I’m officially leaving my role as a graphic designer in marketing after three years at a company in the education sector. This decision feels like the best move I could make for myself. My experience there has been incredibly frustrating, as I’ve been constantly policed by HR and recently placed on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) because they claimed I wasn’t taking enough initiatives. It felt like no matter what I did, I was being set up to fail. My direct manager was unprofessional and more concerned with his own image than fostering a supportive work environment. My work was often devalued, with my completed marketing pieces not being shared on social media without any explanation. I was left in the dark about whether my work was approved or not, and it was demoralizing to have my efforts dismissed. I was also forced to use my personal phone to record videos for work, despite the company policy against using personal devices. It was a constant struggle to get my tasks done without the proper equipment, and I often had to rely on colleagues for help, which felt unprofessional and inappropriate. After enduring several PIPs and feeling increasingly disrespected, I decided to leave sooner than they anticipated. I’ve accepted a new job in product design that offers realistic goals and better pay. They want me to start quickly, and I can’t wait to leave my current position behind. I’ve overheard discussions about how they might struggle to find a replacement for me, but honestly, I don’t care. I’m done. While there are some nice people at my current job, they’re not enough to make me stay. Many are only there for the tuition discounts, and it’s clear that no one is truly happy. I’m moving on to something better, and I hope my experience serves as a lesson to others.