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I ended up transitioning to another career within my original industry (but the far end of it) around 50 years old. The old part of the industry changed and became obsolete for older workers. Within my new area of work, there are two sides to it (Say side A and side B). I have more experience in side A, but those jobs are very competitive, so I took a job in side B to learn it and because there seemed to be more opportunities.

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Anonymous

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I ended up transitioning to another career within my original industry (but the far end of it) around 50 years old. The old part of the industry changed and became obsolete for older workers. Within my new area of work, there are two sides to it (Say side A and side B). I have more experience in side A, but those jobs are very competitive, so I took a job in side B to learn it and because there seemed to be more opportunities.

I’ve been at this job on side B for almost 18 months, and having to take a step back to rechannel, I’m working with some pretty petty “office worker” types. Competition instead of teamwork, backstabbing, people taking credit for others’ work, etc. I feel I’ve been at this job long enough that it is safe to start looking, but jobs in side A, where I belong, are scarce. Candidates are chosen even before the job is posted, and we just go through the motions to satisfy legal requirements for the companies, etc. I’ve come close, but it’s so competitive that I’ve always been cut the last round. Networking has not landed a job. I even tried to get a position that was a 25% pay cut just to get back to side A in a better environment, but the job req was rescinded in the middle of the interview process.

I’ve been on the receiving end of the behavior above since the start. I don’t know if it is because my background (education/ responsibility/title) was higher than theirs (they are a bit older), but it is BAD. I’ve never worked in a more dysfunctional environment. I have a new manager very recently who comes from a very strong background in the field. She’s worked at the largest orgs in the industry, and is a true leader. She saw what is going on immediately without my having to mention it, but she is also so new that she is fighting her own battles to meet her goals. So, at least for now, I am stuck.

My question is: what do you do when you are stuck (even if temporarily) to save your sanity? What has worked for you? I feel like I am resigning to staying in this hell with no way out. I can’t afford to quit.

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  1. Anonymous

    These feelings will come and go.

    What I've learned is extreme balance. I have built an amazing and joyful personal life that has at least 50% of my attention on any given day. I love my friends and family and I have varied interests that present growth, comfort and fulfillment.

    With juggling that along with a career that seldom presents me with growth anymore, my days are filled and happy for the most part. And when life hits a challenge. I have plenty of comfort, support and energy to deal with it.

    This is how I take a step back to go with the flow ar work and not give the monotony and drama a second thought. I have way too much stimulation and joy to waste my precious time.

  2. Anonymous

    I hear you. I have been where you are and I'm older than you. You say you can't afford to quit. The question is can you afford to stay? You may have to do what's best to salvage your total health - mentally, spiritually, physically, and financially - and that may be to find a job and land the position before/as you leave.

    It may sound hard, but that's short term hard; in the long run, do you really want to be at a job in the position that you are in currently? Make applying for and talking about your next steps your part time job, and full time aspiration. Believe in yourself. You have gotten yourself to this point and you can get yourself out of this and on to your next chapter. This is NOT the end of your story and you have to believe that.

    Invest in yourself. If you are on LinkedIn, start upgrading your network and open your profile to start looking for a new position. If you're not on LinkedIn, please join immediately. I cannot tell you how many times it has directly benefited me in my illustrious career in a niche industry - but it has been many times, if not practically all opportunities in the last 15 years. Talk about what you'd like for yourself, talk it into existence. If you put your vision of how you see your future, and what you'd like in it out there, it will happen. Speak it into happening. You have the ability to do this.

    I know it sounds cliche, but in the end all of those little things that we say to ourselves and go through are doable. If it were not so, then this website and many others like it would not exist. We, as woman doing things, wouldn't exist. You can get yourself out of this toxic environment. I want to know what happens to you, next. I believe you can do this. Please believe it, too

  3. Anonymous

    Sounds like you have a strong skill set. I also worked in a negative environment and lasted 18 months till I had a colleague who was trying to recruit me, recruited me. More money, completely remote and this was before remote was the happening thing. It's okay to leave now.

    However, I've found in really challenging times, that the ones who survive are the ones who outwit. Even in the most insane petty, mean girl, competitive environments, I survived. Primarily because I get along with everyone and also I'm a bull in a china shop but one of the nicer bulls and I'm witty, which helps me when I'm thinking on my feet, and also, I always decide, should I just stay quiet or speak up, and gauge where to spend my energy. If you can remove yourself from the personal hits of "bullets" flying across your office, do that. I also find working remote has saved my sanity in terrible office environments. It's like being on your own happy island until you have to go back to the main island for supplies (i.e. I work hybrid). In the meantime, use your mind to calm you and try to meditate or take a walk outside of your office, listen to spa music at work, and also, beef up your resume and keep plugging away at getting out. Sometimes the next spot isn't open for you yet. And also, are your skills transferable to another industry? If so, let's say you're in Accounting, do your skills transfer to another company in another industry, let's say Logistic companies? Just something to think about that can help you get out of your current situation.

  4. Anonymous

    I know people will say, ignore it, rise above it...whatever. I have been there, and did stick with it for years. It isn't worth it. Find something else

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