You make $65,000 (USD 🤢) in a dead end career doing nothing but showing up sometimes. Guaranteed employment without change in intensity or salary until retirement in 15 years at age 62. You receive 3 weeks paid vacation, reasonably priced medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401k matched at 2.5%, and virtually unlimited sick days as long as you don’t call out too often (>3x month). You are given 6 college credits per semester to use at the local university. You’re currently working on a PhD.
You live comfortably and have 1 year’s salary saved. Zero dependents.
Do you ride it out, or do you seek a career change before it’s too late.
I know, infinite unknown variables, but what would you do regardless?
UPDATE: I’m slightly taken aback by how many of you actually took the time out of your day/evening to reply to my personal crisis. I’ve think I’ve replied to everyone, which, in doing so, made this morning surprisingly sunnier. So thanks for that.
Adding some thing I’ve shared in replies. I’m a homeowner with zero debt aside from a very affordable mortgage. Purchased my car outright new in 2024, had household concerns addressed over past five years (new roof, HVAC systems, sump pump, water heater, shed, remodeled bathrooms), have three degrees, and a lifetime of piss poor fortune.
Ride it out. No question. You have unlimited opportunities to grow outside the job.
No employer is going to hire a 47 year old. Too old to train and not enough experience in the field to be a good manager.
If you aren’t getting enough excitement from the job, go out and start dating or find a hobby.
Heck, the the year’s salary you have saved there are dozens of businesses you could start.
The fuck? I got my job around that age. And we hired our temp who is at least 65. And a treasury manager over 60 too.
It’s harder, I’m sure. But 47 is absolutely NOT too old to change careers, that’s nonsense.
This is more of where I’m leaning, but then I think I’m wasting my potential, without having any idea where to even exhibit potential.
I’m referred to as a “generalist” at work. I’m told that’s a good thing.
It doesn’t sound like a demanding job, just do whatever you feel exhibits your true potential with all the free time it gives you. If you get good enough that you can make that your career, then it’ll be a much less risky move. As long as the work doesn’t kill your soul and it’s not harmful to society or nature at large, it sounds like a great deal to me.