Tyumen Residents Share Why They Can't Quit Low-Paying Jobs

A Tyumen woman«s story about quitting her job sparked a strong response from readers. After the publication of a column about how a mother of two managed to leave a low-paying job and build a new career, a real battle unfolded in the comments. People began sharing their own stories—some had taken a similar path and increased their income, while others still can»t escape the vicious cycle of low salaries, lack of prospects, and constant side jobs. We collected the most striking opinions—on why Tyumen residents quit, stay, move, burn out, and continue searching for a way out of financial deadlock every day.

“I myself have been looking for a job for the second year. Now I earn 65,000 rubles (approximately $650 at current rates) plus perks like free meals and free vacations at children«s camps. I like the work itself, I don»t want to leave. But they won«t raise my salary anymore: they only promised an extra 5,000 rubles (about $50) next year—and that»s it. Fortunately, I have no loans, but I still don«t have enough money. Utilities, food, children»s needs—they«re schoolchildren, everything is needed.”

“It»s hard to find a well-paid job in Tyumen. And university graduates aren«t hired at all or are paid 30,000 rubles (about $300) and loaded with a bunch of duties.”

“Graduates without experience aren»t needed in any city or country. The first time is always difficult everywhere. Simply, some understand that they need to grow and that 30,000 rubles (about $300)—is not forever, while others go to warehouses and stores, earn 40,000–50,000 rubles (approximately $400–$500), but forever and without prospects. And secondly: graduates stubbornly refuse to understand that along with the «diploma» and academic knowledge upon graduation, practical skills should also be attached. A resume should contain not one line about the diploma, but a portfolio, projects, internships, practices.”

“Teachers, doctors, medical workers should urgently quit and go look for high-paying jobs.”

“If everyone strives to work in positions for 200,000 rubles (about $2,000), then who will teach us, heal us, sweep the streets, sell goods, maintain law and order? Write how to survive until retirement when it«s been pushed back five years, and there»s no health to work… How?”

“A paramedic has no other opportunities. We work for our salary, and few can take side jobs because the main job is so exhausting that only sleep is left. There are many such professions. We bring real benefit to the state, but remain poor, while this «buy-sell»—is everywhere.”

“I am a kindergarten teacher. Salary—38,000 rubles (approximately $380). I have no housing of my own, forced to rent: for a one-room apartment I pay 25,000 rubles (about $250), only enough left for food. In my field, a significant raise is possible only if I take a position as deputy director, director, and so on, with all that entails. I tried to find work in another specialty, underwent retraining—in Tyumen they don«t hire, they say: ‘What»s the use of your retraining, we need experienced specialists.’ I really like working with children, but what to do if it«s so poorly paid? What can I, an ordinary teacher, do to reach at least 50,000 rubles (about $500) without side jobs?”

“I can»t find any job at all. For 40,000 rubles (approximately $400) I«m not ready to work 12 hours on my feet. Tyumen—is a big village. Where in a village is there work? 10% have it, the rest get by. I have many skills, but here they»re not in demand. Moving is not possible yet. I can«t work on a shift basis either—no one to leave the cats with… That»s how it all goes around.”

“I«ve worked in medicine all my life, as a nurse. My salary—up to 50,000 rubles (about $500). Maybe the country doesn»t need nurses? 35 years of service, 22 of them I worked at 1.5 rates to survive.”

“I didn«t whine and now earn 2.5 times more. But for that, I had to leave Tyumen, because in my profession there, salaries were 30,000–50,000 rubles (approximately $300–$500). For salaries above—huge competition and queues.”

“The story is quite real: I also went from 40,000 to 240,000 rubles (from about $400 to $2,400), but I have to work like a dog. Only now, with 200,000 rubles (about $2,000) you can»t really splurge—and debts remain from those times when I earned pennies. Roughly speaking, about a hundred thousand a month goes to mortgage and loan, but it«s glad that the debts are rapidly melting away.”

Recently, Tyumen blogger Ksenia Sergeeva told how her family survives on 100,000 rubles (approximately $1,000) a month. Half the income goes to loans, the rest barely covers living expenses and the child, so they have to economize on many things. The girl»s story sparked a strong response. Some recognized themselves in her tale and shared their own experience. Others, on the contrary, condemned the city woman. For what—read in the selection of the most emotional statements.