OT: Career advice Part II

[NickyFotiu]

I've got 28 weeks left (4 classes x 7 weeks per class). That will help for sure.

I also can't believe I'm saying this because I joined these boards when I was still in college but... I'm wondering how much of it is just a genuine mid life crisis lol. I'm getting to that age...

If nothing is urgent maybe the best plan would be give it the 28 weeks and then see how things are after you no longer have the school responsibility? It is pretty normal to think about a change in jobs/careers among other things as we age. If its the right choice great but don't just make a change for change sake. You sound pretty level headed. Think it over. Speak with your wife. Make a pros and cons list. You got this.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

So, I have neither offer now but just for fun while I wait. If you have two options:

1) More senior title for a smaller company, underpaid for a significant amount of responsibilities. I'm not sure how qualified I am for this.

2) More junior title (like two levels down), will probably pay around the same if not more. Bigger company. I feel more confident I'm qualified for this.

The first there's a lot less structure and might be fun due to how entrepreneurial it is and the opportunity to help build a business. But I think I'll either love the impact I have or it'll be TOO entrepreneurial and would prefer a better defined role with more well defined responsibilities.

I feel like the first would be far riskier but with more potential reward.

 

[kovazub94]

I've got 28 weeks left (4 classes x 7 weeks per class). That will help for sure.

I also can't believe I'm saying this because I joined these boards when I was still in college but... I'm wondering how much of it is just a genuine mid life crisis lol. I'm getting to that age...

You have a bit of winter blues thing going. 28 weeks will be over in no time. Keep taking it day by day and don't look too far down the road for a bit.

P.S. I'm talking to (about) myself here lol as I'm trying to stop being overwhelmed barely 3 mo. into a new job (after turning 50 lol)

 

[CasusBelli]

So, I have neither offer now but just for fun while I wait. If you have two options:

1) More senior title for a smaller company, underpaid for a significant amount of responsibilities. I'm not sure how qualified I am for this.

2) More junior title (like two levels down), will probably pay around the same if not more. Bigger company. I feel more confident I'm qualified for this.

The first there's a lot less structure and might be fun due to how entrepreneurial it is and the opportunity to help build a business. But I think I'll either love the impact I have or it'll be TOO entrepreneurial and would prefer a better defined role with more well defined responsibilities.

I feel like the first would be far riskier but with more potential reward.

You can make a very good living by being a big fish in a small pond, provided it’s a young company. If you’re there on the ground floor and part of its growth, your exit opportunities will be phenomenal, and you’ll learn lots along the way. I made that decision a few years ago and I haven’t looked back (though for a few years I was working nearly twice the hours I did at the previous job and taking no PTO or weekends off).

Now, if it’s an established small company that isn’t really growing, I’d think twice. Still, two steps down seems too much.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

You can make a very good living by being a big fish in a small pond, provided it’s a young company. If you’re there on the ground floor and part of its growth, your exit opportunities will be phenomenal, and you’ll learn lots along the way. I made that decision a few years ago and I haven’t looked back (though for a few years I was working nearly twice the hours I did at the previous job and taking no PTO or weekends off).

Now, if it’s an established small company that isn’t really growing, I’d think twice. Still, two steps down seems too much.

It's been around for 10 years but the founders think it'll grow. But at the same time, are they going to think they won't grow?

 

[Takeahnase]

I'm truly burnt out. I don't know what to do. I'm a Global Director at a PE backed pharma company. Currently, I'm easily putting in 55-60 hours a week while finishing up my MBA. Between work, school, wife + kids... I'm just at a crossroads.

I've thought about looking for a different role but I'm handcuffed here. The company has incredible benefits and with my oldest being autistic and my history of health issues, those benefits are as good as gold. I've also got a large equity stake. But I feel it taking a toll on my physical and mental wellbeing. It is a good company. I've been here for nearly a decade. We have some great people. But if you have worked with PE... the compensation is incredible but they will demand blood.

The easy thing is to say just walk away. But it is truly never that easy. I also want to make sure my family is taken care of. I guess, for the first time in my life, I understand what people mean when they say they feel trapped. I've so hard for the last 15 years to get where I am.

I worked 20 years for various CMO pharma companies. Burnout is common. You are not alone. Claw some of your life back. I did an MBA with young kids and no break in career like you. It will get better after you graduate. Toughest part is likely going on now for you.

Get this book - The Practicing Stoic by Ward Farnsworth.

Medium / Long term - Consulting is an option. More travel than you are likely used to, though. I traveled 30 weeks last year and I am over it.

The pharma industry pays well, but is mega stressful.

 

[Gardner McKay]

You can make a very good living by being a big fish in a small pond, provided it’s a young company. If you’re there on the ground floor and part of its growth, your exit opportunities will be phenomenal, and you’ll learn lots along the way. I made that decision a few years ago and I haven’t looked back (though for a few years I was working nearly twice the hours I did at the previous job and taking no PTO or weekends off).

Now, if it’s an established small company that isn’t really growing, I’d think twice. Still, two steps down seems too much.

This is where things are (for me and the company). There has been significant growth.

I appreciate the feedback and advice from all. Genuinely. That is what makes this the best community.

Putting something down in writing sometimes helps as a stress relief exercise (I'm beginning to learn).

 

[80s Kid]

I'm truly burnt out. I don't know what to do. I'm a Global Director at a PE backed pharma company. Currently, I'm easily putting in 55-60 hours a week while finishing up my MBA. Between work, school, wife + kids... I'm just at a crossroads.

I've thought about looking for a different role but I'm handcuffed here. The company has incredible benefits and with my oldest being autistic and my history of health issues, those benefits are as good as gold. I've also got a large equity stake. But I feel it taking a toll on my physical and mental wellbeing. It is a good company. I've been here for nearly a decade. We have some great people. But if you have worked with PE... the compensation is incredible but they will demand blood.

The easy thing is to say just walk away. But it is truly never that easy. I also want to make sure my family is taken care of. I guess, for the first time in my life, I understand what people mean when they say they feel trapped. I've so hard for the last 15 years to get where I am.

I basically made a decision years ago to stay in a low stress role with less pay instead of advancing. I had my own health issues and to this day I believe it was the correct decision.

Everyone is different but if your finances are in good shape, trading salary for piece of mind is absolutely something to explore. I also moved from the northeast to AZ for warmer weather...chronic neck/back pain and cold weather don't mix well for me.

 

[CasusBelli]

I'm truly burnt out. I don't know what to do. I'm a Global Director at a PE backed pharma company. Currently, I'm easily putting in 55-60 hours a week while finishing up my MBA. Between work, school, wife + kids... I'm just at a crossroads.

I've thought about looking for a different role but I'm handcuffed here. The company has incredible benefits and with my oldest being autistic and my history of health issues, those benefits are as good as gold. I've also got a large equity stake. But I feel it taking a toll on my physical and mental wellbeing. It is a good company. I've been here for nearly a decade. We have some great people. But if you have worked with PE... the compensation is incredible but they will demand blood.

The easy thing is to say just walk away. But it is truly never that easy. I also want to make sure my family is taken care of. I guess, for the first time in my life, I understand what people mean when they say they feel trapped. I've so hard for the last 15 years to get where I am.

It's not an easy choice. One thing that can make it easier, though, is to check on the status of that equity. How much has vested? What happens if you resign from the position? Is there a path to IPO? And what do you truly love about the job? Beyond the pay, I mean?

We are all different, but my family and intellectual curiosity drive my desire to work, even though the regular 80+ hour weeks can be brutal now that I'm approaching 40; I don't think I need to tell you of all people that doing this for over a decade takes a toll on the body. Still, if my work didn't satisfy my intellectual curiosity (I'm a "talking quant" in energy markets), I probably wouldn't stick / have stuck around this long or longer.

If there's one thing that worries me from what you say, though, is your physical and mental wellbeing. I can speak only for myself, but working out 5x / week has completely changed my wellbeing, improving confidence and posture while reducing anxiety and moodiness. My wife and I (we don't have kids yet) have benefited from this immensely.

Oh I have. I've had two offers but both times it felt like I was going from the frying pan to the fire.

Unfortunately there isn't anything. PE backed companies are extremely lean. I'm genuinely doing three jobs at once.

I think part of it is that I haven't been able to admit to myself how I feel... until I just wrote it all out. It is amazing how that allows you to gain perspective on a situation.

That sounds about right. My company is backed by PE and a few bulge brackets. We've grown 6x since I joined four years ago (I was hire #40), and then I was wearing a risk hat, an origination hat and a trading hat. It was, without question, the most stressful but also most exhilarating part of my career. But one thing is for sure: it wasn't sustainable.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

I basically made a decision years ago to stay in a low stress role with less pay instead of advancing. I had my own health issues and to this day I believe it was the correct decision.

Everyone is different but if your finances are in good shape, trading salary for piece of mind is absolutely something to explore. I also moved from the northeast to AZ for warmer weather...chronic neck/back pain and cold weather don't mix well for me.

I had just job that was interesting and a little higher stress and then my next job was boring and lower stress. I won't lie I thought about the previous job al the time because boring jobs are their own type of stress.