Twice a week we publish problems that will feature in a forthcoming Dear Jeremy advice column in the Saturday Guardian so that readers can offer their own advice and suggestions. We then print the best of your comments alongside Jeremy's own insights. Here is the latest dilemma – what are your thoughts?
Two years ago I found what I thought was a dream job in the tourism industry as an account manager. The company I work for is a leading firm and there seemed great opportunities for a long-term career. However, I am getting to understand the way things work internally.
There are very strong politics, and meritocracy seems not to exist, so there is little chance to grow professionally. In the majority of cases people moving into senior management positions first become a "protege" of a director and there seems to exist a non-written understanding that this is the way of the company. Even more disappointing is that I have witnessed cases of bullying and people being laid off when they fall from grace.
I do enjoy the role but, being 38, I know I have limited time to make the jump to a higher position in a company and if I don't do it in the next couple of years I will miss a chance all together. On the other hand, I have the dream to start a business where I can manage my own time and agenda, maybe finding hotels to represent in the area of the world where I am a specialist.
Should I enter the "rat race" to go high up the chain, or should I instead risk the security of being a paid employee and venture to uncertainty and create (if successful) my own dream job with my own efforts and work?
Do you need advice on a work issue? For Jeremy's and readers' help, send a brief email to dear.jeremy@theguardian.com. Please note that he is unable to answer questions of a legal nature or reply personally.
