Thinking about leaving the civil service, no idea what to do
This is more of a rant but I'm hoping someone out there can relate?
I started in DWP in 2020 as an AO during covid, my first job after finishing uni. Became a work coach, then a DWP fraud officer, then got a HEO counter fraud role in another department a couple of years ago.
I was originally based in London as I live in the south east (Kent, to be specific) an hour - 2 hours from London depending on the train. Obviously not ideal so I moved to a local regional office as my base instead which is lonely as I'm the only person in my organisation based there.
The issue is I've reached a complete plateau in my current role, I'm bored, I don't feel like I'm being stretched or developing, in fact sometimes I even worry my skills are regressing. I've spoken to my manager about it and tried to think of more things to do that can grow my skills in this role but I'm struggling to feel motivated. I've even reached out to mentors (nobody replied lol)
Not only that, but due to the civil service wanting to move jobs out of London, that means there is nothing but operational roles in the south east. prison officers, etc. Often I see a job on CSJ I think would be a good fit but it's not recruiting in my area, including London (I'd be happy to work hybrid in London for an SEO or higher salary)
so I'm struggling with feeling stuck in my current job because the opportunities just aren't there - I work in a very niche area and all the senior roles are based elsewhere.
it is at the point where I want to leave the civil service entirely because I just feel there's no progression. the problem is I don't feel I've gained enough experience or skills from my current role to equip me for the private sector and kind of feel like I've wasted my 20s in dead end jobs in the civil service.
can anyone relate, or does anyone have any advice for me on how to get out of this hole?