Thanks so much for the responses, it means a lot. I’ll try and address all the points.
I am private sector, not Government, so no chance of transferring. Planning Regulation is kind of a catch all phrase for the department. I work for a big company that partially involves building fancy buildings (hotels, golf courses etc) and we ensure there are no issues with legislation, regs etc.
@Passthecherrycoke – it’s reasonably vague, as have all my job descriptions been. The phrase ‘ad hoc’ is used twice. I am interested in your point about nobody else doing anything. They certainly seem busy! My boss made mention last week of ‘asking if there’s anyone else you can help’ so I will push this point at my next catch up. I have two professional qualifications from my previous job (one in audit, one in the specific regulation) so I’ve tried that, they are both irrelevant here. Your point about being fussy about asking if the culture is dynamic is one I totally agree with. I asked them this in the interview and they assured me it was a ‘busy, fast paced environment’. Our London office calls this office ‘the morgue’.
@Outreach29 – maybe not helpful but accurate!
@Herocomplex – can’t be self employed no, I would have literally no idea what to be employed in. I am not specialised enough to consult. I will keep being frank with my boss as I have hope it will shift something. I also don’t understand why they are happy with someone doing nothing- ditto my previous jobs. It seems like a massive waste of money to me.
@WizzyBee – I fantasise about being a bike messenger! Cycling out in the fresh air all day, blissful. But no, cannot consult. I will keep bugging the manager. You have my sympathy!
@Caselgarcia – I am way too much of a pansy to work with the police. I volunteer at a soup kitchen Thursday nights and help with distribution of food bank parcels sometimes. But it doesn’t fill the hole left by my career issues sadly.
@VivienneHolt- no idea really if it’s industry specific, my previous experience suggests yes but people seem busy. I could speak to a recruiter, I’ll look into that. I get a lot of emails on linkedin but they are all London based (which I would hate) or not as much money.
@Lastbustowhitehawk – I do worry about this. I’m a pretty positive person but this has drained me and I hate it. I have no idea what I would retrain in though, and how I would earn in the meantime.
@RosaWaiting – not Government no, big name private sector. I did enjoy doing nothing in my first job after the stress at Uni, but I didn’t think I would still be doing it 7 years later! It’s a whole different kind of draining than stress!
@CSIblonde – I like this idea, but I have no idea which dept to target. I think it’s something I’ll direct my energy towards for a while and see what happens- my office is lots of little teams doing different things so it’s possible.
@Idontwanttotalk – tedium is correct. The lack of sense of achievement is exactly what kills me. I feel like I’ve not grown or achieved anything since my degree. I would take a pay cut to a certain extent to start something fulfilling but I don’t know what that would be, and as I mentioned, there’s a mortgage to think about.
@MinisterforCheekyFuckery - I too find it weird that multiple people have suggested nursing! I got terrible biology results and can be impatient so would have a terrible bedside manner. I would also need a totally different degree, as mentioned. I would also utterly hate to do that job. Also, my mother is a nurse and works insanely hard- I think it would totally devalue her career to say ‘oh, I’m bored at work, I’m gonna come and do what you do’. Hobbies wise, nothing career related really. I like running, yoga, theatre, reading and writing- I used to want to be an editor but the industry is very unstable. I have no idea what I want to do is the thing, but my degree is Law with a side of business management. (don’t want to be a lawyer, my friends who did it are always mentally and emotionally drained).
@MikeUniformMike – interestingly, I did accountancy during my degree and got 98%, my highest grade! This is purely because I memorised all the formulas though, I remember none of that now. I don’t think I’d be naturally good at it really.
@Jingeljanglefish – my best job was working at a bookstore ages 17-20. I loved reading, loved the customers and was always busy. Gutted to think I’ve hated my career since then!
@Katewhinesalot – it’s not something I confess to in public really, I don’t think it reflects well. Most people I know are also stressed, I just don’t join in with the ‘work stress’ conversations.
@EverybodyLovesMagicalTrevor – I planned my wedding and house move at work, which was handy! I am surprised there are so many of us!
@BurningTheToast – I don’t have enough knowledge to freelance, I don’t feel like I’ve gained any specialist knowledge in anything. I will look into potential employer funded training though, thanks.
@ElleDubloo – I can’t argue that. As I mentioned, my mum is a nurse, NHS mental health, and I don’t contribute to the world like she does. Gutting. But I can’t help with your NHS funding, as mentioned, I am private not Gov. So your tax money is not paying for me. Thank you for your rage though, it’s helpful to kick me when I’m down.
@RhodaDendron – I will start looking into it I think. No idea what I want to do but the resounding response from this thread has been retrain, I can’t argue with that.
@growlingbear – I don’t know the secret I’m afraid, but I do find it bizarre that all my post degree jobs have been this same pattern. Maybe the secret is ‘get a law degree but don’t be a lawyer?’ I do try and tell myself I’m lucky to have the time, but as I mentioned, I am overlooked, and I’ve always been quite achievement driven so it doesn’t suit me to have nothing to achieve.
@Damntheman – solidarity indeed! That’s a good arrangement you have there. I did register for a few courses on Future Learn and got the green light from my boss to do those, still feels like I would get into trouble if spotted though. But if I have nothing else to do I may bite the bullet and start openly doing those.
@BirthdayCakes – yes can work from home, but I find that worse as I spend the day in bed in my pyjamas. At least going into the office helps a bit. God I sound sad. I am.
@Tensixtysix – I’ve worked my time in retail and I do know I am better off here, just hard to feel it.