What would you do if you were me?

[ThePriceOfSugar]

I've just finished a particularly depressing day at my job, which I hate and dread.

I was hired by some kind of fluke, probably based on personality and potential (I'm 22), by a well-known firm. I have a master of Arts but this job is highly technical and in IT. They hired me knowing I have no background at all in this. I can compare it to hiring a candidate for a job speaking Arabic, knowing they had never spoken a single word, and then expecting them to just get on with it.

I've only been at it 5 months, and there are benefits to having the firm on my CV and working in this future-proof field. Also obviously Covid and a looming recession. I'm grateful to have a job at all, many of my graduating class don't. But I am 1) struggling hugely with the work 2) miserable.

What should I do? AIBU to leave before a year is up?

Can you not just start applying for other jobs and leave when you secure something new?

You’re 22!! If you don’t have responsibilities such as children, large mortgage etc just go and do what you love or go and find out who you are!

Why did you apply for a job that you're not qualified for/interested in? Surely they must think you can do it? Have you asked for training?

I am in a similar position. New company, a role I have never done, not happy. Good for my CV. They were fully aware I hadn't done the job before.

I started in August. I am seeing this year out and then starting to job hunt.

Being in jobs for short periods doesnt look great on a CV and I was only in my last job a year, before I was head hunted into this role.

Personally, especially given whats going on, someone would have to give me alot (huge pay rise, no probationary period) to make me leave my secure job

I personally wouldn't job hunt at the moment. I'd look at my job and see what I can do to try and improve the situation. Can you ask someone with the knowledge you need to mentor you, can you undertake virtual training for the role. I'd also look at exactly what it is that makes you unhappy about the role. It is always good to understand what three things a job has to have to make you happy.

In the meantime update your CV, improve your LinkedIn network etc.

Agree you shouldn't leave in the current climate without another job to go to - just put up with it, and apply for something more suitable.

Can you afford to just quit?

What do you want to do if you weren't doing the boring day job?

Does the company of the boring job do stuff that interests you?

Or ask for some training to help you with the IT? They hired you knowing that you have no skills in this area and have a responsibility to assist. I wouldn't quit without having another job to go to because you won't qualify for any state financial help.

If you are as miserable as you sound then leave. Life is too short, going to work takes up a large part of our every day lives and if you are not happy there then it could start to take a toll on your mental health and that in turn could lead to more issues etc etc.
I have to say I am confused as to why / how you landed in the job in the first place if you feel totally out of your depth. Where you forced into it for some reason?

Crack on and try to learn the technical stuff! If it’s coding there’s loads of info and training online.

Or job seek, but prospects aren’t great right now.

I'd try to learn what I could to get better at the job. If you improve you willl likely hate it less.

Would love to say follow your dreams but honestly I can't think of a worse time to follow artsy dreams

Where are you living. What expenses do you have? In your position if your expenses are not high then I would consider leaving as life is too short. However: what would you prefer to do? Is this job getting better at all? Is there a way you can stay and learn a skill which you actually want to use? If the answer is yes then reconsider.
If you want to do something else anyway then don’t stay because the experience will just take you further down a route you don’t want to go down. You are young enough to change direction but you need to try and work our what direction you want to go in if you can.

If they know you have no background in it yet still hired you, surely they are expecting to offer you some sort of training? Would you enjoy the job and working for the company if you knew what you were doing? If so, ask them if there is any training you can access, nothing to lose if they already know you can't do it. I would stick it out for now with all of the uncertainty.

Don’t leave the job without something to go to. I have two DDs slightly older than you both with arts degrees . They struggled to find jobs, got temporary jobs/ were made redundant and this is before CV.
Lots of their classmates are now working in MW jobs.
You are very lucky to have a secure job see what you can do to improve it.

Do you have a manager? Reviews? What happened at the end of your probation period?
You need to ask for training or "ongoing learning" if that sounds better.
But if you'd hate the job even having the skills to fo it then I'd be looking elsewhere.

It depends on your financial commitments. With commitments I had at 22, I'd have risked leaving without finding another job.

Why did you apply for a hob you have no background in? It's not all on your workplace that you feel miserable. Next time, apply for jobs you're skilled in or those that require little skill.

Stick with it for at least a year, for the sake of your CV and also so you aren’t quitting a stable job as we go into recession. Ask for support/training/a mentor to advise you on how to up your technical skill. Is it something like being a project manager? If so- and at a firm with good reputation, if you stick with it a year or so you will be in a good position to get a job in a more interesting field.

Thanks for the replies, it's good to hear from outside my own thought spiral.

I was referred by a contact as a potential candidate rather than applying, made a good first impression and then succeeded through 3 subsequent interviews. I gather they often hire from "diverse" backgrounds but this is a stretch.

I want to move to a big city overseas (I live in nowheresville) and this field is good for that, at least getting a foothold. Ultimately I would like to work in a think tank, large international organisation (UN etc), even as an political analyst for a bank, etc.

I took the job offer because it was the first one I got, a good firm and I knew good opportunities don't come around so often for arts grads.

Have they not mentioned training, or have you asked about training?
Is it something you actually want to do or are even interested in?

Your CV will look much better is you've been in a job for more than a year. So my advice is to stick at it and look for something else.

A friend of mine did the same. He is smart, they thought he would pick stuff up by osmosis, he assumed he'd get training, neither thing happened. He was miserable. He wasn't offered a permanent position after the probation period. He then did a masters degree so he had the skill for the work and got a good job as a result. Since that's not an option right now, I'd be boosting my skills in my own time. Online courses, books, whatever is practical in the field you're in, so you get more out of this job while you're in it. Try to get ahead instead of struggling to keep up. You're going to have to see how the land lies after lockdown before making any career changes, but you can start looking into options. Do you need training or extra qualifications in the field you want to work in? Would you enjoy your current job if you knew what you were doing?

If it is a large company could you see if there is a position more suitable to your skill set within the organisation. I'd stick with it for now if you can and get past the 6mth or year mark for CV purposes. Could you get any training to assist you in your role?

I think it's easy to make a mistep after leaving uni OP and take a job for which you don't feel well suited. I did - twice! First one was in public relations - bleugh - horrible, stressful job with vile people, shit pay and you were expected to work all night if the client wanted it. No thanks! I quit after three months and never looked back. Second one was in an investment bank (in spite of my arts degree). That was MUCH better, tbh, great pay, surprisingly fun colleagues, regular working hours and no late nights as the working hours were dictated by the hours the financial markets were open, but god I was bored and demoralised. It was all spreadsheets, nit-picking checking of dull financial documents, staring at screens full of figures - dull, dull, dull. I stuck that for two years, because I couldn't afford to leave until I'd paid off my student loan, but once I'd done that I left. However, I left into a buoyant jobs market and I had something else lined up - and you shouldn't leave until you do too unless you are a) being made mentally ill by your job and b) have a fall-back plan - moving back in with your parents, say, who are happy to support you until you find something better. Don't jump from the frying pan into the fire.

I'd start job hunting. I wouldn't leave without another job to go to, especially in the current climate.