Where on earth do I find a job I don't hate

[Cosmod]

Im currently a manager in a small cafe. I used to love it, but I'm burnt out from the company. They don't care about my staff, they don't repair anything that needs repairing. They are unorganised and only focus on opening other stores and have basically abandoned my store. When I have issues, they don't want to help. They just push it to the side until it's an absolute emergency, and with then do the bare minimum. No overtime pay, no tips or incentives. I have so much to do at work and I can't work the hours I need to do it, so im exhausted and overwhelmed, doing 2 days worth of work in a 6 hour shift.

I'm 24F, my partner is 28m, and have a 4yo daughter (her birth father isn't really in the picture)

I NEED. To quit. I work 25 hours, and I'm on 1300 a month, which is a good wage and I'm really lucky with that! but I'm more than happy to take a pay cut if it means I don't hate my day to day life!

I adore creative fields but have no qualifications. I'm starting a part time 6year illustration degree which will help fix that itch to do something I love, but I can't stay in this job for much longer or I will probably go insane.

My partner works full time on 1500 a month, but I really need to have my own income of some kind because Ive been reliant on ex partners in the past and it just never really felt right. I need my independence!

I've looked at remote jobs, but can't afford a laptop to work from home! I have exclusively only hospitality experience and have never worked in any other field since I was 16! I don't drive, learning to drive in EXTORTIONATE at the moment, so also not possible.

My daughter starts Reception in 2 weeks, so I'm seeing this as an excuse for me to have a new, fresh start. But scrolling Indeed all day is honestly brain numbing and I'm getting nowhere with it.

Any ideas?? Or at least a little motivation and support?

How about cleaning? A friend of mine gave up her teaching position and works as a private cleaner and is making a lot of money. It would give you enough money to buy a laptop or whatever while you search around for other options.

Are you any good at putting together flat packs? People pay a lot of money for people to put together flat packs and women usually prefer another woman.

Gardening? There are lots of people who just don't have time or can't manage to tend their gardens.

Prospects website is good for looking at ways into careers and ideas.

I don't think you need a degree in illustration. You could draw freelance for a greetings card company to get experience

Have you considered working in a charity? With your customer service experience you could be a great community fundraiser and there's lots of opportunities for creativity. Roles can usually be done flexibly and part time

The million dollar question (sorry not helpful)

I’m sorry I don’t have much useful advice but if you get a wfh job they will provide the laptop and equipment so I wouldn’t let that put you off!

If your income isn't vital to the running of the household, have you considered temp work? They generally care more about your work ethic than relevant industry experience (at least if you're just going for entry level type jobs), it'll help build up said experience on the CV, and it's low commitment. If you don't like the assignment you can speak to the agent and have them end it early / ask them to look out for something else so you can switch.

I know temp work is usually associated as being just for a day, a week etc but I've done it for months at a time (and only left because I wanted something better!)

Personally I think being a manager in the hospitality industry could be a career worth pursuing. It's fairly immune to AI as opposed to illustration and there are lots of ways in which you can develop your skills. I would personally save your creative skills for hobby time, but you can get into managing a small arts-based venue or project.

Agree about cleaning. Be judicious about which clients you accept. You are a reliable hard worker and employers are desperate for people like you. You can be flexible and choose your hours.

Its not that I NEED it at all! But I've never even finished college and it's through the open university, it's more of a personal achievement than anything! Only estimated 8-10 hours study a week so it's so manageable. Also....student loan🤣

@Cosmod fair enough, I hope you enjoy it

Cleaning is something I look into a lot and is something I'd totally do! I just need it to fit around the school run, and a lot of local cleaning jobs require a driving license unfortunately! I think lots of them are agency. That's definitely an option for me!

I think it's the company I work for more than anything. They're a small company but have SO many franchises and we are 1/2 private equity stores in a small city, theyve literally said to me that they prioritise other stores over us, and it's so hard to feel motivated when I've been straight up told they don't care about our store as long as it makes money!! I'm still looking for somewhere of a similar role but better company. Just burnt out, but craving change!

Could you study full time and get student loan/ financial help as a student loan etc?

Warehouse distribution/factory jobs can sometimes be quite good because they are set shifts and sometimes provide buses to get there.
They are very much "go to work, do the work, come home" type jobs.

Hospitality is so desperate for good managers like you, and you only need 20 hours work. If you will be intellectually fulfilled doing your illustration course then I would look for another hospitality role first if you’re not totally off the whole industry. The pay will be better at your level