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Anybody have coping strategies for working a job that ultimately serves 0 positive good to society? (hexbear.net)

submitted 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Been making internet ads more reliable for a few years now. That's literally my entire job. Making sure that ads get shown on your computer screen with as little errors as possible. I was able to handle it okay at first because it pays well and I have no ability to get another job (combination of awful labor market and low experience) but I've been dissociating hard af and have started to get incredibly dark thoughts while at work (I'm perfectly fine outside of it) the last few weeks

It's not even a fake email job, it's pretty complex and has a decently high workload too so I can't just screw around. I actually need to be able to focus deeply for hours every day which is now almost impossible because of how empty and dreadful it's been making me

Haven't quit because I'm supporting my partner as well who makes no money living their desired career

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[–] [email protected] 17 points 4 weeks ago

Hey I used to do this job !!!

It is hard, it’s a industry with almost no fault tolerance in the process of stripping itself down to be run by less and less people.

I was able to use the experience to transfer to other fields requiring constant uptime and content delivery without being as much of a pressure cooker.

If you’ve been there for a few years already I would start looking at building all the very in-demand skills involved in near-instantaneous content delivery + data tracking into your resume or begin to specialize in one of the “cookie replacement” technologies that are worth 400 trillion dollars.

Especially in the current job market of “no one wants to train juniors” these are invaluable. Your job might even offer courses / cover training in whatever you are missing.

For your own mental wellbeing being able to focus on something related to but not the job itself might help? Sorry I know it’s hard being the breadwinner making slacking off / “quiet quitting” a risk. Best of luck and hope your situation improves.