Should I jump ship?
April 5, 2018 7:27 PM Subscribe
Really enjoyed my job last year. Feeling gutted this year. When, or do? I jump ship?
I work in a typical non-profit; in a contract, full-time position. When I came on board, I loved the work. I have the most amazing work colleagues.
But slowly, I'm losing my interest.
The catalyst was the end of the fiscal year; several contracts were not renewed, and many of my co-workers left. We were moved into a new, dingy workspace, with no interaction with clients and fellow co-workers, in a Milton-esque scene from Office Space. Throughout the year, I've realized that upper management doesn't really care -that much- about our department's contributions within the organization (it's a great feeling to feel devalued, let me tell ya) and the one manager that would advocate for us recently left.
The job itself is extremely easy, relaxed. The pay is lower than I would want with the kind of financial goals and obligations that I have, but it seems appropriate for the kind of work that I do.
I was planning to leave within a year, as I plan to apply for further education, but I'm re-considering whether I should jump ship sooner rather than later. I have no motivation at work, the work itself is not challenging, but I find that my mood is low at work even when I am surrounded by fantastic colleagues. This has been the case for about 2 weeks, and has really intensified recently, when all I can think about are the negative aspects of my work.
Do I just try to "fix my mood", and stick it out for another year?
Or do I just jump ship now?
I work in a typical non-profit; in a contract, full-time position. When I came on board, I loved the work. I have the most amazing work colleagues.
But slowly, I'm losing my interest.
The catalyst was the end of the fiscal year; several contracts were not renewed, and many of my co-workers left. We were moved into a new, dingy workspace, with no interaction with clients and fellow co-workers, in a Milton-esque scene from Office Space. Throughout the year, I've realized that upper management doesn't really care -that much- about our department's contributions within the organization (it's a great feeling to feel devalued, let me tell ya) and the one manager that would advocate for us recently left.
The job itself is extremely easy, relaxed. The pay is lower than I would want with the kind of financial goals and obligations that I have, but it seems appropriate for the kind of work that I do.
I was planning to leave within a year, as I plan to apply for further education, but I'm re-considering whether I should jump ship sooner rather than later. I have no motivation at work, the work itself is not challenging, but I find that my mood is low at work even when I am surrounded by fantastic colleagues. This has been the case for about 2 weeks, and has really intensified recently, when all I can think about are the negative aspects of my work.
Do I just try to "fix my mood", and stick it out for another year?
Or do I just jump ship now?
You have no particular reason to stay. It sounds like maybe it's easy and reasonable enough that you don't need to quit without something else lined up, but you have no compelling ties. Start shopping you resume around and look for your next chapter.
posted by Tomorrowful at 7:39 PM on April 5, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by Tomorrowful at 7:39 PM on April 5, 2018 [3 favorites]
Response by poster: The main reason keeping me there is an AMAZING (no, seriously, I do not overstate this) co-worker who would have to shoulder all the responsibility for our work. We are only 2 people. Already, upper management management gave the department a tough time when it came to hire me even though this co-worker was literally doing everything.
posted by raintree at 7:40 PM on April 5, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by raintree at 7:40 PM on April 5, 2018 [1 favorite]
What if you approached them to try to work somewhere else with you? It's not illegal.
posted by rhizome at 7:47 PM on April 5, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by rhizome at 7:47 PM on April 5, 2018 [2 favorites]
I would definitely not leave until you have another offer that you're really excited about, but there's no reason (including your coworker) not to start looking for other options.
posted by pinochiette at 7:47 PM on April 5, 2018 [8 favorites]
posted by pinochiette at 7:47 PM on April 5, 2018 [8 favorites]
Your coworker is responsible for their own happiness. You are responsible for yours. I wouldn't make that part of the decision-making at all...
However, when you said that you were planning to leave within a year anyway, did you mean leave the job AND the workforce (to go back to school)? Purely anecdotally, but I quit a job that I frankly hated to go back to school... and well, it was a mistake. However, I didn't have to run out and immediately get a new job (that I could have been just as unhappy at) because I had some financial cushion to rely on having worked up to the point where I enrolled in classes.
posted by sm1tten at 8:01 PM on April 5, 2018 [4 favorites]
However, when you said that you were planning to leave within a year anyway, did you mean leave the job AND the workforce (to go back to school)? Purely anecdotally, but I quit a job that I frankly hated to go back to school... and well, it was a mistake. However, I didn't have to run out and immediately get a new job (that I could have been just as unhappy at) because I had some financial cushion to rely on having worked up to the point where I enrolled in classes.
posted by sm1tten at 8:01 PM on April 5, 2018 [4 favorites]
If the job is easy and relaxed, is there study you can be doing in preparation for your further education plans? Take an online class, or an evening class, or just self-study to put yourself ahead?
posted by the agents of KAOS at 9:35 PM on April 5, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by the agents of KAOS at 9:35 PM on April 5, 2018 [1 favorite]
If “but what would they do without me?” is your only reason for staying in a job, it’s time to leave. If you care about your coworker, a good thing to do is help them find a new job they like better, too.
posted by Metroid Baby at 3:01 AM on April 6, 2018 [8 favorites]
posted by Metroid Baby at 3:01 AM on April 6, 2018 [8 favorites]
I've worked my entire career in non-profits and higher education and one of the most toxic things I've seen is all the abuse people put up with because they are mission aligned. Start really looking into new opportunities. Maybe you leaving will the be kick in the butt your colleague needs to go find something rewarding. Maybe it will be what the org needs to figure out they need this. Neither of those things are your problem though.
posted by advicepig at 6:38 AM on April 6, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by advicepig at 6:38 AM on April 6, 2018 [3 favorites]
Don't ever take "but my coworkers/friends will have all this work!" into any equation in deciding to stay at or to leave a horrible job. They can't blame you for taking a better oportunity, they can blame the company for failing to retain employees. The fact that you like people there and want to help them is reason to give adequate 2-3 weeks notice, not trap yourself there so you can support them.
posted by windbox at 7:18 AM on April 6, 2018 [7 favorites]
posted by windbox at 7:18 AM on April 6, 2018 [7 favorites]
They can't blame you for taking a better oportunity, they can blame the company for failing to retain employees.
Absoulutely! You are not the person respondible for under-resourcing this department. Let them take it up with the management, or leave themselves. Yes, you can help them - especially if you get a better job and can help them network.
Begin shopping around for new work. There's no urgency to get out, so don't give up the paycheck while you look, but put more of your time into looking than trying to improve things on a sinking ship. Over time you'll find that people really won't do this for you, so don't do it for them.
posted by Miko at 12:23 PM on April 6, 2018 [2 favorites]
Absoulutely! You are not the person respondible for under-resourcing this department. Let them take it up with the management, or leave themselves. Yes, you can help them - especially if you get a better job and can help them network.
Begin shopping around for new work. There's no urgency to get out, so don't give up the paycheck while you look, but put more of your time into looking than trying to improve things on a sinking ship. Over time you'll find that people really won't do this for you, so don't do it for them.
posted by Miko at 12:23 PM on April 6, 2018 [2 favorites]
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posted by oceanjesse at 7:29 PM on April 5, 2018 [2 favorites]