I'm posting this here because I feel like this crowd will understand where I'm coming from, but please let me know if it isn't allowed!
I [24F] have lived in my city in Australia since birth and I always wanted to move, but I put it off because of one commitment after another (long term relationship during Uni, after Uni I got a job, currently in my second long term relationship) and I feel really stuck right now with what to do.
I work in community services and I'm lucky – it pays well and it's relatively easy even if it is really draining and monotonous at times. In the 2 years I've been there I haven't been given a promotion (I did have cost of living raises etc), and I am finally possibly up for a promotion at the end of this year … but I've finally reached this point and I don't even know if I want to take it.
I've switched departments a few times and I came to my most recent department knowing my contract went until December, with a “possibility of extension” if the department's contract was renewed. However, when it was renewed, they told me my role wasn't continuing, and to keep my job I had to apply for the next level up (and succeed in the interview). I most likely will get the job based on what they've been saying, but I feel a bit bitter being mislead, and recently we've had issues with the department manager bullying and trying to push out one of my coworkers because her mental health issues had impacted her KPI's – something that happened to me at the start of the year due to the same department manager (she switched departments from my previous one to this current one) when I was between houses and I'm pretty triggered by everything.
I have a Film degree but I'm uncertain about using it because my last film was 2 years ago and I just passed up an opportunity to work on another (student) film due to the situation at work. I started a Masters in Digital Communication to work towards marketing/social media management but I dropped out because I couldn't handle full-time study and part-time work, and the course was too analytical for me and not creative.
I honestly just want to get a work visa and travel but I know I can't while I still have my cat, because I love her so much. I don't even know what kind of job I would like to do. My loose plan is pushing through work until December, saving as much as I can, getting a part time/casual job in community services or something like a bookstore, plant nursery or grocery store, and then going back to Uni, and trying to do a year overseas through Uni, but I don't even know what to do. My main passions are art and animals but then people say you shouldn't make a job out of what you love … which is why I pursued Digital Communication but I'm not cut out to be a data analyst. But I also hate the idea of spending most of my waking hours doing a job I'm not passionate about?
I do like community services and I might be willing to try a different company but I do just feel like my time with this company has come to an end, even if I fumble the pay rise. Although it's harder and harder with the cost of living.
Sorry if this is a bit rambly, it's 12am and I was already tired in the first place – and of course I do have work tomorrow. 🙁
Any advice is appreciated, thank you!