<prompt> Human: I joined the Navy right out of high school and CT-R wouldve been my rate, had I not been separated shortly into boot camp for an unexpected health issue. Right after my return home, I enrolled in college. Spent a year and a half working on pre-reqs and busting my ass completing an accredited Dental Assisting program. I got my Dental Assisting National Board DANB certification as a Certified Dental Assistant. I thought I loved this field, but the more time I spend in it, the more I feel a growing hatred for it. Out of school, Office A hires me on at 12hr. Things didnt work out. A few months later, Office B hires me at 10hr and wont budge despite me and only the lead assistant of our 5 assistants being DANB certified. It meant nothing to the person hiring. I was fine with it, until I realized soon into my job that Im doing a lot of work that requires special skills and putting up with very impatient, greedy, entitled dentists as my bosses for only 1hr more than what I made as a Pharmacy Technician during college. I love that I am full time with benefits and have Friday-Sunday off every week, but I am miserable. I will have to either see a therapist or get on anxiety meds if I stick around there. Its taking a toll on me not only mentally, but physically as well. Ive considered going back to school either during the night or online to pursue a degree in a different line of work, but I am unsure of what. Ive considered Business, Finance, Science, Engineering, and Cyber Security. I just dont want to pick another field Ill be unhappy in. This is a huge gamble. Am I better off staying here and most likely not getting my desired pay of 12-13hr I dont feel thats too much to ask while my bosses are living a very lavish lifestyle, or should I pursue something else while Im still young 21? My co-workers keep saying oh nowhere else pays this well! but if that were true, why did Office A start me at 12hr right out of school and Office B acted like I should be turning cartwheels for 10hr in a much more tense and demanding work environment?? Please help.  <response>: Of the roughly 1000 dental assistants who wrote in to Payscale to say what they were making, none of them owned up to making only 10hour. So Id say your first option would be to see if you could get more money, since that might make any job look better. 