25, Ad Exec, Losing My Mind

[FLLA]

So... help.

I'm 25 years old, I work as an account executive for an ad agency in Los Angeles, I live right near the beach, I have my own car, I've made some wonderful friends out here and ... I'm utterly miserable!!!

I relocated to LA from Orlando 2 years ago. I love living out here, but I am so not happy with my job. I hate having to work 60 hours a week as the norm, I don't feel that I am paid enough and I have expressed these concerns to my employer. Nothing is changing anytime soon. I feel like it's time to move on after only 1.5 years in this position.

I've decided that writing is what I'm good at... as in some kind of journalism-magazine writing, perhaps. But how do I begin? Can I make enough money to live off? I really have very limited savings right now.

I think I should attempt to freelance a little and get a few clips under my belt. I've already approached my sorority's 1/4'ly mag and they told me they will keep me in mind as they need submissions. I want to check out some of the weekly rags in the area, too. But I want to be able to pitch an idea for a story to them... any ideas?

I CAN move somewhere else. There's nothing to tie me to LA. Any ideas for how to get out of this unhappy slump? I work such long hours and even though the people are nice here, I'm just so over it!

Thanks for letting me vent

[Winter Storm]

Is there anyway you can cut back your hours. I'd imagine working that long, you must not have any time for your own interests. I'd be miserable too.

If you could say, get down to 40 hours, maybe you could pursue something in journalism part-time until a full-time opportunity opened up.

[FLLA]

Thanks. I am trying to work less. I am so burned out that in my free time, all I can do is sleep. I feel like I'm going crazy b/c I've never been so unhappy before, and I know it's all work-stress related!

Argh! What are some things y'all have done to stay positive and focused?

[calibur]

Hey FLLA, I just figured out what FLLA means hehe!

It's striking to me that you said, "I feel like it's time to move on after only 1.5 years in this position." Leaving after 1.5 years sounds perfectly fine to me. Granted, I haven't worked in the advertising business, but in the tech business (Silicon Valley) working at a place for one year then jumping to another job doesn't raise any eyebrows. I say if you're unhappy with your job, don't be afraid to start looking! Is this your first job out of college? If so, even better to move on. As we get older it'll only be harder to move around or switch jobs. Good luck!

[princessmer81]

When I read your post I saw me in another 2 years! I am 23 and just started my first "real" job out of college as a marketing coordinator at an advertising agency. I have only been in the position for a month and it is already making me crazy - the hours are too long, the guy I work with is a jerk, and the money sucks. I am not ready to give up yet but I am really starting to understand the meaning of the expression "Be careful what you wish for because you might just get it." I thought that I wanted to work in an ad agency - that's what I went to school for 4 years for. I realize that I may be in the wrong field but it is much better to realize that at 23 or 25 than at 45!
There is no shame in leaving after 1.5 years - it's your life.

[Backlash99]

I'm right there with you. Leaving after 1.5 years is fine. In fact it's the norm.

I'm also thinking about going into writing. Yes you can make enough money to live, but, just like everything else, not at first.

Get a few clips, as you've stated, then try the freelance avenues. Papers are always looking for freelancers.

I'm in the same boat. And there's nothing wrong with changing directions or fields of interest. In fact, it's healthy.

Good luck!

[FLLA]

Well, I have been sending out resumes like a mad woman, and talking to all of my contacts.

I got a voicemail today from a PR firm in Orlando. I was referred through my ungergrad PR adviser, a wonderful prof I still keep in touch with. There's a three hour time zone diference (I am in Los Angeles), but I am going to call tonight and leave a message about scheduling that phone interview they requested!

It's a corporate communications/PR firm that does all PR stuff and work with both businesses and community. It could work. I'd be getting to do writing and do good for the community, as well as the event planning aspect and strategic stuff.

[Cricket96]

It was my dream to become an ad exec and I was sitting here regretting not majoring in Marketing/Advertising until I read your story. Didn't know it was that bad.

My friend was an ad exec for a year at one of the top ad agencies in L.A. Before she left, she got promoted to Marketing Manager, but declined it and went in search for a new career. She's now doing Social Work and is working on her Maters in Marriage Family Therapy. She plans to pursue her Ph.D too. She was always a people person, always so caring. She said corporate life was not for her. It got too competitive and people were stealing her ideas (well, this girl she was working with.)

You're not so bad off because you've got good contacts and a top ad agency on your resume.

:cool:

[FLLA]

Today started off great. I felt motivated, wanted to do my best, etc. Then tonight, I just lost it and was bawling. Why?!

I have confirmed my phone interview with the PR agency in Orlando--- it will be next Monday AND I got an email from my sorority's 1/4'ly magazine that they would like me to write for the spring issue. Great! But is moving to Orlando the right thing to do? I miss everyone, I miss the place, I just feel so "over" LA. NY sounds interesting, but can a little southern girl like me stand to be in snow? And it's so expensive to live there! Then there is the possiblity of moving to Fort Lauderdale... where I grew up. What to do?!

Why am I so down? I have some inheritance money socked away... tonight, one of my good friends was trying to persuade me to just walk in tomorrow and quit. Give me a month for clarity. I have the money, she argued, and now is the "rainy day" where I need it the most. Is she right?

Why do I hate this job so much? Oh questions, questions....

I think I need a 4 day weekend at home with my parents to clarify and make a decision.

[nicholas]

Dear FLLA

If writing is what you want to baby, then go do it!!!

You have to opportunity now, take it.

Advertising is such a peddy job anyway no matter how much money you make, theres no substance to it. Your just persuading the greater population to buy things they dont really need. And what does it matter wether a company sells this or that, doesnt matter in the whole grand scheme of things.

Go write, who knows where it will take you...

[pixelpusher]

i work about 80hrs a week, but get compensated very well. I recently started writing a novel to release some frustration caused by work. Take a chance, submit some of your work to a local paper or get a masters in an area that will enable you to spend time writing in an academic setting. That is a good conduit for internships.