Thousands Of People Who Ditched Their Corporate Jobs Are Sharing How They Successfully Did It And What They Do Now

    "I'm a party princess performer and it pays GOOD."

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    Caitlin Kurzman has been going viral for stirring up some controversial questions on TikTok, like whether or not it is fashionably acceptable to wear blue and black together.

    And, as someone who just graduated with a master's degree, Caitlin told BuzzFeed that she was curious what job options there are besides the corporate 9–5. "I feel like society tells us that after college you have to be unhappy from 9–5 to pay the bills when there are other options that can still pay the bills and make you happy," she said.

    Caitlin stands in front of an arched building and statue wearing a graduation cap and sash that reads "Class of 2024" and "UNC."

    So, she posted a TikTok asking people who quit working in the corporate world what they are doing for a living. Not surprisingly, over 3 million people became invested in the video — and thousands of people shared how they have found happiness working outside the corporate world.

    Caitlin Kurzman's TikTok video

    The responses gave people the hope they needed to potentially make the move, too:

    A comment by Chavyofit reads: "this is making me feel better about changing my career. and showing me there is endless possibilities. love, love, love everyone here who took the risk"

    Without further ado, here's what people who ditched their 9–5s are doing (besides looking for a man in finance)...

    Instagram comment from user gooploop: "looking for a man in finenance"

    1. A commercial fisherwoman in Alaska who only works three months a year:

    Messhka's comment: "Commercial fisherwoman in Alaska. Hard work for three months and then I play the rest of the year"

    2. A waitress who makes significantly more than she did in healthcare:

    Instagram comment by mollym reads: "I waitress full time AT A DINER and I make triple what I did in healthcare"

    3. A former teacher who took a leap of faith and now writes episodes for children's TV shows:

    A post by animationpie sharing they've left teaching to write cartoons, and mentioning they've written 10 episodes of Mickey Mouse Funhouse and others on Disney Junior

    4. A bartender who is bringing in the bucks:

    Madison's comment reads, "Bartender. I make $4300 ish every two weeks! Not counting cash," followed by clapping emojis

    5. A flight attendant who is becoming a pilot after ditching their corporate accounting job:

    Nickey Cox shared that she quit her accounting job to join aviation, worked as a flight attendant, received a pilot scholarship, and is training to be a pilot

    6. A breakfast attendant who loves to cook and meet new people:

    Comment by WinnieFatCat: "Was a receptionist and hated my life now I'm a breakfast attendant at a Mariot hotel and I cook food and fill the buffet, im off by 11am every day plus I get to keep any tips and meet lots of people!"

    7. A Trader Joe's employee who gets raises every six months:

    Kallie says she works at Trader Joe's, earns over $20 an hour after 2 years, and gets a 75-cent raise every 6 months

    8. A pet sitter and walker who owns their own business:

    Pay's comment reads: "I'm a full time pet sitter and walker. I own my own business and only ever meet owners once ? it’s so nice"

    9. An Amazon delivery driver:

    Bugndudesmom comments about enjoying being an Amazon delivery driver, liking the solitude, listening to music/podcasts/books, and making people happy

    10. A cosmetologist who was done sitting behind a desk:

    Comment from pamfitness: "I'm 61 and just got my cosmetology license. I always hated sitting behind a desk. I finally did something about it. And yes I'm taking a huge cut in salary at first. I'm terrified and staying hopeful"

    11. A wedding pet care company where you get to take animals to weddings:

    Comment by ilana: "Started the nation's first wedding pet care company with my best friend ? Now we take dogs to weddings for a living"

    12. A cleaning business:

    Alicia Neumann says she has a cleaning business, works 25 hours a week, makes more than in corporate America, and is very happy

    13. A photography company:

    Instagram post by Brit?: "I quit my 9 yr corporate career (Director level) to start my own photography company & focus on raising our babies! My soul came back - never been happier!!!!❤️"

    14. Running a small farm and selling goods:

    Kaitlyn comments: "I run a small farm and set up at local markets selling poultry, vegetables and baked goods. There are other ways." with 935 likes

    15. A ghost tour owner, plus paranormal investigator:

    Comment by nikk0.0random stating, "Paranormal investigator and ghost tour business owner ;)"

    16. Working at a campground where you also get to live there free:

    Natalie RV Life comment: "Working front desk at a campground! It’s called work camping - I live here for free"

    17. Delivering bread:

    Jill Aldridge shares that she and her husband left their 9 to 5 jobs to buy a bread route. They enjoy delivering bread early in the mornings

    18. Making jewelry out of deer antlers:

    A user named "The Antlered Doe" comments, "I quit 10 years ago with $100 to my name and never looked back. I make jewelry out of deer antlers"

    19. Running a greenhouse:

    Brittney Salmons shares that she left her loan department job at a bank to run a greenhouse and care for plants all day

    20. A holistic practitioner:

    Comment by kaylah belvoir: "my mom used to be a corporate america girly and now she's a holistic practitioner and does reiki, shamanism, and other little hippy dippy things"

    21. A photo booth company owner:

    CD's comment reads, "Own a photobooth company"

    22. A Top Golf manager:

    Ellie shares in a comment that she quit her 9-5 job, was unemployed for three months, and is now a manager at Top Golf, expressing that it's very fun

    23. A real estate photographer:

    Collin's social media post: "I became a real estate photographer ? I make my own hours and never work weekends or nights, and I see some really cool houses! sometimes even get to take pictures with a drone"

    24. A nanny:

    Bayleigh Adams comments that she gets paid to go to the pool, park, and take care of the cutest kid ever who takes a 3-hour nap daily. She prefers this over corporate America

    25. A party princess performer:

    Nadia's social media post shares that she works as a party princess performer in DC and earns as much per party as she did in a week of rehearsal as a professional DC actor

    26. A bakery business owner:

    Instagram comment from trickyrickyclan: "Quit my job in pharmaceuticals to be a SAHM and start a bakery business that will hopefully morph into a coffee shop eventually"

    27. A yoga and Pilates teacher:

    Comment from jordanbrieanna reads: "Corporate finance of big banks to yoga & Pilates teacher!"

    28. A fast food delivery driver:

    Comment by Steph: "Food delivery lol I get $180-$200 a day so ima stick with it lol"

    29. Someone who helps kids with autism:

    Nicole comments, "I provide in home services to kiddos on the autism spectrum and drive them to their therapies, etc. loveeee it!!!" with 86 likes

    30. Finally, people admitted it can be harder but well worth the switch:

    r.m.jennsch: Had a crisis, wrote 2 books, opened a business. Is it way harder? Yeah. Am I way happier? Also yes.
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