Feeling stuck in a toxic academic environment but terrified to quit. How do I find the courage?
I have been a university lecturer for about 8 years, starting right after my postgrad. I’ve reached a breaking point, but I feel paralyzed.
My university is facing major financial issues. Administration has been dumping non-academic tasks on us and using toxic management tactics (gaslighting/PUA) to keep us working. I’ve been miserable for over a year.
I teach accounting, but here’s the truth: i don't actually like it. I’ve never enjoyed the subject, and I have zero desire to work in the accounting industry once I leave academia.
I promised myself I would resign this month, but I’m hesitating.
Since I’ve been in academia my whole career, I feel like I don't have real-world skills for other industries. I’m terrified that if I leave, I’ll never find another stable job and that I’ll officially be a failure. I know I want out, but I have no idea where to go.
How do you walk away when you’re not just leaving a job, but walking away from your entire career path? For those who pivoted to a completely different field in their 30s, how did you handle the fear of starting over?