HELP! I'm trapped and I can't get out!

[easterclause]

.....

[Churo1]

No smart-assiness intended but...welcome to the work world. Thought you could be a student forever?

[nalababe]

Well look for a company that values time off...or a job that allows for it...

At 35, I had 5 weeks vacation plus 4 days of flex vacation.

Working for a larger company, I also get opportunities for trade shows/conferences quite regularly and meetings throughout the year. This year I have 5 day conference in Chicago, so I'm driving down but then extending my stay for another week....work pays for me to get down there.

Finally, why worry about what is ahead...in 2 years, 5 years...maybe you'll change your path. Instead of think about a career as a ladder, think of it as a jungle gym...ups, downs, lateral....lots of opportunity and excitement.

[Churo1]

Well look for a company that values time off...or a job that allows for it...

At 35, I had 5 weeks vacation plus 4 days of flex vacation.

Working for a larger company, I also get opportunities for trade shows/conferences quite regularly and meetings throughout the year. This year I have 5 day conference in Chicago, so I'm driving down but then extending my stay for another week....work pays for me to get down there.

Finally, why worry about what is ahead...in 2 years, 5 years...maybe you'll change your path. Instead of think about a career as a ladder, think of it as a jungle gym...ups, downs, lateral....lots of opportunity and excitement.

Easterclause, look at this post. This is how depressing the work world is. People like "nalababe" have to talk themselves into believing this new age hippy stuff to avoid the depressing reality of their jobs. Trust me there is nothing exciting about trade shows/conferences or out of town work trips.

[vavaju]

I dunno about you guys, but I get a special feeling down there during my weekly status meetings.

[Churo1]

I dunno about you guys, but I get a special feeling down there during my weekly status meetings.

I get a feeling like "who the **** actually cares about any of this horseshit?"

[beerbaron105]

put a couple years of hard work into a company and then request a month or two of unpaid leave, they would be foolish not to grant that to a diligent employee

[typoprone]

"Backpacking through Europe" is cliched and overrated and... totally unappealing (to me).

[kkvvpp]

Some places give you 6 or however many 'personal days' a year, you can extend your vacation with those.

Some places allow you to carry forward your vacation time a year.

In either scenario it blows.

I get a feeling like "who the **** actually cares about any of this horseshit?"

+1

Your views are almost as grim and pessimistic as mine which is kind of scary.

[mike24]

"Backpacking through Europe" is cliched and overrated and... totally unappealing (to me).

You have to be kidding? It's an awesome experience. There is so much to visit and do in Europe.

[UrbanPoet]

Easy solution.
Give me your job. You can take all the time off you want =)

[nyrz]

The benefit of being a teacher or professor = long summer (and winter) vacation

[heymikey]

Welcome to the club!

To make your feelings worse, I hope you realize that this will be your life for the next 40 years. Although I agree with what nalababe said -- a lot can change in 10 or 5 or maybe even 2 years from now. You might change paths; you might grow to love your job; you might even start a family and realize that it's possible to work from home, etc. Some opportunities might come your way for you to branch out, or you might decide to start your own business.

Anyway, you're still in your early-20's. You're still young and, something that I myself am slowly realizing for myself, time really is your most valuable asset right now. Nobody can take that away from you except you. You can still change majors in university; you still have time to figure out what you love to do; you can take a break and travel for a year or two; do a working holiday somewhere if you want; even start your own business (if it fails, who cares? You can always start over). Hell, you can even go to Hollywood if you want to try your luck as an actor.

[zod]

I've had a few jobs that will let you a Leave of Absense (unpaid of course). My current jobs allows it, but its subject to manager approval, which itself depends on how busy it is at work.

I've seen a few people get 6 weeks or several months. I've seen other people get flat out denied.

if business is quiet, then they save a little money if someone takes a leave...

[IceBlueShoes12]

Sounds like me.
I went to Europe for a month and am now job hunting.
I thought it would be best before getting a job seeing as we only get 10days off here.
Although when I'll get a job, who knows at this rate...