A
female
age
30-35,
anonymous
writes:Hey guys, I'm wanting a bit of advice in terms of life direction at the minute please! I'm 25, recently broke up with my boyfriend of 5 years, moved to the city and continued my job which i've been at 8 months now. I am very happy with how my career is going, i'm so young and it's an awesome job and i'm a very motivated and driven woman. It means a lot to me.However, i'm unsure about really if it's time to move on already. I work in the creative industry and my role is quite niche. I really dropped on with finding a job here in a well known company. I do enjoy it most of the time, but now i've settled into the city more i've realised it just feels a bit bland to me. It's a very small city in the UK and it feels more like a town than anything else. There are no networking events, no nothing and it bugs me that I can't find a lot of other people who share my values. It's hard making friends so young when you're so interested in work and others are still wanting to go out and party most nights.It's my first job in this role and although I adore the job in general, I don't know if i'm necessarily fulfilling my potential here. I have two wonderful collegues in my department who are nurturing and have invested time and money into me. But the projects we work on just don't interest me muchand I look at London and i'd be so happy working for clients who i'm really passionate about. I also find it very hard in this company to be taken seriously as a young person coming in and sharing an opinion. It's quite tough with hierarchy and I often feel extremely disheartened that my input often is ignored when the work I have produced is valid and helpful and it's just not followed through into the final processes of what we do hardly ever. A lot of the time I feel like i'm putting fresh talent and a lot of dedication and hard work to waste really. I have had interest from another company and I'm not sure what to do. I honestly love the company I work for here and I am getting the the training I need to build a solid foundation. Plus, my collegues/bosses are very nurturing. On the other hand, I know i'd be happier working on other types of projects where I would be listened to more, making work that maybe even would be award winning. I don't want to be a quitter to a company who is awesome, nor do I want to seem naive or too impatient, but I also want to focus more on living in the moment and being happy/enjoying myself.What do you all think? Should I stay longer at my current company or look for other opportunities? Thanks, Gi x
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female
reader, Youcannotbeserious +, writes (3 September 2018):
 I can only advise from the point of view of someone who is involved in the recruiting process at work. If I see a CV which shows someone has changed jobs on a regular basis, I am immediately wary they are a "job butterfly", flitting from one job to another. This immediately gives them a black mark and, if there are two candidates who interview equally well, I would go for the one who has shown staying power and consistency in previous jobs.
You are not unhappy where you work. You have good people who are supporting you and helping you learn. Rather than kicking them in the teeth, appreciate what they are doing for you and stay longer to learn more. You cannot possibly have learned all they have to teach you in such a short space of time. You have many years ahead of you to climb up that ladder. Don't burn yourself out.
Just my advice.
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (3 September 2018): If you want to be in the creative industry then London is the place to be, but if I were you I would stay where you are for a year to get some solid experience under your belt before going there. There is a lot of competition and you will have to work hard to get to where you want to be.
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (3 September 2018): Young people fresh out of college don't understand the process of getting established and building yourself up to recognition. They want power and recognition at the starting-gate; but I'm sorry, there are people ahead of you who know much more than you do. If they don't take you seriously; it's because you're too green. They can project and see the outcome of things, based on their experience. Experience is the key. A proven record over time.
I've risen to the title of being Regional Director, and I wear many hats. I can stand-in for other managers; because over the years, I've learned what everyone does to make our business run. I stay focused on what works to make our company a success. I have respect for the veterans who founded and made our huge company what it is.
You are already discouraged and ready to bail-out; because you think you're ready to go toe to toe with people who've fought the fight, while you were still in diapers. They're grooming you and investing in you for a reason. Be patient.
Your dissatisfaction runs more along the lines of ego and entitlement. Your ideas are fresh out of your head; you've had no experience outside a classroom. You haven't developed the foresight to know how much cost an idea may incur, whether it will work over an extended range of time; or if it is actually within the company's structure to accommodate ideas that haven't been tested by time and research. Companies think fiscally. How much will it cost, and how much money will it make. The bottom-line!
My advice is, stick with it. Stay put! Get established and earn your respect. It's not handed to you; because you're young and have a few fresh ideas.
You have to prove yourself. Yes, you can go to another company; because you were given an offer. You know nothing about their ways until you're sitting behind one of their desks. You earn your way to the top; you don't go steamrolling your way there. Your youth has nothing to do with respect. Your credentials, experience, and past performance speaks louder.
You have no track-record. You're barely past your probationary-period, and already thinking about going elsewhere. Why? Because they don't run things as you think they should. Oh, really?!!
Respect comes from hard work and proving yourself. You'll find that will be true no matter how much job-hopping you do; going from one place to the next. If I looked at a resume and saw you were with the last job a year or less; I'd put it aside, and look for someone more dependable. Your status will always be "the new employee."
You will discover you'll always be new, an upstart, and those with a proven record make it to the top. Keep learning, and keep making the suggestions. In time, they will listen. Just don't go in with the attitude you can push people to the side, because you're young; and you don't have respect for experience.
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (2 September 2018): Hi,I am a woman who also works in a niche creative role in the UK. Also work for a reasonably big name company. So we have some similarities. I have worked in my field for 15 years and now a dept head.My advice to you:The creative industry is all about connections and its a small world. Don't burn your bridges so young. Especially if the company you are at has a good reputation. All companies expect you to stay in a job at least a year unless you have big issues or you are freelance. Generally its expected for you to finish a project through to the end, some times projects can be 2+ years long. It won't look favourable on your CV to cut and run from companies.I agree with other commenter, 8 months isn't enough to be award winning. Its years. Also agree that after a while a job is a job and you might get an odd project that lights your fire once in a blue moon. You are still working for the man. Don't put the job above family and friends. I've did it and its not pretty.You are very very lucky to have a company treat you so well. In larger London companies you are a number and you are used and worked to the bone. You won't be listened to more with only 8 months exp. You should enjoy where you are and be grateful. Take all you can from it. If need be, try to branch out in that company, if you need extra training or online courses that are interesting and job relevant you can ask your dept if the company would fund you. I've did a few training courses this way.I fully understand that passion and drive to do more. I've been there. I know you want to do things your way. From my exp, you are best doing projects that make you happy at home and doing your job at work. I go home and do the fun, boundary breaking stuff at home where I have time to experiment and find what I want. As I said, no matter where you go, because you are working to someone else's tune, it'll always just be a job eventually.The grass is not always greener on the other side. Believe how lucky you are to have the support. But if you really aren't happy there and depressed its a different story. Personally I would stick it for a year and a half or 2 years then look elsewhere. You are an investment to a company, don't blow it.
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A
female
reader, Honeypie  +, writes (2 September 2018):
 I'd give this job a bit more time. Otherwise you can end up seeming "flighty".
Having a full year BEFORE moving on is always good. I don't think many job will be "easier" to do in London over where you are now, as far as your age and experience. In London you also have a LOT more competition both English and foreign.
People are NOT going to listen to you more in a big city. Nor are you going to get the jobs that are on award winning projects with a back ground of having worked in the filed for 8 months. Sorry, to burst your bubble. That takes 1. connections and 2. experience.
And I would NOT quit a GOOD job before having one that is BETTER.
But you could start looking at what companies IN London you would LIKE to work for and in the Spring look to send out resumes and look for job openings. Nothing wrong in wanting more challenges, but you also have to be realistic.
You job is not going to make you happy and fulfilled 24/7 - it's a job. THAT is for you to work on.
Saving up to go travelling, perhaps? Maybe look into what further education courses,classes you can take to learn more about your field, etc. But also consider hobbies and thing you enjoy that ISN'T about work.
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