Advice Requested...

Anonymous

March 5,2024 at 5:19PM UTC

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Advice Requested...

I recently quit my job (4 months ago) to take an apprenticeship that paid nearly ten grand less than my previous job after completing an eight month boot camp.

The problem is this: I am not qualified for this job. The boss must have been seriously misled about the depth of education provided to people who completed this bootcamp because despite me being very clear that I did not know most of the stuff the company wanted a candidate to know, they hired me (I also learned that one of the primary reasons they picked me is because of my past experience in an industry kind of adjacent to what they do). And since hiring me, the boss has been consistently disappointed that I'm not learning quickly enough, participating enough, asking enough questions... etc.

I honestly think about quitting all the time. It's clear that no one put any thought into what to do with an apprentice like me, other than to tell them, learn this and then go do it. There is no structure to the experience, and I am getting so burned out and depressed over this. Maybe if they had picked someone else, they would be able to meet this challenge, but I am not. I oscillate between wishing they would just fire me already and being determined to spend all of my free time desperately trying to learn everything I need to know on the off chance I'll get a permanent offer.

I don't know what to do. I pretty much want to just quit and become a substitute teacher or a shop clerk or something. I feel like taking this apprenticeship was a huge mistake.

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AnonymousMarch 5,2024 at 5:51PM UTC
I feel for you. I am going through something similar. I say there is always a silver lining and learning in any experience. Make a list of the things you've learned. Spin them positively on your resume (use ChatGPT if you lack fancy terminology). Keep looking for another opportunity while continuing to learn more. Apprenticeship is a huge! I applaud that you dived into it and how far you've come. You got this (hug).
AnonymousMarch 5,2024 at 6:24PM UTC
OP here: Thanks - that's good advice.
AnonymousMarch 5,2024 at 7:27PM UTC
Is this a tech bootcamp? If so, this is more common than you think. I taught at a tech bootcamp and sometimes the career services oversold their students (even behind your back) so they could get THEIR numbers up. It seems you were being honest, but that doesn't mean everyone involved in your hiring process was.
So, as to what to do, first of all I suggest taking 'permanent job' off the table for now. That is just overwhelming. Instead, think of manageable goals that can help you prepare for your next job. If you can, it may also help to have a tough conversation with your supervisor aka "I know I am not aligning with the responsibilities of this job. I want to improve. What can I do." Of course, be more specific and make sure that you want to see your supervisor as a mentor/guide/helper to get you all out of this hole.
But, and I want to make this clear. First jobs out of bootcamps often stink. Bootcamps offer generalist education. In tech, you have to be a specialist. Don't give up on your dreams based on this one bad experience. Learn from it and congratulate yourself that you are making it through your first fail. Trust me, there will be others. And that is okay. You will be experienced!
JJMarch 6,2024 at 10:07PM UTC
If you can afford to quit, then quit. They probably hired an apprentice, hoping that you’d kill yourself to do all of the work for a lot less money.
AnonymousMarch 7,2024 at 2:05PM UTC
I think that is the thing with the bootcamps, it takes years to be skilled in a new technology (if that is the case) and since they hired you they should know that coming in, but if you don’t have the support to truly learn and grow then either stay in that field, but find a more supportive environment with true mentorship or look for something in what you are experienced in from your previous role.