Navigating the Crossroads of Career Dilemmas and Burnout: Finding Your Path Forward

Anyone else going through a career crisis? Yeah, me too. This is my first blog post, and it’s already a bit of a downer, but hey, that’s real life sometimes. I’m here to share my messy, chaotic journey as a first gen student turned engineer who’s now wrestling with burnout and the big question: what’s next? If you’re juggling career transitions, burnout, or just trying to figure out how to balance your lifestyle with your job, welcome to the club. Let’s dive in.

Finding calm in the chaos of career decisions

From First Gen Student to Engineer: The Money Mindset

When I was in school, being a first gen student meant I felt this huge pressure to pick a career that would pay well. Money was the goal because it felt like security, success, and a way to prove I made it. Engineering seemed like the obvious choice; solid salary, stable job, and respect. I worked as an engineer for over five years, grinding through projects, deadlines, and stress.

But here’s the thing: money alone didn’t make me happy. The high-stress environment started to wear me down. I thought if I just pushed harder, I’d find balance. Spoiler alert: I didn’t.

Burnout Hits Hard

Burnout sneaks up on you. One day you’re crushing it, the next you’re zoning out during meetings about 2026 career goals and it's not even 2026 yet! That’s exactly what happened to me. I could feel my brain leaving the chat, dissociating from conversations that should have excited me but instead felt like a chore.

Burnout isn’t just being tired. It’s a deep exhaustion that makes you question your career choices and your lifestyle. It’s guilt mixed with frustration because you’ve always seen yourself as hardworking, but now your interests and your job’s demands don’t line up.

The Crossroads: To Stay or To Switch?

I’ve been at this crossroads for a while now. Do I quit corporate America altogether? Take a break and recharge? Or do I switch to a similar job in a different industry and hope that sparks something new?

For someone like me, who’s more of a “switch and see” type, taking a full break feels risky. I’m not great at sitting still and doing nothing. Instead, I moved to a different job, hoping it would be better. Spoiler alert again: it’s not. I don’t truly like it, and that feeling is hard to admit.

Why It’s Okay to Feel Lost

If you’re reading this and nodding along, know this: feeling lost or stuck during a career transition is normal. Especially if you’re first gen, there’s extra pressure to have it all figured out. Bonus points if you're the eldest daughter. But life isn’t a straight path. It’s more like a winding road with unexpected detours.

Here’s what I’ve learned so far:

• Your career doesn’t have to define you. It’s okay to explore different paths.

• Burnout is a signal, not a failure. It’s your body and mind telling you to slow down or change direction.

• Money matters, but it’s not everything. Finding a lifestyle that feels balanced is just as important.

  
  

Practical Steps I’m Trying

If you’re in the same boat, here are some things I’m doing that might help:

• Set small goals. Instead of big, scary career plans, I focus on what I can do this month to feel better or learn something new.

• Explore interests outside work. Travel, hobbies, or side projects can give you fresh energy and ideas.

• Talk to people in different industries. Sometimes a quick chat can open your eyes to options you hadn’t considered.

• Be honest with yourself. If a job doesn’t feel right, it’s okay to admit it and start looking for something else.

  
  

Reflecting on career goals and personal growth

Starting This Blog: Saying Out Loud What I Can’t Say Elsewhere

This blog is my way of breaking the silence. I don’t always feel comfortable sharing these thoughts with friends or family because they might not get it. But here, I can be honest about the messy feelings around career, money, burnout, and lifestyle.

If you’re feeling the same, maybe this space can be a little refuge for you too. We don’t have to have all the answers right now. Sometimes just knowing you’re not alone makes a difference.