I've been lucky. I don't work in your industry (as a matter of fact, I don't even work in the industry I was trained for).
I used to be a chef. I worked 60 -70 hour weeks and managed staff of dozens. After getting burned out, I took a job in another industry with a very large corporation.
I figured that I could use a break and get back into the food industry after a year. I never did.
This corporation ended up being a very good employer. I've moved up several steps from the bottom rung to the point where I work from home several days a week at a job that I find challenging and rewarding. My boss is very supportive and the pay is excellent. They encourage (actually require) me to get training in areas that interest me and provides a path for career advancement.
I've found that small companies may have certain advantages but large companies can provide room for lateral changes that could lead to a career that you may not have thought about.
BTW, my feeling has always been that my job is not my life. It's what I do so I can have a life.
I guess it all boils down to... BE HAPPY!!!!
:rainfro:
Been there, done that, got the tee shirt...