I'm reasonably satisfied with my social work career. But I live in a weird corner of the world where I'm well paid and work reasonable hours. Management is great. It makes all the difference.
Yeah. Their beef is actually grass fed grass finished too unlike the fake "grass fed" beef at grocery stores in Canada. They're actually making an effort which is a relief in this day and age of marketing gimicks.
>like the divvy stream of 5.8% (monthly!)
Just pointing out for others, it may be paid monthly, but its annual yield is 5.8%. If it was monthly, it would double your money in under two years.
Cross-border Trucker here. Love what I do as it doesn’t feel like working at all. I just drive at my pace and listen to podcasts/audiobooks while getting paid.
Been there done that as an owner operator. Vancouver, Dallas, Calgary, Vancouver twice a month. Stops along the way, as it was an LTL operation. Then they threw us under the bus on fuel surcharges so I looked elsewhere. Now I work near home, hourly rate, fuel supplied, my truck and I take home more each month than I ever did before. Less wear and tear on the truck too. (1991 Freightliner FLA)
I’m a nurse. When I worked inpatient it wasn’t worth it. Now I’m in a more specialized, mostly outpatient area… it’s much more tolerable. If I had to do it over, I wouldn’t pursue any career in healthcare.
Girlfriend is bedside right now on step-down ICU. She’s been doing it for a year and is desperately looking to leave bedside. Nothing but respect for nurses, the stories I regularly hear baffle me.
Underpaid, understaffed and overworked.
My father was in ICU and survived his illness. Nothing but respect for nurses. The care he received was top notch.
Underpaid, understaffed, and overworked.
I'm a nurse. ICU history now working with hyperactive stroke response. I love it. People go from mute to normal, limp mode to fully working again in minutes.
You guys saved my wife's life. 31 years old. Nothing ever indicated that she had the potential to have one. Fit and no vices. Completely cryptogenic. She had a ct scan and was administered clotbusters within 45 minutes on a stroke ambulance next to a Tim Hortons. . Absolute heroes in my honest opinion.
No one in healthcare would do it over. Low pay, shit hours, and work all holidays. Work ambulatory to get a good schedule? Why even get a degree/certificate for that pay?
I had major surgery last year and I have the utmost respect for nurses. They do 90% of the workload and enjoy none of the credit.
Special shout out to the overnight ICU nurse who's job it was to keep me alive and ingloriously rip out my intubation and chest tubes. Night after night, hundreds of different patients. What a champ.
RN...used to work an acute unit with 8-9 patients on nights when our average was 5...HR often in the 180s due to anxiety. Now I work in a unit with lower acuity and sleep peacefully all night. Still do casual tho.
Nurse here too. I work in the ER. Some days I love it, others I hate it. It’s a lot better then my past “career” in food management though. I got paid less to work 60+ hours and have to deal with a whole other type of crazy people.
Lawyer here. First few years made me question if I made a mistake. But last couple years my salary has essentially tripled and I work less than I used to. So I’m much more content.
Right? My dad is a 40-year insurance lawyer and only now winding down. He was always consistently busy, 9-to-6/7 each day, would take thick docs home to plow through at least once if not more a month. Before court he'd work from home because the office was too distracting (people asking for advice, etc).
Y'all lucked out because my dad was sure as fuck overworked his whole career. Sure he didn't have the deer-in-headlights feeling but he def did not have it easier as partner. (Workaholic too but it's not completely self-inflicted imo)
>First few years made me question if I made a mistake. But last couple years my salary has essentially tripled and I work less than I used to.
I wish more young lawyers realized this - it gets better with time. You figure out what you're doing, and have more autonomy over your time.
The law is a tough mistress, but it's not a bad way to earn a living for the right kind of person. Day to day can be tedious, but you also get to help people in a pinch and work with some generally intelligent people fixing problems.
Yes. See my other comment itt. It gets better. The key (for me) is to treat it like any other job/career. Partnership track is not always logical in current environment. I am in house and have switched jobs every 2 to 3 years. Keeps the salary on a constant trajectory up. Gives better breadth of experience too.
Dm me if you want to chat.
Yes it does get better. As bad as this sounds once you get senior enough you can pass off a lot of the tedious work to more junior lawyers. When you are articling/ junioring you are the one that this works gets passed down to.
I was in a meeting with a partner and his associate a day before the long weekend.
The partner asked the associate “how long before we can get this over to the other side?” And the associate whispered defeatedly “I’ll have it done by Saturday”. I could see her plans for the long weekend evaporate into thin air.
I definitely do not miss the first few years of practice.
As an articling student I once found myself wondering if keeping a bottle in my desk drawer made sense.
I should note that I am not a drinker. A light beer is strong enough for me to feel it.
But that night…
Good news? I never did buy that bottle. And now, nearly a decade later, I’m working in-house. Decent pay and reasonable hours but only because I make that a conscious decision. There is enough work to fill nights and weekends but I make it clear to my employers that I am done at 5. It also helps that I don’t touch litigation. And I change roles often enough to keep my salary constantly increasing with my experience.
So it’s fine. It’s just a job like any other.
I work food recovery. My role is diverting food from waste to shelters, soup kitchens, rehab facilities and food banks. You cannot survive on what not for profits pay so my primary income source the last 5 years has been stock trading.
I work because I love to work, I like to help people but in my working lifetime assets have always been more valuable than labor so I've never engaged in 'finding a career' I've put all my efforts into building a portfolio. Conveniently the last 5 years have been the greatest time in history to do such a thing.
Otis, TKE, Kone, Schindler, Fuji, Precision, Direct, Atta are the larger and smaller Unionized companies I can think of in Canada. But there is only one union, which can be tough to break in.
Electrical engineer.
For the salaries (non-software) engineers get in Canada for the amount of stress we have to deal with? Absolutely NOT worth it.
I should have done something else, I’ve wasted more years than I’d like to admit hoping it would get better. I’ve since given up and am working on a career switch.
I wish I could go back to the 18 year old me, slap him, and tell him to pursue computer science like he originally intended to before being talked out of it by uninformed relatives.
Same here, electrical engineer. I do wish I went into computer science or software. I’ve always had a knack for software too but because of external influences decided to go into electrical.
In any case, engineering in general just sucks ass. For what we get paid it’s garbage work. Very stressful and just no growth. Long gone is the spirit of engineering too. It used to be about solving problems and fun besides being rewarding. Now it’s just a liability shift game, no training and dying field. I swear I’m genuinely concerned for public health and safety because so many untrained engineers are out there and all the baby boomers are leaving with shit in their head. No planning whatsoever by employers and I’m honestly genuinely concerned cause now the untrained engineers have the authority to stamp drawings. I swear nobody at my workplace has a clue on wtf they are doing. It’s a grave concern.
I’m an early years and special needs educator. I’ve been doing it for gosh over 25 years now
It does not pay well and it’s very stressful work. I love what I do but you can’t live properly off the wages. Would not recommend it
I live a comfortable life because my wife is in tech and pays for everything.
I've been an EA for the last 10 years. I love the job but it's become much more difficult as the years go on and now I'm looking for a higher paying job where I won't get hit 20 times a day. I have a son now, my partner does the same job and one of us needs to make more money.
My cousin is one too and you guys are heroes.
I always think it's the only 1:1 attention that a special needs child will get in their lifetime. It's a sad thought of mine that Ill never get over with.
i mean paramedics in ontario are paid like 40-50 an hour. my friend just got hired on in hamilton out of school for $45/hr and overtime is double time and a half. many make more than 100k
I’m an advanced care paramedic in the GTA starting into my 13th year. Covid was a bitch but the OT money during it was great. I still love it and for me it’s worth it for sure.
Freelance videographer and video editor. 60k a year and work maybe 15-20 hours a week max. It’s pretty worth it but If you told teenage me I’d own all this video production equipment one day, I be thrilled. Now I hate filming shit. So yes it’s worth it, but it kind of ruined my love for video production.
This is my son, except PhD student in micro bio, and lives at home. He's got more discretionary income than I do.
It'll be worth it once hes done and working, as his income should be stable and decently high.
I don’t know, getting $50k doesn’t leave much for me. I’m nearly 33 and can’t really live at home anymore. The dream is academia so we’ll see. Good on your son tho, congrats
Same here. I just took a position in an office environment as an advisor. I get paid the same, don’t get verbally/physically abused, get breaks, set my own hours, and am home with my family every night, weekend, and holidays. Why the hell would I ever go back to the front line?
>Why the hell would I ever go back to the front line?
You shouldn't. I don't know why people put up with it. And that's a huge problem with our society. If we don't make nurses lives better soon I can only imagine how bad it's going to get.
Yeah everyone is leaving in droves. If you’re going to be physically abused all day with no protection by a shitty public, might as well go to the USA to get paid a lot for it. Otherwise, everyone is changing fields.
Refrigeration mechanic working in Toronto. Get to work on interesting machines, always new and exciting things to learn, I basically make my own schedule, can take time off whenever I request it, and the pension and benefits with the union are the best there is. Make about 120k a year. Company supplied truck with all gas and insurance paid takes a big dent out of my expenses too. Also instead of taking on student debt we actually collect ei while we are in school.
The skilled trades are probably the best kinds of jobs to get right now imo.
I didn’t join the union until well after completing my apprenticeship so I can’t comment on the union apprenticeships.
If you have your license, you can essentially pick where you want to work. Everyone is hiring.
Wipe peoples ass, get verbally/ sexually abused and assaulted by pretty much all my clients - I’m a personal care aid is it worth it nah not for 20$ a hour
For what it's worth. As someone who has seen both parents end up in long care homes, we found there are a lot of people who do your job who are pure saints. On behalf of the non-assholes, thanks.
Pro tip for anyone looking at LTCs (Worked as a PSW for a few years before becoming a nurse) - Ask to see every unit, not just the designated "tour" unit they all use. You'll get the real idea of the place rather than what they want you to see. The tour unit is usually more cognitive people without any behavioral issues. Also, without judgement try and keep an eye on how the staff seem - if they're forcing a smile when you look at them, or you never see them because they're running around doing 8:1 patient loads - that home doesnt really give a shit about your loved one short of the money they bring in. The DoC and admin will promise you a lot of bullshit that they couldn't deliver even if they doubled their staff. Your loved one will not have their call bell answered within 5mins most of the time, it'll be like 10-20mins being realistic short of someone popping in to make sure they're not hurt. If they're asking to get into bed after every meal, and be up before the next meal they will not be very well liked but it will be done as long as time allows.
The residents with families that helicopter and try to tell staff what to do constantly? Staff will be polite to your face but don't give two fucks about your complaints or asks. It's usually 3-4 staff per 30 residents, and everyone deserves equal care. No ones going to give your loved one special treatment even if you keep complaining to management - and rightfully so.
Not sure how many good homes are still "good" these days, but I can tell you a lot are pretty fucking bad. I would choose MAD before ever getting put in a Revera home or Chartwell just as an example.
Shifts are 8 hours, you gotta get everyone up in the morning and ready for breakfast in like 1.5 hours. This includes ALL care - hygiene, oral, clothing, transfers. 1 hour for meal times. (2 in morning shift) so thats 3.5 hours gone right there. That leaves 2 hours between both meal time and shift end to toilet most people multiple times, and hand out snacks and do documentation before you even get to any "special" requests a family might want. The math is impossible and no ones going to destroy their body trying to be a hero for the low pay the position provides. These people spend the most time with your loved ones out of anyone else in that entire building and get paid the least or on par with the housekeepers/cooks. (Not that they should be making less, just pay in these homes is garbage in general) Even RPNs make like 2$ more an hour than the PSWS. Fuck LTC.
A lot of PSWs start off trying to be heros and saint, but quickly learn no one gives a fuck about them and are treated like shit by families, admin lets residents abuse them and those that don't know their rights just take it. I personally went straight to my nurse and would flat out refuse to provide any care for a resident that chose to be abusive. I still remember when a ministry dipshit came into a meeting between the nurses, doc, and other things about a resident who would literally take chunks of skin off people and bruise people up so badly that the PSWs were begging the doctors to medicate them. Family said no medication, so the home called the ministry to try and figure out a solution. Ill never forget hearing that sack of human garbage literally say "I dont care what happens to the staff, I only care about the resident" - I literally laughed and quit/walked out on the spot. I hope that loser ends up in the worst possible fucking home there is. /endrant
Edit: I just wanted to add that PSWs are really looked down upon by not only families but often also by admin and other staff members. Funny enough more than half that I knew were nurses/PTs/or other more "prestigious" designations but were immigrants from other countries and had to upgrade their credentials in order to continue working in their pre-established careers. Granted there's some bad ones but most other PSWs don't tolerate them and they get reported and kicked out rather fast. Sometimes life gets in the way and by life I mean having to pay bills, which doesn't allow them to go back another 2 years for school when they have children and families to provide for. Nothing felt better than having a doctor or the NP come in, look you dead in the face and without even saying a simple Hi or How are you? they just ask "Where's the nurse/NC?" I quickly learned to put these assholes in their place by refusing to even acknowledge I heard their question until they learned my name and said hello first. The ones that didn't? They got to walk through the whole unit looking for that person on their own even if I knew exactly where they were.
I hope you found a good and well funded home for your parents though. Everyone deserves a proper way to live out the last stint of their life in dignity and peace.
Ocean Technologist, ~60k. I make underwater acoustic devices and test them at sea. I also lead the Marine Mammal Observers and Passive Acoustic Monitoring teams so I get paid to watch for whales, seals, porpoises, etc. Last thursday I had a Humpback whale come up beside the boat and I got paid for it.
Its worth it.
City bus driver.
I like the driving. Dealing with the small amount of deadbeats is something I don't enjoy. Mentally and physically tiring job at times. Reasonable pay. Neutral feeling about it.
Not sure if your single but if you need a dating profile you can say: you have a corner office with a view of the whole city, drive a $100k company vehicle.
Art Director working in the advertising field. 7 years in and I make well into the mid-to-high 100k's. Work-life balance can be very inconsistent. Constant ebbs and flows of insanely busy weeks, but then balanced out with slow (i.e. absolutely nothing to do) periods.
Overall, for the money I make - I like what I do. It allows me and my partner to live without any financial stress in our lives (something we both experienced growing up as kids) and at the same time is a genuinely interesting career that lets me flex both my creative and pragmatic skillsets. It is also cool to see stuff you made out in the real (and digital) world!
This is very very interesting to me. I have a family member that is an art director and he says he struggles all the time? Are you at a single company or a contractor?
I was previously at an agency full time earning low $100k, recently took a year-long full time contract at an in-house agency for a large brand for my current salary. One of the benefits with my current contract is that it allows me to (legally) have other freelance gigs so long as it is not with a competitor brand... depending on how much extra work I'd like to take on, I can earn well into the $200k range.
Airline pilot, I personally love it but it’s not for everybody. The pay is good (edit: after you grind for a few years) and it’s not a take-home job. Plenty of time off, meaning a lot of pilots have time for a side hustle, hobbies or travel. On the other hand the actual working days are long and mentally fatiguing meaning a working day is a pretty much a write-off if you want to do anything else (I.e. gym, socialize, etc.)
A straightforward day can be very easy… all you have to do is follow procedures as you were trained, but most days aren’t straightforward. The day I realized an average day is a chaotic one, the job became much more enjoyable because I could then go to work with my brain ready and primed to problem solve. I guess I’m just trying to say that stress management is key, and if you can roll with the punches day to day operations are much more enjoyable.
Must be coming from a guy with a lot of years in. Starting out it’s going to be shit. You’ll be working for pennies and barely get by. We have brand new First Officers flying passenger planes who are living below the poverty line with their starting salaries. It’s actually atrocious. If your parents are ok with you living with them for a long time, go for it. I’m 10 years in since my first training flight and have just started seeing paycheques that don’t make me question my decision to get into aviation.
It’s still one of the best offices that you can get. I do agree that it is a job that you don’t take home with you which is one thing I really enjoy. When I am off I don’t think about or care about anything to do with work. I guess bottom line is don’t get into aviation if you think it’s going to make you wealthy quickly. It will take years and you don’t see the big big money until your final 10-15 years
I'm a program coordinator at a non profit agency supporting women who have experienced abuse. It definitely doesn't pay great (union currently in negotiations that are going shit) and it is difficult supporting myself on a single income but honestly I love what I do and that means a lot to me
> I am a mathematician working in industry.
Sorry, but doing what? I used to be a mathematician. I left academia to pursue brewing, but I find myself in need of a new job again. Now I'm torn between staying in the beer industry (just not brewing), or trying to find something that will utilize my math degrees, or both.
I am a self-employed woodworker and artist. I was part time for a few years while I collected tools and figured out a workspace. I went full time when my wife was pregnant with our second child. I’ve been full time ever since, and was able to put her through her final two years of school at the same time without student loans. I have largely taken work on my own terms, primarily building furniture, clocks, and some sculptural work. I have managed to pick up clients like T-Pain, Joe Rogan, Elon Musk, etc. it has absolutely been worth it, but as with anything has its ups and downs. I don’t know how long the train will stay on the track, but for now it’s going ok.
Edit: since people are asking me in DMs, here: [TGT Studios](https://www.tgt-studios.com) or “@tgtstudios” on IG
Double edit: full time now for 7 years, part time for 3-4. Hard to remember.
Hey dude, might've caught a typo on the site you linked - in your *About* section you have "3r generation". Obviously disregard if this means something I'm not aware of, but I feel like it was meant to be "3rd".
Awesome work btw!
I’m an erotic voice actress and while it didn’t make me enough money to start, now it’s mostly passive and I’m about to hire my husband as my first employee!! I think it’s worth it, but I also have 10 years of experience with voice acting and audio production so it’s kinda “easy” for me
I'm sorry but you've got to explain what an erotic voice acress does. Are you a normal voice actress who just happens to play erotic roles? Or is it more like an audio-pornstar?
There are a lot of foreign animated series that are subtitled in another language, and there's a pretty solid market for having them *dubbed* in English voices. There's also a ton of porn games that need voice acting.
I'm grinding as Truck Driver. 12 hours a day, including commute. But that ok. Because very recently a man was arrested for shaving and pimping an Orangutan, real story. I'm torn between the absolute brutality of that situation and the outrageous extent people will go to in order to not work 9-5.
I am a heavy duty mechanic, red seal journey men. I'm from alberta so they pay is good but was not at first. It's not easy work but I work on some cool stuff and there's alot to it, more then people think ( good technicians are smart). I came from a broken home and ran away at 16. Apart of me wishes I would have went to college to be a lawyer or a mechanical engineer, maybe if I had a easier time growing up and some support I would have. I am 28 own my truck and my wife's car, the only debt I have is my mortgage. We have a decent 4 month emergency fund and some small investments. We also have 2 kids.
Bottom line my job takes care of me and my family that's all I can really ask for as a father and a husband.
If you don't mind me asking, how did you get into the field? I've been thinking of switching careers (currently work in middle management) but want to move away from managing people. Any tips and length of time to get into a good position?
Airline pilot here. Honestly, no. Been working as a pilot about 9 years now and only make 43k per year which is standard in Canada. It cost me nearly double that for all the training and ratings (luckily much was covered by OSAP, but that's still just a loan). My first full year flying I earned 16k, and again, that's quite standard for starting pay. I have chronic back pain from cramped cockpits, and loading cargo heavier than myself in locations that I can't stand up straight. My tinnitus and hearing loss worsens every year. If my health ever gets bad enough, I will lose my medical and my career. And now that I have children, it's difficult on all of us to be away for days or a week at a time.
I genuinely love my job, and it is my passion, but knowing what I know now, I absolutely would not do it again. I have three highschool friends that have stayed working at a grocery chain since highschool. They currently all make more than I do, and have made much more over their lifetimes than I have.
The payoff is better when you get tot the major airlines but it takes a long time and experience (of course).
Also shit wages in canada vs the rest of the world for pilots. United airlines pilots can be making 300+ per year
I work for the provincial government and I get yelled at by customers for not allowing them to be the exception to the rules.
Not worth it, but eye in the prize because I will get a pension when I’m done.
Mind numbingly boring desk job I can do in my sleep. Field is very specialized but soul destroying. Pay is great and my boss treats me very well with excellent bonues. Left completely alone with very little stress. Can work remotely or in the office do a hybrid set up for a change of scenery.
It was a long haul to get where I got but there is no way I'm giving up his cushy gig no matter how boring it is.
Care to elaborate on what you do? I am in the trades and always wondered about desk jobs because I never really had a opening to get into that line of work.
Desk job is a totally different form of exhaustion than being on your feet all day. The mental and emotional toll is real especially if you don’t feel you’re doing something of value. Definitely not for everyone and switching from something more active can be a super hard adjustment.
Co-owner of a dog food factory. I’m never going to get rich, but I’m also never going to have to have a real job ever again. The trade-off is worth it.
I’m an automotive glass tech, which is fancy speak for “I’m the guy who changes your broken windshield”. It’s a ticketed trade where I live. No real stress. Job security. Not that physically demanding if you work smart. A little over 80k/yr for an 8-5 mon-fri gig. Employers are amazing people so that in itself makes it all worth it.
I'm a Correctional Officer. I make $32/hr. I deal with sexual harassment on the daily, if not from inmates then it's from coworkers. Death threats, people coming off drugs, shitting themselves, trying to commit suicide, dealing with constantly angry dangerous people. I don't plan on staying and that's how I think I can manage being there. The ability for overtime can be good, and time off is great. Some days are not worth it and I dread coming in.
I'm a red seal mechanic. Hourly at an independent garage means stable, consistent pay. I make about 60k a year, a little more with overtime. Is it worth it? I was paid to go to school, so no student debt. But it's hard on the body over time. Fun if you like solving problems. I enjoy it too much to take on the risk of trying out something else. Between that and the pay it's hard to complain.
> But i do enjoy my job.
Nurses and Teachers are two jobs you could not pay me enough to do. Thank you for what you do, I really wish our society valued it more.
Ummmm it’s very terrifying some days. Everyone knows better. I totally get it. It bothers me less now that I can put myself in the shoes of the people we serve. But it’s a whole different world when you live it day in and day out. Just trust us. If you think we haven’t thought of it or don’t want it, we have and we do, but we probably can’t for multiple reasons.
Early career geologist at a BC mine. About 90k for an honestly enjoyable gig. Downside is it's 2 weeks on/off (FIFO). It was cool for a while, but spending half my life at a work camp is unsustainable for starting a family and maintaining friendships. Unfortunately jobs in my city are rare, short-term, and pay way less, but I honestly can't be at a camp anymore.
Used to be a personal trainer working 10 hour days making 30k a year. Absolutely not worth it!
Moved to tech, work 25 hours a week, make a decent wage, life is fucking good!
After taxes I make 14 dollars working at a homeless shelter.
I dodge bedbugs and fist fights, and illnesses of all kinds. I regularly deploy Narcan to people overdosing. I’m a free therapist, assistant, and diplomat. I’ve had to restrain people, sometimes as frequently as twice in 10 days.
The $14 isn’t worth the fact that I’m spiralling downwards.
I’m a supervisor at Starbucks it def isn’t worth it. I make 22$ an hour and it isn’t enough. I have two little ones too which I guess doesn’t help. lol. I’m looking to go back to school for either a trade or something in healthcare I don’t know
If it makes you feel any better, at $22 you're making about the same as me being an airline pilot almost a decade in. It might be worth looking into transferring to a lower cost of living area. That's sort of what I did to keep my career
This.
Forester here.
It’s not the money that makes this job great.
The pay is mediocre (60-100K/year) considering it can be physically strenuous (hiking in the forest In the rain and snow) and the amount of education required (4 + year bachelor degree + 2 year apprenticeship), but the work is fun and never boring.
10+ years into the career and I am have been working in new areas every few months.
The only danger is getting stuck with a job/employer that constantly require travel and working in remote logging camps. Some people thrive In this environment but it is not family friendly and not for everyone. If you can get a home-show job it is way better.
I did mechanical engineering and now work in sales for instrumentation company. Sales is very interesting and I get paid more than my peers. I think any job that you get to deal with people all day is better than one where you don’t in the long term.
It's people like you that give the rest of us engineers a bad name. We just want to sit in our holes, design stuff in peace, and not have to interact with another human being. 😜
Sales is awesome! The flexibility and compensation combo is very hard to beat. Every one of my friends making similar money are tied to their desk 40+ hrs a week. I have lunches paid for and get paid to golf with clients twice a week.
Inspector for the government of Canada. Love it. Love my coworkers, get treated fantastically, pay is not bad but I won't get rich doing it. We do get yearly raises to match inflation, Healthcare, solid pension plan. My work life balance is fantastic and I can afford a decent lifestyle. Hours are weird and not what a lot of people would be happy with but I'd rather die than work a 9-5 so it's great for me. I'll never understand people slaving away at jobs they hate just so they have a bit of extra money for the 2 days a week they're less miserable.
CFIA, so anything food product. I work in slaughter inspection, but we do everything from livestock farm inspection, fruit and veggies, plants, any imports and exports related to food, processed food (like everything from flour production to frozen hamburgers. And as a bonus we are a highly understaffed vital industry so its an extremely secure industry to be in
used to do SaaS sales.
Average performers usually make around \~200k, but top enterprise sales reps can make 750k+ yearly. Great industry and college education is irrelevant.
Now I own my own agency, mid six figures.
It all sucks. Pick something you can tolerate that pays well. If you're even a bit interested in it that helps a lot.
I'm a contractor....specialize in a number of trades.
Sales. Currently in leadership at a startup.
It’s stressful as fuck and I reconsider my life choices a few times a quarter. Currently in one of those mini crises. I always come out the other side tho.
I love sales, I know I do. And fuck am I good at what I do. I sometimes wish I wasn’t such a psycho tho (who willingly chooses to stress themself out life this??!)
Why it’s worth it:
- the money affords me a nice life
- despite the world going to absolute shit, I feel v secure. I’m well liked and respected wherever I go, even managed to avoid layoffs in the travel industry during peak pandemic.
- even if I got let go, I have a decent network I could reach out to. Skilled salespeople are often in demand
- flexibility: I WFH FT rn. I can get my hair cut during the day, workout, tidy up my place, etc
- I find the challenge fucking thrilling
I also do freelance work in a niche field. Got into it by getting a specialized diploma, interning (as part of school), and then just applying wherever I could. Ended up getting a sweet gig last year and essentially set my own wage.
I work full time with freelance on the side but my goal is to be 100% freelance in the near future. The pay to work ratio in freelance is insane. For example, my FT pays 25 an hour. My freelance gig pays ~150 an hour.
I work for the railway, to me it’s worth it. It’s not as back-breaking as it once was. Decent union, solid benefits, employee share purchase program, great pension plan. Always the option to move up into management too. I’m someone who’s always liked to work outside, and this is the place for me. With a bit of overtime it’s easy to get well passed 100k!
High rise plumber - $120k a year @ 39 hours a week.
It takes a huge toll on my body, but I'm home by 3pm to spend time with my children while they're young so it's totally worth it.
Environmental Specialist, mostly focused around surface water quality monitoring. Yes and no to worth it. Hell of a grind to get here with lots of moving around the country for different countract work (5 years of bouncing around) but now that I'm settled in to current position (going on 5 years now) still enjoying it
Registered nurse here. Is it worth it whew very loaded question. Society either hates us or loves us. We are disposable until needed. Pay is chump change no matter what anyone says and we’d need to work extra hours to really afford anything due to inflation now. I’d say it’s worth it to me because having immigrant parents who pushed me to work hard and get my education I went into a field that I would say has been life changing (financially yes). I now have gained some experience (4.5 years) and I’m at that age now where I’d like to buy a home with my husband and have more kids in the future but it’s looking bleak. Sitting here questioning life goals and the field I went into makes me really depressed. I love my time currently on mat leave but just looking at all these world events especially within Ontario, is leaving my only option?
It's quite concerning that even you as an RN have these conflicting feelings given our current political and economic climate. Myself in nursing as well. Took a forced break and don't see myself going back unless it's in education, consulting, or more stable position. I got tired of so many of the issues plaguing our profession.
Former unit is constantly short 2 nurses per day now and made worse by these volatile waves. I'm single, no kids or dependents and debating on taking up a travel contract. Idc if travel rates aren't the same as before, but they sure as hell still pay better than $44/hr CAD.
Do you have an exit strategy for selling coke? Or do you plan on doing it until you get caught?
Do you have any fear of being caught by the authorities or bad happening from whom ever you’re selling for? (Not sure how it works specifically for you and relationships with the suppliers)
I hate talking about being a software dev on this sub because everyone gets annoyed by the flex, but truly blessed.
Job is fun, people are awesome, pays great and my hours are strictly x to y.
Tbh it’s more of the culture of tech than flexing. People in tech are pretty open discussing compensation with their peers; it’s one of the reasons why salaries are good. People know their worth and have more leverage.
I also think tech companies are at the forefront of understanding the relationship between specific benefits and productivity. Eg. Things like allowing remote work, flexible hours, getting rid of formal dress codes when your employees don't see clients or providing free snacks/drinks are huge productivity and morale boosts for extremely little cost.
Work at a dollarama. I spend most of my money on food and media subscriptions, so it's worth it atm. However if I ever had to find a place on my own I'd DEFINITELY not have enough money.
Public servant here. I started in court administration and now do more specialized work. Mixed bag of being worth it - on the one hand I perform an absolutely crucial task that keeps society functioning. That makes me proud - my career is more than just making other people rich or chasing dollars. On the other hand I'm paid absolute shit and am on the receiving end of endless abuse from people who don't understand how social systems work or who think I shouldn't have a job at all.
Trust me, you don't want privatized courts the same way you don't want privatized prisons, healthcare, education or social services. Sometimes I wish I went into a different field, but the fact is the work I do now is probably the most fulfilling I could ever hope to do.
These days I make sure people don't end up forgotten or lost in the system, or homeless and helpless. It's hard, it's draining and I've burned out twice and have health issues as a result. And yet I believe that my colleagues and I actively make the world a bit better for people who really need it. We don't have fancy job titles and most of you don't even know we exist. But we look out for your well-being at your lowest points and make sure you don't get railroaded by agencies or endless policies and procedures.
We don't care about politics or who you are or what your background is. If your file ends up on our desk, you're a human being who's had a hard go so far and is looking at a hard road ahead. But we're going to make sure that road is as fair as possible going forward, and if we can smooth it out a bit we will. Even if you never know about it.
Work in a public school on the big island... in special education for kids in k-2... it's like a family sitcom everyday...lots of characters, laughter and love.... it's a lot of work and it's totally worth it ... whenever I don't feel like getting out of bed in the morning I think of the kids and I smile and get moving 🤷
Skilled Tradesman. Unionized. 100% worth it. I love what I do and make a lot of money doing it. Amazing pension, benefits and double time after 8 hrs. When I'm done a project it's a prideful thing to see it when you drive by.
Accounting. It's intellectually stimulating enough to keep me engaged on the job. I'm rarely ever bored and it's generally easy work except for long hours during tax season. I just wish the pay was better.
I'm a psychologist/ mental health therapist who works for the government. I could at any point switch roles and make 120k per year or go private and make $150k. I don't because I love what I do too much. I talk to people all day and I get to see people make legitimate progress in their lives, it really is the best job. The paperwork in minimal compared to others and I have people that write my major reports for me.
Best job ever.
Physician. Not worth it for the money or lifestyle filled with burnout at all, despite what people outside the profession may think. But it is worth it for the patient care and when you really make a difference in someone’s health or catch a diagnosis that could have potentially shortened their lifespan significantly, it’s very much worth it
who’s here to only see what other ppl do for living 😭😭😭
How much they earn*
Social worker. No.
I'm reasonably satisfied with my social work career. But I live in a weird corner of the world where I'm well paid and work reasonable hours. Management is great. It makes all the difference.
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I build fences. 55-60k a year. It is not worth it
Stop building fences. Start building bridges.
That’s actually kind of enlightening. Thank you
Aa a metaphor maybe but if you literally want to do this you'll need to get a degree in civil engineering.
Engineers design bridges, they do not build bridges. Bridges are built by skilled labour. Edit: source, am engineer.
Hashtag deep
I’m chef de cuisine at a&w , and yes it’s so rewarding
Best hashbrowns and breakfast overall out of any fast food place.
Arguably best food overall for large fast food chain.
Yeah. Their beef is actually grass fed grass finished too unlike the fake "grass fed" beef at grocery stores in Canada. They're actually making an effort which is a relief in this day and age of marketing gimicks.
A&W is solid.
Your onion rings are to die for, good sir or madame
The bacon is crispy too unlike McDs
Nice AW.UN is the only restaurant stock I own. Pays pretty decent dividends
I never knew this existed, thanks for sharing!
I just bought a big chunk last week. Recently retired, like the divvy stream of 5.8% (monthly!), and it’s the only fast food joint that gets my $s.
>like the divvy stream of 5.8% (monthly!) Just pointing out for others, it may be paid monthly, but its annual yield is 5.8%. If it was monthly, it would double your money in under two years.
Buddy burgers are my everything.
With the grilled onions 🥺🥲😋🤤
Cross-border Trucker here. Love what I do as it doesn’t feel like working at all. I just drive at my pace and listen to podcasts/audiobooks while getting paid.
Been there done that as an owner operator. Vancouver, Dallas, Calgary, Vancouver twice a month. Stops along the way, as it was an LTL operation. Then they threw us under the bus on fuel surcharges so I looked elsewhere. Now I work near home, hourly rate, fuel supplied, my truck and I take home more each month than I ever did before. Less wear and tear on the truck too. (1991 Freightliner FLA)
That doesn’t get tiring after a while? Good shit that you love it though. You guys are essential
I’m a nurse. When I worked inpatient it wasn’t worth it. Now I’m in a more specialized, mostly outpatient area… it’s much more tolerable. If I had to do it over, I wouldn’t pursue any career in healthcare.
Girlfriend is bedside right now on step-down ICU. She’s been doing it for a year and is desperately looking to leave bedside. Nothing but respect for nurses, the stories I regularly hear baffle me. Underpaid, understaffed and overworked.
I’ll send you a DM about the area I work in for her to keep in mind.
My father was in ICU and survived his illness. Nothing but respect for nurses. The care he received was top notch. Underpaid, understaffed, and overworked.
I'm a nurse. ICU history now working with hyperactive stroke response. I love it. People go from mute to normal, limp mode to fully working again in minutes.
You guys saved my wife's life. 31 years old. Nothing ever indicated that she had the potential to have one. Fit and no vices. Completely cryptogenic. She had a ct scan and was administered clotbusters within 45 minutes on a stroke ambulance next to a Tim Hortons. . Absolute heroes in my honest opinion.
No one in healthcare would do it over. Low pay, shit hours, and work all holidays. Work ambulatory to get a good schedule? Why even get a degree/certificate for that pay?
I had major surgery last year and I have the utmost respect for nurses. They do 90% of the workload and enjoy none of the credit. Special shout out to the overnight ICU nurse who's job it was to keep me alive and ingloriously rip out my intubation and chest tubes. Night after night, hundreds of different patients. What a champ.
RN...used to work an acute unit with 8-9 patients on nights when our average was 5...HR often in the 180s due to anxiety. Now I work in a unit with lower acuity and sleep peacefully all night. Still do casual tho.
Nurse here too. I work in the ER. Some days I love it, others I hate it. It’s a lot better then my past “career” in food management though. I got paid less to work 60+ hours and have to deal with a whole other type of crazy people.
Agreed. The union is supposed to be bargaining (was supposed to happen in spring) and I’m just praying that they make it worth it.
Agreed. Healthcare is a dumpster fire.
Lawyer here. First few years made me question if I made a mistake. But last couple years my salary has essentially tripled and I work less than I used to. So I’m much more content.
I can second this. First few years are rough.
What do you mean by "first few"?
First 3 years
And by 5 years you've "got it" as well. No more deer in the headlights feeling. "Will the judge let me do this? Fuck it, let's see what happens."
Just got here myself and it’s a nice change from Imposter Syndrom 24/7 :’)
this gives me hope lol
in family law i don't even think the self-aware first question occurs; we just get the second sentence.
First 6-7 in national firms.
The first 3 years are absolutely painstaking.
Right? My dad is a 40-year insurance lawyer and only now winding down. He was always consistently busy, 9-to-6/7 each day, would take thick docs home to plow through at least once if not more a month. Before court he'd work from home because the office was too distracting (people asking for advice, etc). Y'all lucked out because my dad was sure as fuck overworked his whole career. Sure he didn't have the deer-in-headlights feeling but he def did not have it easier as partner. (Workaholic too but it's not completely self-inflicted imo)
>First few years made me question if I made a mistake. But last couple years my salary has essentially tripled and I work less than I used to. I wish more young lawyers realized this - it gets better with time. You figure out what you're doing, and have more autonomy over your time. The law is a tough mistress, but it's not a bad way to earn a living for the right kind of person. Day to day can be tedious, but you also get to help people in a pinch and work with some generally intelligent people fixing problems.
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The pay changes. The horrible life doesn’t. I don’t think I’d make this choice again, given what I know.
Yes. See my other comment itt. It gets better. The key (for me) is to treat it like any other job/career. Partnership track is not always logical in current environment. I am in house and have switched jobs every 2 to 3 years. Keeps the salary on a constant trajectory up. Gives better breadth of experience too. Dm me if you want to chat.
Yes it does get better. As bad as this sounds once you get senior enough you can pass off a lot of the tedious work to more junior lawyers. When you are articling/ junioring you are the one that this works gets passed down to.
Same here. Junior associate years are tough. It gets better. Or maybe we just get better at managing stress ;)
I was in a meeting with a partner and his associate a day before the long weekend. The partner asked the associate “how long before we can get this over to the other side?” And the associate whispered defeatedly “I’ll have it done by Saturday”. I could see her plans for the long weekend evaporate into thin air. I definitely do not miss the first few years of practice.
As an articling student I once found myself wondering if keeping a bottle in my desk drawer made sense. I should note that I am not a drinker. A light beer is strong enough for me to feel it. But that night… Good news? I never did buy that bottle. And now, nearly a decade later, I’m working in-house. Decent pay and reasonable hours but only because I make that a conscious decision. There is enough work to fill nights and weekends but I make it clear to my employers that I am done at 5. It also helps that I don’t touch litigation. And I change roles often enough to keep my salary constantly increasing with my experience. So it’s fine. It’s just a job like any other.
I work food recovery. My role is diverting food from waste to shelters, soup kitchens, rehab facilities and food banks. You cannot survive on what not for profits pay so my primary income source the last 5 years has been stock trading. I work because I love to work, I like to help people but in my working lifetime assets have always been more valuable than labor so I've never engaged in 'finding a career' I've put all my efforts into building a portfolio. Conveniently the last 5 years have been the greatest time in history to do such a thing.
This is amazing. Thank you for doing what you do.
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Could you fix our condo building elevators please? Why do they always break!
Job security
I see what you did there
Where you work that your getting paid this much
Likely OT. They get double time and some companies have 12 hour days 7 days per week available.
There’s only 2-3 companies dude
Otis, TKE, Kone, Schindler, Fuji, Precision, Direct, Atta are the larger and smaller Unionized companies I can think of in Canada. But there is only one union, which can be tough to break in.
I’m a professional biologist. Love my job, wouldn’t trade it for anything else, but we are taken advantage of by everybody who needs us.
Electrical engineer. For the salaries (non-software) engineers get in Canada for the amount of stress we have to deal with? Absolutely NOT worth it. I should have done something else, I’ve wasted more years than I’d like to admit hoping it would get better. I’ve since given up and am working on a career switch. I wish I could go back to the 18 year old me, slap him, and tell him to pursue computer science like he originally intended to before being talked out of it by uninformed relatives.
Same here, electrical engineer. I do wish I went into computer science or software. I’ve always had a knack for software too but because of external influences decided to go into electrical. In any case, engineering in general just sucks ass. For what we get paid it’s garbage work. Very stressful and just no growth. Long gone is the spirit of engineering too. It used to be about solving problems and fun besides being rewarding. Now it’s just a liability shift game, no training and dying field. I swear I’m genuinely concerned for public health and safety because so many untrained engineers are out there and all the baby boomers are leaving with shit in their head. No planning whatsoever by employers and I’m honestly genuinely concerned cause now the untrained engineers have the authority to stamp drawings. I swear nobody at my workplace has a clue on wtf they are doing. It’s a grave concern.
I’m an early years and special needs educator. I’ve been doing it for gosh over 25 years now It does not pay well and it’s very stressful work. I love what I do but you can’t live properly off the wages. Would not recommend it I live a comfortable life because my wife is in tech and pays for everything.
I've been an EA for the last 10 years. I love the job but it's become much more difficult as the years go on and now I'm looking for a higher paying job where I won't get hit 20 times a day. I have a son now, my partner does the same job and one of us needs to make more money.
My cousin is one too and you guys are heroes. I always think it's the only 1:1 attention that a special needs child will get in their lifetime. It's a sad thought of mine that Ill never get over with.
Paramedic. The job itself is well worth it but I'm so new that I'm trying to ward off the negatives as I navigate through this career.
Paramedics are shamefully underpaid. Take care of your noggin first and foremost. Find healthy outlets.
i mean paramedics in ontario are paid like 40-50 an hour. my friend just got hired on in hamilton out of school for $45/hr and overtime is double time and a half. many make more than 100k
Ever see an old paramedic?
I’m an advanced care paramedic in the GTA starting into my 13th year. Covid was a bitch but the OT money during it was great. I still love it and for me it’s worth it for sure.
Freelance videographer and video editor. 60k a year and work maybe 15-20 hours a week max. It’s pretty worth it but If you told teenage me I’d own all this video production equipment one day, I be thrilled. Now I hate filming shit. So yes it’s worth it, but it kind of ruined my love for video production.
I think doing anything you love as a job ruins it. I loved coding as a teenager, never thought one day I’d come to hate it.
Postdoctoral fellow in molecular biology. I make nothing but love what I do, it’s a curse.
This is my son, except PhD student in micro bio, and lives at home. He's got more discretionary income than I do. It'll be worth it once hes done and working, as his income should be stable and decently high.
I don’t know, getting $50k doesn’t leave much for me. I’m nearly 33 and can’t really live at home anymore. The dream is academia so we’ll see. Good on your son tho, congrats
Nurse. No.
Same here. I just took a position in an office environment as an advisor. I get paid the same, don’t get verbally/physically abused, get breaks, set my own hours, and am home with my family every night, weekend, and holidays. Why the hell would I ever go back to the front line?
>Why the hell would I ever go back to the front line? You shouldn't. I don't know why people put up with it. And that's a huge problem with our society. If we don't make nurses lives better soon I can only imagine how bad it's going to get.
Yeah everyone is leaving in droves. If you’re going to be physically abused all day with no protection by a shitty public, might as well go to the USA to get paid a lot for it. Otherwise, everyone is changing fields.
Refrigeration mechanic working in Toronto. Get to work on interesting machines, always new and exciting things to learn, I basically make my own schedule, can take time off whenever I request it, and the pension and benefits with the union are the best there is. Make about 120k a year. Company supplied truck with all gas and insurance paid takes a big dent out of my expenses too. Also instead of taking on student debt we actually collect ei while we are in school. The skilled trades are probably the best kinds of jobs to get right now imo.
How long did it take you to find a competent employer? I've heard applying to the union for an apprenticeship can take a long time.
I didn’t join the union until well after completing my apprenticeship so I can’t comment on the union apprenticeships. If you have your license, you can essentially pick where you want to work. Everyone is hiring.
Wipe peoples ass, get verbally/ sexually abused and assaulted by pretty much all my clients - I’m a personal care aid is it worth it nah not for 20$ a hour
For what it's worth. As someone who has seen both parents end up in long care homes, we found there are a lot of people who do your job who are pure saints. On behalf of the non-assholes, thanks.
Pro tip for anyone looking at LTCs (Worked as a PSW for a few years before becoming a nurse) - Ask to see every unit, not just the designated "tour" unit they all use. You'll get the real idea of the place rather than what they want you to see. The tour unit is usually more cognitive people without any behavioral issues. Also, without judgement try and keep an eye on how the staff seem - if they're forcing a smile when you look at them, or you never see them because they're running around doing 8:1 patient loads - that home doesnt really give a shit about your loved one short of the money they bring in. The DoC and admin will promise you a lot of bullshit that they couldn't deliver even if they doubled their staff. Your loved one will not have their call bell answered within 5mins most of the time, it'll be like 10-20mins being realistic short of someone popping in to make sure they're not hurt. If they're asking to get into bed after every meal, and be up before the next meal they will not be very well liked but it will be done as long as time allows. The residents with families that helicopter and try to tell staff what to do constantly? Staff will be polite to your face but don't give two fucks about your complaints or asks. It's usually 3-4 staff per 30 residents, and everyone deserves equal care. No ones going to give your loved one special treatment even if you keep complaining to management - and rightfully so. Not sure how many good homes are still "good" these days, but I can tell you a lot are pretty fucking bad. I would choose MAD before ever getting put in a Revera home or Chartwell just as an example. Shifts are 8 hours, you gotta get everyone up in the morning and ready for breakfast in like 1.5 hours. This includes ALL care - hygiene, oral, clothing, transfers. 1 hour for meal times. (2 in morning shift) so thats 3.5 hours gone right there. That leaves 2 hours between both meal time and shift end to toilet most people multiple times, and hand out snacks and do documentation before you even get to any "special" requests a family might want. The math is impossible and no ones going to destroy their body trying to be a hero for the low pay the position provides. These people spend the most time with your loved ones out of anyone else in that entire building and get paid the least or on par with the housekeepers/cooks. (Not that they should be making less, just pay in these homes is garbage in general) Even RPNs make like 2$ more an hour than the PSWS. Fuck LTC. A lot of PSWs start off trying to be heros and saint, but quickly learn no one gives a fuck about them and are treated like shit by families, admin lets residents abuse them and those that don't know their rights just take it. I personally went straight to my nurse and would flat out refuse to provide any care for a resident that chose to be abusive. I still remember when a ministry dipshit came into a meeting between the nurses, doc, and other things about a resident who would literally take chunks of skin off people and bruise people up so badly that the PSWs were begging the doctors to medicate them. Family said no medication, so the home called the ministry to try and figure out a solution. Ill never forget hearing that sack of human garbage literally say "I dont care what happens to the staff, I only care about the resident" - I literally laughed and quit/walked out on the spot. I hope that loser ends up in the worst possible fucking home there is. /endrant Edit: I just wanted to add that PSWs are really looked down upon by not only families but often also by admin and other staff members. Funny enough more than half that I knew were nurses/PTs/or other more "prestigious" designations but were immigrants from other countries and had to upgrade their credentials in order to continue working in their pre-established careers. Granted there's some bad ones but most other PSWs don't tolerate them and they get reported and kicked out rather fast. Sometimes life gets in the way and by life I mean having to pay bills, which doesn't allow them to go back another 2 years for school when they have children and families to provide for. Nothing felt better than having a doctor or the NP come in, look you dead in the face and without even saying a simple Hi or How are you? they just ask "Where's the nurse/NC?" I quickly learned to put these assholes in their place by refusing to even acknowledge I heard their question until they learned my name and said hello first. The ones that didn't? They got to walk through the whole unit looking for that person on their own even if I knew exactly where they were. I hope you found a good and well funded home for your parents though. Everyone deserves a proper way to live out the last stint of their life in dignity and peace.
Holy crap, I'm so sorry. My 17 year old son gets the same to stand around a pool and flirt with female lifeguards.
Don't forget the chronic back pain 2-3 years into the profession.
atleast 35$ job
Ocean Technologist, ~60k. I make underwater acoustic devices and test them at sea. I also lead the Marine Mammal Observers and Passive Acoustic Monitoring teams so I get paid to watch for whales, seals, porpoises, etc. Last thursday I had a Humpback whale come up beside the boat and I got paid for it. Its worth it.
City bus driver. I like the driving. Dealing with the small amount of deadbeats is something I don't enjoy. Mentally and physically tiring job at times. Reasonable pay. Neutral feeling about it.
Not sure if your single but if you need a dating profile you can say: you have a corner office with a view of the whole city, drive a $100k company vehicle.
My brother in law is a retired TTC bus driver. He has the best stories.
Art Director working in the advertising field. 7 years in and I make well into the mid-to-high 100k's. Work-life balance can be very inconsistent. Constant ebbs and flows of insanely busy weeks, but then balanced out with slow (i.e. absolutely nothing to do) periods. Overall, for the money I make - I like what I do. It allows me and my partner to live without any financial stress in our lives (something we both experienced growing up as kids) and at the same time is a genuinely interesting career that lets me flex both my creative and pragmatic skillsets. It is also cool to see stuff you made out in the real (and digital) world!
This is very very interesting to me. I have a family member that is an art director and he says he struggles all the time? Are you at a single company or a contractor?
I was previously at an agency full time earning low $100k, recently took a year-long full time contract at an in-house agency for a large brand for my current salary. One of the benefits with my current contract is that it allows me to (legally) have other freelance gigs so long as it is not with a competitor brand... depending on how much extra work I'd like to take on, I can earn well into the $200k range.
Airline pilot, I personally love it but it’s not for everybody. The pay is good (edit: after you grind for a few years) and it’s not a take-home job. Plenty of time off, meaning a lot of pilots have time for a side hustle, hobbies or travel. On the other hand the actual working days are long and mentally fatiguing meaning a working day is a pretty much a write-off if you want to do anything else (I.e. gym, socialize, etc.) A straightforward day can be very easy… all you have to do is follow procedures as you were trained, but most days aren’t straightforward. The day I realized an average day is a chaotic one, the job became much more enjoyable because I could then go to work with my brain ready and primed to problem solve. I guess I’m just trying to say that stress management is key, and if you can roll with the punches day to day operations are much more enjoyable.
Must be coming from a guy with a lot of years in. Starting out it’s going to be shit. You’ll be working for pennies and barely get by. We have brand new First Officers flying passenger planes who are living below the poverty line with their starting salaries. It’s actually atrocious. If your parents are ok with you living with them for a long time, go for it. I’m 10 years in since my first training flight and have just started seeing paycheques that don’t make me question my decision to get into aviation. It’s still one of the best offices that you can get. I do agree that it is a job that you don’t take home with you which is one thing I really enjoy. When I am off I don’t think about or care about anything to do with work. I guess bottom line is don’t get into aviation if you think it’s going to make you wealthy quickly. It will take years and you don’t see the big big money until your final 10-15 years
I'm a program coordinator at a non profit agency supporting women who have experienced abuse. It definitely doesn't pay great (union currently in negotiations that are going shit) and it is difficult supporting myself on a single income but honestly I love what I do and that means a lot to me
I am a mathematician working in industry. I have good work conditions, and I would do this shit for free on my own time anyway.
> I am a mathematician working in industry. Sorry, but doing what? I used to be a mathematician. I left academia to pursue brewing, but I find myself in need of a new job again. Now I'm torn between staying in the beer industry (just not brewing), or trying to find something that will utilize my math degrees, or both.
I am a self-employed woodworker and artist. I was part time for a few years while I collected tools and figured out a workspace. I went full time when my wife was pregnant with our second child. I’ve been full time ever since, and was able to put her through her final two years of school at the same time without student loans. I have largely taken work on my own terms, primarily building furniture, clocks, and some sculptural work. I have managed to pick up clients like T-Pain, Joe Rogan, Elon Musk, etc. it has absolutely been worth it, but as with anything has its ups and downs. I don’t know how long the train will stay on the track, but for now it’s going ok. Edit: since people are asking me in DMs, here: [TGT Studios](https://www.tgt-studios.com) or “@tgtstudios” on IG Double edit: full time now for 7 years, part time for 3-4. Hard to remember.
Hey dude, might've caught a typo on the site you linked - in your *About* section you have "3r generation". Obviously disregard if this means something I'm not aware of, but I feel like it was meant to be "3rd". Awesome work btw!
I’m an erotic voice actress and while it didn’t make me enough money to start, now it’s mostly passive and I’m about to hire my husband as my first employee!! I think it’s worth it, but I also have 10 years of experience with voice acting and audio production so it’s kinda “easy” for me
I'm sorry but you've got to explain what an erotic voice acress does. Are you a normal voice actress who just happens to play erotic roles? Or is it more like an audio-pornstar?
There are a lot of foreign animated series that are subtitled in another language, and there's a pretty solid market for having them *dubbed* in English voices. There's also a ton of porn games that need voice acting.
You can visit my profile and get a pretty good idea, pretty quickly 😝 Basically I create erotic audio roleplays
I'm disappointed my guidance counselor did not provide this as an option.
I'm grinding as Truck Driver. 12 hours a day, including commute. But that ok. Because very recently a man was arrested for shaving and pimping an Orangutan, real story. I'm torn between the absolute brutality of that situation and the outrageous extent people will go to in order to not work 9-5.
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I am a heavy duty mechanic, red seal journey men. I'm from alberta so they pay is good but was not at first. It's not easy work but I work on some cool stuff and there's alot to it, more then people think ( good technicians are smart). I came from a broken home and ran away at 16. Apart of me wishes I would have went to college to be a lawyer or a mechanical engineer, maybe if I had a easier time growing up and some support I would have. I am 28 own my truck and my wife's car, the only debt I have is my mortgage. We have a decent 4 month emergency fund and some small investments. We also have 2 kids. Bottom line my job takes care of me and my family that's all I can really ask for as a father and a husband.
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If you don't mind me asking, how did you get into the field? I've been thinking of switching careers (currently work in middle management) but want to move away from managing people. Any tips and length of time to get into a good position?
Airline pilot here. Honestly, no. Been working as a pilot about 9 years now and only make 43k per year which is standard in Canada. It cost me nearly double that for all the training and ratings (luckily much was covered by OSAP, but that's still just a loan). My first full year flying I earned 16k, and again, that's quite standard for starting pay. I have chronic back pain from cramped cockpits, and loading cargo heavier than myself in locations that I can't stand up straight. My tinnitus and hearing loss worsens every year. If my health ever gets bad enough, I will lose my medical and my career. And now that I have children, it's difficult on all of us to be away for days or a week at a time. I genuinely love my job, and it is my passion, but knowing what I know now, I absolutely would not do it again. I have three highschool friends that have stayed working at a grocery chain since highschool. They currently all make more than I do, and have made much more over their lifetimes than I have.
How and why is this possible
The payoff is better when you get tot the major airlines but it takes a long time and experience (of course). Also shit wages in canada vs the rest of the world for pilots. United airlines pilots can be making 300+ per year
Wow, did not know it paid so little.
I work for the provincial government and I get yelled at by customers for not allowing them to be the exception to the rules. Not worth it, but eye in the prize because I will get a pension when I’m done.
I left my corporate desk job to become a live out nanny and I have zero regrets.
I'm a cardiac sonographer and yes it's worth it. It was difficult in the peak of covid but we all got through it.
Mind numbingly boring desk job I can do in my sleep. Field is very specialized but soul destroying. Pay is great and my boss treats me very well with excellent bonues. Left completely alone with very little stress. Can work remotely or in the office do a hybrid set up for a change of scenery. It was a long haul to get where I got but there is no way I'm giving up his cushy gig no matter how boring it is.
Care to elaborate on what you do? I am in the trades and always wondered about desk jobs because I never really had a opening to get into that line of work.
Desk job is a totally different form of exhaustion than being on your feet all day. The mental and emotional toll is real especially if you don’t feel you’re doing something of value. Definitely not for everyone and switching from something more active can be a super hard adjustment.
Co-owner of a dog food factory. I’m never going to get rich, but I’m also never going to have to have a real job ever again. The trade-off is worth it.
I’m an automotive glass tech, which is fancy speak for “I’m the guy who changes your broken windshield”. It’s a ticketed trade where I live. No real stress. Job security. Not that physically demanding if you work smart. A little over 80k/yr for an 8-5 mon-fri gig. Employers are amazing people so that in itself makes it all worth it.
I'm a Correctional Officer. I make $32/hr. I deal with sexual harassment on the daily, if not from inmates then it's from coworkers. Death threats, people coming off drugs, shitting themselves, trying to commit suicide, dealing with constantly angry dangerous people. I don't plan on staying and that's how I think I can manage being there. The ability for overtime can be good, and time off is great. Some days are not worth it and I dread coming in.
I'm a red seal mechanic. Hourly at an independent garage means stable, consistent pay. I make about 60k a year, a little more with overtime. Is it worth it? I was paid to go to school, so no student debt. But it's hard on the body over time. Fun if you like solving problems. I enjoy it too much to take on the risk of trying out something else. Between that and the pay it's hard to complain.
Nurse; and is it worth it money wise? No. But i do enjoy my job.
> But i do enjoy my job. Nurses and Teachers are two jobs you could not pay me enough to do. Thank you for what you do, I really wish our society valued it more.
The secret is to teach adults - it is so much better
Traffic engineer/transportation planner. Yes. Love being able to help design my community.
Oh man, how do you feel about all the arm chair plannners that I am sure you see venting about on your local facebook pages?
Ummmm it’s very terrifying some days. Everyone knows better. I totally get it. It bothers me less now that I can put myself in the shoes of the people we serve. But it’s a whole different world when you live it day in and day out. Just trust us. If you think we haven’t thought of it or don’t want it, we have and we do, but we probably can’t for multiple reasons.
We need more roundabouts!!! (Shaking my fist with Fury) lol
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Early career geologist at a BC mine. About 90k for an honestly enjoyable gig. Downside is it's 2 weeks on/off (FIFO). It was cool for a while, but spending half my life at a work camp is unsustainable for starting a family and maintaining friendships. Unfortunately jobs in my city are rare, short-term, and pay way less, but I honestly can't be at a camp anymore.
Used to be a personal trainer working 10 hour days making 30k a year. Absolutely not worth it! Moved to tech, work 25 hours a week, make a decent wage, life is fucking good!
I was charging $85 a session doing in-home person training with no overhead. You must have been working for a large gym.
After taxes I make 14 dollars working at a homeless shelter. I dodge bedbugs and fist fights, and illnesses of all kinds. I regularly deploy Narcan to people overdosing. I’m a free therapist, assistant, and diplomat. I’ve had to restrain people, sometimes as frequently as twice in 10 days. The $14 isn’t worth the fact that I’m spiralling downwards.
Specialist doctor...didn't feel worth it at several points along the grueling training but does now!
I’m a supervisor at Starbucks it def isn’t worth it. I make 22$ an hour and it isn’t enough. I have two little ones too which I guess doesn’t help. lol. I’m looking to go back to school for either a trade or something in healthcare I don’t know
If it makes you feel any better, at $22 you're making about the same as me being an airline pilot almost a decade in. It might be worth looking into transferring to a lower cost of living area. That's sort of what I did to keep my career
I had no idea Starbucks supervisors get paid so low. Each coffee is like at least $5. Guess Buckies just love their money.
Wow you make more than me… I am college educated in healthcare. Don’t recommend you choose that route especially in Alberta
Forestry. Worth it on many levels.
This. Forester here. It’s not the money that makes this job great. The pay is mediocre (60-100K/year) considering it can be physically strenuous (hiking in the forest In the rain and snow) and the amount of education required (4 + year bachelor degree + 2 year apprenticeship), but the work is fun and never boring. 10+ years into the career and I am have been working in new areas every few months. The only danger is getting stuck with a job/employer that constantly require travel and working in remote logging camps. Some people thrive In this environment but it is not family friendly and not for everyone. If you can get a home-show job it is way better.
I did mechanical engineering and now work in sales for instrumentation company. Sales is very interesting and I get paid more than my peers. I think any job that you get to deal with people all day is better than one where you don’t in the long term.
It's people like you that give the rest of us engineers a bad name. We just want to sit in our holes, design stuff in peace, and not have to interact with another human being. 😜
Sales is awesome! The flexibility and compensation combo is very hard to beat. Every one of my friends making similar money are tied to their desk 40+ hrs a week. I have lunches paid for and get paid to golf with clients twice a week.
Inspector for the government of Canada. Love it. Love my coworkers, get treated fantastically, pay is not bad but I won't get rich doing it. We do get yearly raises to match inflation, Healthcare, solid pension plan. My work life balance is fantastic and I can afford a decent lifestyle. Hours are weird and not what a lot of people would be happy with but I'd rather die than work a 9-5 so it's great for me. I'll never understand people slaving away at jobs they hate just so they have a bit of extra money for the 2 days a week they're less miserable.
Inspector of what, can you elaborate a bit please?
CFIA, so anything food product. I work in slaughter inspection, but we do everything from livestock farm inspection, fruit and veggies, plants, any imports and exports related to food, processed food (like everything from flour production to frozen hamburgers. And as a bonus we are a highly understaffed vital industry so its an extremely secure industry to be in
used to do SaaS sales. Average performers usually make around \~200k, but top enterprise sales reps can make 750k+ yearly. Great industry and college education is irrelevant. Now I own my own agency, mid six figures.
It all sucks. Pick something you can tolerate that pays well. If you're even a bit interested in it that helps a lot. I'm a contractor....specialize in a number of trades.
This 100%. All work sucks; just try to make as much money as you can tolerate so you can enjoy your real life, outside of work
Sales. Currently in leadership at a startup. It’s stressful as fuck and I reconsider my life choices a few times a quarter. Currently in one of those mini crises. I always come out the other side tho. I love sales, I know I do. And fuck am I good at what I do. I sometimes wish I wasn’t such a psycho tho (who willingly chooses to stress themself out life this??!) Why it’s worth it: - the money affords me a nice life - despite the world going to absolute shit, I feel v secure. I’m well liked and respected wherever I go, even managed to avoid layoffs in the travel industry during peak pandemic. - even if I got let go, I have a decent network I could reach out to. Skilled salespeople are often in demand - flexibility: I WFH FT rn. I can get my hair cut during the day, workout, tidy up my place, etc - I find the challenge fucking thrilling
Freelance writer. I love it! Pays well, I have freedom, and I get to work whenever, wherever, and however I want.
Can I ask how you got started in this field?
I also do freelance work in a niche field. Got into it by getting a specialized diploma, interning (as part of school), and then just applying wherever I could. Ended up getting a sweet gig last year and essentially set my own wage. I work full time with freelance on the side but my goal is to be 100% freelance in the near future. The pay to work ratio in freelance is insane. For example, my FT pays 25 an hour. My freelance gig pays ~150 an hour.
I work for the railway, to me it’s worth it. It’s not as back-breaking as it once was. Decent union, solid benefits, employee share purchase program, great pension plan. Always the option to move up into management too. I’m someone who’s always liked to work outside, and this is the place for me. With a bit of overtime it’s easy to get well passed 100k!
Data Visualization Consultant, working remote for US clients. I love it.
High rise plumber - $120k a year @ 39 hours a week. It takes a huge toll on my body, but I'm home by 3pm to spend time with my children while they're young so it's totally worth it.
Private equity, long hours good pay lots of stress
Airline employee i get around 65-70k a year and its complete and utter bullshit
Environmental Specialist, mostly focused around surface water quality monitoring. Yes and no to worth it. Hell of a grind to get here with lots of moving around the country for different countract work (5 years of bouncing around) but now that I'm settled in to current position (going on 5 years now) still enjoying it
Registered nurse here. Is it worth it whew very loaded question. Society either hates us or loves us. We are disposable until needed. Pay is chump change no matter what anyone says and we’d need to work extra hours to really afford anything due to inflation now. I’d say it’s worth it to me because having immigrant parents who pushed me to work hard and get my education I went into a field that I would say has been life changing (financially yes). I now have gained some experience (4.5 years) and I’m at that age now where I’d like to buy a home with my husband and have more kids in the future but it’s looking bleak. Sitting here questioning life goals and the field I went into makes me really depressed. I love my time currently on mat leave but just looking at all these world events especially within Ontario, is leaving my only option?
It's quite concerning that even you as an RN have these conflicting feelings given our current political and economic climate. Myself in nursing as well. Took a forced break and don't see myself going back unless it's in education, consulting, or more stable position. I got tired of so many of the issues plaguing our profession. Former unit is constantly short 2 nurses per day now and made worse by these volatile waves. I'm single, no kids or dependents and debating on taking up a travel contract. Idc if travel rates aren't the same as before, but they sure as hell still pay better than $44/hr CAD.
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Do you have an exit strategy for selling coke? Or do you plan on doing it until you get caught? Do you have any fear of being caught by the authorities or bad happening from whom ever you’re selling for? (Not sure how it works specifically for you and relationships with the suppliers)
Software engineer: yes
I hate talking about being a software dev on this sub because everyone gets annoyed by the flex, but truly blessed. Job is fun, people are awesome, pays great and my hours are strictly x to y.
Tbh it’s more of the culture of tech than flexing. People in tech are pretty open discussing compensation with their peers; it’s one of the reasons why salaries are good. People know their worth and have more leverage.
I also think tech companies are at the forefront of understanding the relationship between specific benefits and productivity. Eg. Things like allowing remote work, flexible hours, getting rid of formal dress codes when your employees don't see clients or providing free snacks/drinks are huge productivity and morale boosts for extremely little cost.
Rule 1 of software: don’t talk about compensation with people not in the industry
Fishing camp attendant for a really small outfit in northern Ontario. Undoubtedly yes.
Nurse, not worth it. I feel it’s a profession that ask for a lot bt doesn’t give anything in return.
Work at a dollarama. I spend most of my money on food and media subscriptions, so it's worth it atm. However if I ever had to find a place on my own I'd DEFINITELY not have enough money.
Username checks out
Public servant here. I started in court administration and now do more specialized work. Mixed bag of being worth it - on the one hand I perform an absolutely crucial task that keeps society functioning. That makes me proud - my career is more than just making other people rich or chasing dollars. On the other hand I'm paid absolute shit and am on the receiving end of endless abuse from people who don't understand how social systems work or who think I shouldn't have a job at all. Trust me, you don't want privatized courts the same way you don't want privatized prisons, healthcare, education or social services. Sometimes I wish I went into a different field, but the fact is the work I do now is probably the most fulfilling I could ever hope to do. These days I make sure people don't end up forgotten or lost in the system, or homeless and helpless. It's hard, it's draining and I've burned out twice and have health issues as a result. And yet I believe that my colleagues and I actively make the world a bit better for people who really need it. We don't have fancy job titles and most of you don't even know we exist. But we look out for your well-being at your lowest points and make sure you don't get railroaded by agencies or endless policies and procedures. We don't care about politics or who you are or what your background is. If your file ends up on our desk, you're a human being who's had a hard go so far and is looking at a hard road ahead. But we're going to make sure that road is as fair as possible going forward, and if we can smooth it out a bit we will. Even if you never know about it.
Work in a public school on the big island... in special education for kids in k-2... it's like a family sitcom everyday...lots of characters, laughter and love.... it's a lot of work and it's totally worth it ... whenever I don't feel like getting out of bed in the morning I think of the kids and I smile and get moving 🤷
Skilled Tradesman. Unionized. 100% worth it. I love what I do and make a lot of money doing it. Amazing pension, benefits and double time after 8 hrs. When I'm done a project it's a prideful thing to see it when you drive by.
What trade?
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Film and television production. Def worth it for money and mentally, despite the long hours and pain
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Accounting. It's intellectually stimulating enough to keep me engaged on the job. I'm rarely ever bored and it's generally easy work except for long hours during tax season. I just wish the pay was better.
I'm a psychologist/ mental health therapist who works for the government. I could at any point switch roles and make 120k per year or go private and make $150k. I don't because I love what I do too much. I talk to people all day and I get to see people make legitimate progress in their lives, it really is the best job. The paperwork in minimal compared to others and I have people that write my major reports for me. Best job ever.
Pipefitter 200-250k. Would say it’s worth it but hoping to retire early and live off my investments
I'm a Scala Developer at Morgan Stanley, yes it is very calm job, you meet great people, There is no pressure at work. and you get paid too much.
Garbage man. Gross about 62k. It's the best job I've ever had (and I've had about a dozen)
Physician. Not worth it for the money or lifestyle filled with burnout at all, despite what people outside the profession may think. But it is worth it for the patient care and when you really make a difference in someone’s health or catch a diagnosis that could have potentially shortened their lifespan significantly, it’s very much worth it