u/Grouchy_Ad1147

Hi everyone! Just like many have noticed the job market is an absolute trash right now. I live in the DMV area and have a MPH in Environment, Health, & Safety as well as experience in the field. Other than that I have had the fortune to work in diverse public health fronts such as health policy, substance use prevention, nutrition education, and more. I have been unemployed with some gigs here and there since December 2025. I have been interviewing non stop but still haven’t landed a role. I began exploring the possibility of working as a personal trainer and I have been getting some traction there, as well as applying for barista roles, and like care coordinator/medical office receptionist I still haven’t landed anything stable. I have been getting many call backs and continue to interview though.

I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations of alternative routes. I am deeply interested to hopefully get my foot in the door in the engineering spaces eventually but right now I just need income.

I have been connected by my network for some opportunities but this situation extremely difficult right now in this job market.

Any pointers, advice, insights would be appreciated!

Hi everyone, I'm usually more of a reader than an active participant but wanted to share a bit of a situation and get some insight from you all.

Me and my partner are thinking of moving in together as the next. As of right, we basically live in between our two apartments, buy groceries, and share expenses when we go out and such. We began having this conversation, we both have similar outlook in terms of budget, we are both financially responsible in terms of savings, priorities/responsibilities, etc...

During moving in together talks, we talked about general yet very important questions: when shit hits the fan, what do we do? or how do we each financially contribute? In terms of contributing financially, he had said to split expenses 50/50 which I had said its okay, I also said that there is also to contribute in proportion to income since those things fluctuate over time, and it allows both parties to still have a good amount of disposable income, and he said he doesn't agree with that model because the both of us are using everything to the same extent.

For instance, if any of us losses our jobs, gets sick, and in general just life gets hard temporarily...my approach is that my commitment to this person is to support as much as I can especially when unexpected shit happens, like if you lose your job, I can have your back and cover a bigger portion of expenses while you get back on your feet. His approach is that he can do that, but if I will be paying him back? He expressed his fear of not wanting to be used like a bank (however, as he met me and as he knows me I am extremely career driven and we have had many conversations in which I have even objectively thought about my career potentials, and that even if perhaps we were to have children, and I was the breadwinner, he wouldn't have a problem staying at home or simply earning less and I also do not have a problem with that model either...so essentially none of us follows the stereotypical roles which we both like).

When he asked the question, I said, I could pay back, I mean I am not entitled to your money. He also had asked met that question of "what happens if life happens to you, what is your contingency plan? savings, parents, etc..." and I said "I have my own stuff, but I guess if there is a point where it is a situation where the financial burden will be too big to be covered by my money and I am unable to work, I guess I'd have to lean towards where I have that full support like my parents"

Interestingly, I ask him what happens during pregnancy? he made the exception and said I'd obviously take more of a caretaker role and he will go out and get the money to pay himself, the bills, and money for me as well. He does see the pregnancy and caretaking role as the job that it is which is good.

Then at some point I asked, so you don't see us ever having like any shared financial plan together? He said "we can have some joint accounts, and yes plans of purchases together obviously, but my money is my money" to which I see as okay but I don't know exactly how that plays out in real life when life simply just happens...

I guess I would like some good advice here. I am someone who comes from a good family, has always had her own money, has 2 college degrees and loves school (I am possibly going back for engineering or law school), and I am financially wise with my money, however there is a part of me that feels like this situation sounds a bit conditional? I am not sure if that's the case. I am someone who likes to see this situations logically, and feelings aside especially when the both of us understand and are aware of our family's wealth (and respect and protect what our parents have built).

I'd appreciate any insight!