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PaperclipPerfector  4mo ago (text post)   3217 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for August 10, 2025

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What are some viable career paths in a small american city (~100,000)?

I have experience in tech (ops, presales) but I don't like the fact that I have to work a remote job. I'd like to be more integrated into the local community. I've thought of teaching (which I like) or doing some sort of IT work (big pay cut, probably pretty boring). I'm open to nearly any kind of white-collar work where I can transfer my skills. In my mid-30s I'm too old for an easy complete career reset.

Most non-rustbelt cities have some kind of successful local business or industry, surely. I think this is the big advantage of medicine, sales, and to some extent IT/sysadmin work. In other industries you actually have to be in NYC, LA, SF, Texas, whatever. If you have a job title that is both necessary but that any medium sized or above business needs a couple of, you can move back to your hometown with a 90th percentile (locally) job and live a great, striving-free life.

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