Laid off, toxic home, clueless - need guidance

[Shailesh]

My career so far:

• 2017 - Finished 10th with 95%
• 2019 - Finished 12th with PCM (87%)
• 2022 - Graduated B.A. (Hons.) Philosophy from a tier‑3 DU college (75%)
• 2023 - Took a gap year for management entrances; scores were poor
• 2024 - First job as a content writer (2.4 LPA), full‑time WFH
• 2025 - Promoted to senior content writer (3 LPA). Stayed till Jan 2026 (20 months). Resigned to prepare for an MBA, but again couldn't score well.
• 2026 - Job‑hunted for 2‑3 months, got 4 offers and joined as a content marketing associate in April (4 LPA). In May the company dissolved the content marketing team, so my last day was 31 May.

Now I'm job‑searching again and the market is terrible. I've always been a topper, so my family had high expectations. I was forced into science after 10th even though I wanted commerce, and the lack of proper guidance made my career messy. Being a woman adds extra restrictions; I constantly feel I must follow my family's wishes. I feel like a loser and guilty for never standing up for myself since school.

Even when I got the job, people mocked my low salary. After being laid off, my dad told me to quit private jobs and prepare for government exams. He never supported me financially during the job hunt, and my elder brother also makes fun of me for working at startups. When I get offers from MNCs, they won't let me move out of my hometown because it's a night shift and there's no one to look after me. It feels like nothing I do is ever enough.

I'm exhausted and want to run away from this house. It doesn't feel like a home anymore - my parents don't even talk to each other, and there's no emotional or financial support. I'm just stuck in my room, applying for jobs and studying for interviews.

If anyone can guide me on how to move forward, improve my life, and build a solid career, I'd really appreciate it. I'm a hard‑working, ambitious 25‑year‑old woman. I'm wondering if I can shift into tech - is that possible? I need a job ASAP and want to upskill in the right direction. I can't stay idle any longer.

[Gaurav]

How can I become a content writer?

[Esha]

If you really want to do an MBA, you could get into a decent college instead of hopping between small startups. The only issue is the 20‑30 lakh fee for a few colleges. You have good scores.

[Satish]

If you're passionate about philosophy, consider preparing for the NET exam. With your background, cracking CAT or XAT will be tough, so those aren't the best options. You could try SNAP, otherwise you'll keep circling 4‑6 LPA jobs. For a solid career, either go for NET or an MBA. Keep in mind that an MBA from a tier‑2 institute can cost around 26 lakh and may only land you a 10 LPA job, leaving you with a hefty loan and possibly zero net worth by age 30.

[Aftab]

To be honest, I don't get why you picked philosophy over other courses. It's one of the least employable fields and you've put all your hopes into an uncertain MBA entrance.

[Menon]

Why did you quit your first job?