Hitting a wall at job
I have been in my higher ed job for four years now with a masters that really caters to my position. My institution pays 5k or more under market average for the same positions in the area, and it feels like its quickly crumbling under poor leadership.
Budget cuts, bringing in sketchy consultants, and my very tightly run office (which basically runs the school) has become under extreme scrutiny despite incredible output. I used to take solace in my incredible office, my unit of young women, and these past couple years even my female figures I looked up to in my office have failed me and my friends.
I have taken it so personally, I feel so betrayed by these people I thought were trying to support us. The school may be sucking but I thought we were an island.
I need a new job so bad, but I am so scared with the current political climate to move schools and I am pigeon-holed to specific fields because of public service loan forgiveness and worse, I feel like I should get a new job elsewhere. I moved West to East coast and have felt split since. I miss my family and friends, and I have full life here w incredible friends.
I feel so despondent, stuck and unmotivated. I dont know how to dig myself out of this professionally. I see a therapist and saw a career coach. How do you motivate when work feels like its killing you?
Posted Aug 13, 2026, 8:26 PM UTC