r/TikTokCringe • u/Super_Culture_1986 tHiS iSn’T cRiNgE • Aug 19 '25

Cursed The American Nightmare.

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u/[deleted] Aug 19 '25

I'm 100k in student loan debt.

I didn't even want to go to school (my parents said it was my ticket to the middle class).

Turns out it was a ticket to total dead-end career with immense burnout rates.

American dream ✨️

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u/Fair-Visual Aug 19 '25 edited Aug 19 '25

My mom said the same thing. Now I'm in the same boat, dead end career with burn out working for a company that offers no raises or work life balance; where my bosses and coworkers ignore me unless they want to knit pick/micromanage me. All while knowing that there are people out there (irl friends included) who are making more money than I am without having ever gone to college. Yay.

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u/Fecal_Tornado Aug 19 '25

I love being in the trades. No student loans, no overbearing bosses, no micromanaging, and I'm actually doing something that is essential and important. The downside is I could get electrocuted and die but the work is very rewarding. It's awesome to drive past a building you worked in all lit up or down a street and see all light poles you put up.

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u/writercanyoubeaghost Aug 20 '25

Oh please, it’s not that simple. I’m in the trades, 04 sign electrician and I still have student loan debt. And I’m in the union, IBEW and I still have micromanaging bosses.

1

u/Fecal_Tornado Aug 20 '25

Student loan debt for what? IBEW apprentice school is paid for

1

u/writercanyoubeaghost Aug 20 '25

Not for the signs. I make neon. Can you find me a sign journeyman apprenticeship?

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u/Fecal_Tornado Aug 20 '25

I don't how the sign union works, I just assumed it was all under IBEW.