Hi ladies - I found Fairygodboss after Googling and generally being unhappy for the past year or so regarding my job.

Anonymous

October 8,2021 at 10:39PM UTC

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Hi ladies - I found Fairygodboss after Googling and generally being unhappy for the past year or so regarding my job. I work in Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) and it is in a factory. The work is half office and half production floor facing. It is quite laborious and not as administrative as one would think. I have been in the industry since 2016 and it was my undergrad major. I think I am experiencing burnout and today was the first day I have ever typed those words out. I have been having trouble sleeping, anxiety, feelings of unhappiness, and general fatigue, and lack of motivation to do anything.

The job is constant stress - there are always incidents, and they are 24/7. No matter if it is the weekend - I have to respond. I don't enjoy the work, and I really dread Mondays, but always look forward to any day I can leave early, or Fridays where I can escape early.

I contemplated going back to grad school for an online HR degree, so I can switch careers and work from home. I am just scared of making the transition because I am currently in a Senior role, and I'd essentially be starting all over again. My 6+ years of experience in this industry will not really be applicable to HR, maybe some portions but not much.

I also want to work from home so that when I have kids, I will be able to have more flexibility. I also want to no longer have to chase down safety incidents as I get older - I do not forsee any upward growth in this company which will allow me to be in a higher level role, where I spend less time on the production floor.

I plan to get pregnant in the next 2 years, and I am also concerned that the chemicals used on the production floor may also have adverse health effects on my future baby, even though they will claim to have proper controls in place. With this kind of physically intensive role, and high stress job, I do not want to return to it after having a child, so I am looking for a remote job.

Thoughts on whether this is the right choice for me?

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Elizabeth White-PetersOctober 8,2021 at 11:21PM UTC
Check out DRI. Their certifications will help you transition and they have a job network for grads ;)
Tanika (Nika) Vasquez - (she/her)October 9,2021 at 12:17AM UTC
I agree with the comment below. It seems to be that your job is causing you too much stress. I would start looking for a new job immediately. If you worked your way up to a senior role once then you can do it again. Several people have started over in a new field, including me. Don't be afraid to start over. Most skills are transferable. I would do some research on the career path you want to take and align your resume to the skills associated with the jobs that interest you. https://www.onetonline.org/ is a great resource that I use all of the time to see which skills are important in different roles. Best of luck to you!
Jackie RukaOctober 9,2021 at 1:11AM UTC
No job is worth your mental health.
And I don't believe in starting over, that's a mindset that should be dismissed as soon as possible. Look at a fresh beginning as starting with experience instead.
You are thinking ahead and wanting to make positive change is crucial to your health and future of starting a family.
I think SHRM has HR certificates, which are classes you can take to get the HR education and placement that you desire. HR is a growing field, maybe SHRM has openings you may be qualified for with your transferrable skills?
https://vizi.vizirecruiter.com/SHRM-2952/index.html
Joanne RosenOctober 9,2021 at 5:33PM UTC
Hi,
I've worked with a lot of EHS people on their resumes. Sometimes, being a consultant is best. Not sure how remote it could be:
https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/2735659227/
Most consultants have to travel.
Sadly, you are in a very hands-on industry. My other thought is to be an entrepreneur. Small businesses in your area may want EHS consulting so they can ensure compliance and decrease incidents and insurance premiums.
Good luck!
Joanne
Analytic Advantage Career Consulting
AnonymousOctober 13,2021 at 1:43PM UTC
My husband works in EHS. Over his career, he has worked in a number of industries (including construction, nuclear power and more...) and currently oversees an EHS program in a hospital system. In addition to regular audits, much of his job involves training. He also oversees workmans comp, etc. Do you have any certifications like CSP?
I would suggest staying in the field but looking for other industries. They are not all as physically demanding as manufacturing. And with additional training, etc, you will find yourself much more marketable. Even things like becoming a CPR instructor (or even ALICE Training, etc.) will help you find a new position. These all fall under the larger umbrella of workplace safety.
Good luck!
AnonymousOctober 13,2021 at 6:19PM UTC
I would say that I think it would be easier to leave a senior role now so that you have time over your career to move back up versus waiting longer. Good luck.
Peg BittnerOctober 17,2021 at 12:50AM UTC
I really feel that you do not have to explain yourself in great detail as to why just that you are. You could just say you are taking your career in a different direction and that is all you need to say. They don't need to know for their records or by law to know what direction you are going in. First of all you are not definite where you ae heading to begin with so there is no hiding anything, You just are just exploring other options. I can fully understand where you are, what you want to do and the position this has put you in. Soon you will find what you are looking for and realize that you wasted a very good fret for something that just needed a little worry. Good Luck with this growht spurt.