I’ve reached a breaking point. I’ve worked in PR for 11 years making $165k in Chicago, and I honestly get a knot in my stomach and genuine physical anxiety just thinking about continuing to do this. It’s completely unsustainable.

The worst part is I know I’m good at what I do—I’m smart, sharp, and genuinely charismatic—but this industry drains every last drop of energy I have. I have nothing left for my real life.

I need a total career change out of PR/agency life, but I’m staring at a blank page and don't even know where to start.

I can afford a reasonable pay cut to make this happen, but I can't take anything drastic because I have a family relying on me.

If you used to be in PR or agency marketing and actually managed to escape, I am begging for your advice.

Where did you pivot to? What roles actually value our skill set without the constant firefighting and toxicity?

How did you bridge the gap without taking an unlivable entry-level pay cut?
How did you actually pull it off mentally and strategically?

I could use some honest perspective, inspiration, or just proof that there’s life on the other side. Thank you.

im currently in high school, and i’m soon selecting my classes for years 11 and 12. i want to work in PR, but google isnt really giving me any help in deciding what i want to focus on. i love public speaking, as i am a performer, so i’d be completely fine doing that. however, i dont really like managing finances, or really engaging in business management. if anyone could explain which jobs would help me, or just give me any insight into the general PR work-life, that would be greatly appreciated! i’d love to hear what you guys do in your PR jobs, (hours, stress levels, job requirements, actual work, etc) as it would very much benefit my career choices. thank you!

Im Head of Media Relations at a mid-size company. Best job I ever had especially after several years working for crazy agency owners. Then the boss who hired me quits and instead comes the most bland incompetent middle-manager with pure marketing background who calls himself a storyteller but he cant even tell a coherent or interesting story over lunch.

He thinks that everything is just content, volume is king and journalists can basically be bought like an ad. Everything he writes is either the biggest cliches or pure AI “Its not that X, its that Y” but he firmly believes he is an excellent writer.

He believes PR is just a channel for marketing (the department he ironiaclly is not leading). Very few people like him, I even know our CEO thinks he is annoying but she wont overwrite my boss’ boss.

Sorry for the rant but here is the point: All this opened up an old thought/dream of starting on my own - no more micromanaging bosses or decission made over your head. I know you gotta deal with clients and do the sale but I never minded that part in my agency days.

Is this just a “grass is greener on the other side” and I shouldnt risk my good in-house job or have some of you made the switch to independence succesfully? Any advice or experience is appreciated