Anyone else having a career crisis since lockdowns ended?

[workoholic]

Or is it just me?

No, I don't think I'll ever go back to my old career (which was all I knew!). Trying out a few new things now.

Me. I've demoted myself. Will see where it takes me but looking forward to less stress.

@AmyDeirdre

No, I don't think I'll ever go back to my old career (which was all I knew!). Trying out a few new things now.

Ohhhhh, what's your story? I am looking for inspiration xx

@Mantlemoose

Me. I've demoted myself. Will see where it takes me but looking forward to less stress.

How did you end up doing that? xx

I’ve just applied for a job in a totally different industry! Been keeping afloat and so fortunate to have been kept busy with work over lockdowns etc as I’m self employed and have been able to tweak my offering. However I’ve had enough of getting by and want some stability so have applied for a “proper grown up” job!

I'm doing the same job but supply (relief) so I can pick and choose my working days/hours.

It's really great and I keep every Tuesday free for myself. Far less stress, planning and headaches!

I don't think I'll ever go back full time or into a primary classroom permanently again.

It's made me consider retirement. I'm 55.

Yes me. Started applying for jobs in June, shortlisted many times but no new job!

I actually this 'i hate this place' every morning as I walk in. Being given loads of extra responsibility and no raise either even when I asked recently. No motivation anymore and feel like I need a life coach of something!

I’ve taken on something completely different but trying to find my way! Anyone else?

Me!

I was in the process of achieving a biomed science degree ironically just before the corona virus globally began in august 2019 I had enough with the degree and the NHS I thought the following year would be a bad idea and that it wasn't for me at all. After taking a year to explore various opportunities I dumped my ex of nearly 6 years and have pursued and environmental based career and degree finisher. I'm now a year single, talking to a new partner, 4 months into a years opportunity 2.1 degree. Loads of offers for spring/summer 2022 project management trainees all 32k upwards, north where I would prefer i.e. higher than Nottingham not as far as Leeds lower than Newcastle but will consider Peterborough and Cambridge and above so yeah a blessing really.

Just to add in the future I want project management, environmental, design, engineering, Disney and theme park planning and even potentially theme park development vlogging and reporting as a career.

Yes i resigned from my job of 9 years. Doing something very different. Couldn't dtand wfh anymore.

Not a complete change of career, but a change of focus.

I work in IT and had got myself into a niche bit of the industry that I hated, worked in it for over 8 years.

Worked as a key worker throughout lockdown 1&2 putting in insane hours only to be rewarded with an effective pay cut.

Handed my notice in and walked into a more senior role which is also more generalist and out of said hated niche.

I love my job again.

I've recently changed jobs due to appalling things I experienced at my workplace during Covid. There was always a bullying culture but the fact that it worsened against the backdrop of a global humanitarian crisis was intolerable to me. I'm glad I was pushed to this point because my new job is dramatically better - nicer colleagues, less stress, more flexibility, more fun and better pay. I could not find the motivation to push through anything less enjoyable these days - Covid showed us all how short life is.

I am definitely not "feeling" the same way about my job and made myself open for opportunities. We have returned to the office, no flexibility options for WFH, and there is a lot of discontent. My role and all office based roles continued in the organisation WFH successfully, people are not asking for FT WFH but flexibility, and so many other organisations are offering, it opens your eyes.

Within our organisation one of our leading managers is struggling and no longer communicating with their teams. It has made the office have very low morale, and I am expecting 50/60% to leave in the next three months. When they were at home they collaborated better. Now in the office they do not have time for them.

Some meetings have stopped completely because we no longer WFH but now we are in the office, we have nothing.

Thanks all for sharing your stories!! I love to hear the changes you are all making! xx

Was enjoying wfh. I work for a large company which has a very flexible hybrid approach to wfh. However, manager has said that they want everyone in the office.
So we all pretty much sit in the office working away in our own little bubbles. Less collaboration than wfh.
Don't think I can stand it much longer. I am struggling with motivation.

@OakPine

Was enjoying wfh. I work for a large company which has a very flexible hybrid approach to wfh. However, manager has said that they want everyone in the office. So we all pretty much sit in the office working away in our own little bubbles. Less collaboration than wfh. Don't think I can stand it much longer. I am struggling with motivation.

EXACTLY THE SAME SITUATION HERE.

You probably work at the same company as me haha

I quit my job about a week before lockdown started and went abroad to travel, got stuck abroad for nearly a year and the industry I worked in completely ceased to exist while I was away. It's bounced back now but I've gone freelance completely different role in a completely different industry! Exciting!

I'm in the process of trying to figure out a job I can do around home schooling my DS. He was so happy during lockdown and really engaged with learning, but since being back at school he's really struggling.

Morale is really low in our organisation too.

We are doing a mix of WFH and in the office but in the last few months half of my department have left and my line manager, who I have a fantastic relationship with, handed their notice in last week.

I know I'm going to be asked if I want to step up into the head of role but I really don't want the stress that inevitably goes with it.

Lockdown made me thankful I have such a good work/life balance and I don't want to put that at risk.

It definitely feels like my organisation is I'm a state of flux.

@Sallycinnamum

Morale is really low in our organisation too.

We are doing a mix of WFH and in the office but in the last few months half of my department have left and my line manager, who I have a fantastic relationship with, handed their notice in last week.

I know I'm going to be asked if I want to step up into the head of role but I really don't want the stress that inevitably goes with it.

Lockdown made me thankful I have such a good work/life balance and I don't want to put that at risk.

It definitely feels like my organisation is I'm a state of flux.

Same boat on this too. Getting some pressure to take on more in a manipulative way, and already doing above my hours. Was told this in a nasty way on Friday so putting my fingers up at them now I got told "its not all about the money..." erm.... the extra hours though are to help them get a promotion. They can F off HAHAH.

Definitely feeling this too in my organisation. I work for a charity so the salary is never going to be amazing but with prices rising, it’s becoming more noticeable. I’m also being asked to add more responsibilities that should usually be paid more e.g line management to my objectives for the year. I’m happy to do it but I should be remunerated for it. A lot of people are leaving too - smart people who I’m friends with and our Exec Director of our department.

It’s a good time to be in my industry with lots of jobs being advertised. I’ve got a few interviews lined up but I’m fearful of leaving, not having the same work/life balance and all those things. It would be a lot more money though. I’m wrestling with my morals right now!

@Limmers14

Definitely feeling this too in my organisation. I work for a charity so the salary is never going to be amazing but with prices rising, it’s becoming more noticeable. I’m also being asked to add more responsibilities that should usually be paid more e.g line management to my objectives for the year. I’m happy to do it but I should be remunerated for it. A lot of people are leaving too - smart people who I’m friends with and our Exec Director of our department.

It’s a good time to be in my industry with lots of jobs being advertised. I’ve got a few interviews lined up but I’m fearful of leaving, not having the same work/life balance and all those things. It would be a lot more money though. I’m wrestling with my morals right now!

Sooooo relatable!! Once the perfect job comes up I plan to bounce but I am just waiting for it really.... haven't had that "I NEED THIS JOB" feeling yet from any of the specs ive got!