I HATE my job

[crazy-girl]

I had a few days off recently and going back to work afterwards has completely reinforced my hatred of my job. I feel underappreciated, underutilized and I can't get rid of the nagging feeling that I'm completely wasting my life.

The job is also affecting my health. On my long weekend I had no headaches, was able to eat properly and barely smoked at all. After just a few hours back at work the other day my head was killing me, I felt like I was going to throw up and I craved a cigarette more than anything in the world.

Here's my problem: I obviously have to quit. I can't go on working in a job that creates a physical and mental hell for me. However, the recent job market doesn't make it too easy for me to just find a new job. I've actually been looking for other employment for a year and there are no jobs out there.

I just feel like I'm too smart and have too much of an education to get a retail job or a temp job. I know that's a horrible stigma but I just think of having to tell people I went to college with what I'm doing and saying something like "Oh I work at the Gap" makes me want to cry.

Advice?

[Broadway93]

Believe me, I've been there. My best advice for you would be go find a temp agency in your area and speak with them. See if they have work available right now in your area and if they do, then start temping for a little while.<br>
I have been looking for work for over 4 months (in Manhattan) and cannot find anything. So, I signed up with a temp agency who sent me out immediately (this particular temp agency ONLY sends people out to jobs in the Entertainment Industry) and I have been with the same "job" for two months now. I've only been to my actual temp agency once because the place I am temping now liked me so much they decided to keep me longer.<br>
Maybe I just got lucky, maybe not, but you have to assume that people are always going to go on vacation or get sick and need a temp in a big city. I don't know where you are located but if its within any major city, then you have a good chance of getting temp work. It may not be the most glamorous job but it has its benefits. You can pick and choose what days you work, if you want to work, save your money, and go away you don't have to give anyone notice, you meet lots of people (sometimes beneficial), and you learn an array of different things depending on what office you are placed in.<br>
Anyway, hope that helps somewhat, but don't jeopardize your health for your job. Its not worth it. Your health is something you need forever, your job isn't!<br>
Andrea

[crazy-girl]

Andrea,
Thanks for the advice. I just feel that by temping I'm wasting my college education. You know? There's such a stigma in some areas for being a secretary and I know that it's snobbish and I'm really trying to get over it.

I'm also worried about bills. I make a bad salary now but with some temp jobs (I've looked into temping) it's even worse. My student loans are up again for deferrment in February and I really didn't want to have to make another deferrment again.

It's so hard to make a change when you're comfortable in your job. Don't get me wrong, I hate it but I also get enough money to live on and I also get good health coverage. It's scary to think of starting over again.

My job now is not one where I could get another job in my same field in this town. I have a non-compete in my contract so if I'm going to leave I'd have to start a whole new career.

[Anonymous]

i can't tell you how relieved i feel to read that other people are having the same issues, confusions, and concerns - this is normal, i guess! i graduated from a top 10 liberal arts college (typical overacheiver), took a job in investment banking, and spent the past year utterly miserable. i don't know what i want to do with my life, but i knew couldn't be a banker anymore without going crazy. i knew it was bad when i considered "accidentally" falling down the stairs to sprain my ankle so that i could leave work. i quit my job and had major knee surgery all within a month. so now i'm sitting here on crutches, unemployed, and more confused than ever! the only thing i'm sure of is that quitting my job was the best move i ever made. life is too short to be miserable (physically and emotionally) at work. i don't have any grand ideas or life plans right now, and i'm trying to learn to deal with that. one day at a time, right? good luck to you!

[Anonymous]

Your posting about falling down the stairs was funny but not funny at the same time. Funny because I actually had that same thought earlier today as I was walking down the stairs to go out to lunch. Not funny because it scared me that I hate my job so much that I would consider harming myself in order to stay home. Needless to say, I didn't do it--just one of those split second thoughts.

[quanyn]

Hi...I know exactly how you feel. I hate my job, unfortunantly because i was going through a divorce, I didn't finish school, and can't afford to still. I'm stuck. In the meantime, I have tried to make work better by becoming closer to my co-workers, it really makes a difference in my job enjoyment. I don't recommend quitting or going to a job even less worthy of you. I wouldn't stop looking for another job or way out. Good Luck!!

[BridgesCLB]

All:
I am in the exact same boat, but I've decided to get the hell out of this trap. After working in a crappy town , in a crappy job that I hate, with no single girls anywhere to be found...I am going back to school to get another degree in graphics design. It's something I've always beat myself up about for not doing along time ago..so, I will be broke for another couple of years..but atleast I will finally be happy about what I'm doing. And maybe I can find a girl to date that doesn't have 8 kids and 3 ex-husbands as well as a tattoo of a battleship on her back in the town I move to!

[Anonymous]

Its the same situation for all of us. After working for a large dot.com that went bankrupt all of a sudden (in about a week period), I rushed to get another job, in the investment banking sector. Not only is the job horrible, the people not only boring, but somewhat evil, but the job takes more and more hours. I'd say I do about 60+ hours a week on a good week. I can't ask my boss for less, since he does that much and likes it. He, and all of them have no social life, don't work out, and expect me to do the same. Dating? Forget about it. And so repeats my endless cycle, since its impossible to look for work with no time on my hands to do it...

[Anonymous]

Sometimes you feel like you are out there on your own. I am so glad to know that others have experienced much of the same...well not glad about it but at least many of you can relate!

I just quit my job last week. For over a year and a half I did the insane hours. I worked until midnight and came in on weekends. The trend was set by a senior buyer I worked for.I was doing well with the company but burnout was looming over me. The long hours became expected. When I cut back on coming in on weekends, I found I couldn't get everything done. When I asked for help, I got little productive help.

I started dreading waking up every morning to go in. I cried many mornings on the way in. On a few occassions I ended up in tears at my desk. I started wishing for an accident of some sort to excuse me from going in. It was so sick to wish for those things! Well I actually started to get ulcers. I was so sick for 3 weeks. I went in and did part days. Finally they got so bad the doctor (bless her) excused me for work for a week. Over that week I reflected. It just so happen to coincide with the events of 9/11. You really start to realize what is important. No job is worth that kind of toll on your health. I needed out.

Last week I gave my notice...wouldn't you know...my ulcers were 90% better on my last day.

Sometimes you need to up and leave. I'm currently trying to line up temp jobs or anything that might open new doors. It is unfortunately going to be financially tight for a while but over all...isn't your health and mental well being worth more?

[Unregistered]

I don't have ulcers, but I have panic attacks.

I hate the people I work for so much I complained 2-3 hours a day, but I couldn't find another job that paid NEARLY what these people were paying me, and I really need the money to pay off my college debt.

One day, I woke up and realized nothing in my closet fit me. I weighed myself, I had gained 30 POUNDS! And I had only been at that job for 8 months! 30 POUNDS IN 8 MONTHS!

I freaked. I went to the doctor and told her to help me. She put me on antidepressants. I have been on them for 6 weeks. I have lost 10 lbs.

But I have to say, I complain about my job for about 10 min. a day instead of droning on for 2-3 hours, things are more tolerable at work, I still don't like it, but at least I don't feel like jumping off the roof anymore, or like PUSHING someone off the roof :) Also, Paxil gives me that extra boost of energy to keep looking for a better job instead of giving up the search...

[Unregistered]

Oh, I do understand your feelings. I think the my problem is that I have a need to feel like I'm helping society, even in the smallest way. My job, which is gov't, obviously secure, but moving to another gov't career with the horrific application process makes me want to move into the private sector. My job is essentially useless to the greater good of humankind. Also, the fact that they do those special little things for employees, like complimentary coffee and water (yes, I have to pay for these things!). Does anybody know of any non-profits in the DC area that pay livable salaries (more than uppers $20s) or resources that can help me? I'm looking for Research Assistant type positions and have about 2 years work experience and a degree in Psyc, oh and am fluent in Spanish. Thank you and gosh am I glad these boards are back!

[angiebabie1976]

I wish I can have some of you as my friends. All my friends have it all "figured it out". There are ones where they are just happy to have a job, some who are actually doing what they want to do and getting paid for it, and then there are the ones that are in grad school and don't know what it's like to be in the working world. I'm the only one in my group that dislikes what I do and totally lost. I'm 25, been working in HR since I graduated 3 years ago. I am still not making any money, and I'm not getting anywhere. Someone said on this post that they outgrow their job in about 3 month. Tha'ts me, after 3 month, I know how to do everything and want something challenging. However, I was hired to be an assistatn, that that'll be all I can do. I've been here for almost a year, I'm very proud of myself. What's keeping me here is the company's culture. This is the longest job I have held. I moved out of the house after moving back for 1 year. My mom and I argued everyday. She was not supportive and called me lazy for not picking something and stick with it. She also nagged me to go back to grad school. Now, I'm barely making enough to cover rent, car payrment/insurance, and student loan. I don't even have any money left over to eat! It's sad, the government wasted $50,000 on me for higher edcuation and society won't even give me 1/2 of that for living expenses. :mad:
email me if you like. I'm at ang_821@yahoo.com

[crazywillie]

hey...I know what it is like too, but no one should feel like retail is "below them". I work in web development and if I didn't like my job, and quit, I would do whatever I needed to do to keep my bills paid. To say that a certain line of work is a waste of a college degree is kinda snobby. As long as you know that a temp or retail job is just a temporary solution then don't fret, you know it is just something to hold you over until the job market improves.


Keep your head up

[Phoenix]

I don't necessarily think that the line of reasoning that a retail job is a waste of your education is snobby. I think it's more the frustrating and disappointing feeling that you can do something more challenging after going through the hard work of earning a college degree. (I mean, isn't the point of going to college and working those retail jobs while you're earning your degree (or you're in high school) to not have to work them anymore?) Yet, I do agree that doing a temporary or retail job while looking for something more challenging is definitely a worthwhile solution. If people ask you what you do for a living, don't feel ashamed to say that you're working retail while you're looking for a more challenging, permanent position. To me, that shows initiative - and personally, I'd be impressed that that person was willing to do what they needed to do to pay the bills (and maybe gain some job experience in another industry - ex: being a cashier or sales associate is 'customer service experience') while still pursuing a "dream" job.

To comment on Angie's statement - It may feel like your friends have it all figured out, but I really don't think ANYone does! I guarantee you that while they may seem to have their career path figured out, you can take comfort in the fact that there are other aspects of their life that they don't have all worked out. For instance, the ones in grad school could be worried about sinking themselves (further) into debt...or worried about finding a job after they graduate. Or others who are worrying about mortgages, credit card payments, relationships, etc.

Hang in there, though. I really hear you about the higher education expenses and low pay...I've thought the same thing!

[Unregistered]

This is so amazing. I've noticed that some posters are working as investment bankers, I'm currently working for a discount broker (no sales, just customer assisted trades and acct assistant). In the last year and a half, my health and esteem has gone to pits. At one time, I actually liked the stock market- Although I have never played it, I found it facinating. I also used to like people.
I've slept 5 hours in the last 2 days, even with tranquilizers: and my self esteem has never been so low! And I'm not getting paid much. I had to go in this morning because I had to tell my supervisor that I couldn't work- my insomnia is being treated by a doctor. I may not be there anymore, they're probably going to fire me for missing so many days or I'm going to quit.
It seems like the industry itself is so vile! I passed my series 7 and 63 so I can put up with a sneering supervisor who doesn't know jack- or support his customer service reps., a back office who can't get the job done or even communicate-(and they're way across the country), we're told exactly when we can take our breaks, we're told exactly WHAT to say on the phone, and the whole time we're available on the phones we're dealing with very difficult and abusive customers, and it's such a male dominated boys club- this is just 3/4s of why this job is so bad:- and they do it because they can hang the job over our heads. Sorry to spill the beans- I needed to vent.
I AM SO GLAD SOMEONE SAID SOMETHING- THANK YOU FOR SAYING SOMETHING
in light of the sour economy- I'm talking to temp agencies- who said we had to have our paths all figured out yet?

[NICn'Colorado]

I just came from the same line of work...I quite right before my 7...the best thing I ever did for my self. I had headaches, gained weight....drank alot...and was stress out all the time. I make more money now, am more happy now...so it was worth it... Being in the investment world takes a special person and not all of us are cut out for it...get out while you can...if your not happy. I'm doing admin work now...but hey im happy and not stressed out all the time. I'm not cut out to be an admin assistant..but i'll do my time and move up...i want to do sales...
hang in there

[crazy-girl]

Nic!

Your message made me feel a little better. I am the original poster and I worked in tv news and hated it and eventually left and took a job as an asministrative assistant. I sometimes get so depressed when I see that people my age are PR Account Supervisors already. I really want to get into PR and am having so much trouble entering into the career. I'm willing to take the step above intern. I'm not expecting a lateral move but I get so depressed at my job. It makes me feel better knowing that I'm not the only one who made a career change and is now at an administrative job.

Good luck getting into sales!

[Nicn\'Colorado]

I have to tell my self all the time...that it will all come into place when the time is right. I'm not made out to be an admin person....but I like the company i work for...and I'm on the right start. I use to get upset too that others were where they want to be and I wasn't. But once I got out of the job i hated and after I felt settled here...I felt a sense i was right where I needed to be for me, and that is the best feeling. Another way I look at it is, I didn't pick a field that you can just walk into, you have to work for it and pay your dues with the company or know someone....I think part of it too is, finding what we want to do and with a company that is good to us...it's not like we can have rink-a-dink jobs anymore...too much pressure on having a "career" and we shouldn't let that bring us down. This is the time for us to enjoy life and learn about our selfs.... I look at my mother for example...she was with the same company sense highschool...and didn't take chances trying what she wanted to do... At least I tried to be a broker and am closer now to doing what it is Iwant to do.
Ok think I have rambled on enough now...