Page 3 | Got my 'dream job' after university and I absolutely hate it :(

Dinoteeth · 11/04/2022 10:15

I definitely think you need to give it a year just to adjust to the 'real world'.

I think if you go off to travel or rap without something else lined up you'll really struggle to get another relevant job later.

It could look like you've wasted an opportunity esp if your on a graduate training scheme.

Original poster

ihatesundaynights · 11/04/2022 13:20

Wow I didn't expect so many replies, thank you so much. I'm on my lunch break at the moment and it's helping me so much to read through your comments.

I'm not sure why I don't like the job. Everyone around me seems so incredibly happy there that I'm wondering if I'm missing a trick.

I think it's a mix of feeling like I don't fit in, struggling with working from home most of the time, and the work itself. I feel constantly on edge at work as I often have several people messaging me on Teams asking for different things. I struggle to do things when I know someone is waiting on it, and knowing as soon as that's done something else needs doing. I've tried to get better at being more assertive and not just saying yes to everything, but I still feel stressed. My stomach hurts all day everyday on week days.

I often work over lunch or in the evenings when there is no one online as I can have peace and quiet to just get a head start of things.

I also hate talking with clients. I get stressed on calls with them and have to over-prepare, almost developing a script for myself.

There is also a culture of pushing us. We join as a cohort and most people tend to get promoted after around 1 year, and so I'm being pushed by my manager to do things for the next job above mine, and I don't feel ready to

The only thing I like about it is it can be quite creative and I get lots of good feedback on my work so I've never struggled with that aspect

OP posts:

Original poster

ihatesundaynights · 11/04/2022 13:22

It's also not my first job out of uni. My first job was working as a lab assistant, it was long 12 hour shifts and very monotonous. I dislike lab work so only stayed there for 6 months whilst applying to other jobs, but I was a lot happier there than I am now

OP posts:

Dinoteeth · 11/04/2022 13:40

OK so it's your second job, you cannot leave again before 12-18 mths or you'll appear flaky or a problem.

You need to learn to be assertive.

Jim's asked you to do x urgently
Bobs asked for y urgently.

Bob Jim's asked for x, can you talk and decide which is most urgent?

CoconutQueen · 11/04/2022 17:26

As a compromise, so you manage a bit longer for CV's sake as suggested above - could you ask to drop some hours then take on a second job until you've done 12 months, then move properly?

Dinoteeth · 11/04/2022 17:53

I honestly don't think dropping hours at this stage in your career is the way to go. Op really needs to find a way to make this job work and get the promotion at the end of the year.

Aliceforgot · 11/04/2022 17:57

I worked in pharmaceutical journalism for a while, and found it really interesting. Could you switch to that? I couldn't have worked in pharma marketing, but admired the enthusiasm and creativity of those who did.

Hating your job is not worth it though. I gave up a 'dream job' (not the above one) once too as I was miserable and have no regrets.

Hawkins001 · 11/04/2022 18:38

@Aliceforgot

I worked in pharmaceutical journalism for a while, and found it really interesting. Could you switch to that? I couldn't have worked in pharma marketing, but admired the enthusiasm and creativity of those who did.

Hating your job is not worth it though. I gave up a 'dream job' (not the above one) once too as I was miserable and have no regrets.

Edward berneys comes to mind with the marketing of a full breakfast

Aliceforgot · 11/04/2022 18:59

@Hawkins001 I know what you mean!

Ahbisto · 11/04/2022 19:05

I think as you didn’t like the first job and only stayed for six months and now don’t like the second job either and it’s only been six months you really need to steel yourself to try to stick it out a little longer or you’re going to struggle to get any decent employment again.

Can you try to think through how you can resolve your issues? Make a list of your problems, and then think of how to action them one by one?

I’m concerned you said you struggled to do something if someone is waiting for it and you know you will just have something else to do after, this is the very nature of work, you always have something to do.

Knittingchamp · 11/04/2022 19:35

@ihatesundaynights

I got my 'dream job' after university, working in marketing for a pharmaceutical company

I absolutely hate it. I've been there 6 months and I have a constant sense of dread in the evenings and weekends about it. My mental health is so low.

I have no idea what to do now. I feel trapped because I can't figure out a way out or where to go from here

Solidarity OP, I've been exactly in your shoes, it was marketing too funnily enough in literally the dream graduate job. I told myself I'd stay for 1 year and then leave and do whatever I needed to do in the meantime - temping, retraining, whatever - because I hated it with every fibre I'd my being. That's what I did and honestly it was 100% the best decision ever. Give it a deadline and stick to it. It's.not who you're meant to be.

C8H10N4O2 · 12/04/2022 09:44

@ihatesundaynights

Wow I didn't expect so many replies, thank you so much. I'm on my lunch break at the moment and it's helping me so much to read through your comments.

I'm not sure why I don't like the job. Everyone around me seems so incredibly happy there that I'm wondering if I'm missing a trick.

I think it's a mix of feeling like I don't fit in, struggling with working from home most of the time, and the work itself. I feel constantly on edge at work as I often have several people messaging me on Teams asking for different things. I struggle to do things when I know someone is waiting on it, and knowing as soon as that's done something else needs doing. I've tried to get better at being more assertive and not just saying yes to everything, but I still feel stressed. My stomach hurts all day everyday on week days.

I often work over lunch or in the evenings when there is no one online as I can have peace and quiet to just get a head start of things.

I also hate talking with clients. I get stressed on calls with them and have to over-prepare, almost developing a script for myself.

There is also a culture of pushing us. We join as a cohort and most people tend to get promoted after around 1 year, and so I'm being pushed by my manager to do things for the next job above mine, and I don't feel ready to

The only thing I like about it is it can be quite creative and I get lots of good feedback on my work so I've never struggled with that aspect

Some of these things get better with experience. Planning conversations and preparing thoroughly for client calls is entirely normal - not a failing on your part. It takes time to get used to but does become easier.

The culture of "pushing" can be a good or bad - you should feel able to say "no" when something isn't doable. Do they assign internal mentors aside from the direct line management? Good training can really help in this space.

I'd also say that wherever graduates have joined over the last couple of years its been tough going to join companies if they haven't adapted to training and mentoring remotely. Do they have a programme of informal get togethers with your peers, buddying, extra coaching set up for this? If the company hasn't done this it can help to set some get togethers up yourself (and gives you visibility as well as building up confidence).

Ultimately it may not be the right job for you but don't let imposter syndrome get the better of you. Many of the skills around dealing with people, planning work etc will be useful in a wide range of jobs.