I have worked at a school for four years, every time I bring up promotion they say “professionally I’m there emotionally I am not”. Those in leadership are not held to the same impossible standard they hold for me.
I recently got my masters and was recruited for a job more in line with it. I was honest during the interview process with my current director. Today when I went to speak with her she said, “you probably wouldn’t be allowed to come back” then compared it to an ex trying to go back to their boyfriend. I was so insulted. I didn’t want to leave initially out of fear and loyalty to a job that doesn’t offer it back. However, that comment showed me that no matter what I do, I’ll never be seen as a professional.
Mind you I just graduated with a MASTERS in early childhood with a 4.0 while working full time, and the job I interviewed for was for a program manager reporting directly to the CEO.