AIBU? Staying in a job that I hate to further my career.

[EdSheeran]

I really don't like my job; it's stressful, pay is low for the sector, demands from management are insane and I lie awake worrying about the responsibilities that I have. I dread every Monday and feel sick at the thought of a new day. I'm not a crier but I've shed more than a few. To top it all off, I have significant health problems which is probably skewing my perspective and making me emotional.

Under normal circumstances, I would have left but I've been given a fantastic opportunity to undertake an academic course that will benefit my career long term. I've told myself to stick it out till the end of 2015 (when course finished) but I am unhappy. I know this course will enable me to be happy in the years to come, so do I put up with short term misery?

Part of me thinks "suck it up" but the other part of me thinks that life is too short to be miserable for the best part of a year especially given my health.

AIBU?

I think it's definitely worth it to stay in your job for the year it takes to do the course. Unless there is a chance you could move jobs and do the same course. But do take into consideration your healthy problems especially if this course is going to be a demanding one.

Yanbu - life is too short, so perhaps start look for an exit strategy earlier. You also need to make sure that you don't have to 'pay back' any academic course they put you through, I know at my company if we leave straight after such a course we would be liable to pay money back.

I'd stick it out knowing that I'd be leaving at the end of the year.

It's quite a specialist course and doing it elsewhere would mean starting from scratch and also, I'd have a ridiculously unpleasant commute which is no good for my health and mobility.

If it's until the end of 2015 then you only reeeaaallllly have about 9 months left. February is practically over and December isn't a real month for working. Everyone goes on hols in August. Could you think of this year as a rather difficult pregnancy?

Have your weekends be ultra-relaxed with yoga, massages and walks, ban thinking or talking about work.

Last year was mega stressful for me. This year I am forcing myself to do as I have suggested and so far its helping. I also take deep breaths all the time and do this a lot.

It sounds to me that you are depressed or on the verge of it. The feelings of dread and crying are not good. You shouldnt be feeling like this about work.

You need to look after yourself first. Can you take some leave - sick leave if you have to. Take some for yourself.

I was in a position similar to this. Crying on the way to work, hiding in the toilets and feeling completely overwhelmed. I decided to leave. For me it was about making my own choices and decisions about my future.

I'm now in a job I love. my new employer is supportive and makes me wonder why I ever stuck it out for so long at the Old one.

It depends if the course has a clawback clause attached.

I am a bit depressed. :( I have a history of severe and prolonged depression, although I've been well for several years. I think I need to see my GP again.

Do you think you will be able to avoid sinking into a more of depression if you stay in the job? If you think so suck it up. Also, how quickly could you find a new job? If it would take 6 months it's only really another 4 months. So hard.

Stick it out girl, a few months is nothing!

Having read your later posts I'm concerned. What I said earlier was aimed at a fit, pissed off woman so don't take it to heart, you have to do what you feel is right! X

You really need to think about this. It isn't easy keeping going in a job you don't like, even more when you have health issues. When we were talking about reducing your hours on your other thread I didn't realise you found it so hard and stressful (Im sorry I didn't ask). You need to mention that to your manager at your meeting this week I think.

Please think really carefully about all the good reasons for staying as well as the bad ones. Find out consequences regarding leaving and the course you are doing both from a point of view of leaving (in case you decide to do that) but also in case of illness and being unable to complete - if you want to stay and shorten your hours each week this could be something to mention to your manager at the meeting.