u/notwinorlose

Hello all,

This might not be the correct place to ask this question, or it may have been asked already. But I’d like to better understand how our government operates in more concrete, systematic terms. I follow politics in a casually, read the news (Reuters, The Hill, AP, etc.), and try to follow issues that I care about. But most of my understanding and beliefs are roughly based on a vague understanding of things. I know general things, term limits, the purpose of the bicameral structure of Congress, the functions of the branches, etc. But I feel as if more specific things allude me. I don’t understand how the role of a governor differs from Congress-members and what impact each position has on the government. I don’t understand what members of a state legislature do differently from the Congressional members of the same state. (Like, a Congressman and Assemblyman who represent the same area represent it in the state government and federal government, respectively, but what does that differentiation for the area they both serve?) And how do the federal agencies interact with Congress when it comes to national politics? I don’t exactly know where to go to read legislation passed by the government, and am thus at the mercy of the news I consume to understand what a given bill/resolution does. Furthermore, I don’t know what to learn about the effects of a given piece of legislation and if it’s positive or negative—again, making me rely simply on the news I consume. I don’t know what the purpose is of having both county governments and city governments, and where one’s authority ends and the other’s begins. And I don’t really understand the court system and what the different levels do—trial, appellate, circuit, supreme.

When it comes to the granular, policy-specific side of government, I often feel overwhelmed and lost in trying to understand everything. Can anyone more knowledgeable recommend resources for someone like me to better understand our government beyond abstract statements like “the judiciary interprets the law”? I should understand the structure of things beyond a superficial level, but I don’t know where to begin.

I recently graduated from college, which means I am in the middle of applying for jobs and thinking about my next immediate steps. But I’m also thinking longer term about what career I’d like to pursue and what kind of role I could see myself working in for decades. I studied history and English in college and was interested in becoming a US history professor, but the disastrous state of academia convinced me not to go that route.

As I research directions to go professionally, it seems like EVERY possible career option is advised against. Wanna be a teacher? Students are terrible, the pay is mediocre and administrators do little to support you. Wanna be a lawyer? You’ll take on monumental debt for cutthroat and draining work, competing for far fewer jobs than there are graduates. Nursing? You’ll with unruly and grotesque medical scenarios for medium pay. Business? Enter into a profession where AI is slowly replacing administrative positions. Finance? Same with business, but with more competition. Tech? Government? Media? Journalism? Archival work? Research? Listening to the noise online, it seems like every industry is dysfunctional beyond repair.

I’d be interested to hear what some professions are that people don’t think are terrible, hyper competitive or on the verge of collapse. Every time I have an idea for a career I think I would enjoy and be good at, I invariably come across a sea of naysayers who paint it as impractical, stressful or unpleasant work. It’s making me discouraged about the future and the likelihood that I will find a career I am happy with. But I also know the internet provides a platform for many to air their grievances, so the general impression tends to be negative.

What jobs and industries are actually decent to work in? And if you’ve ended up in a career you find fulfilling, what brought you to it? Or are the people complaining online usually doing so because it’s easier to recognize problems with your job than the positive aspects? I am not looking for a career without any shortcomings, but just curious what some roles are that people find they and other are very happy with.

Hello all,

I have been accepted to the Peace Corps in Albania, and am in the process of getting cleared. I have a medical condition which doesn’t pose any major issues or concerns for service, but is monitored on a yearly basis. I had surgery for the issue and will likely have another surgery 10+ years from now, but presently everything looks great. My doctor believes I should return home to get it checked and monitor any developments. He also noted that dental health is very important for the condition I have, so is insistent that I am somewhere with reliable dental.

Is returning home once or twice during service a reasonable accommodation for medical care? And can I expect dental to be reasonably decent? Or is this likely to be too big of an issue for serving?

I appreciate anyone who can provide input.