Careers & work
Careers guide — work is more than salary
Mechanic overview without listing every job event chain.
After 20 you enter the workforce — jobs affect income, stress, time, relationships, and your children’s starting point. Core mid-game in full release; demo ends around 20.
Difficulty: MediumBefore you start
- DSE and subjects gate some majors — read the DSE guide first.
- Dream jobs can be high stress; stable jobs can feel limiting — pick for role-play.
- Near Future era has AI job disruption — plan automation-resistant paths.
Step-by-step checkpoints
Start: First job
- University vs trade/early work — different starting pay and events.
- Finance, nurse, teacher, trades have distinct chains.
- Early savings affect later property timing.
Mid: Job changes & promotion
- Switching jobs can raise pay but reset relationship/skill buildup.
- Status affects social and family expectations.
- Work stress can drag health and partner stats.
Late: Career & legacy
- Late-career choices affect retirement and children’s start.
- Full release runs to 99 — career lines span the whole arc.
- Ties to property and emigration — see those guides.
Common mistakes & fixes
| Mistake | What to do instead |
|---|---|
| Chasing max salary ignoring stress | High-stress paths trigger bad random chains — leave recovery room. |
| Ignoring major requirements | Check target majors at 15–16 — DSE guide explains. |
| Assuming university guarantees stability | Rent, family, and shocks still reshape careers. |
Clear checklist
- Tried at least one university vs non-uni career line.
- Understand income/stress/time triangle.
- Saved buffer for property or emigration.
Careers are the mid-game spine — read together with era economics.
Extra notes
Career choices often clash with family expectations — see Family & legacy.
Scope: Full version: careers 20–99. Demo stops at ~20.