Do you have a work dilemma, career quandary, or are you facing challenges in the office? The i Paper’s new work column will be answering readers’ questions while consulting with top experts in the field to provide you with the best advice. Email questions to [email protected]
I’m 24 and currently working in HR at an insurance company. While it’s not my dream job, I appreciate the stability and income it provides. I’ve been in this position for about nine months, which is my first role post-graduation. The job search was a lengthy process—I applied for what felt like hundreds of positions—so I intend to stay where I am for the time being.
I don’t want to sound ungrateful, but I find myself questioning the purpose of my work. Everything seems so expensive; it feels like I’ll never be able to buy a house, and my rent is already exorbitant. My parents encourage me to climb the corporate ladder and stay with the company long-term, but that prospect sounds dreadful to me. It’s not just that I lack enthusiasm for my current role; I worry that I’ll never reach the milestones my parents achieved, such as owning a home, enjoying nice vacations, or starting a family.
I feel like I’m trudging through a job I have no passion for—what’s the point of it all? I’m concerned that my lack of motivation will eventually become apparent and I might lose my job.
What should I do?
Molly Johnson-Jones is the CEO of Flexa, a careers platform that helps candidates find companies based on their offerings, from flexible working arrangements to opportunities for career advancement. She co-founded Flexa in 2019 after being let go from her investment banking job when she requested to work from home one day a week to manage her autoimmune disease. Molly also co-hosts the “Working on It” podcast, which provides practical advice and discussions on navigating today’s evolving work landscape.
Feeling disenchanted in your early career is a common experience, so please don’t panic—it’s completely normal. It’s unfortunate that our education system often leads us to believe that we must choose a single career path and stick to it for life. The reality is that if you don’t feel passionate about your job, it can become disheartening, leading to feelings similar to what you’re experiencing. In fact, research from LinkedIn indicates that 61% of UK professionals plan to seek new employment opportunities this year.
Like you, I began my career in a corporate role as a retail analyst at an investment bank, but what I started doing and what I do now—running my own startup—are vastly different. I didn’t find real happiness in my career until I was about 28, and I’m 31 now. I always assumed I’d have a long-lasting corporate career and eventually become a partner at a firm. It took me about five years of grappling with questions like, “Is this the right industry?” or “Is this the right position?” before I discovered the idea for Flexa. I never envisioned myself in the startup world, which is incredibly demanding and challenging, but it has also become a source of great passion and fulfillment.
Accept and Embrace the Beginning
It’s important to be realistic and patient about your current situation. Recognize that you are just at the start of your career, with your entire working life ahead of you. Don’t subscribe to societal expectations or others’ definitions of significant life milestones. The notion that you should be able to buy a house by 25 is unrealistic, and it often takes years of hard work to reach salary goals of £100,000, £150,000, or even £200,000. You may need to grind it out in these early years to pay your rent and enjoy the occasional vacation. Although it may not feel enjoyable, your 20s are a crucial time for laying the groundwork for your future. Use this time to experiment, meet new people, and discover what feels right for you—without placing excessive pressure on yourself.
Cease the Comparison Game
Another significant challenge is the tendency to compare yourself to others and their achievements. There’s a damaging narrative—especially for women—suggesting that by a certain age, you should be married, own a house, and have children. Social media exacerbates this issue by promoting the idea of instant gratification; we see influencers flaunting luxury items and enjoying lavish vacations, leading us to feel inadequate and question our own lives. However, it’s crucial to recognize that this represents a tiny fraction of society and often doesn’t reflect reality. I encourage you to reflect on how much of your dissatisfaction stems from comparing yourself to others versus a genuine lack of enthusiasm for your current role. If it’s the latter, that’s perfectly acceptable.
Uncover the Root of Your Discontent
I would challenge your parents’ advice to remain at your current company for an extended period in pursuit of career advancement. Those days of enduring a job solely for the promise of higher pay and progression are behind us. Take some time to identify the aspects of your job that you find unappealing. Understanding what you don’t want to do can be just as valuable as knowing what you do want. Are you unhappy because you’re in HR, working in the insurance sector, or is it the company culture? Is it the work environment or your colleagues? Delve into what’s causing your unhappiness. Could you transition to a different industry? If HR is the issue, is there a chance for an internal move to a different role? Or, if you’re uncomfortable in a traditional corporate setting, could you seek a similar role in a more dynamic startup?
Be Proactive and Prepare
It’s essential to remain conscious of your motivation levels, as a lack of enthusiasm can become noticeable to others. You’ll be in a much more advantageous position if you choose to leave voluntarily for a new role, rather than being let go from your first job. If that happens, explaining your short tenure in interviews can be much more challenging. Use your current job as a platform to network and explore diverse opportunities, helping you identify what you truly wish to pursue next.
When you begin interviewing for new positions, prepare thoughtful responses that articulate why you’re seeking a change, showcasing your self-awareness. It’s perfectly acceptable to express that you’re looking for a less traditional company that allows you to engage in various projects. There are numerous ways to demonstrate that you’ve carefully considered your reasons for moving on, which will set you apart from other candidates.
I want to acknowledge the additional challenges faced by Gen Z compared to Millennials and Boomers regarding work and property ownership. It can be incredibly frustrating when others advise you to simply stick it out, given the difficult economic landscape you’re navigating. It may feel like hard work yields fewer rewards, but remember that this is just a phase of your life. Take a moment to celebrate your accomplishments so far: you’ve graduated from university and secured your first job—two significant achievements. This is a journey, and you don’t need to be in the perfect place by the age of 25.
As told to MaryLou Costa
