existential crisis in my career

I may have reached or overstayed my welcome at my current job. Not to mention I haven't gotten a raise in 3 years. I have looked at trillions of job ads. Nothing appeals to me. There could be a few reasons to this; maybe you all could help me talk it out.
here are some of my issues
_Some jobs don't appeal to me because many of them require public speaking and I am a horrible one.
_most of the jobs I like are in policy work but plain old fear of the unknown coupled with the public speaking comes in again.
_im afraid to work for an agency that is overly bureaucratic and inefficient and I wouldn't really know that until after working for them for a while.
_nothing really excites me. Mostly what I am qualified for is not "crucial" enough for my idealogy. Not sure how to explain that better.

I know there's a lot of fear of the unknown which I am trying to deal with. I am working on that, among other things. But i honestly don't know what sort of position would be a step up.

It would help u to know that im a social worker who directs a group of service coordinators who work in low income senior housing. Fun or boring at times, not stressful. I am not even sure if its time for me to move on. I am so comfortable there. Any input greatly appreciated. TIA

Re: existential crisis in my career

I can identify with what you are saying because there's not a whole lot out there in social worker land that appeals to me either.

I am also not a fan of public speaking, I have done a few stints supervising and hate, hate, hate it.

I never got my LMSW (have Master's) so that's sorta become a goal I KNOW I need to work on.

I think I would like to work in a hospital if I do end up getting my license..........what appeals to me with that are definitely the benefits, and the fact that the clients I would be working with would be more short-term.

I am VERY comfortable at my job as well.......I have been doing it since 2005 (although I started out at a different agency).

I feel like my company is very family friendly........I can plan my day when I wake up in the morning if I want, and I can also work from home if need be.

I also know the craziness I have gotten myself into where I am............like you, I fear what else is out there, or getting into a god-awful situation and not being able to find a new job that meets my needs, especially in this economy.

As a mother who carriers the benefits, married to someone who is self-employed, I feel like it has to be a really well-planned out decision if I am to jump ship elsewhere.

Sorry I can't be more helpful...........just wanted to say that I DO relate.

Re: existential crisis in my career

If conditions at your current job improved would you stay?
Sometimes just tweaking things at work can make current life bearable..

Also have you asked your boss for a raise? If not, I'd try that first before trying to jump ship.

Re: existential crisis in my career

Re: existential crisis in my career

Message edited 3/8/2011 1:29:07 PM.