TL:DR – strongly considering leaving stable job with decent money because feel under appreciated but the grass isn't always greener…just looking for thoughts.
I've worked for a state agency for 10 years with the hopes that my public sector work would eliminate the remainder of my student loans. Found out recently that of my 10 years/120 payments, only 94 count which will make me work until 8/2024. This job has a good salary for the area but the private sector offer much more for wages. I am my SME for a department and I'm tasked with other jobs from my own department because they know my capabilities. I felt I was underpaid (of the six other people in my job description, me and my partner are the lowest paid (and not a question of credentials)). With the shock that I'd have to stay another two years just to qualify for loan forgiveness or could venture out now, along with the feeling of being a cog in the machine (but still tasked for higher functions), just feeling really despondent and irritable. Benefits of public sector include the insane amount of time off, stable pay and for the most part, stable employment. Benefits of private sector are higher pay, more merit based (or at least non-empty praise), a feeling of making the company succeed, and better health coverage. Just feels super risky because i haven't jumped many jobs and I'd thought this would be my career. Just reaching out.