...want to pay it back. That's a total of 4 years from now. I have been checking daily for the past 2 years for some other job within the company, but the options in Indianapolis are limited. I'm to the point where I might even start looking outside and just find a way to pay them back, but the new job would have to pay very well. Someone please help me out with some advice, at least of how to stay sane... This current job is for idiots with no college degree. I have one. I'm just sick of everything here. - Kamilah Gill

PS, the school is for a Master's in accounting. - Kamilah Gill

Sad, maybe someday they will realize the un-known potential you had to offer, but they just left you to sit and wait. - Harold

That's a hard place to be in...I'm sorry to hear about it. Here's Escape from Corporate America -- a website and a book. There' a lot of good advice there: http://www.escapefromcorporate.com/ - Ginger Makela Riker

Liking not because your situation is likeable, but hopefully it gets more exposure. Good luck and try to keep positive, think about the long term than the short term. My best advice to you is that you might want to start looking at ways to pay it back: 4 years at a job you hate as much as you do is not good for your emotional or physical health. - Mark Trapp

I completely agree with Mark. Life's too short to be this miserable. Start looking for a new job today! - Carla Thompson

I agree with Mark and Carla too, def avoid starting to get into a funk and bad place (am guessing you have VERY little free time juggling that schedule, but find a way to include something that feeds your soul a bit every week or two. Some way to let off steam, maybe laugh, something small to look forward to..). Fortunately there's def demand for acctg, if that's something you do want to incorporate in next/LT role, so you've got that going for you. :) Not sure if you're tied to Indianapolis or - Casey

(cont'd) or if you may be open to Chicago, MN, or other relocation. Check out TheLadders.com for job listings, may be worth subscribing to for leads and recruiters. Get feedback on your resume before postings, there are some good headhunters which may reach out from there. Network with any Acctg/Fin associations that are worthwhile there. Other than that, keep up your performance at work and keep a low profile re: dissatisfaction there, you want to leave w/ a good rep on your terms & timeframe, not theirs. - Casey

Finally, do you have a trusted acctg prof or advisor that it's worth connecting with for possible leads? Often there are a few profs with great rep & corp/fin contacts that firms approach for candidates and/or can be helpful in securing info and job interviews. Likewise, figure out friends and past colleagues (or trusted client friends) that may be helpful as you network for opps (on the down low). Chin up, there's def demand for acctg and you will have other options. Best of luck to you1 - Casey

My advice: Stay positive. If you get into a downward spiral, your bad thoughts will become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Do anything you need to do to take care of yourself, including eating well, exercising, not drinking, and finding a healthy escape. For an escape, books are remarkably cheap and effective. If necessary, take 2 weeks off soon to recharge and then reassess your situation. If you find that you have no real love for banking/accounting, bail as soon as possible. - Tödd Nëmët

(cont'd) If you find that you do enjoy banking/accounting, write down 3 things you like about it and write a few notes on where you want to be in 5 years. Then carry it with you at all times, tattooing it on your eyelids if necessary. Vow to yourself that if you leave your current job that you will leave on your terms and from a position of strength no matter what you decide. If you don't solve this situation now, you will be confronted with it in different forms throughout your life. - Tödd Nëmët

(cont'd) Begin networking as soon as you have made a career decision and consider possibilities in Chicago, Cincinnati, and Columbus. Realize that it is a crappy time for finance right now, and some would consider remaining employed as a pretty good achievement. A long time ago when I found my self living in Indiana (Ft. Wayne) and pretty miserable, the solution I found was to move to California though the first few years were pretty rough. - Tödd Nëmët

You guys are all awesome! This is why I love FriendFeed! Thanks everyone! At first I didn't get any responses and then there was this explosion. I'll be reading all of your advice carefully. - Kamilah Gill

I agree with Todd; stay positive. The only thing I would suggest is that you use this time at your current job to prepare for your next by expanding your skills or responsiblities if you can. I think you will find that when you do switch jobs you will make more and get more respect because people are very often seen as the person they were hired as a long time ago instead of the person they are now. - RAPatton