Honest question. Is it just me and my friend group or do we all agree that going into this line of work was the worst decision you’ve ever made?

If it’s not what you are passionate about anymore, reflect and find your passion! It’s always changing! I use to love being a graphic designer, but now my passion has changed into using my skills to become a children’s book author! God always has a plan for us! He’s gives us direction and we gain these skills to use them how we feel most passionate doing so! I went from working with Wolverine world wide for Merrell and CAT footwear, to becoming a mother of twins and now I’ve rediscovered a new purpose with my talents! I encourage you to also use yours to find abundance within to create external wealth doing as little as possible with bigger opportunities! Good luck to you 🩷

I’ve worked in factories, restaurants, and grocery stores. I have very few regrets about making good money working in an office in a tshirt and sneakers, solving problems with creative people. Every time I hang out with a lawyer, I appreciate my advertising career even more.

It's the worst except for everything else. No offense, but you're infinitely closer to the seat of power in this industry than the vast majority of people wherever you are. The work is obviously demanding, but we are so so so privileged being in this line of work.

It's fair not to like it. Or have moral qualms. Or not like the work-life balance.

But if you *honestly* think this industry is anything less than "pretty good," you're out of touch.

It’s just you and your friend group, and a lot of others people. But there’s equally many people perfectly happy. .

Have you worked in restaurants? Advertising sucks sometimes but nowhere close to foodservice

A great decision for me. Though I made it like 32 years ago! (Whoa-that sounds freaky to me saying it now). I got so much out this career. I learned. I grew. I made money (sometimes). I made lifelong friends. I travelled to dozens (plural) of countries on the company’s dime. I won awards, ate like a king, etc. BUT!… it’s not like that now. I’ve just fallen out of love with it. That happens once you see too much BS. So it was great, I’m grateful, and now I’m working on my exit plan.

I’ve been in the business for 30 years. Had some very high level roles. And I completely agree. If I could do it over again, I would get as far away from this as possible.

The fact that i'm replying to this on a Friday night, while working, probably answers your question.

I’m in my 60s. I fell into the ad biz back in the 80s (when that was an actual way in…) and would do it again in a heartbeat with one catch—I’d enter the biz when I did if I was back in ‘84. Before the mega holding companies took over. When (at least for me) there were creatives so good you knew their names. Now? It’s just sad. But you can still make sick $$$

100%. And even worse, 28 years later and I cannot figure out what type of work to pivot to.

Well, now that you’ve come to the conclusion that it’s bad for you what are you going to do about it? Vent and get back to work or move on to something else that suits you better? Don’t just complain. I’m not meaning to be harsh but you’re in control of your future. I’ve been in the industry for about 30 years and despite it’s hectic nature wouldn’t trade it for anything. It’s hard work but all-in-all still exciting. Good luck.

It has its challenges, there’s plenty of bullshit and can be mentally exhausting. But if you get it right you get to make interesting work, get paid a lot, make great friends, wear what you want, drink beers at lunch, mess around on the Internet when you want, and occasionally travel the world. Compared to working in accounting, manual labour, or customer service - I know what I’d rather be doing. No regrets.

I don’t think I’m smart enough to do something else that pays similarly to (or better than) advertising.

If that’s honestly how you feel at your core, you gotta get out and go find the thing that will work for you. Have a serious come to
Jesus chat with yourself. If this is truly how you feel, and your post isn’t just a rant or a vent… you gotta get out while you can. Otherwise you will be miserable. And you’re meant for more than that.

Reading through the comments here, there seems to be a sadness, which I share. Getting paid to be creative is amazing. What’s sad, is that all creativity is consumable and for the most part, forgotten, unless maybe you got an award. I never made big money. I barely made any. When people ask me what I do, everyone just nods and says, “mmm”. Like, no one cares what you do. It’s not life-changing. I thought I wanted to write a book. Now, I’m just trying to figure out what profession I could transition into to increase my earnings. I don’t learn easily (probably because of ADD) but have come to realize I’m brilliant on some level. But that, hardly pays the rent. Pour me another, Sam. 😆

Have you ever met a lawyer or doctor who is 3-5 years into their career? They all are miserable and would quit if they could. I've never met a doctor who would advise going into medicine today. I'm related to a federal judge you all know the name of; even she would privately tell you it wasn't worth it.

Agreed, marketing in late stage hyper-capitalism is toxic af.

If I could afford a new degree I would leave…but I can’t! So I’m here for a while.

So funny, it's true.
I've changed careers mentally, sometimes while I'm listening to clients tell me "that's not what I envisioned", when I'm told to hurry up and proof it out, yet there are no notes in the system, emails to artwork@, etc.

I don’t understand - I love copywriting and content writing. What is it you hate so much about it? Would you rather be unemployed or working at McDonald’s or in a call center? Because those are the only options available in the job market right now.