| I'm going to throw a couple of things out there. If I'm completely off the mark, feel free to ignore. Fulfilled - This is a tall order for any work environment. Have you ever been professional fulfilled? Personally fulfilled? Both? For some people, me for example, professional fulfillment is tied to my personal life in a way that if I'm not professionally happy, i'm not personally happy. For lots of people, it's the opposite. The grass is always greener...which isn't to say that it's actually not. A smaller company or startup will be different...that's all you'll know for sure. You may gain autonomy and pride in your contribution, but find that the overall lack of progress and general lack of certainty just as disheartening. 2 months into a project, the directive might be abandoned...it's just the way it goes sometimes. If you want to test the waters as a consultant or start your own consulting business, take a ~60 hour job and a week of vacation. If it moves you, you'll know. Culture is important. But, it sounds like you are bumping into the harsh reality that many companies throw culture out the window when it's not convenient. That happens almost everywhere, unfortunately. It sounds like you might be just about ready for shakeup. It sounds like you have the credentials / experience to make a move and if it doesn't work out, take a mulligan. That being said, if you aren't unhappy enough to quit outright, it might not be that bad (but, clearly isn't that good). Another approach that has worked in the past is a transfer. Maybe your current project is too big, manager sucks, cross-functional team is composed to biz guys that think all you have to do is toss a code monkey a banana once in a while...maybe you can get on a more entrepreneurial team on, a nascent project, a your current employer. I hope it you find what you are looking for...it sux when someone beats the life out of something you really love to do. |