This week...

Anonymous

March 11,2022 at 1:18PM UTC

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This week...

Has literally kicked me in the butt. The start of the week was not well at all, tears, yelling, etc. I have been thinking long and hard regarding this industry I recently am new in, wondering if its for me. Am I just questioning over a bad week, or is it because I was so comfortable in my old industry in healthcare, and when I lost my job-this one was something I wanted to try. I feel defeated, like I am not doing a good enough job. Like this isn't for me. As an almost 39 year old-do I just ride it out? Ugh..

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Tina MayMarch 11,2022 at 1:41PM UTC
Never ride anything out, if your heart is not in!
On the other hand, take time to re-evaluate whether you even want to stay. 39 is a great age to move around! Good luck!!
AnonymousMarch 11,2022 at 2:00PM UTC
Same, but for other reasons. New to this job (of 3 months) and have been wondering for a while if this was a bad move. Feel free to DM me to chat. Sounds like we're in similar company!
CarrieMarch 11,2022 at 4:22PM UTC
I'm here if you need me too :)
AnonymousMarch 11,2022 at 3:07PM UTC
I think you can take comfort in excepting that the switch you made is huge. You will not perform with nearly the same comfort and confidence for a while. I would say it takes about 6 months to get a working understanding of the job and industry and 1 year to really gain expertise and solid confidence.
That's not to say you won't build these things along the way and have winning days where you see your progress and a sense of contribution.
It's not clear from your post if you are crying and yelling or if your colleagues are shouting at you and reducing you to tears. If that's the case please get out of there.
Building a career is filled with difficulties but is also very rewarding so give your grace and time.
Mary MelloyMarch 11,2022 at 3:14PM UTC
To be totally honest, I have felt out of place most of my career in the technology field, no matter what type of week I am having. That said, if this is the field what you want then take a step back from the bad week and evaluate the job situation based on your good weeks. A day off with coffee time is one of my favorite ways to do this :) Bad weeks are almost always the result of what might be happening outside the office environment. For example, one of my bad weeks was a result of bad news received from family members. Unfortunately, this bleed over into the work environment. It is something that is hard to control. After reflecting on why I was being the way I was, I had a heart to heart with my scrum master who reassured me that everything was okay. He also gave me the time I needed to come to terms with the family news. Having said all that consider what is it that you are looking for from a job or industry? If your current position isn't offering this type of support, then look elsewhere (groups like this, webinars, books, etc.) Create your own support system, don't rely on the workplace to do that for you. Your support system can be work or hobby oriented, it is just an outlet for your. If you want to go back to healthcare and have a tech degree then look for jobs within those parameters. Evaluate your strengths and weakness by taking a Strenghtfinders type test and look at your current/future positions from that point of view. You might be surprised at the ways you can find to succeed even in the bad weeks. Above all, hang in there....we have all been there.
Kris Mertins-ElliottMarch 12,2022 at 1:34PM UTC
I can't tell from your post how long it's been that you've been at your job. I think it's completely natural to feel uncomfortable in a new position, in a new industry. I'm sure you were quite comfortable in your previous job and this is unsettling for you. I've been told that it can take a full year before you feel like you know what you're doing and "fit in". Give yourself some grace and time to get more settled.
With that said, is there the opportunity for a 1-on-1 with your boss over the events of this past week? As a new(ish) employee, I would think part of the onboarding (or initial training) process would include some sort of probationary or periodic progress review. If that's not part of their culture, I would ask for it for yourself. If you decide to do that, and it doesn't go as you would hope, then move along. Do NOT just "ride it out". It is NEVER too late and you are certainly not too old to explore other (better) opportunities.
Best of luck!
AnonymousMarch 12,2022 at 2:45PM UTC
Any major change is hard. It takes a lot of time to get as comfortable with the new as you were with the old. Having said that, only you know for sure if this isn’t the right path for you. Don’t let a bad week or a few bad days determine your next step but look at the overall experience so far. Look down the road a few months, past the initial rough patches. Do you see this being something you could be happy doing once you’re past the beginning newbie stage? Let that answer help you determine your next steps.
AnonymousMarch 12,2022 at 5:13PM UTC
I’ve certainly been in your shoes. Things that have helped me were to write it out in a journal or talk it over with a friend. If you find yourself coming back to same theme in a few weeks or months, try to identify what you can change or what is out of your control. You’ll know best if this is for you in the long run, but it’s okay to know that transition takes some time and can feel rough. Take some moments for self-care too.