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Does anyone else feel like they are spiraling into depression due to work? I moved to a different “city,” if you can call it that, for a job opportunity in the practice area I wanted to work in. The work dried up and I’ve been forced to be a catchall associate with no real path. On top of it, I don’t know a single soul outside of my office and the young professional crowd is kind of nonexistent here.

There are days, a few every week, where I contemplate just walking out and never coming back.

I loved working here when I got here. The long hours don’t bother me. I just feel like I was lied to about the need and I feel like I’ve ruined my career prospects by being at this job. I’ve been here around 2 years and the second year was mostly doing odd jobs for multiple practice groups, not really building on any skills.

Ive tried to lateral and have failed miserably. I’ve probably had around 15 callbacks and at each of them, it became apparent that I don’t have the knowledge to be considered a lateral for the firm. My recruiter has told me time and time again that the firm loved my personality and thinks I’d be a good fit, but they are going another direction.

I don’t know what to do at this point. I’ve considered applying to entry level jobs at other firms. I don’t even need to be at a large firm anymore. It just really tears me apart to leave this practice area though. It’s weird, but I truly love(d) working in this field and it’s hard to imagine never having that opportunity again.

I know there isn’t a real answer to this, but I just wanted to vent and see if anyone has dealt with a similar issue before.

Writing anon because I'm in the process of considering next steps. OP, totally understand how you feel. While my situation isn't completely the same as yours, I ended up taking an opportunity which I thought that (despite several aspects of the position that I didn't really love) was the best move for me at the time. Starting my job and working here for quite some time now, I am starting to realize that I really can't stay here long term. Though the positive aspects of the job that initially drew me here still remain, actually working and experiencing the work, the benefits just don't seem to outweigh the drawbacks. It made me re-evaluate what is most important to me in life - whether it be career, fulfilling job, better hours, better money - and try to think of ways to get back to a position that will help me achieve my ultimate goal. Although I've similarly dug myself in a bit of a hole due to the area of law I practice, I've come to realize that (as much as I hate this phrase) YOLO, so might as well try to give it your all. Set up tiny goals for yourself to achieve, like maybe applying to a couple jobs a day or maybe going to a couple of networking events a month. I'm sure you'll be able to figure out a path when you least expect it. Keep your head high and just know you are not alone! This too shall pass!!! You got this!!!!