Not sure what to do now I’ve seen my ex-colleague
I was a ST4 in a medical specialty with a chap who was an ST6 in the same specialty. He went OOP to do some research in 2022, then came back, quit his training number and went into pharma in 2023. We were all surprised as he was a great doctor and a good guy. He seems to have done great in the corporate world, has been promoted 3 times in 3 years and seems to be on a fast track to the top.
Anyway, we reconnected recently and we arranged to catch up- he was looking after his kids that day so said I could pop over for coffee and cake.
I was not prepared for what I saw. He lives in an actual mansion now. I’m not talking just a nice house, I’m talking a 6 bedroom mansion in a very expensive deanery with an acre of land. I was upfront and asked him his ballpark salary etc. his bonus this year was more than my entire pre tax yearly income (60% LTFT).
I know that comparison is the thief of joy etc etc, but this was 2 days ago and I really cannot stop thinking about what on earth I’m doing in my hovel, struggling for childcare, treated like a child at work, begging for annual leave or study leave etc, exams, publishing etc
How on earth do I move on and continue here- I’m really struggling to see the upside of being a medic.