30 year old engineer who hates the field, what should I do?

Advice

I have a degree in chemical engineering with experience in engineering drafting (more specifically refrigeration system design). I was helping big corps destroy the planet, which I didn't mind because of the pay. After a close family member passed my outlook on life had completely changed and I realized I hated what I was doing and wasted my life for the sake of money and safety.

I tried to get over it for the past 2 years and just couldn't. I was too scared to leave but was recently laid off, they could clearly see I was miserable there. I don't know what I want to do next, but I know I want to directly help people. I don't want to work at a firm or as a process engineer. I want to teach chemistry, or build water systems in areas with no access to clean water, or anything that's not this. I'm wondering what's out there and what I can do. I don't even mind leaving the US, I just want to help and need a change in my life.

Posted Jun 12, 2026, 8:08 PM UTC

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