Feeling Stuck

Question

I have been in my current role for about 3 years, and I like the work, but my supervisor and I do not seem to mesh well.  I have done quality work for the company, but I don't feel that we are on the same page.  I love the company and I believe in its mission, but I am feeling burned out and struggling to stay motivated.  Part if me is inclined to look for something else, but I don't have a Bachelors degree and therefore have been struggling to find a position that I am suited and qualified for. Before working at my current position, I was in a few different industries, and have accumulated a variety of skills/experience, but not enough in one particular area to satisfy potential employers.  I can't afford to go back to finish school at the moment, and I don't want to take a backwards step in my career by leaving.  How do I know if it's time to move on from my current position? I don't necessarily want to move on, but I'm not sure how to improve my current situation. If it is time to move on, how can I appeal to potential employers despite my lack of a degree?

Amy Fortney, PMP · Answer

It's time to move on when you cannot think of anything positive to attribute to your employer or your supervisor and you think every decision could have been better. I call that the Career Death Spiral. It ALWAYS comes out words and actions, despite attempts to filter it. Eventually, YOU are regarded as the problem, not the other way around. If you are there, it's time to go.

Ambika Sinha · Answer

Hi there - as a HR/talent person my advice would be for you to - 1. Develop internal and external career opportunities to move into. 
2. Work on managing upwards till there is an available option.
3. This might be your best time to start an online or part time degree, in the field that you see yourself in the mid to long term.  The options after a degree would open up.  Best to prioritize the degree.
Hope this helps...

Kathy Wisniewski · Answer

Hi there.  I'm so sorry for the frustrations you are experiencing at work.  I'd like to offer maybe a bit of a different perspective.  As a health coach, I believe that there is way more that goes into your health and wellness than just the food that you eat, and that your health is supported by 12 other pillars, career being one of them.  We spend a great deal of time at work and if it is affecting our health and wellbeing, we have to ask ourselves if it's worth it to remain at that job.  I totally understand the fact that sometimes it's not that easy - there are bills to pay, insurance that is needed, etc. But let me ask you 2 questions:

1. Often we can get in the mindset that something is happening TO us.  Have you considered that maybe this is happening FOR you?  Is there actually something that YOU can do to try to alleviate some of the frustration (i.e. have a difficult conversation with someone, build a case for yourself and actually ask for a raise, view something from another perspective)?  There is often way more that we do have control over that we just simply don't see.  An audit of these things is where I would personally start.  By exploring these areas, you will also be stretching yourself, growing, and learning new skills and may find that the purpose of all of this was to move you outside of your comfort zone and provide an opportunity for personal growth (if you believe in that sort of thing).

2. Have you considered starting a business of your own or creating something based on the variety of skills and experiences that you have acquired?  Is there any kind of online course you can create to teach others the valuable information that you know, while building another source of income on the side?  Who knows? Maybe that will end up taking off and will afford you the opportunity to eventually quit your job and just work for yourself.  Online education is a HOT area right now, especially in the midst of covid-19 - and many of the online coaches and teachers are in exactly the same boat as you - they have not completed a Bachelor's degree.  But a degree doesn't define you.  Get creative and manufacture your own opportunities. :)

I hope this is helpful.  Good luck to you!

Talia Rosenblum · Answer

Hi there! I totally hear you.

One thing I've personally experienced is hoping jobs, and hopping right into the same challenges somewhere else - it can be a bit habitual.

I'd say try and think about where you want to be personally, ignoring the struggles at your work, but thinking about what you personally want. Things like bosses/supervisors have a major impact on us, but (sadly) we can't change them.

I hope this helps to reflect on a bit!

Elizabeth Huber · Answer

I would say this sounds like the perfect time to start looking for new opportunities. The job search can take awhile, so starting your search BEFORE you feel completely burned out is a good strategy. Depending on your industry, not having a Bachelor's degree may not be as big of a deal-breaker as you think. Start getting clear on what you want in your career and in your next position. Get really clear on what jobs, responsibilities and tasks you want to be owning in your next position. Get really clear as well on what your ideal industries would be, and the type of environment. Start sniffing around. This is also a great time to really dig in to the special talents, hobbies and interests you have outside of work and spending more time on them. Start a journey of digging into your passions, both professional and personal. The creative ideas and pathways will start to open up as you open yourself up to an internal environment of greater nourishment from a soul level. Working on passion projects will also give you some nice distance and perspective from which to really think about what your ideal next step is. This is your life after all, and your dreams. We all have to be pragmatic, but don't get so pragmatic that you forget the essence of who you are and your deepest dreams along the way.

Jana Maclellan · Answer

You say you don't have a bachelor's degree. See if your company will pay for your education and take some online classes. Right now is the best time to take online classes.

Barb Hansen · Answer

My biggest successes in life have come from:

1. pivoting to a completely different industry 
and then, 
2. switching companies to get higher positions with a better wages.

It's your career path, as in 'yours' to decide what you want to do with it, and if your gut is telling you to try something new, then go for it. 
- do a skills inventory 
- look at inexpensive training options (online classes, training from Google/Amazon, if you are looking into a move into the tech world) because many jobs do not require a degree 
- find people/mentors in different jobs that you might be interested in to find out their career path, what they enjoy/don't enjoy about their jobs etc etc
- see if your current employer will pay for your education 
- see if you can do an internal move to another department
- volunteer for different projects in your current role (if that's an option available in your current job) 
- talk to your manager about your feelings (if you feel your manager is open to hear you and help you)

good luck

Juliana Vieira Habib Oliveira · Answer

Hi Fairy! With all these highlights pointed by you, honestly, I do believe you already know your answer. You want something new.
However, if it is possible, for you feeling more calm with your decision, I would advise you talking with your HR advisor to understand what the next positions would need and how you could improve (if you want to) to apply to those opportunities as well. Other options, it could be a lateral movement. Or, even changing to another department to start something completely new - however, in this case, probably you would start applying to JR positions. 
It is nice taking some feedback from colleagues and clients to know how they see you and your deliverables, so you talk to HR more prepared. 
HopeI have helped you.
Kindly.

Jackie Ghedine · Answer

It's really difficult to answer the 'should I leave' question as this is a very personal exploration you need to have with yourself.

When you feel burned out it's near impossible to see anything for how it really is. We are exhausted, frayed and our brains are searching for every negative thing and taking it as evidence that the world is crumbling.

Try to regenerate yourself and your own mental health first before even thinking about a new job or staying. You're making decisions (or trying to) from a negative energy instead of a positive energy which will inhibit your decision making capabilities.

As far as the manager, not meshing isn't a great place to be. It's disappointing and demoralizing.  Your manager won't change. The only thing you can adjust is how you respond to the situation and how much you allow the situation to impact you.

You like the company and the mission but this one manager is having you consider leaving...you're giving them a lot of power.

Have you thought about what you can do to try to get on the same page with the manager? Have you discussed with them how to communicate better, how to outline expectations?

The choice to stay or go is yours and before you make any decisions,  step away from the feeling of burnout. I promise you'll see solutions more clearly!

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