Made the decision to leave this field. And I'm going to be so much happier.
The stress-to-pay ratio just isn't worth it anymore. Between outsourcing, Al, and never knowing if you're next on the chopping block, there's no real security here. These companies have zero loyalty to their people, so I won't have any to them either. I learned that the hard way at my last job, got let go after the feds reached out to my employer for a background investigation and they didn't take kindly to it.
I came up through the military before accounting, and I can't stand how fake and thin-skinned corporate America is, everyone drinking the same kool-aid. This work brings no joy or satisfaction just soulless ghouls bragging about who stayed latest for no extra pay. I refuse to be the guy waking up in his 40s or 50s realizing he wasted his best years in this field.
If my 30s have taught me anything, it's how fast my 20s went. I'm not throwing my 30s away in this dump too.
Honestly, just writing this out and knowing l'll be gone in 2-4 months whether with the Feds or in the trades is a genuine relief. I can breathe easier already. I won't let this field keep grinding down my mental and emotional state.
What pulled me in originally was stability. What a joke that turned out to be.
P.S good luck to the new grads incoming when these douche bags want entry level with 5+plus year experience.