🍿 Feeling dumber by the day in this job

🥒 Today’s pickle

🧀 Here’s the cheese

1. Stop chasing “perfect fit” and start narrowing by elimination. 

You already ruled out sitting all day, working nights, and anything that makes you feel brain-dead. Great. Use that. Don’t waste time exploring random careers. Build a short list of options that check your non-negotiables: moving around, mentally stimulating, pays $75K+, no night shifts. Then ask: which of these can I realistically break into without years of debt or extra schooling?

2. You need a bridge job, something tactical, not aspirational. 

You’re not in a position to “start over,” so focus on what gets you in the door. Sales roles (like medical device or SaaS) don’t need a sales degree, they need proof you can communicate, build relationships, and not crumble under pressure. Your background in education is also more transferable than you think. But you’ll need to craft the story for them. Start with entry roles like associate rep, BDR, or even recruiting coordinator if you want to sidestep into sales-adjacent work.

3. Forget nursing unless you’re dead set. 

It’s a 2+ year investment with loans, physical demands, and high burnout. If you didn’t mention a strong pull to healthcare or patient care, don’t do it just because it’s “stable.” You said you want to use your brain, not burn it out.

4. Think in terms of skills, not job titles. 

You’ve got experience coordinating people, navigating systems, and communicating across departments which are all useful in project coordination, operations, customer success, or learning & development. These fields often pay in your target range without needing a master’s. Look for job postings with titles like “program manager,” “people ops associate,” “rev ops,” or “training specialist.”

5. Don’t underestimate strategic upskilling. 

You don’t need a degree, but a well-placed certification or crash course (think: tech sales, instructional design, clinical trials) could open a door. Sites like edX and Coursera have legit options tied to universities, and some offer free audit modes. If something clicks, then consider investing more.

🥠 Fortune cookie

Business Development Representative (BDR)

What it is: You’re the first point of contact for potential clients, starting conversations, qualifying leads, and booking sales calls.

Pay range: $50K–$85K (US, often includes commission)

Good for: Outgoing, persistent people who don’t mind rejection and love a challenge

What you need: Any bachelor’s degree works, no master’s required

Skills: Cold outreach, written communication, resilience, CRM tools, active listening

🤖 AI Resilience Score: 3.2/5 – Some parts are automatable, but real conversations still need a human to build trust and read the room.

🥣 Quick Dip