New job...did I do the right thing?

Message Bookmarked

Bookmark Removed

I recently changed my job in the large organisation where I work. In my new role I get paid more and, quite frankly, the job is easier (but more paperwork). I have no regrets about leaving my last position (a lot of pressure, but a reasonable amount of freedom of action and lots of "on the spot" decision making), but somehow I'm not as happy as I thought I would be.

I'm aware of the theories about what happens when we do things like change a job (and I thought I'd been through the trough some months ago), but I just feel depressed.

Is it just me being a wimp, or have other people experienced the same.

― andyjack (andyjack), Wednesday, 20 April 2005 11:47 (twenty years ago)

I left a job 'out of principal' once before. It was the only time I ever had the guts to do that. I disagreed with their practices and it seemed the best thing to do.

I was living with my ex boyfriends parents at the time, and despite getting a new job within a few days I had to endure awful stick from them about leaving. They were of the school 'a wage is a wage' kind of thing.

The position I am in now pays less and is further away, but the thing I miss the most are the prospects I had in the other job. That was three years ago and I still wonder what would have happened had I stayed there. Perhaps one day I would have been able to change their practices? I'll never know. There's no going back, regrets are for wimps. Don't doubt yourself now Andy.

― Rumpie, Wednesday, 20 April 2005 12:21 (twenty years ago)

The normal doubts you always get when starting a new job are bound to be exaggerated if you've stayed within the same organisation, as direct comparisons between new role and old role, with all other variables the same, can be all too easily made.

You're not a wimp, it's just transition. You will feel happier soon and if you don't, you shouldn't necessarily blame the job. Don't be too quick to pin down feelings to one single circumstance.

― Archel (Archel), Wednesday, 20 April 2005 12:26 (twenty years ago)

Are you a doctor, Andyjack? Sounds like the kind of process they go through. It might be that it's just a fact of promotion in your fiedl.

― Markelby (Mark C), Wednesday, 20 April 2005 12:39 (twenty years ago)

No, I'm not a medical man, but involved in higher education. I've gone from a senior role (non-academic) in a department to a middling role in central admin. As I said, more dosh but it's more different than I thought it would be (and my wife thinks I've become a miserable git as well).

Thanks for the friendly comments, much appreciated.

― andyjack (andyjack), Wednesday, 20 April 2005 12:46 (twenty years ago)

You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.