I have been working at the same company, in increasingly senior roles, for the past 18 years – almost all my working life (I am 45). I’m starting to feel like a freak; in my industry, it is unusual to stay for longer than five years. I have periodically thought of leaving. The main drivers have been wanting to spend more time with my young children and being frustrated with aspects of my job. My job is interesting and rewarding in many ways, but I feel I am in a rut, with more stress, more frustration and less control over my work. I’m worried it will be harder to find another full-time job, especially as I get older. I am drawn to academic environments but do not have a postgraduate degree and my job does not offer much flexibility. Should I ditch it and start freelancing/working part-time to spend more time with my children, or should I plug on, grateful to have a well-paid job that is at least partly enjoyable?

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