BubblyNugget
BubblyNugget

Need Advice: Feeling Demotivated and Struggling at Work

Hi Everyone,

I need your advice on a career situation I’m currently facing. Here's some context:

I am a 28-year-old professional with an MBA from IIM. I have 3 years of experience in product management and strategy roles across different industries. Currently, I’m working as a Product Manager, I joined in July 2024. This is my third company in the last 2.5 years. I came in with the mindset of staying here for at least 2 years to establish stability in my career. However, the past few weeks have been challenging, and I’m finding it hard to stay motivated.

Recently, I’ve received abrupt negative feedback from senior leadership regarding my performance. While my direct manager says he is happy with my work and doesn’t have any concerns, he hasn’t backed me up in front of the management. Leadership feedback has made me feel undervalued, and my self-respect has taken a hit. Additionally, the role has turned out to be more execution-focused, with limited opportunities for real product management work and most of it is maintenance of the product and it's operations.

I’ve been trying to process all of this, but my morale is very low, and I feel like I’m no longer adding value here. There’s a part of me that wants to leave immediately, but I’m also worried about the impact of another switch on my resume. I have decent savings and family support, so taking a career break is an option. However, I’m concerned about how that will affect my long-term career prospects.

Here are my questions:

Should I stick it out in this company for a few more months to complete at least 1 year? If I decide to leave, how can I position this decision positively for future opportunities? If I take a career break (1.5–2 years), what should I focus on during that time to ensure I can re-enter the workforce strongly? Any suggestions or advice on how to navigate this situation would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

4mo ago
Talking product sense with Ridhi
9 min AI interview5 questions
Round 1 by Grapevine
GroovyCoconut
GroovyCoconut

I would recommend to stay for a few more months and try to understand the leadership expectations and intentions. In long run, this will help you have an experience to deal with these cut throat situations, it will make you more stronger. You are young, stay strong and fuck the shit out of this small stress. You are unnecessarily making a big deal out of a small thing. Chill mate!!

SqueakyPancake
SqueakyPancake

Stay strong, i hope you get out of this soon. May i ask you, would you suggest doing an mba given that even i am interested in product management, I currently have 2 YOE in an indian MNC as a support analyst. I make around 7 LPA. Im confused if i have to take this gamble or not given how expensive it is..

SqueakyKoala
SqueakyKoala

Option 1. Keep applying to know your worth and your capabilities. Switch (if need be) to build upto the compensation you deserve

Option 2. MBA ONLY from tier 1 schools. The placements put you in Management trainee positions in established companies with a definitive career plan (atleast for 1-2yrs). This is a starting point that is worth the investment.
And you will definitely be in a sea of underqualified people with fancy degrees😅😂 (why do you think people keep trashing no brain managers); but all the more reason to take the limelight an MT program gives you to solidify your career climb.

DizzyNoodle
DizzyNoodle
IBM4mo

I must be not a right person to give advice but still trying as u said u have done MBA from IIM that mean u r hardworker kind of person and if u r feeling ur hard work is not worked or self esteem is going try for another company when u get a offer letter better than this leave this I believe self respect shoul be primary goal and everything else should be secondary that's how mental health works

Discover more
Curated from across
Product Managers
by DerpyWaffleProduct Manager

Career dilemma- Product Management

I am currently managing a product, which has not really scaled up as expected over the last 1.5 years.

Hand to heart, I can say I have given my best in terms of efforts but still the outcomes are not as expected due to many factors beyo...

Business Roles
by BubblyNuggetProduct Manager

Need Advice - Job Role Switch.

Hello Everyone,

I am a 2018 BTech (NIT) pass out and 2022 IIM pass out with a total of 2.2 years of Workex (1.2 yrs post-MBA) and currently working as an Associate Product Manager. I am not really enjoying my role and I feel Product M...

News Discussion
by WobblyPickleProduct Manager

Help from experienced folks

Due to the toxic environment at my current employer(FAANG), I had to resign. I am taking a job which is a step down in pay and role (a refresh basically) and am moving outside tech( no hiring in tech rn :/)

In short to long term, how ca...