Should I quit without anything lined up?

Anonymous

August 16,2023 at 12:57AM UTC

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Should I quit without anything lined up?

This is a long one, so thank you so much to anyone who reads it all because I'm very lost right now. I was hired through a "women in technology" program out of college under the impression that I would be working in more of a software engineering role. However, I was moved into a support/reporting role in which I'm the only person supporting a legacy reporting application that is lacking in internal and external training resources. I now know that this should have been a sign to quit this job right away.

I'm being tasked with moving the reporting system and all associated reports to a new tool by next year entirely by myself. My previous manager has confirmed that it's impossible to meet this deadline. I'm so overwhelmed with problems and requests related to our current reporting system that I don't even have time to start on this project. This is also not a project that a junior employee would normally manage beginning-to-end alone.

My new(er) manager (my fourth in <2 years) is saying that funding is not allocated for this project, so I need to work on determining projections for this project's budget. I don't know where to start on this because even senior level contacts/managers on other teams have said that I should not be involved with budgeting, only management.

New manager is also saying that if we don't get funding, reports just can't be moved, which means users will lose access to them on the deadline date. Same goes for if I can't get this project done on time. While I can't offer much more detail, I work for a fairly large company in a regulated financial industry and foresee so many possible consequences if these reports are lost.

This just scrapes the surface of what I've dealt with and witnessed while at this job. I've tried to advocate for myself and speak up about issues, but I'm usually just ignored (or insulted) by management and my team. However, I have a gut feeling that my current situation is an impending disaster and I'm being being taken advantage of/set up as a scapegoat

I've been applying for other tech jobs for almost two years with no success. However, within the past two months, I've had a severe flare-up of a pre-existing physical condition that I'm pretty sure was triggered by the increasing stress of this job. It's to the point where I can't even physically get into an office, so I might get fired for that in the future anyway.

I'm worried about the professional consequences of not finishing this project, but I'm also worried about quitting my first job without anything lined up in this market (and without any confidence/transferable skills). Is this a situation where I cut my losses and get out asap anyway?

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Gini BeasleyAugust 16,2023 at 12:33PM UTC
such corporate bs. Your instincts are right, they dont care about you or the project. Get out. Reach out to recruiters, staffing agencies, find another role. Good luck
AnonymousAugust 16,2023 at 12:53PM UTC
I quit my extremely toxic and unethical job in May without having anything else lined up. It was to the point that it was affecting every part of my life and making me physically and mentally unwell. I am still feeling the repercussions, especially in the mental department.
This market is extremely tough and I have been unable to secure another position. I am single and living off my savings and the money is quickly running out so to say I am stressed is an understatement.
In saying that, do I regret leaving without another job lined up? No, I don’t. Your emotional and physical well being are more important than any job.
AnonymousAugust 16,2023 at 12:59PM UTC
OK, this is something I wish someone had told me at the beginning of my career:
Your job is not to fix everything. Your job is not to know everything. Your job is not to do the impossible. You are not a failure if you cannot fix, know, and do everything.
So this is what you do:
Write an email that clearly says “We are at risk of losing access to this data. I do not have the resources to complete this transition. In order to migrate it on the schedule, I need XXX.” XXX could be a project manager, FTEs, or an outside consultant.
Briefly and clearly outline the risks. Then outline a solution if you can think of one. If you cannot, say so. People who get paid more than you do will have to solve the problem now that you have flagged it.
Sound the alarm clearly, and loudly. Then you can know that you did your part, and you will have a record of having done so.
And unless they immediately jump up and provide you with resources (which they probably won’t, because it sounds like that place is a mess) start jobhunting right after you press send on that email. But you will know that you did the right thing.
maria roseAugust 17,2023 at 5:27PM UTC
At the same time, following the advice of the anonymous above my comment, starting taking better care of yourself physically and use PTO ( provided you have any) or just taking a day off either way. You don’t mention anything about benefits like that but do mention that you have taken time off because of the stress reaction that caused you to take time off. I know some jobs in tech work on a all hands on board theme and some “managers “ demand performance without regard to employees feelings or feedback because of their own self-centered focus on the task at hand.
It appears that you have reached the go-no go stage with this job and really want to move forward. You have several options but you have to choose your best option for your circumstances—one option—quit immediately and deal with the consequences of having no job and no income coming in but having eliminated the job stress immediately. Another option is to take a day off—paid or not—destress —cutoff from technology—a spa day and evaluate your future plans. Having done that, if your stres from work is causing a physical reaction, get the doctor’s notation needed for HR to get accommodations which will at least temporarily reduce your job stress and keep you on the payroll receiving an income—I am assuming you need your paycheck to pay your bills and necessary expenses and are not just working in this job as a past time experience. Third option—start looking for a new job ASAP and not in the same kind of work environment. Whatever you choose to do do it ASAP. Good luck
AnonymousAugust 16,2023 at 12:59PM UTC
That is a lot to be going through! I am so sorry. It's a ridiculously competitive job market right now. Is there a way for you to take a paid medical leave of absence to give yourself some breathing room and more time to spend on looking for another job? Have you discussed your concerns with HR? I know that can be a dicey situation if your current boss is already saying to them that you're not cutting it. But often HR represents the needs of the company (wants to avoid lawsuits) so they *should* care about (a) the type of work being assigned to a junior level and not being compensated appropriately and (b) being assigned a "set up to fail" project.
This post might be helpful too: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-deal-with-unreasonable-demands-at-work
BarbaraAugust 16,2023 at 1:00PM UTC
sounds like you need to visit your doctor who will put you on stress leave. The company cannot fire you or even contact you while on leave. It will give you some much needed time to heal and get perspective. Also, shift your attitude from doormat to skilled professional with options.
take care of yourself!!!
AnonymousAugust 16,2023 at 1:15PM UTC
You'll need to address you health first. Running yourself into the ground is irresponsible. Take leave, short term disability or all pto. Whatever you decide is sufficient. Work with your doctor
Furthermore, start researching consulting companies that can assess the project and estimate what it will cost to move the project, what the timeline for delivery will be and what the hurdles will be. They will need someone on the inside if the company to project manage. That job will be yours. Then propose this alternative to management.
This is how you manage expectations, offer solutions and save your job.
Work first with your doctor to improve your health.
AnonymousAugust 17,2023 at 6:38PM UTC
Don't quit, instead start tracking what you do and be honest with leadership using that tracker about what you know and are able to accomplish and not. Focus on things that you can do that could transport into a new company and will be things that you enjoy and can build upon. Then use the tracker when you interview at other places to share what you have done and accomplished in your first job with limited supervision and a changing management structure. The reason you are looking for something new should be wanting to take what you learned and using it in a place where you are passionate about the companies mission and there is opportunity to impact and move up. Then draft a good cover note when you apply places and hit up your network for referrals, use your advisor from college to help if need be. As for your health, do something every day in a work break midday that allows you to breathe, walk, take a lunch, read a book. Good luck.