I’m feeling really burned out at my current job as a contractor. I work for a firm where my role involves inspecting various places and checking boxes all day, which has become incredibly boring and unfulfilling. I used to be salaried, which allowed me to leave once my work was done, but now that I'm hourly, I find myself just sitting around and waiting for the clock to run out. My boss is quite easygoing, so I don’t have to put in much effort to impress him, but I know I won’t be promoted. This lack of incentive makes it hard to stay motivated and give my best effort. I’m aware that my position isn’t secure unless the client renews the contract, but after experiencing several contracts, I’ve learned that my efforts often don’t make a significant difference. I’ve been trying to use my time to learn new skills and get certifications, but I’m feeling pretty depressed about my career prospects. I’ve interviewed enough to realize that I’m likely at a standstill, and more certifications aren’t going to change that. What I really want is to connect with someone in my industry who can see my potential and allow me to shadow projects that would give me exposure to better teams. I remember a previous firm where I had numerous opportunities to work on different teams and projects, which helped me grow significantly in my career. I was dedicated and gave my all, and it showed in the outcomes of the projects. However, the firms I’ve been with since then seem to focus solely on short-term profits, disregarding staff turnover and the lack of growth opportunities. I’m genuinely concerned about the future, especially as senior partners approach retirement and there are few people like me in middle management who are recognized for their potential. Overall, I’m feeling quite hopeless and burned out, and I’m not sure how to move forward.