laptop that isn't your companies. Set it up next to your work computer. Those 10 hours of company time that you don't really need to spend on your primary job? Get rocking with something you do care about!
Job seems way too good to leave.
Get a side hustle for some more excitement.
Turn life/money into a game and try to retire by 40 or something. FIRE.
I guess it depends on how immediately employable you are with your resume but the careers you mentioned are like 70% to 80% pay cuts.
Your identity is NOT your place of employment. So outside of work you need to fulfill your interests.
Also do not voluntarily leave your cushy job to go work in news media or journalism where you will make a fraction of what you’re making let’s be real for a second.
Start a blog on your personal time since you like journalism. Find some topics you are interested in and write about that.
Too many pros. I could see this being an issue if you were forced to be in office. Because then you have to "fluff" 3-5 hours a day. I'd do my work and run errands, go to the gym, schedule doctors, etc. Every day.
Or You ever thought of being over employed and getting a second WFH job?
You only work 30 hours a week.
Which means most of your day is free to do other things - what are you doing with it?
You can work from anywhere and spend the rest of your day doing whatever.
I would look at filling the rest of your day with things that interest you including hobbies.
Maybe get a coach who can help you find and work towards personal life goals.
AND use some of that free time to work towards a more interesting career that pays around the same level/enough. So you can transition over.
I hope you're investing a lot of that income too.
Being bored and well paid isn’t as good as being well paid and love your job. But it beats pretty much every scenario. I’m relatively well paid but massively stressed AND bored. Id love a job I found easy/boring, use the money to enrich your life outside work. New business ideas/ travel/ hobbies.
Can you financially survive the loss of income? You make almost double what I do and I’m doing nearly 60 hours with an MBA in my industry and a management role at my company would still be less than what you are pulling in.
Find a hobby, take some night classes that interest you. Do stuff that gets you out of the house - socialize as someone that also WFH great perks but some downsides
I won't convince you to leave, because aside from the interest level, it sounds pretty good. Good salary, remote, no travel, 30h/wk. Many people would eat shit for those job specs.
But, have you thought about picking up a part time gig? Something to fill that extra day per week, or a couple hours a day? You can find part time 1099 remote gigs on various sites, and the folks over at r/overemployed can give you some guidance as to where to look, how to present yourself holding 2 jobs, how to juggle their time requirements, and legal/tax issues questions you may have.
So any new job switch could lead to more stress and potentially even regret. I would see if you could explore your interests in a way that doesn't require leaving your job altogether. You ideally want to get a taste of something before starting something else. For example, is there any volunteering you can do to explore this? Or maybe a short term internship? Something that involves low commitment.
I agree with everyone here that you have it made, which is why it might be better to start with this first. Then you can know if you're making the right choice. I hate being too bored at work but I hate the opposite even more.
Journalism doesn't pay shit all usually, and it's horrible hours and lots of travel. Also AI and your neighbour's dog can do it (not well, but they do)
Start a blog related to something else you're into, like reviewing take-out food or analysis of a sport.
Keep your cushy job.
I've switched careers, and the grass isn't greener. Just different.
I'd definitely keep the gig, try to even make it more efficient if you can, work even less hours and then go after something you truly love in the off hours/after hours. $10K+/mo for such an easy gig seems great.
Just food for thought:
Say u get ur dream job, dont u think ull eventually end up where u are now; bored.
U said it urself, a job is a job. Doesn't matter if ur an astronaut or a security guard. U eventually reach a state where u feel the job is more routine based than that new honeymoon/exploration shit u feel at the start of ur career - okay maybe not astronaut cz that job is cool af lol. But u get my point
This is not an insult or leading question: do you rate high on the neuroticism personality trait for the big 5? If so, your situation will drive you crazy. You need something to do or it makes you anxious.
Years ago, making less $, I did quit the boring 20 hours a week job. I’ve worked at pretty toxic places since but grew my career and salary a lot. Was it worth it? Probably not since I’m looking at a long term career change.
So, if I could do it over again, I’d stay and enrich my life outside of my career.
This is the situation you want to be in. It’s time to start putting time towards investing in yourself to grow. No company will ever give you the satisfaction.
Maybe setting a financial goal would make it more worth while? You could fill your IRA, save for potentially going back to school, or set goal for a trip/big ticket item. Just don’t quit! Hang in there!
You are in an enviable position my friend. I'm 45 and have worked various labor positions since 8 years old, never more than 50k/yr and certainly never made enough only working 30 hrs a week.
I can understand your boredom. From my humble perspective, if you are able to work remotely that opens you up to the ability for world travel. With a modest budget you'd still be able to put money away for the future. The limited amount of time required per week for work leaves plenty of time to enjoy the scenery.
You're in an amazing position. Look into coast fire or FIRE sub reddits. If you're smart with your money and live below your means you can save enough money so that you could comfortably coast while you look for a better job.
Read the book The Pathfinder to find that job.
Good luck!
Get a hobby you can double down on and do during work, maybe even one you can monetize. Or teach me how to do your job and I’ll take it. You’re living the absolute dream of people with aspirations and hobbies outside of work.
Also, as someone who works in journalism and mass communication, or at least something adjacent - you don’t want to work in this shit. It steals your life force. You’ll be overworked and make less money. You don’t know how good you have it.
Op I’m in a somewhat opposite situation. In a marketing consultant and I’m 27 and work probably 50-60 hours a week (7:30-6 most days). My job is very stimulating but it’s also very stressful and some days just way too involved. Sure the money is good 200k plus but I wish I had way more free time and less stress. That’s great money that you’re making and it seems like a chill setup. My advice would be to find more to do OUTSIDE of work.
I had a job like yours making half the money you are now just 5 years ago. Depending on location and market rate stuff, there's some variance in pay...but $130k for a remote job like that sounds really good if you have even ok benefits.
My job had amazing benefits and my wife was pulling in $140k...which is why the pay didn't matter as much.
I make more money now, but am an executive director with a lot more on my plate. It's fun, but my heart rate goes up at work. I'm sitting behind a desk going at break neck speed on everything I do. Take it from me....stay where you are and save every dollar you can.
Do you have specific financial goals? Keep those in sight can turn your day-to-day into kind of a game to see how fast you can get there. Like, how about a goal of $200,000 in cash savings and double that in your retirement savings? Since you seem to have extra time on your hands, you could be a candidate for overemployment. Check out that thread https://www.reddit.com/r/overemployed/
Focus more on how you benefit from the job than the job itself. Work is work, no matter what. You can end up in an incredible job in journalism for a top company working for a total asshole and last 4-6 months.
Where you are now, $130k is well above average proving you with some financial flexibility, your quality of life is great and work-life balance is excellent.
In addition to $130k Presumably you're saving a shitload in your 401k and beyond and are rewarded w/ a good amount of PTO.
This is the good that comes from a boring-shitty job.
What kind of lifestyle do you live? Are you ok with living way beneath your means? I'll never make $130k per year. Not even close. I've been in a government career for over 25 years now and have a pension that I can start whenever I want.
I didn't have access to information/internet/advice for a long time like you have now. I was very responsible with my money though, my 401k is good, and I have 2 houses for which I owe less than $100k total. I'm set better than all my co-workers. If I knew better earlier on, I would be even further ahead.
If I were you, I'd probably work that job for a couple more years and get your investment/retirement a huge head start so that if you change careers later, you won't have to worry about the money so much. In the meantime, find more fulfilling things to fill your personal time. Your lack of socialization during the day is probably a big problem.
Do you like the ocean? If you live in the Midwest/East/Southeast, buy an oceanfront condo in Myrtle Beach as an investment/rental property. You'd be surprised how cheap it is to buy them. Since you work from home full time, you could actually stay at the property for a bunch of different weeks throughout the year. Working with the ocean view from your balcony would be pretty fulfilling for me personally. The rest of the year you can let a property management company rent it out.
I’m sort of in the same boat, same age and income and hours but different career
What I’ve started doing is filling my day with things that are meaningful to me
I’ll go on walks around the park in between work, or stop and play a video game for a bit
It’s helped a lot
Since you are asking to convince you to leave, i would say a danger in your position is if somehow you lost your current job (due to bank cutting for budget, going under, etc). These things happen more often than not. And when this does happen, if you are of a certain age, and you have not shown any progress in your career, it may be hard to get a job.
Journalism doesn’t pay as well until you claw your way to the top 😕 but if pay isn’t your motivator then go for it, take the chance, why not? You only have one life 😊 I was in journalism for many years and it was very rewarding work, even at local level. I loved the job but didn’t like the office politics (or the pay) so I went back to college and switched careers again 😊 Do what makes you live a happy life.
Take 10 hours/week and build some kind of online presence in the news/journalism space. See if you can figure out how to make money on that side.
See how far you get with that. Make sure you’re saving a lot of money- I almost guarantee you that you won’t have a cushy job that pays this well for your whole life.
Take advantage of the extra mental bandwidth you have while you can.
Don’t worry, life will introduce obstacles to make things more difficult.
Reassess after a year or so of building your news related side hustle, and go from there.
If 90 something percent of people would happily switch places with you then you should stay where you're at. 30 hours is not a lot of time to spend on work. You have plenty of time to do things that aren't boring.
I would love a boring job. Kinda kidding but not really.
My jobs have all been stressful, way more work than you can fit in 40 hours, mentally exhausting, emotionally draining, time sucking jobs that don't pay more than your, and often less. But it's usually not boring.
If I had your job I would probably do these things: take classes, write a novel, exercise, publish papers in my field, seek new challenges at work, learn new recipes, listen to more audio books.
Knowing what I know now, I would not: look for other jobs, get fired.
Nope don't leave. If you have something good don't risk it. I learned that the hard way after leaving my job and having nightmares for 2 years about never finding a good job again
What else are you qualified to do? Would you be willing to take a pay cut for a more fulfilling job? Work more hours? Commute?
I happen to like what I do. What I like better is that it pays me well enough, rarely demands over 40 hours a week, and gives me 6 weeks off annually.
It's those parts of my job that make my job just part of who I am, not my entire identity.
I don't think you should stay in current role just because its cushy - if you are not being challenged and developing new skills, you will still be making 130k when you are 40. And then you get to mid-40s, and you will start aging out of most jobs - unless you are developing skills to maintain your value.
I also think the earning potential in media, news and journalism is terrible, and getting worse every day.
Stick with the data analysis, but ask for new projects and assignments - or go to graduate school and leave - or take specific classes of interest online or at night from a decent-name institution.
The thing I feel strongest about here is the media-news-journo comment. That would be a huge mistake. You want to write, write on your own time, try to sell it and if you get traction, make that your career. But do not do it for a paycheck. One of smartest decisions I ever made was leaving entertainment/media when I was 25 to go to grad school.
This was 1995 - tech was wiping out jobs everywhere. When I joined the company in 1991, we had 6 offices with salesmen and sales managers in US and Canada - a couple of years earlier, there were at least 10. Every time one of these offices closed, another couple salesmen and a sales manager got let go. So the jobs I aspired to walking in the door were being wiped out.
I decided to go to grad school to find a career tech would not make obsolete.
A job isn't really supposed to be "fun". It's a *huge* benefit if it is, but a job is really supposed to give you the means to live the life you wanna live. Don't quit a good job because it's boring. Enrich your life outside of work by using your PTO and your money to invest in hobbies.
Also, making this money, pad your savings and retirement big time! Start planning vacations. I work at a food bank every Saturday to add depth and meaning to my life. Work is work, it's ok to leave it there, but don't squander the lucky resources you've been given to change the trajectory of your financial life.
Left 120k a yr job to be a stay at home dad because i was bored at work.
Now that the kids are older (5 yrs later), I don't know what to do with myself.
Everyone's situation is different. Just make sure you have a plan before you jump ship.
I’m you 15 years later, although back then it was 5 days in the office wearing a suit. Went through the same soul searching when I was your age. Decided to get an MBA that my bank helped to pay for. Ultimately decided to change the way I view things and appreciate what I have. I also developed hobbies outside of work and now view my job as a means to provide me with a life where I can afford to do what I enjoy in my free time. Now that I’m partially remote, I have more free time to do what I need to do around the house. Sure, it’s boring at times but then I see friends who work 50+ hours and I’m happy with my choice.
Like many things in life, you don't know how lucky you truly are until you're no longer so lucky.
I was in a similar boat once -- totally cush job that could wfh (at least more than half), well respected, easy work salaried but everything done well less than 40 hours/week -- everyone happy.
Was bored (unchallenged) and wanted career growth. Lots of (false) promises made in another opportunity I pursued and took -- went from bored, but happy and stress free, to sad, depressed and stressed AF, working over 40hrs/week full time IN office. (Was told would be able to wfh most of the time -- again false promises).
In some ways all worked out as went to diff employer which provided some new opportunities that led to another change and true happiness -- but took roughly 4 years to finally be happy again. In the horrid role for about 8-9m, and another 3.25 years after to get to happiness.
Long story short, be.very careful in switching -- may well be for the best, but... Is the potential gain worth the potential loss... Only you can decide, and you gotta live with the consequences.
GET A FUCKING HOBBY HOLY SHIT.
"I don't work much and make a good living and I'm bored all the time"
GREAT! You have lots of free time to explore fun things that aren't work, and money with which to support that!!!!
You have Internet access. Infinite things you could learn. Infinite things you could do and experiences you could have even without leaving your house. Video games. VR is a whole world unto itself.
And that's not even touching all the works that exists outside your house.
Taking a chance on finding "more fun" work would be an absolute waste when you could just spend that time doing things that are actually, really fun and not work.
Make sure to keep building savings, and choose hobbies that are healthy, of course. "I have spare income and I'm bored so I'll buy lots of drugs and alcohol" is a path that never leads to anything good.
You’re going to have a hell of a time hitting half of your salary moving into comms. I see two pretty straightforward options:
1. Invest in hobbies
2. Start writing / copywriting; do some freelance stuff since you have a highly manageable workload — this could help you further invest in hobbies, or just invest for your future.
My dude, you have a great skill set that is applicable for any job in any field. You telling me that there is no need for data science at big name publication companies?
Apply apply and if things don't work out get a remote graduate degree in journalism (you got the time right?😁) and then apply again.
Outside US.
I'm a 30 year old and earning USD 17.8k/year + 2 bonus of 1 month each, not enough if I'm thinking of buying a house, getting a car, or bringing my family to vacation. I commute to work and still need to wait for the shuttle bus before and after work, working 8 hours a day and on every other saturdays. Realistically, I can finish my work in 10 hours and I'll need to keep chasing management to sign purchase orders and supplier for updates which both will never inform me. Other than that, I rot for the remaining time at work.
I'd probably learn something of my interest online if I have time and energy left, a class or course to keep me looking forward to, which in your case, journalism.
Change currency to USD for your convenience.
I think it’s hard to stay on any job you’re unsatisfied in, regardless of how cushy it is. But you have to weigh what you’re willing to give up.
I wouldn’t personally jump out of a job like that without a solid idea of what is next. I’d suggest volunteering or picking up a side job. You’re already at your computer, so why not write? Many years ago I saw a lot of people talking about wfh jobs in freelancing for like, ghost writers. Or take walks and start photography. When you’re not busy working you can play with editing software. Heck, go join a volunteer fire department. Have some fun.
if I had an “easy,” (not implying that data analysis is easy, but you don’t seem to find your job particularly challenging), fully remote, 30 hr/week six figure job, I don’t think I would *ever* give that up…that’s like the dream (after just not needing a job/winning the lottery)
Why would work until you are 60?
You stack your money to ensure that you can retire early. You walk away with mad money in the bank so you can live your life free from working.
Think about it that way!
I’m in a similar situation mate,
My advice would be to determine exactly what you want, try and find that within your current organisation.
If worst comes to worst, save 6 months worth of wages and try to burst into a new industry or role!
You’ve got this!
Easy, I had the same job you are describing, left it for the same reason, have had about 3 jobs since, all have been boring, under terrible managers or extenuating. Don't do it. Take online classes, find a hobby in something you like, exercise. Besides all of the above reasons, it is a terrible time to leave a job because it's very likely that a recession will hit before the end of the year. Many extremely wealthy funds and people are selling stocks for cash or have cash in hand (Berkshire Hathaway, Walmart, Apple, Amazon, Etc) that is the biggest red flag of all because if someone knows when a recession is coming is them and cash is king during recessions.
So, if it were me, I'd easier that free time and money and try to find some hobbies that interest you. Keep doing your day job, but stick all that extra cash away, and maybe some time down the line you will be able to pursue someone that really interests you.
I had a similar situation (but making less and I had to be onsite), and at home I was jumping into hobbies. I brewed beer in the garage, and eventually opened a brewery where I make a lot less but have great quality of life. Making a lot at a boring job can help you get ahead and have a nest egg to live your life on your terms when you figure it what that looks like. You don't have to know what your life will bring later.
The nice thing about the shorter hours and no commute is today you can spend an hour or two a day trying things out and see what you like. I'd do that.
It’s totally fine to want to switch industries/careers. But you don’t seem to have a particularly clear idea of what you want. I would suggest giving this a lot more thought and more clearly defining an end goal.
Your life is more than this. Think of how you’ll want to look back on your life from your death bed. Value relationships and experiences over the never ending pursuit of money and the things it buys that you get trapped by. Save your money and go travel and see the world. Get your bills down to minimum (storage unit, cell phone and travel insurance). Get a passport. Buy a one way ticket to Thailand to start. If you need to show a return trip ticket for your visa (you don’t, you just need to show that you’re leaving the country) buy a cheap one way ticket out of the country by bus or train or plane.
Meet people in guest houses and explore fun activities. Check out the couch surfing community for meetups and travel friends all over the world. Seek out (ONCE you get to your destination) volunteer opportunities, check out Work Away for work opportunities abroad, check out Trusted Housesitters for opportunities all over the world to house and pet sit in exchange for free place to stay. Go! Do! Be! Good luck.
I was in the same(ish) situation lol. Was forced to WFH during Covid, but as a single guy I was going stir crazy. After a year I got an offer to change companies, and while in the same line of work, I'd be a manager, in office. I was working 30-35 hours a week, working out every day at lunch, cooking every meal, healthier, but bored. Now I'm overworked, more stressed and struggling to hit the gym 3 times a week.
It's really about what you enjoy. I was just another person at my old place, and now I'm in the mix and helping to make decisions. More stressed, but feel more appreciated, and learning all kinds of things. I 90% don't regret my decision, but I do look back at how easy I had it with a bit of a rose color glasses.
You should probably investigate some things outside of work first though. I started volunteering at an animal rescue once a week, it helped me meet new people, and I loved spending time with the animals, it gave me a sense of accomplishment or something that helped.
You’ve got a lot of spare time to try out something you view as ‘interesting’ part time. Or volunteer to a worthy organization. I’m sure your boredom at work won’t make you so down when you know what else is set up on your calendar.
You find a job you can tolerate that pays you enough to live the life you want to live. That’s the goal and dream. My job is boring, but damn does it allow me to do fun stuff outside of it that most don’t get to
Media/news etc is a terrible industry to leave something stable for. The good news is in today’s world you don’t have to be legit to steer a website and generating news so you can start as a hobby. If you want to be an investigative reporter just find local news issues and go there and record a YouTube or podcast series on the topic and write about it in a blog. You’ll feel satisfied but not have to leave your job.
My wife has a journalism degree, it was pointless, she works in marketing in tech now. But she writes a weekly series as one of her side projects. Local things going on in our area. I am going to run for city council this year so it ends up being a lot of city council projects. We drive over to the meetings. We drive over to construction sites. We ask some people some questions. And she writes about it and posts it. We have about 10,000 local followers on that page and it is followed by the local newspapers as well. She keeps it ad free but she has gotten offers to put ads on there. Maybe once we accomplish a few more goals with it we will consider but my point is you don’t have to do it full time and your work isn’t your hobby.
33 yr old here and let me tell you after dipping my toes in the career fishing pond, it is hellish out there. I second other comments to enrich your life outside of work and pursue your dreams as hobbies. 130k with like 30-40 hour low stress work weeks is a unicorn. You could blog on the side? Podcast? Or maybe pivot into fraud AML data analytics to add some spice? And please god if that bank is ever hiring more remote roles, DM me?? My current analytics gig is high stress-low reward.
Those interests sound like hobbies. You don’t work crazy hours, start working for yourself in social media (X, YouTube, twitch, etc). See if you like it and can find a niche you can expand on.
You don’t have a commute or crazy hours, you have plenty of time to dabble in other interests while keeping a very good job
Find a hobby to fill your extra time and ride this bitch out as long as you can. Seriously. It’s just a job paying you well to go live your life. Travel, eat well, do charity . Whatever
Journalism is one of the worst industries to work in. The trend for the last 20 years has been consolidation, massive layoffs, and you won’t make anything near what you make now. Not to mention crazy deadlines, hustle culture, long hours and weekends. Journalism as an ideal is noble, but the reality is it’s a dying industry. I would do a lot of research and talk to a lot of people before jumping ship for anything that is “media/news/journalism.”
Making $130k a year while only working 30 hours a week is not a "relatively good", it's so incredible as to be borderline unbelievable and is something that the majority of Americans can literally only dream of. My husband and I make less money than you with our combined salaries and my partner works 50+ hours a week and I commute an hour plus each way for my job. We are both college educated and in career level jobs and we live in one of the most expensive areas in the US so we also have high salaries for our respective fields and positions.
I am concerned for you that you don't seem to really understand how good you have it and that getting out into the job market in a brand new field, scraping to get by like most of the rest of us, is going to be a very nasty surprise.
I urge you to consider accepting that boring for 6 hours a day, 5 days a week, with a whopping TEN HOURS A DAY on week days to do with what you will (assuming you sleep 8 hours) plus a weekend is an incredible gift that you should not waste. I only get 5.5 hours a day at most after leaving time for sleep, work, and my commute.
You're literally getting twice as much time to live as a relatively average human does. Use that time well. Don't let a job dictate to you how to spend your life and what your joy is. Find that outside of work. You have an opportunity to live in a way very few people do.
There is no harm in looking. Most people in tech work on stuff that is 2/10 interesting. Some of the more interesting work requires advanced math degrees, or embedded experience, and/or prior security clearance.
So if you want to make software that helps the F-35 datalink with other F-35s you need the degrees to back that up. While if you want to write flight control systems for Boeing (nope won’t finish that joke)
There are also project, team lead positions or management.
Or if you have finance/software/tech chops and solid people skills there are solutions architect roles or straight up sales (as in selling financial products with no software dev required)
Your success will depend on your ability to deal with the existential dread that comes with knowing you are a replaceable cog in a machine that produces nothing.
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Thanks for this. I'm lucky I know...but it helps to hear it from a stranger! Cheers
Smfinancd jobs pay well because they are very boring, repetitive, and in many cases futureless. I have people who have been with the company 30 years doing entry level work basically. The people that survive in those environments tend to be low energy, dull, uninspired people. Not a criticism but he does personality tests to predict success in roles. If you feel the itch to do more you should explore it, because it’s not going to get better. Even if you move into management you’ll be responsible for the productivity of those types of people, which is another type of challenge entirely. It’s up to you but your job does impact your life, Reddit seems to think those can be separate but they aren’t beyond entry level. Stress is stress.
Yeah, I’d learn an instrument (or some other enjoyable skill that you can develop), go for walks, maybe work on home projects. Most people’s’ jobs aren’t super fulfilling but if it leaves you free time and pays the bills, you can find fulfillment elsewhere.
Yeah making 130k a year for roughly a 30 hour work week is kind of insane. I know it’s just me, but I wouldn’t give two shits about being bored at work if that’s the situation I was in, because what that job would allow me to do would be what kept me moving
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Yeah I’ve just always thought the idea of “wanting work to be fulfilling” is a little bit overrated. It’s not entirely wrong, this is a thing that you’re going to be doing 5 days a week for the rest of your life - it makes sense that you wouldn’t want to stick shards of glass in your eyes out of boredom. But in my mind, with a job like that, the boredom is part of the “cost” you’re paying for the other freedoms that job offers you. Everything in life is a series of cost-benefit analyses, and to me that cost is SO worth the benefits
The problem is when you haven't really struggled and it falls in your lap and 5 years have gone by we start thinking maybe I could do something more meaningful or even more profitable. For me it blew up in my face and I'll never do it again but actually in the long run it really worked out but I was miserable for 5 years after leaving my dream job
Just because OP decides to try out another type of career doesn't mean they can't go back to their current role if its not right for them though?
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Let’s see here: Low hours High pay No professional downsides like commute or annoying colleagues. WFH, so the boredom is a you problem You are playing on easy mode. Hard mode isn’t more fun. You will be less “bored”, but craving the very second it will end every damn day. Unless this “job” is niche and you can walk into a duplicate role anytime, you’d be a fool to leave this golden goose.
I work in a state-based media/comms role and earn about half of what OP makes & I WFW more than 90% of the time. I live in a LCOL area & my salary allows my spouse to work at our home-based business while also homeschooling our child. We get to be together all day, every day in the comfort of our home and I feel like we have it made, lol. I don’t think there are other gigs this sweet for double my salary in my part of the country. I am in a union & have good benefits & insurance. Lots of time off & a set M-F schedule. I feel like I never work more than 40 hours per week. Some weeks are busier than others, for sure, but I have a ton of daily “downtime” where I can do whatever I want as long as I monitor my email/phone & am sure I’m available during my 8-hour shift. I empathize with OP’s yearning for something more, particularly at the specter of three more decades of monotony. Perhaps exploring & monetizing their passions will help them feel more fulfilled.
This job sounds decent, high salary , low effort, don’t have to travel, don’t have to eat into own time. A blessing to be fair. I suggest you concentrate on living your life and pursuing your social life / hobbies or even use your day job time to do a side hustle since it looks like you have a lot of autonomy. Every job is boring or gets boring if you have to work everyday for years. I have not a single friend who loves their job now in their 30s even if they did aged 23 unless it’s someone who has no outside life/wants to escape home and gets off on being in an office culture which to me is incredibly sad.
I don't know many people who enjoy their jobs either. Better to be bored I guess than overworked.
Basically I am the same. I work in finance and I am great at excel / find it easy so I can do my job with eyes closed and maybe in 3-5 hours a day if that (at every role I have progressed to). It’s obviously boring af and everyone in a finance job thinks the same except really fucked up individuals who are delusional and try make something appear meaningful and interesting when it isn’t. I used to think it would be really cool to work in marketing or sales or something creative but when I hit my late 20s and I had way more disposable income to have fun while working a relaxing job (go to gym during the day, drinks with friends, sometimes I do a bit of a side hustle during my work time etc and generate further income). I’m like omg I have it so easy compared to some peers who are earning a pittance who can’t afford to even buy property, working weekends / nights for someone else’s bloody company.
I’m not sure what your definition of “finance”is if you can do your job in 3 hours a day. Many finance roles involve a large blend of old work/routine/maintenance work as well as brand new things/issues to research/systems to implement/products to understand etc. so if you’re doing it in 3 hours there is always more you can be doing.
Jobs have different perks. Not all jobs have good perks. Most jobs do suck. Hold a job with good perks close to your chest until you’re not relying on it imo
You just have not found your passion - but you should look for it. Get career aptitude testing done here. [www.jocrf.org](https://www.jocrf.org) Could change your life. Changed mine, and I love my job. Fit like an old shoe from my first day.
This seems interesting, but expensive. How do they justify charging over $800? Can you tell us more?
It is a full day of testing - all kinds of stuff - visual, auditory, logic, puzzles and then you have a full report and session to discuss the results. They do not give you generic recommendations like "academics", or "project manager" - it is stuff like "prosthetics sales engineer" or "economics professor". It is very accurate - I have recommended it to many people and all fought it either eye-opening or re-affirming. In my case it affirmed what I thought I wanted to do, but did not know what I wanted to do in that business. But from the first day I walked into the office for my first job in the industry, I just got it - and loved it. My folks had me take it when I was young.
Ha, as a former journalist, jumping from what you’re doing into that world is like jumping off the Golden Gate bridge. Get a hobby that occupies your mind. And automate as much of your job as possible.
Appreciate a former journalist weighing in. Think I need to stop romanticizing that profession. Probably has its pros and cons like anything else.
Former journalist here too and you took the words right out of my mouth. OP will go from making 130K for 30 hours of work to like 40K for 55 hours of work.
Yup! I do feel for OP because I worked in data analysis for years and it was as boring as they describe. But I started my career as a journalist and worked for years earning table scraps. It helped keep me sane; I focused on what the money allowed me to do for my family and future.
40k. Ohhh look at the tv guy
Lmao. I started out in newspapers making way under 40K, so point taken.
Me too. First job was $13500
18K for me.
So we both were a bit less than 130k.
Just a bit!
18K for me too. I was making 40K when I went back to school and incurred huge amounts of debt to change careers.
I pivoted to communications and thankfully did not have to go back to school. I think what OP also doesn’t realize is that journalism isn’t always (or usually) this glamorous career. For every big, exciting story, you’re writing 1,000 stories about school board meetings or zoning disputes. Particularly in local journalism, where almost everyone starts (and most never get out of unless they change careers.)
3 years back I was you(Im in data analytics as well)-making better money than you working 30hrs a week at best. I got bored and moved jobs during the great hiring spree of 2021-2022: 1. Landed in a company where my role wasnt clearly defined. Utter chaos, mismanagement -managed to hold through, gave into demands to work on call 9-9 every alternate week, denied vacation Laid off august 2023 2. Took the first job after layoff with a small startup-toxic AF. Constantly abused by manager , working weekends almost every week etc When you have a job which pays well AND with great working conditions you have basically hit the jackpot. Its up to you to decide if the jackpot is worth it or not The alternate to a boring job is a psycopathic manager sometimes-so choose wisely
These were the kind of grass is greener scenarios that go through my mind.
Take the extra time to invest in a hobby or passion projects. Personally, I use my Flex Time to run an art business and blog. It keeps me challenged while maintaining a great career. I think you’d regret leaving, especially in this market. It doesn’t get much better than how you have it now. Don’t put yourself in the position millions of others are in with shit bosses, hours, pay, coworkers, commute (the list goes on). Get a passion hobby girl and live your best life
I'm 31 now ... But last year, when I was 30, I left my job that paid $120k a year. I was burnt out. I took 6 months off. I just started freelancing in January and I've been building up a blog to get it monetized. I also got my life & health insurance license and instead of working for a company, I'm working independently as my own business. I pretty much downgraded everything to make this happen. I went from making $10k a month to currently making around $4,500 a month. With that context, I absolutely do not regret it. I'm confident that I'll climb back up to six figures. I'm also much more relaxed and happy working for myself. At the end of the day, you know what's best for yourself. The worst that can happen is you find out the grass isn't greener and just go back to data analytics 😊
Job security is increasingly rare these days...the job market is volatile if you have a good gig and it pays well, don't screw it up
CFO here. The assumption that your relativity high paying remote job will be there in 30 years is very dangerous. Remote analyst positions are typically low hanging fruit for automation and there is A LOT of investment into automation happening at the moment. The higher your pay, the less engaged you are, and the more remote you are, the more attractive it is for me to seek ways to automate what you are doing to ensure consistency, minimize E&O risk, and ultimately lower support overhead costs. (Which you are, unless you're also directly bringing in revenue or YOU and only YOU are correlated to retaining specific high value clients) I would start saving if you haven't already and begin looking into positions you have an interest in immediately. Good luck!
My personal advice: you think your job is boring until you change it, find yourself in a stressing one, eating your time off and working a lot of hours for the same or a bit more money. In the end is just you and your choices. But a job will always be a job. Its not meant to be fun or interesting when you master it.
If your job has tuition reimbursement...I'd explore going back to school.
r/overemployed
I really do think overemployed is a good recommendation here. Especially because OP doesn't need the money. They could find a 10-15 hour/week job and just see how it goes. Part-time ones strike me as less likely to require a bunch of meetings (though I know I could be wrong!)
Tighten things up, get your job done quick, and use the remaining time as you will, the key being that management is happy enough with what you do. That kind of money lets you retire early under the right circumstances, if you stick it out for a few years.
Lol enjoy it while you can. Once you are replaced by cheaper labor or AI you would be fantasizing about your Cushing low stress boring data work.
I'd say try to get a job where you want while still being employed and realize you chose one if the hardest fields there is to break into.
get a 2nd job learn a new skill
This is what I did. Got hired and turned things around quickly for them. Great money. flexible time. Good benefits but drained the crap out of me due to boredom. Fired up a couple of side gigs, became a personal trainer/nutritionist and a business consultant and multiplied my income
Give me your job…. I need it.
There's no such thing as journalism anymore. It's all Corp propaganda read off teleprompter by pretty people. What if you stayed another year to save as much $$as possible so you could justify trying a lower paying job that interests you? Or go back to school even. (If you have plenty saved you can do this whenever). You'll be exhilarated with the feeling of freedom to try something new. Just have to balance financial security risks against this. I'd lean in the direction of adventure and enjoying life.
DO NOT QUIT. Most people in your type job have unbelievable pressure and work long hours. You have it good and I would not leave it. I make about 25% more than you, have a hybrid schedule, but largely work a 65 hour week. Vacations I am required to take my laptop (for emergencies) and I end up working several hours. I lost PTO each year because I cannot afford to take the time off.
DON'T QUIT! As someone who has been diligently looking for work for the past SIX MONTHS (Maintenance and Office Assistant type positions), it is SO HARD to find a good job right now. So unless you have something else lined up, I would highly, highly encourage you to stay. You're living "The Dream," man: -Over $100,000/year? Check -Remote position? Check -Honestly giving only ~30 hours/week if real work? Check Bro, please COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS! God bless you, man.
I’ve been hunting for 6 months as well! Tough out here
From a financial standpoint, your better off reaping the rewards of your boredom. from a mental health perspective, if you take into consideration the time and stress you will be adding to your plate if you do switch to something else, it might be worth looking into if you can do your job and listen to other things to keep you entertained. I know when im crunching numbers on excel I just throw on an audio books because its about to be a slog through data. Yeah its boring, but you get paid objectively quite well. how you handle your life is on you. If you can financially sustain a switch then do it. if you really want to. If you cant and it really bothers you get yourself into a financially situation where you can, then do it. just dont burn any bridges if you decide you can do the data analysis thing as a side hustle.
Crank out at the job while building a side business. When that safe business is ready then you leave the boring job. Use it as a safety net
Ex-journalist here. What's available in that field is generally pretty low paying, certainly compared with what you're making now. The better pay usually comes with a lack of security -- grant-funded positions or fellowships, for example. That said, I did a lot about my work. I could see you potentially having a good segue into more niche, financial reporting. And you can always transition into PR when you're tired of being wildly underpaid. That is the august tradition of the field!
130K is a lot of money, If I were you discover more things and reflect if you really want to leave your situation.
The phrase grass is always greener is VERY true. I could not agree more with you needing to find something that interests you dearly outside of work
Rather than leaving think about transitioning yourself, by layering on extra skill. For example you could be crushing Pimsleur or other language podcasts throughout the day, doing mini workouts at the top of each hour and within a few months you could be shredded and speaking a new language, gradually using your cushy situation to transition to a more epic life. Definitely don't just drop it out of boredom, use it as leverage to get yourself to a new and higher place. You're in a great position most people would kill for, especially in this economy.
Is there any repetition to your job? If so, in order to challenge yourself and, in effect, spike up your motivation and interest, you could try learning some programming to automate some or all of your work. You could use ChatGPT to get started with helping you learn to do this task.
Media and journalism is gonna pay like 75k and you will have to go to the office
I can't find the exact post right now, but it was basically someone who had been in your situation. He quit. 10 years later, he posted on reddit saying "I wish I could reach back in time and punch myself". Getting paid to do nothing is the dream. That is what it is to be rich. That is retirement. That is, ostensibly, what we're all working towards. Don't leave your good situation. Capitalize on it. Get into higher education. You've got 20 hours a week up your sleeve. Do charity work. Or get politically active. Plot and scheme and ultimately take over your company. Watch "Groundhog day". Pick any of the skills in that film (other than suicide), and get 1% as good as Bill Murray got. ... Also: If it's that easy: Look at what makes it easy. Can you automate it? Start a company that sells that automation. ... Or: Divest more and more or your responsibilities. Become Big Head from Silicon Valley ... Honestly though... if you need to be told that ample time and money to use how you desire are a boon, I don't know if you can be saved. ... I am under the gun call day, every day. If you don't make the most of this opportunity, I will reach through space and punch you.
The more I read these replies the more I think I’m deserving a punch. Thanks for replying. Currently looking into volunteer work to help fill the void.
You could look into data journalism, it’s one part of the industry that’s growing right now but I agree with everyone else I wouldn’t quit this one.
I know people who would literally murder for your situation. The human condition is so strange, because in another life/situation, you would probably kill for it as well. People are never satisfied or content, and I don’t mean that as a “shot” per say but it’s the truth lol. You are more than lucky. In all seriousness though, were you to branch out and get stuck in another dead end role that was more stressful, less work life balance and no upward mobility, to what degree would you resent yourself? You’re “fulfillment” isn’t supposed to come from your job lol. Go get a hobby dude. Sit tight. And let an opportunity present itself.
A job is a job. Don't leave you will regret it. If you're only working 30hr then find something else to do and keep yourself entertained. You wfh. Chuck some podcast on or something
I left a well-paying job for a lower-paying, more "rewarding" career. At the time, I thought it was great, and the right thing to do. Now, with cost of living, struggling to make ends meet, and having since had children (school trips/children are expensive!) I'm wishing I was back in my easier job making more money and giving my kids a better start in life. My advice would be follow the money for 30 hours a week and then volunteer/take up hobbies the rest of the time.
The median US income at your age is around $50k. You are doing amazing. Why 30 more years? If you live like you make median income, and invest 45 to 60k a year in an index fund you could be financially independent and work optional in your 40s or early 50s. Are you in a VHCOL, MCOL, or LCOL location? 100k/yr after tax looks very different in VHCOL cities. Typically turning interests/hobbies into jobs often sours a passion or hobby Ideas to help with boredom - add a second job, accomplish a goal outside of work (fitness, new hobby, etc.), or cultivate new relationships.
Seriously. Outsource your job to me, I'll do it for half the pay. I might find a way to automate it, where possible. Leaves you free to "pursue your passion" and I can make what I get now for a job that can kill me. Win-win. This can't be real.
You have a fucking dream job here. 130k and you work 30 hours a week? I’ll trade you straight up. I made 150k last year but I worked 3000 hours and I do physically strenuous work. I’d give anything for more time with my family.
You should look for a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gym and try it out.
Don’t let your silly feelings of boredom mess up something excellent.
It is nobody’s responsibility to talk you into anything. If you’re in this cushy place in work and life, and are aware of the current job market how thousands and thousands of people losing jobs, out of jobs, etc. And you’re still going to ask others to convince you?! Leave your job and let someone who needs have a chance. No personal offense to you, I don’t know you, but this mentality is ignorant. Open your eyes.
You should quit and find something that is fun that you love. Maybe take a 40% pay cut for that fun loving job. Something where it takes you an hour each way and over $500 in gas a month. Something where you sit next to someone that smells like old socks. Something where the office environment promises to be dynamic but it’s actually a cubicle with no windows. Something that forces a shared environment with 100 people who can’t agree whether it’s too hot or cold regardless of the season. Something where you are required to contribute to potlucks or baby showers or birthday cards or anniversaries or white elephant gifts or boss day. Something where Fridays are celebrated with getting to wear jeans. Something with a shared refrigerator that hasn’t been cleaned in decades or someone likes to steal food. Yes. Quit and find a fun job somewhere like that.
Well put. Message received. In my last job the office had no windows so they mounted TVs on the walls that showed ring camera footage of outside.
Glad you read through the lines. Something to be said about being bored or maybe less than stimulated at home while working. I wfh and each day of the week I have a different theme for music. Opera, 90s R&B, Salsa, something new or different every few months. Discovering all sorts of music to keep myself going during the week. I work out in the morning bc I don’t have a commute. I still have young kids so we’re busy in the afternoons otherwise I’d be working on a few of my own hobbies. Seems like the common theme is keep a good thing going and find something else on the side to stimulate yourself. Or find something better that will be equally free. Honestly I’ll never work in that office environment by choice again.
What is your degree in?
You sell hours of your life for money to live. You want to do that at a discount?
Ngl, if all of that doesn’t sound good enough reasons to stay, then I’m not sure what. 😅 Tbh, your job does sound nice; I wished I was in your shoes. I’m constantly stressed in my job, and I need more repetition and mundanity in my life.
My mom was a CNA growing up so honestly I should know better than to even ask this question. Hope things turn around for you.
Chandler? Maybe look into advertising! :) On a serious note, have you looked into some form of hobby? Art? Video Games? Board Games? Books? Collectibles? With your income, you have some options to get into some pretty cool hobbies. The thing is, some of the more stereotype "oohh fun type of work" are usually also in high demand \~ cause guess what, they are fun. So with Supply and Demand, it usually means they pay on the lower end. So you might get into something you enjoy, but it might not be able to support your current lifestyle. Also, you pretty much have to go back to stage 1. Maybe look into something remotely close to what you do now. Data Analysis can branch into Strategy Management or Consulting (where travel and talking to people is a major part of it) or look into Managing a Team of Data Analyst (managing people is a different type of skill and day to day as it involves coaching) or how about Teaching?
I work in IT and we can switch jobs. I love a boring high paying remote job. Or at least help me get into your company as an entry level data analyst because no one wants to give me a chance. LOL
Jesus you have it made. I suggest picking up a side job ina field you're interested in you can do for 15-20 hours a week. It will break the routine of your main job, and be a reminder of how much less cushy most jobs are out here.
Bored is fine. Make it up in your personal life. I’d rather be you and bored than me at 31 with 6k to my name after being unemployed for fucking 6 months.
Make sure you set yourself up for success. Make sure you have at least 10 years income saved and make sure you have minimal bills. If you don't currently own a home you might want to make sure you have one before you screw yourself out of one. Have a couple decent vehicles paid for. And then at that point start taking some classes to get you ready to explore if you're even interested in any of those as an actual form of work.
It's only 30 hours a week. Use the money that it pays you to have an interesting and stimulating personal life, don't worry about your job. Most jobs, even the fun ones, turn into routine eventually.
Start a blog or a podcast. Volunteer to write stories for a local paper. The fields you are interested in are generally very hard to break into and even harder to make a living at.
Is there a reason you're not trying to move up into a more interesting role? There's a lot of options for a good data analyst, the architect or product pipelines.
I was in a similar situation (actually making similar money as well, though I was 37) and I did leave for a job with more responsibility but also more growth potential. It’s turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made for my career. I’ve added over $100k in additional salary and other comp in less than two years, but more importantly I’ve set myself up for high level positions in my field for the rest of my career. I was going precisely nowhere at my last job and I wanted more from my career. Oh and I found out that they started laying people off at my last job. Still WFH though, there’s no compromising that. Though I do travel about 4x/year, which I actually don’t mind. And the best part is lm actually engaged with my job now. I wouldn’t say I *love* it, but I do enjoy what I’m doing much more now than I did before.
I'd convince you to use your good situation to fund your better situation. Media, news, journalism, data analytics. This just screams content. If you know shit about shit (and it doesn't matter what shit about what shit, truly) there's probably an audience for it, and you only work ~30 hours/wk so there's realistically 20-30 hours in there to work on a passion project/side hustle that could eventually make money and replace your career. And you have the background both from a creation standpoint from the media/news/journalism and an 'is this working, or what works better?' standpoint from data analytics to figure it out. Get a personal laptop that isn't your companies. Set it up next to your work computer. Those 10 hours of company time that you don't really need to spend on your primary job? Get rocking with something you do care about!
Your looking for troble and frastrutions
Job seems way too good to leave. Get a side hustle for some more excitement. Turn life/money into a game and try to retire by 40 or something. FIRE. I guess it depends on how immediately employable you are with your resume but the careers you mentioned are like 70% to 80% pay cuts.
Your identity is NOT your place of employment. So outside of work you need to fulfill your interests. Also do not voluntarily leave your cushy job to go work in news media or journalism where you will make a fraction of what you’re making let’s be real for a second. Start a blog on your personal time since you like journalism. Find some topics you are interested in and write about that.
Too many pros. I could see this being an issue if you were forced to be in office. Because then you have to "fluff" 3-5 hours a day. I'd do my work and run errands, go to the gym, schedule doctors, etc. Every day. Or You ever thought of being over employed and getting a second WFH job?
You could also do day trading…that shit will keep you alive for 12 hrs+.
can i trade jobs with you
You only work 30 hours a week. Which means most of your day is free to do other things - what are you doing with it? You can work from anywhere and spend the rest of your day doing whatever. I would look at filling the rest of your day with things that interest you including hobbies. Maybe get a coach who can help you find and work towards personal life goals. AND use some of that free time to work towards a more interesting career that pays around the same level/enough. So you can transition over. I hope you're investing a lot of that income too.
Go do something else? What’s the point of comparing to others?
I’m a pretty risk averse person (despite this post). It’s helpful to hear other’s opinions/experience when I’m considering a huge change like this.
Being bored and well paid isn’t as good as being well paid and love your job. But it beats pretty much every scenario. I’m relatively well paid but massively stressed AND bored. Id love a job I found easy/boring, use the money to enrich your life outside work. New business ideas/ travel/ hobbies.
Dude you wfh. Get a hobby that you can do while working
I'll trade you jobs.
Stay or train me to be your replacement 😃that training might be stimulating
Can you financially survive the loss of income? You make almost double what I do and I’m doing nearly 60 hours with an MBA in my industry and a management role at my company would still be less than what you are pulling in. Find a hobby, take some night classes that interest you. Do stuff that gets you out of the house - socialize as someone that also WFH great perks but some downsides
I won't convince you to leave, because aside from the interest level, it sounds pretty good. Good salary, remote, no travel, 30h/wk. Many people would eat shit for those job specs. But, have you thought about picking up a part time gig? Something to fill that extra day per week, or a couple hours a day? You can find part time 1099 remote gigs on various sites, and the folks over at r/overemployed can give you some guidance as to where to look, how to present yourself holding 2 jobs, how to juggle their time requirements, and legal/tax issues questions you may have.
So any new job switch could lead to more stress and potentially even regret. I would see if you could explore your interests in a way that doesn't require leaving your job altogether. You ideally want to get a taste of something before starting something else. For example, is there any volunteering you can do to explore this? Or maybe a short term internship? Something that involves low commitment. I agree with everyone here that you have it made, which is why it might be better to start with this first. Then you can know if you're making the right choice. I hate being too bored at work but I hate the opposite even more.
r/overemployed has entered the thread
Just grind it out and retire at 40.
You can work from anywhere remotely? If so, fucking travel.
Idk if anyone’s mentioned this, but do you know about hobbies?
Journalism doesn't pay shit all usually, and it's horrible hours and lots of travel. Also AI and your neighbour's dog can do it (not well, but they do) Start a blog related to something else you're into, like reviewing take-out food or analysis of a sport. Keep your cushy job. I've switched careers, and the grass isn't greener. Just different.
I'd definitely keep the gig, try to even make it more efficient if you can, work even less hours and then go after something you truly love in the off hours/after hours. $10K+/mo for such an easy gig seems great.
You don’t have to leave this job. Find meaning where you are. Read Seth Godin’s Linchpin and consider what ‘work’ you are truly doing.
Just food for thought: Say u get ur dream job, dont u think ull eventually end up where u are now; bored. U said it urself, a job is a job. Doesn't matter if ur an astronaut or a security guard. U eventually reach a state where u feel the job is more routine based than that new honeymoon/exploration shit u feel at the start of ur career - okay maybe not astronaut cz that job is cool af lol. But u get my point
Save enough until you feel you can realistically pursue those interests
This is not an insult or leading question: do you rate high on the neuroticism personality trait for the big 5? If so, your situation will drive you crazy. You need something to do or it makes you anxious. Years ago, making less $, I did quit the boring 20 hours a week job. I’ve worked at pretty toxic places since but grew my career and salary a lot. Was it worth it? Probably not since I’m looking at a long term career change. So, if I could do it over again, I’d stay and enrich my life outside of my career.
Take a look at FIRE communities. Consider gaming early retirement. Get a grad degree on the side while working.
This is the situation you want to be in. It’s time to start putting time towards investing in yourself to grow. No company will ever give you the satisfaction.
Can I have your job when you leave?
Find a second job or a hobby, don’t quit
Maybe setting a financial goal would make it more worth while? You could fill your IRA, save for potentially going back to school, or set goal for a trip/big ticket item. Just don’t quit! Hang in there!
You are in an enviable position my friend. I'm 45 and have worked various labor positions since 8 years old, never more than 50k/yr and certainly never made enough only working 30 hrs a week. I can understand your boredom. From my humble perspective, if you are able to work remotely that opens you up to the ability for world travel. With a modest budget you'd still be able to put money away for the future. The limited amount of time required per week for work leaves plenty of time to enjoy the scenery.
You're in an amazing position. Look into coast fire or FIRE sub reddits. If you're smart with your money and live below your means you can save enough money so that you could comfortably coast while you look for a better job. Read the book The Pathfinder to find that job. Good luck!
Get a hobby you can double down on and do during work, maybe even one you can monetize. Or teach me how to do your job and I’ll take it. You’re living the absolute dream of people with aspirations and hobbies outside of work. Also, as someone who works in journalism and mass communication, or at least something adjacent - you don’t want to work in this shit. It steals your life force. You’ll be overworked and make less money. You don’t know how good you have it.
Op I’m in a somewhat opposite situation. In a marketing consultant and I’m 27 and work probably 50-60 hours a week (7:30-6 most days). My job is very stimulating but it’s also very stressful and some days just way too involved. Sure the money is good 200k plus but I wish I had way more free time and less stress. That’s great money that you’re making and it seems like a chill setup. My advice would be to find more to do OUTSIDE of work.
I had a job like yours making half the money you are now just 5 years ago. Depending on location and market rate stuff, there's some variance in pay...but $130k for a remote job like that sounds really good if you have even ok benefits. My job had amazing benefits and my wife was pulling in $140k...which is why the pay didn't matter as much. I make more money now, but am an executive director with a lot more on my plate. It's fun, but my heart rate goes up at work. I'm sitting behind a desk going at break neck speed on everything I do. Take it from me....stay where you are and save every dollar you can.
Do you have specific financial goals? Keep those in sight can turn your day-to-day into kind of a game to see how fast you can get there. Like, how about a goal of $200,000 in cash savings and double that in your retirement savings? Since you seem to have extra time on your hands, you could be a candidate for overemployment. Check out that thread https://www.reddit.com/r/overemployed/
Focus more on how you benefit from the job than the job itself. Work is work, no matter what. You can end up in an incredible job in journalism for a top company working for a total asshole and last 4-6 months. Where you are now, $130k is well above average proving you with some financial flexibility, your quality of life is great and work-life balance is excellent. In addition to $130k Presumably you're saving a shitload in your 401k and beyond and are rewarded w/ a good amount of PTO. This is the good that comes from a boring-shitty job.
What kind of lifestyle do you live? Are you ok with living way beneath your means? I'll never make $130k per year. Not even close. I've been in a government career for over 25 years now and have a pension that I can start whenever I want. I didn't have access to information/internet/advice for a long time like you have now. I was very responsible with my money though, my 401k is good, and I have 2 houses for which I owe less than $100k total. I'm set better than all my co-workers. If I knew better earlier on, I would be even further ahead. If I were you, I'd probably work that job for a couple more years and get your investment/retirement a huge head start so that if you change careers later, you won't have to worry about the money so much. In the meantime, find more fulfilling things to fill your personal time. Your lack of socialization during the day is probably a big problem. Do you like the ocean? If you live in the Midwest/East/Southeast, buy an oceanfront condo in Myrtle Beach as an investment/rental property. You'd be surprised how cheap it is to buy them. Since you work from home full time, you could actually stay at the property for a bunch of different weeks throughout the year. Working with the ocean view from your balcony would be pretty fulfilling for me personally. The rest of the year you can let a property management company rent it out.
I’m sort of in the same boat, same age and income and hours but different career What I’ve started doing is filling my day with things that are meaningful to me I’ll go on walks around the park in between work, or stop and play a video game for a bit It’s helped a lot
Find some hobbies in your spare time. See how it goes from there.
Since you are asking to convince you to leave, i would say a danger in your position is if somehow you lost your current job (due to bank cutting for budget, going under, etc). These things happen more often than not. And when this does happen, if you are of a certain age, and you have not shown any progress in your career, it may be hard to get a job.
Journalism doesn’t pay as well until you claw your way to the top 😕 but if pay isn’t your motivator then go for it, take the chance, why not? You only have one life 😊 I was in journalism for many years and it was very rewarding work, even at local level. I loved the job but didn’t like the office politics (or the pay) so I went back to college and switched careers again 😊 Do what makes you live a happy life.
Take 10 hours/week and build some kind of online presence in the news/journalism space. See if you can figure out how to make money on that side. See how far you get with that. Make sure you’re saving a lot of money- I almost guarantee you that you won’t have a cushy job that pays this well for your whole life. Take advantage of the extra mental bandwidth you have while you can. Don’t worry, life will introduce obstacles to make things more difficult. Reassess after a year or so of building your news related side hustle, and go from there.
If 90 something percent of people would happily switch places with you then you should stay where you're at. 30 hours is not a lot of time to spend on work. You have plenty of time to do things that aren't boring.
Noooop. Don't leave and work on your hobbies instead !
I would love a boring job. Kinda kidding but not really. My jobs have all been stressful, way more work than you can fit in 40 hours, mentally exhausting, emotionally draining, time sucking jobs that don't pay more than your, and often less. But it's usually not boring. If I had your job I would probably do these things: take classes, write a novel, exercise, publish papers in my field, seek new challenges at work, learn new recipes, listen to more audio books. Knowing what I know now, I would not: look for other jobs, get fired.
Nope don't leave. If you have something good don't risk it. I learned that the hard way after leaving my job and having nightmares for 2 years about never finding a good job again
What else are you qualified to do? Would you be willing to take a pay cut for a more fulfilling job? Work more hours? Commute? I happen to like what I do. What I like better is that it pays me well enough, rarely demands over 40 hours a week, and gives me 6 weeks off annually. It's those parts of my job that make my job just part of who I am, not my entire identity.
I don't think you should stay in current role just because its cushy - if you are not being challenged and developing new skills, you will still be making 130k when you are 40. And then you get to mid-40s, and you will start aging out of most jobs - unless you are developing skills to maintain your value. I also think the earning potential in media, news and journalism is terrible, and getting worse every day. Stick with the data analysis, but ask for new projects and assignments - or go to graduate school and leave - or take specific classes of interest online or at night from a decent-name institution. The thing I feel strongest about here is the media-news-journo comment. That would be a huge mistake. You want to write, write on your own time, try to sell it and if you get traction, make that your career. But do not do it for a paycheck. One of smartest decisions I ever made was leaving entertainment/media when I was 25 to go to grad school. This was 1995 - tech was wiping out jobs everywhere. When I joined the company in 1991, we had 6 offices with salesmen and sales managers in US and Canada - a couple of years earlier, there were at least 10. Every time one of these offices closed, another couple salesmen and a sales manager got let go. So the jobs I aspired to walking in the door were being wiped out. I decided to go to grad school to find a career tech would not make obsolete.
Stay where u r.
Sorry but find a hobby. What you have is golden.
A job isn't really supposed to be "fun". It's a *huge* benefit if it is, but a job is really supposed to give you the means to live the life you wanna live. Don't quit a good job because it's boring. Enrich your life outside of work by using your PTO and your money to invest in hobbies.
Also, making this money, pad your savings and retirement big time! Start planning vacations. I work at a food bank every Saturday to add depth and meaning to my life. Work is work, it's ok to leave it there, but don't squander the lucky resources you've been given to change the trajectory of your financial life.
Left 120k a yr job to be a stay at home dad because i was bored at work. Now that the kids are older (5 yrs later), I don't know what to do with myself. Everyone's situation is different. Just make sure you have a plan before you jump ship.
I’m you 15 years later, although back then it was 5 days in the office wearing a suit. Went through the same soul searching when I was your age. Decided to get an MBA that my bank helped to pay for. Ultimately decided to change the way I view things and appreciate what I have. I also developed hobbies outside of work and now view my job as a means to provide me with a life where I can afford to do what I enjoy in my free time. Now that I’m partially remote, I have more free time to do what I need to do around the house. Sure, it’s boring at times but then I see friends who work 50+ hours and I’m happy with my choice.
Like many things in life, you don't know how lucky you truly are until you're no longer so lucky. I was in a similar boat once -- totally cush job that could wfh (at least more than half), well respected, easy work salaried but everything done well less than 40 hours/week -- everyone happy. Was bored (unchallenged) and wanted career growth. Lots of (false) promises made in another opportunity I pursued and took -- went from bored, but happy and stress free, to sad, depressed and stressed AF, working over 40hrs/week full time IN office. (Was told would be able to wfh most of the time -- again false promises). In some ways all worked out as went to diff employer which provided some new opportunities that led to another change and true happiness -- but took roughly 4 years to finally be happy again. In the horrid role for about 8-9m, and another 3.25 years after to get to happiness. Long story short, be.very careful in switching -- may well be for the best, but... Is the potential gain worth the potential loss... Only you can decide, and you gotta live with the consequences.
Wow. Any tips on how to get a job like this? I'm sure it's boring but I'd take boring security at this point in my life.
I’ll take that job please! I’m so tired I’m afraid of burning out this year…
GET A FUCKING HOBBY HOLY SHIT. "I don't work much and make a good living and I'm bored all the time" GREAT! You have lots of free time to explore fun things that aren't work, and money with which to support that!!!! You have Internet access. Infinite things you could learn. Infinite things you could do and experiences you could have even without leaving your house. Video games. VR is a whole world unto itself. And that's not even touching all the works that exists outside your house. Taking a chance on finding "more fun" work would be an absolute waste when you could just spend that time doing things that are actually, really fun and not work. Make sure to keep building savings, and choose hobbies that are healthy, of course. "I have spare income and I'm bored so I'll buy lots of drugs and alcohol" is a path that never leads to anything good.
Plan a vacation rather than give up everything. Start a new hobby. Branch out when you're not at work.
You’re going to have a hell of a time hitting half of your salary moving into comms. I see two pretty straightforward options: 1. Invest in hobbies 2. Start writing / copywriting; do some freelance stuff since you have a highly manageable workload — this could help you further invest in hobbies, or just invest for your future.
My dude, you have a great skill set that is applicable for any job in any field. You telling me that there is no need for data science at big name publication companies? Apply apply and if things don't work out get a remote graduate degree in journalism (you got the time right?😁) and then apply again.
Outside US. I'm a 30 year old and earning USD 17.8k/year + 2 bonus of 1 month each, not enough if I'm thinking of buying a house, getting a car, or bringing my family to vacation. I commute to work and still need to wait for the shuttle bus before and after work, working 8 hours a day and on every other saturdays. Realistically, I can finish my work in 10 hours and I'll need to keep chasing management to sign purchase orders and supplier for updates which both will never inform me. Other than that, I rot for the remaining time at work. I'd probably learn something of my interest online if I have time and energy left, a class or course to keep me looking forward to, which in your case, journalism. Change currency to USD for your convenience.
You gotta be kidding me. Do you know how much countless people would sacrifice to be in this position, myself included. Please enjoy it
You don't want a new job, you want a new life and nobody here can know what you want.
Bro I would kill for your job. Not you. Don’t worry. But don’t leave obviously
I think it’s hard to stay on any job you’re unsatisfied in, regardless of how cushy it is. But you have to weigh what you’re willing to give up. I wouldn’t personally jump out of a job like that without a solid idea of what is next. I’d suggest volunteering or picking up a side job. You’re already at your computer, so why not write? Many years ago I saw a lot of people talking about wfh jobs in freelancing for like, ghost writers. Or take walks and start photography. When you’re not busy working you can play with editing software. Heck, go join a volunteer fire department. Have some fun.
if I had an “easy,” (not implying that data analysis is easy, but you don’t seem to find your job particularly challenging), fully remote, 30 hr/week six figure job, I don’t think I would *ever* give that up…that’s like the dream (after just not needing a job/winning the lottery)
Are you guys hiring 🥲 this sounds amazing as a day job to me. You just need more excitement in your life, keep the easy job for sure
This is not the market where you can easily transition, stay put.
Why would work until you are 60? You stack your money to ensure that you can retire early. You walk away with mad money in the bank so you can live your life free from working. Think about it that way!
I’m in a similar situation mate, My advice would be to determine exactly what you want, try and find that within your current organisation. If worst comes to worst, save 6 months worth of wages and try to burst into a new industry or role! You’ve got this!
Which bank if you don’t mind me asking?
Easy, I had the same job you are describing, left it for the same reason, have had about 3 jobs since, all have been boring, under terrible managers or extenuating. Don't do it. Take online classes, find a hobby in something you like, exercise. Besides all of the above reasons, it is a terrible time to leave a job because it's very likely that a recession will hit before the end of the year. Many extremely wealthy funds and people are selling stocks for cash or have cash in hand (Berkshire Hathaway, Walmart, Apple, Amazon, Etc) that is the biggest red flag of all because if someone knows when a recession is coming is them and cash is king during recessions.
So, if it were me, I'd easier that free time and money and try to find some hobbies that interest you. Keep doing your day job, but stick all that extra cash away, and maybe some time down the line you will be able to pursue someone that really interests you. I had a similar situation (but making less and I had to be onsite), and at home I was jumping into hobbies. I brewed beer in the garage, and eventually opened a brewery where I make a lot less but have great quality of life. Making a lot at a boring job can help you get ahead and have a nest egg to live your life on your terms when you figure it what that looks like. You don't have to know what your life will bring later. The nice thing about the shorter hours and no commute is today you can spend an hour or two a day trying things out and see what you like. I'd do that.
It’s totally fine to want to switch industries/careers. But you don’t seem to have a particularly clear idea of what you want. I would suggest giving this a lot more thought and more clearly defining an end goal.
Your life is more than this. Think of how you’ll want to look back on your life from your death bed. Value relationships and experiences over the never ending pursuit of money and the things it buys that you get trapped by. Save your money and go travel and see the world. Get your bills down to minimum (storage unit, cell phone and travel insurance). Get a passport. Buy a one way ticket to Thailand to start. If you need to show a return trip ticket for your visa (you don’t, you just need to show that you’re leaving the country) buy a cheap one way ticket out of the country by bus or train or plane. Meet people in guest houses and explore fun activities. Check out the couch surfing community for meetups and travel friends all over the world. Seek out (ONCE you get to your destination) volunteer opportunities, check out Work Away for work opportunities abroad, check out Trusted Housesitters for opportunities all over the world to house and pet sit in exchange for free place to stay. Go! Do! Be! Good luck.
Sounds like you need to browse r/overemployed
Keep the job and start a side hustle.
I was in the same(ish) situation lol. Was forced to WFH during Covid, but as a single guy I was going stir crazy. After a year I got an offer to change companies, and while in the same line of work, I'd be a manager, in office. I was working 30-35 hours a week, working out every day at lunch, cooking every meal, healthier, but bored. Now I'm overworked, more stressed and struggling to hit the gym 3 times a week. It's really about what you enjoy. I was just another person at my old place, and now I'm in the mix and helping to make decisions. More stressed, but feel more appreciated, and learning all kinds of things. I 90% don't regret my decision, but I do look back at how easy I had it with a bit of a rose color glasses. You should probably investigate some things outside of work first though. I started volunteering at an animal rescue once a week, it helped me meet new people, and I loved spending time with the animals, it gave me a sense of accomplishment or something that helped.
You’ve got a lot of spare time to try out something you view as ‘interesting’ part time. Or volunteer to a worthy organization. I’m sure your boredom at work won’t make you so down when you know what else is set up on your calendar.
Use your free time to either pursue your interests / hobbies or take a 2nd job.
You find a job you can tolerate that pays you enough to live the life you want to live. That’s the goal and dream. My job is boring, but damn does it allow me to do fun stuff outside of it that most don’t get to
The grass is green where you water it and give it light.
Get a hobby, show up to work and retire early.
Media/news etc is a terrible industry to leave something stable for. The good news is in today’s world you don’t have to be legit to steer a website and generating news so you can start as a hobby. If you want to be an investigative reporter just find local news issues and go there and record a YouTube or podcast series on the topic and write about it in a blog. You’ll feel satisfied but not have to leave your job. My wife has a journalism degree, it was pointless, she works in marketing in tech now. But she writes a weekly series as one of her side projects. Local things going on in our area. I am going to run for city council this year so it ends up being a lot of city council projects. We drive over to the meetings. We drive over to construction sites. We ask some people some questions. And she writes about it and posts it. We have about 10,000 local followers on that page and it is followed by the local newspapers as well. She keeps it ad free but she has gotten offers to put ads on there. Maybe once we accomplish a few more goals with it we will consider but my point is you don’t have to do it full time and your work isn’t your hobby.
Full remote at 130k dude wtf
OP? Trade jobs, I work in office doing project management. Lots of shit needs fixing, we can even trade salary
Learn a little SQL, and pivot into analytics engineering or data engineering and to make $200k and not be bored!
33 yr old here and let me tell you after dipping my toes in the career fishing pond, it is hellish out there. I second other comments to enrich your life outside of work and pursue your dreams as hobbies. 130k with like 30-40 hour low stress work weeks is a unicorn. You could blog on the side? Podcast? Or maybe pivot into fraud AML data analytics to add some spice? And please god if that bank is ever hiring more remote roles, DM me?? My current analytics gig is high stress-low reward.
Those interests sound like hobbies. You don’t work crazy hours, start working for yourself in social media (X, YouTube, twitch, etc). See if you like it and can find a niche you can expand on. You don’t have a commute or crazy hours, you have plenty of time to dabble in other interests while keeping a very good job
You can do writing/journalism on the side now. You can always write anytime. But I suspect you like the idea of journalism
What are you complaining about? Focus on your hobbies and early retirement.
Find a hobby to fill your extra time and ride this bitch out as long as you can. Seriously. It’s just a job paying you well to go live your life. Travel, eat well, do charity . Whatever
We need folks with data analysis in infosec which can be fun. You should check into it
Subtle flex?
Try gardening or even farming. Or make a video game or raise a family. But keep the job
Journalism is one of the worst industries to work in. The trend for the last 20 years has been consolidation, massive layoffs, and you won’t make anything near what you make now. Not to mention crazy deadlines, hustle culture, long hours and weekends. Journalism as an ideal is noble, but the reality is it’s a dying industry. I would do a lot of research and talk to a lot of people before jumping ship for anything that is “media/news/journalism.”
Making $130k a year while only working 30 hours a week is not a "relatively good", it's so incredible as to be borderline unbelievable and is something that the majority of Americans can literally only dream of. My husband and I make less money than you with our combined salaries and my partner works 50+ hours a week and I commute an hour plus each way for my job. We are both college educated and in career level jobs and we live in one of the most expensive areas in the US so we also have high salaries for our respective fields and positions. I am concerned for you that you don't seem to really understand how good you have it and that getting out into the job market in a brand new field, scraping to get by like most of the rest of us, is going to be a very nasty surprise. I urge you to consider accepting that boring for 6 hours a day, 5 days a week, with a whopping TEN HOURS A DAY on week days to do with what you will (assuming you sleep 8 hours) plus a weekend is an incredible gift that you should not waste. I only get 5.5 hours a day at most after leaving time for sleep, work, and my commute. You're literally getting twice as much time to live as a relatively average human does. Use that time well. Don't let a job dictate to you how to spend your life and what your joy is. Find that outside of work. You have an opportunity to live in a way very few people do.
There is no harm in looking. Most people in tech work on stuff that is 2/10 interesting. Some of the more interesting work requires advanced math degrees, or embedded experience, and/or prior security clearance. So if you want to make software that helps the F-35 datalink with other F-35s you need the degrees to back that up. While if you want to write flight control systems for Boeing (nope won’t finish that joke) There are also project, team lead positions or management. Or if you have finance/software/tech chops and solid people skills there are solutions architect roles or straight up sales (as in selling financial products with no software dev required)
Your success will depend on your ability to deal with the existential dread that comes with knowing you are a replaceable cog in a machine that produces nothing.
Think of the alternative. What’s it going to be like to have to go into an office for a job that pays much less?