How to get that adult job everyone is talking about (Trigger warning: suicide)

[BurntOutCallCenterAgent]

Some background

I am a call center agent. I’m extremely burnt out. I’m so tired of taking calls but I’ve been doing this for years and it seems like I only ever get job offers for call centres even when I put up a resume for something else. I’m also struggling to pay my bills and tired of living on government assistance. I never wanted my life to be like this. I never wanted to rely on the government to pay my bills but that’s where I am.

I complained to my friend saying who is a lot older than me I said I felt like giving up and going back into the restaurant or grocery industry and they said that those aren’t jobs for adults they’re meant to support teens and so are call centre jobs.

Just for context I want to university and got my bachelors in software engineering. No one hired me after applying for years. I eventually gave up on it and I’m now out of practice. I still regard it as my biggest life mistake and other jobs started refusing to hire me because I was over qualified so I just removed it from my resume.

When I think about it I become suicidal because I feel like a failure so I don’t even try anymore.

I asked my friend what her idea of an adult job was and she couldn’t tell me. She gave me really vague answers. I honestly was not trying to be mean. I actually want to know if there is an “adult job” I can apply for that doesn’t require higher education that I can support my family on. I consider my higher education to be useless. But I find it frustrating that she seemed so confident that one was out there but could not name it.

So please I truly ask you all. Please give me suggestions for an adult job. I want to be self reliant. I don’t want to feel like my brain is burning every time I hear another beep in my ear as I receive another call. Preferably one that doesn’t require me to sit in front of a computer screen.

I don’t mind if it requires some investment like a certificate. I just can’t live my life like this anymore.

Yes to teaching, good shout.

Just wanted to update that I’m okay. I’m not going to off myself. I’m going to take a break from the internet and focus on myself and my family today. I will get around to your responses later. I just keep crying on and off all day so my husband intervened and called my doctor and I’m getting seen tomorrow. I haven’t felt this bad in a really long time so I do think it’s hormones related and the finances just exasperated things. I just didn’t want you all to worry about new. To those with the kind responses thank you all.

I think it is better to start job hunting and see what comes up, rather than try and think up what you want and try to find it.

look at apprenticeships, look at graduate entry jobs, dont hide your degree, look at agency work, when you can get to see inside many different industries in temporary positions.....

good luck, you have not found the right niche yet, but you will

I'm not in an "adult job", and I rely on UC because it is poorly paid, but I do love it and it is an important role in my eyes.

I could progress into other roles, but I want to do what I am doing. Not manage/advise the adults that get to do the job I love instead!

So maybe don't think about whether a role is "grown up", as much as whether you would get some satisfaction from doing it.

There’s an organisation called Tech Returners which is all about getting women back into tech roles. They work with businesses who take on their cohorts, so easier to find your first role.

I think a lot of people are in that situation of working all they can and still going to the food bank; prices are just laughable and salaries haven't shot up to match. So DO NOT feel bad about that.

Hi OP are you in the UK or elsewhere? You said resume instead of CV which made me wonder. In terms of good globally recognised careers that use your existing skills, I'd suggest trying something like account management/customer relations/sales for a large corporate. It would use all your call handling skills but be more face to face meetings and more of a structured career with progression e.g. to key account manager, sales director. Choose an industry you're interested in, learn about some of the key products and the try to get an entry level job in the sales or account management departments. Hope you get a chance to rest this weekend and that you get the support you need.

You actually sound like you're incredibly resilient and determined, you're just having a tough time right now. But you will get through it.

Glad your husband is supportive OP and that your seeking some help, I've been when you are and it's bloody hard but honestly acknowledging you're struggling is a huge first step.

The reality is that jobs are jobs, sure some are more synonymous with young people or whatever but that doesn't make them any less worthy. I have plenty of intelligent, brilliant friends who work in retail, call centres and other entry level roles; what matters is whether you're content. Personally I'd recommend the civil service or to do a funded bootcamp and refresh on the skills from your degree.

Wishing you all the best.