Should I quit my underemployed toxic job that I took out of desperation now that I have a part time job and savings to move to a better city to network in person?
In May of 2024 I got an International Relations Masters at a great school. I have a background before that as a Policy Analyst, Peace Corps Volunteer and Congressional staffer. For obvious geopolitical reasons America's diplomatic corps is not in a hiring cycle. In March of 2025 I accepted a job out of desperation in Southeast Texas at a non-profit. Ignored red flag reviews on Glassdoor and indeed because I needed to relocate out of a family property in New England we needed to sell. I am absolutely miserable here, and my motivation to apply to endless online jobs after a year of doing so has diminished after only one interview for a state job i never heard back from.
I accepted a part time commission fundraising job in February of 2026 based in Austin and have made up sick days to attend board meeting there. I have fallen hopelessly in love with the city. I chose the part time job primarily as a networking opportunity and met a state rep who I asked to meet me for advice and they said they would help me network in Ausitn. Since then they sent me info on job fairs. I have about $30k in savings and no dependents and want to leave Southeast Texas badly. The deadline to renew my lease came up and I just couldn't face another year here. I'm quitting my toxic job and relocating to where I want to be. Dad, Stepdad, Director at new part time job all said to get a new job before leaving current one, but I am a people person feeling like I am totally invisible to online recruiters but whenever I network in person I feel great and make great contacts. I found a couple well reviewed apartments in Austin that are even less than I pay in Beaumont. I plan to get a bartender job immediately, and would make my current salary working at HEB. How crazy am I? I have never taken a serious calculated risk in my entire life and in my mid 30s I am not getting any younger. I know reddit is doomer by default but supposedly the job market is improving, and I have felt my confidence and drive diminish tremendously at this job. Thank you for responding.