Career Stalled. Move on or knuckle down?

[Afterflood]

Hello all. I would appreciate advice on the following. I am 32 years old. I have been working for the same organization for almost 9 years. I have a degree and work as a professional. The first 6 years were great. I was promoted several times, given bonuses, share options etc. Then 3 years ago I was asked to go and work overseas. This was great from a personal point of view but disastrous from a career perspective. I take full responsibility but I found myself working on obscure projects doomed to failure and never seemed to make any progress. Now I have returned home and find myself worse off then I was before I left – people that I was senior to before are now senior to me etc. 4 years ago I felt I had a future now I feel like I am wasting my time. I guess I am somewhat well paid (over EUR70k) but going no where – for example I no longer receive share options.
I am thinking about doing a masters degree. This would start next year and would take 2 years to complete. I would then be tied to the company for 18 months after the end of the course or I would have to repay fees. So all in all I would be 37 before I could move on.
I apologize for the long winded question but what I am looking for advice on is whether people think it is better for me to stay and start a masters or start to look for other opportunities. If I start the masters I am trapped until I am 37 and I am worried that if my job hasn’t picked up by then that it will be too late to start out somewhere else.
All advice is appreciated.

 

[johnno09]

I think you need to start with a long think about what you really want to be doing day after day as oppose to just 70k/ share options/promotions/bonuses. I get the impression that you're somehow hung up and self-image and self-esteem pigeon holed on being seen to be progressing instead of getting immersed in the process of the work. At no stage do you mention what you want to be spending your days doing specifically or what you consider fulfilling work. So without that I cant see how a masters is going to help. It is far from a guarantee of a better job or the shares/bonuses. And being realistic how many 70k jobs are available at the moment?

Why not undertake the masters part time off your own back and not be tied to anyone for the fees. On 70k fees should be well affordable. You might want to do a careers assessment and see where the gaps are currently between your current role and your personality and aptitudes.

p.s.
I think you should apply for the next series of the apprentice and test your metal!

 

[chlipps]

You have a decent salary and being tied to salary over 70k for next 4-5 years is something many would gladly accept

By working abroad you have other experience that others dont have... you need to work it to your benefit.... you cannot say the experience abroard was a disaster and when opportunities will arise you need to use your experience gained and try get back to a higher position with the higher salary scales with options etc.. I think you should stay and fight your corner

Best of Luck

 

[PaddyBloggit]

I think you should stay and fight your corner

Do the Masters. It will help focus your mind and it will also help your future career prospects.

If you do leave the comapny before the 18 months are up then you'll be paying back fees for a course that has helped you.