Anyone feel that your corporate job is overrated??

All I wanted growing up was a fancy job in a cool company where I was part of corporate America...and now all I want to do is just go back to my college days of waitressing or making lattes at the coffee bar! The BS is driving me nuts and I really think I would be much happier selling shoes at Nordstoms! I feel like I have to have this office job since I have a BA and a MA and doing anything else would be a waste of my degrees (which are not really from the field I work in anyway!) Anyone else think the same thing? If my company blew up tomorrow the world would not be changed. So unless I'm doing something meaningful, IMO, I feel like I might as well just go waitress at a fancy steakhouse, work less hours and make more $$! Mondays bring out my happy side!

Re: Anyone feel that your corporate job is overrated??

Occasionally I feel that way, especially that I don't really make a difference, but I think that's just one of the drawbacks of an office position.

For me, the pros definitely outweigh the cons. I can sit behind a desk all day (and play online once in a while) have steady hours of basically 9-5, no weekends, or night time hrs, and a steady paycheck.

In college I worked in retail and at catering halls and really hated it. I hated the crappy pay, terrible hours, standing on your feet, etc.

I would love a more creative position, but that's not going to happen for me, so this is it

Re: Anyone feel that your corporate job is overrated??

I think about it (although I was not in corporate america)

but on our anniversary, when we gave a $40 tip on a monday night...and ou waiter had 8 other tables while we were there alone!!! granted some to the bus boys and bartenders, but come on...he is living LARGE!!!!

Re: Anyone feel that your corporate job is overrated??

I certainly felt that way, and I'm glad I escaped the corporate life.

Re: Anyone feel that your corporate job is overrated??

BIG TIME - and that is why I am changing careers. Quality of life is more important to me these days.

Re: Anyone feel that your corporate job is overrated??

I am thinking of it more and more - on top of the BS I have a 2 hour commute (each way). I am def in the market for job change, but I'm not sure I can leave the security of Corporate America. I'd settle for a shorter commute. I know the BS will be the same, buta new company with new faces would be a nice change

Edited to add - I still have my 13 year old waitressing apron in the bottom of a drawer !!

Re: Anyone feel that your corporate job is overrated??

Yup, when people hear me say I work on Wall Street or for a Brokerage firm there is something that comes in to their eyes and I am like don't get excited b/c I am not, joy, joy, oh well. I am blessed to be working in such a great environment and with such great people but if my dream job came along, its adios so long Corporate America. I am currently looking in to getting certified to teach at the gym, I cannot wait.

Re: Anyone feel that your corporate job is overrated??

I feel like that too...especially in the summer when I would rather be out in the sun and not all dressed up sweating in the subways.

Sometimes I get so stressed that I think to myself how much easier life would be if I didnt care SO much about my job. But then again...would I feel fulfilled????? I dunno????

Re: Anyone feel that your corporate job is overrated??

FYI...please don't think that teaching is an escape from corporate BS...there is just as much...if not more...

Re: Anyone feel that your corporate job is overrated??

That is my huge gripe..I am not fulfilled. My job is a job to me. It is not my passion nor what I really want to do. It pays the bills and that is it. I do love the people I work with..we are all great friends and I am glad I got this job since I met all my friends this way, but the job itself I could do without.

Re: Anyone feel that your corporate job is overrated??

OMG...no way are you the only one!!!

I can't stand waking up in the morning to travel by subway to the financial district to come to this lousy, miserable, lowpaying, overworking, job. It is sooooooooo stressful...every day I sit here and wonder what else could I do...I must have sent out resumes all over the place...bridal salons, clothing stores...to get anything, anything besides for working this desk job. I can't take it anymore...then I tell my boss how I feel so used and abused here...show me some money for all my hard work...I think I got a 6% raise last month which included a promotion and my yearly increase...whoopie!!

Anyway, now, with the wedding coming up and trying to save for a house, it makes it hard to leave here, because the pay is decent...pays more than getting a job in retail because I have NO experience...but once I'm married, and we're ready to buy a house and have kids...it's ADIOS to corporate america for me!!!

Re: Anyone feel that your corporate job is overrated??

I left corporate america to work in the non-profit sector thinking that it would be more rewarding. It's the same political crap, but now I'm just paid a fraction of what I made in the corporate world.

I thought maybe it was just here, but another friend of mine who switched to non-profit said the same thing. She's been doing it for 2 years now, and is looking to move back into a corporate job.

Re: Anyone feel that your corporate job is overrated??

I think lotto is the answer!

Re: Anyone feel that your corporate job is overrated??

I think that unless you LOVE your job you feel this way. It doesn't matter corp america, teaching, retail, etc... I don't hate my job. I work for a really great boss who treats me with respect and values my contribution and I appreciate that fact everyday BUT I don't love what I do. I am bored of doing it. I am not saving the World and I know that. But the truth is in order to help save the World I would need to live like Mother Theresa and I am not prepared to do that.
I am trying to figure out what I can do that will take me to a happier career.

- Until I got a pregnancy related problem I commuted 2 hours each way also and it $ucked 100%. Now working from home I can say I do not miss the LIRR, subway or NYC at all!

Re: Anyone feel that your corporate job is overrated??

This thread is very interesting. My FI father owns a marketing company on LI. He started it and made it what it is today. We just had this conversation and I was so surprised that he can honestly say that he LOVES what the does. He felt bad for me when I said I dont love what I do.

He says he wakes up everyday waiting for a new challenge and a new success. He finds everyday rewarding even though he isnt saving lives.

Now I think about me...I think part of it is that I am bored...my company really doesnt offer a lot of financial growth...title yes...but salary really doesnt change more than the 4% a year..

To be honest...I am ready to throw in the towel and volunteer at a shelter or something.

Re: Anyone feel that your corporate job is overrated??

That is funny that you use the example of marketing because that is what I do and at this point I could care less if people buy/sell the products we market for our clients! How terrible is that!

Re: Anyone feel that your corporate job is overrated??

Wow, you sound like me 2 years ago. I was in corporate america for 12 years at some really cool jobs (a major sports company, a TV station, internet company) but one day I was like, 'who the hell cares' I didn't feel fulfilled. I felt so tired of the office politics & the BS and the overtime and so much more. I went back and am currently working on my Masters in Teaching. Last year was my first year teaching & I absolutely LOVE IT. It was the best decision of my life. It's now the summer & I'm temping in an office & counting down the days until I'm done. :)

Follow your heart!!!

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Re: SweetCin

sweetC and Beachbride, Im glad to hear you love teaching so much!
I went from retail to corporate america to stay-at-home-mom (now), and getting my masters at night, to be able to teach in the near future.
I have always wanted to teach, and I cant WAIT to get started!
I thinkthe days teachers get off are an added bonus and I hope no one teaches JUST because of that. Im sure teachers do LOTS of work at home in the evenings and wekeends, that most 'corporate americans' dont have to do.. so its a challenging AND rewarding job and has GREAT vacation time!

Re: SweetCin

Anna....good luck with your Masters. Teaching definitely isn't done at 3 p.m. but every day you reap the benefits with a child hugging you or seeing him finally get it. It's tough, but rewarding. :)