As ND asked, what field? Something computerish, yes?

He's currently a help desk guy. I think that perhaps one of the things he needs help with, is to brainstorm ideas for getting away from the tech world, while maintaining a decent level of income and benefits.

What does he want to do?

Sometimes doing similar things in different environments can be an improvement. I work for a non-profit, and IT there seems to have reasonable hours and expectations and good benefits. My department's kinda screwy (although I'm getting moved away from the more dysfunctional bits--yay!), but IT seems well run and sane. If Daniel's interested, there are usually some good non-profit job listings here: [link]

I think that perhaps one of the things he needs help with, is to brainstorm ideas for getting away from the tech world, while maintaining a decent level of income and benefits.

Some people like the book What Color Is Your Parachute? -- it's been years since I looked at it, but IIRC, one of the things it does is help the reader with figuring out things like What Do I Want To Do? and What Field Do I Want To Do It In?, etc.

I think it gets updated pretty regularly, so you may want to check the library -- he could look through it while he's recuperating.

Sometimes doing similar things in different environments can be an improvement. I work for a non-profit, and IT there seems to have reasonable hours and expectations and good benefits.

I was going to say something similar -- are you anywhere close enough to a decent-sized university to look for work there? Pay is often not great but benefits are excellent; some of the bigger unis maintain their own temp pools, which is a great way to get the uni experience you usually need in order to get a uni job (and at least half the people I know at my uni, including myself, started out as temps who eventually lucked into the right position and got offered a permanent place). And the atmosphere is, for all its frequent awfulness and dysfunction, awful and dysfunctional in a way that's much more tolerable for many people than the corporate world. Or, at least, that's been my experience. And it (or, as Sail points out, anything in the nonprofit/public sector) might also be a better, happier, less toxic atmosphere for Daniel.

Does he have disability benefits? Can he use those while he heals and figures it out?

I was going to suggest IT work for a city/county govt or school district less pay, better hours, and usually better long term benefits

IT may not be where he wishes to stay , however, working in a job that does not take over you life can give you enough room to do some exploring

working in a job that does not take over you life can give you enough room to do some exploring

Yes, exactly. A job that lets you go home at 5 and not check in until 8 the next morning can allow you to volunteer, take classes, and otherwise look for a different career path that suits you better. A fulltime+ job eats a big chunk out of ones day. It would be a shame to spend that much time being miserable.

I was going to suggest IT work for a city/county govt or school district less pay, better hours, and usually better long term benefits

There was a listing for the local county government IT department. He did apply. I do not believe they responded at all, let alone get called in for an interview. I had the feeling that somebody's aunt's cousin's friend had the job in his or her pocket already and they were just posting the ad to make it look like they followed protocol.

What does he want to do?

I don't think he is clear on that. The rec for "What Color Is My Parachute" sounds like a good idea. I'll see if I can find it in the library.

Thanks, everyone.

There are some legitimate work-from-home companies, WS. For example, this company [link] hires people with call center experience to do call center work from home. Even if he doesn't like the work per se, he could be away from the toxic environment and commute while he figures out something else.