I worked at XOM for 5.5 years and left to join a startup for more money. The startup failed and now I’m with an EPC company. The work life balance is better and the pay is about the same, minus the pension. Also I’m way less stressed by not having to worry about rankings. However, the work is nowhere as interesting and there seems to be way less career development and opportunities. I feel like I took a step back in my career. I’m doing a lot of the same work but for less money and less career opportunities. I don’t want to go back to XOM because I feel like there would be a black mark on my record and my potential would automatically be capped. Is that true? I’m really struggling on what I missed out on by leaving XOM.
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You really need mental help if you want to return to this he-l hole. Many of us are trying to leave this shi hole. I would never return even as a contractor. Remember don't eat where you sh-t and exxon is full of sh-t. You are crazy if you want to come back to this dysfunctional place. Stay away if you are sane.
I left few weeks ago and don’t miss it at all. It’s a train wreck yet to happen there. Also, you’ll likely not be able to get back in anyway, so why fret over it? There should be many good options out there, keep looking for what you really like.
I think we romanticize the past. Sure the campus is fancy and there is a certain prestige associated with the brand in certain circles. The money was good. Whenever my brain goes into the what if mode, I have to remind myself how horrible it was to work here. The long nights, the horrible bosses, the betrayal, and strain on mental health. I will never go back.
Career development is completely within your control. Don’t expect any company to do this for you.
you can be a boomerang but dont expect potential to ever catch up to the one prior to leaving. Can still reach out if you are missing working here.
You missed out. If I can make it to retirement, my pension should be worth at least $2M and 401k $4M.
@ eyes forward thank you so much for that reassurance. I’m glad I’m not the only one thinking about this. Also really happy to hear that it has worked out well for you and your family.
I was just starting to get into supervisor role when I left. I was doing well in ranking and overall was happy. I never worked in EMHC so I can’t comment but that seems to be a common trend of the burnout. Not having to worry if every decision will drop my ranking is really nice. I keep telling myself that the pension won’t be there forever. That really is the money difference from other companies.
I get this: I left 4 years ago and used to wonder what I left on the table and if it was the best thing for my career? What I know for sure is that it was the best thing for my mental health and the mental health of my family once we moved far away from EMHC and out of Stepford Wives-land that is The Woodlands. So, when anything that resembles regret creeps in, I try to focus on that. Better things are ahead for you - have faith and keep looking forward, not backwards.
So you left your XOM job for more money or career development? If your happy with your job stick with it, why risk it
It seems you took a gamble and failed
They will not be interested in you unless you're in Bangalore.
You must really under perform if you’re willing to come back