I quit my "dream" job - here's why
About 2 months ago, I resigned from my job as the founding Editor-in-Chief of Condé Nast Traveller Middle East. It was a post I’d held from the time we launched in 2013 for over 7 years, a period of great development and growth for the brand, and for me.
And in those 7 years, every time I told someone what I did — at a party, at a conference, on an airplane — I heard these words: “You have a dream job!”
And in some ways, that was true. Back while I was getting my master’s degree in journalism at New York University over 15 years ago, I saw a summer internship opening posted by the US edition of Condé Nast Traveler. It was a dream internship! With my heart in my mouth and my determination on full display, I applied — and got it. All those years ago, working on the lowest rung of the editorial ladder, I dreamed of one day being in charge.
Over the years I worked my way, hard and passionately, up that ladder. So when I was appointed Editor-in-Chief in charge of launching the newest edition of Condé Nast Traveller in the Middle East, it seemed a dream had indeed come true.
So why would I ever leave a job that I’d worked so diligently and tirelessly over the years to achieve?
Here are a three very sound reasons that together indicated to me that it was time to move on.
DREAMS CAN CHANGE
Dreams often evolve as you add to your experience and grow professionally. Indeed, they must. That evolution is how we continue to challenge ourselves and find new purpose. It helps set fresh targets and opens us up to learning. My goals in my twenties were different from those in my thirties — as is only natural as I matured in what I did and what I wanted, not just from work but from life.
I loved my job, but somewhere along those 7 years I became conscious of other horizons to conquer, new skills to hone and different experiences to pursue. The more I talked to other interesting and successful professionals about unexplored opportunities and areas to which I could contribute with my experience and talent, while also embarking on a learning curve of my own, the more my dreams began to shape-shift.
Being Editor-in-Chief of Condé Nast Traveller Middle East will always be one of my dream jobs — but who said you can’t have more than one in your lifetime?
THE INVISIBLE CEILING
Changing goals doesn’t necessarily mean changing jobs — but often, it does. Most jobs come with an invisible ceiling, where learning, opportunity and growth plateaus. In my case, I found I was starting to bump up against that flat roof.
Could I have continued doing my job as Editor-in-Chief at a high level of excellence — yes, without a doubt. Did I still see great new opportunities for growth to explore within the role — if I’m totally honest, no.
There were a number of reasons why I felt the role no longer brought out the absolute best in me. But perhaps the most important of those was that while I had learned and achieved a lot in 7 years — and will always remain grateful for that — there simply wasn’t a lot of opportunity or room left to develop further. Passion, energy and excitement are all key to me in a job, and they tend to exist alongside growth. But there was that ceiling.
Some don’t mind treading water, and that’s OK, no judgment here. I am simply not one of those people.
ON A HIGH NOTE
As with many things in life, timing is important. Leaving or ending something on a high note, in the most positive way, is preferable. For me, this meant two things. Firstly, choosing to exit while I still enjoyed my job and could leave with largely positive memories and relationships. And second, leaving while the value of the brand — and the work I’d done — was still at the top of its game, knowing also that I’ve built a strong enough foundation that it is set up for success beyond my tenure.
Knowing it’s the right time to quit is usually the result of a longish period working towards the right change. A knee-jerk reaction to a tough year is not generally a good idea — and despite the fact that Covid-19 did make things difficult for most businesses, let alone one like Condé Nast Traveller, the beginnings of my decision to move on predated 2020. So by the time I did resign, much had been considered and the timing felt exactly right.
The right time also means no regrets — which is the best way to end things.
Ultimately, 3 simple yet considered questions brought me to my final decision:
Is this still my dream job or do I have other dreams I want to pursue?
Do I still have room to grow and opportunities to ignite my passion in my current role?
Would I be leaving with any regrets or would I be looking back on a positive learning experience?
For anyone out there standing on the precipice of professional change, worried about making the leap from a comfortable position, I hope my musings can help.
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