A friend of mine got burnt out from the health insurance industry after 7 years. He moved to India as a volunteer, saw lack of healthcare, and started a micro health insurance fund for the poorest of the poor there. Last I talked to him he told me that his org has made 6000 doctor visits possible (majority for critical issues) for a class of people most of whom have never been to a doctor in their whole life. People in the US are trying to copy his model for the 60 million uninsured here. He says is happier and more fulfilled now than he has ever been. I am trying to take his lead and trying to find causes that I'd be happy to contribute towards (locally) even if it means it has to be without any financial reward.

The beauty of our craft is that it does not discriminate, we can apply it to any bad situation that we want to see improved. Finding the cause worth dying for is the struggle.

I think you're completely right about trying causes that inspire or move me, otherwise we can live an entire life without having the impact that we once dreamed of. It requires courage and a lot of hard work - especially for those that do while still working.

Most recently, I had worked at a BigCo that I left a few months ago. The environment was soul-crushing and toxic. The experiences wore me out mentally and put my health at risk, so I left.

I'm still trying to figure out the next step myself, whether it be leaving the field for something else or starting my own company. For me, it has meant a lot of introspection and lurking on sites like this.

In order to make the best decision, one must try to understand oneself. I've been reading a book called "Finding Your Own North Star: Claiming the Life You Were Meant To Live", which has been quite helpful in this regard. There are some career coaches that seem to be very effective for some people as well.

Smaller companies have a more diverse range of cultures. Maybe you got unlucky once, but it might not happen again. It's hard to know what the culture will really be like based on interviews, but learn what's most important to you and make a point of researching or asking about that as you interview. You are interviewing them as well.

And there are also small companies out there that aren't startups.

As you said, I need to interview them and make very clear that I want to work hard and contribute, but I need autonomy and no micro-management. Let's see if I can find any company that works like that.

Fulfilled - This is a tall order for any work environment. Have you ever been professional fulfilled? Personally fulfilled? Both? For some people, me for example, professional fulfillment is tied to my personal life in a way that if I'm not professionally happy, i'm not personally happy. For lots of people, it's the opposite.

The grass is always greener...which isn't to say that it's actually not. A smaller company or startup will be different...that's all you'll know for sure. You may gain autonomy and pride in your contribution, but find that the overall lack of progress and general lack of certainty just as disheartening. 2 months into a project, the directive might be abandoned...it's just the way it goes sometimes.

If you want to test the waters as a consultant or start your own consulting business, take a ~60 hour job and a week of vacation. If it moves you, you'll know.

Culture is important. But, it sounds like you are bumping into the harsh reality that many companies throw culture out the window when it's not convenient. That happens almost everywhere, unfortunately.

It sounds like you might be just about ready for shakeup. It sounds like you have the credentials / experience to make a move and if it doesn't work out, take a mulligan. That being said, if you aren't unhappy enough to quit outright, it might not be that bad (but, clearly isn't that good).

Another approach that has worked in the past is a transfer. Maybe your current project is too big, manager sucks, cross-functional team is composed to biz guys that think all you have to do is toss a code monkey a banana once in a while...maybe you can get on a more entrepreneurial team on, a nascent project, a your current employer.

I hope it you find what you are looking for...it sux when someone beats the life out of something you really love to do.

http://www.glassdoor.com/Overview/Working-at-Facebook-EI_IE4...

My advice is to try and find something you can do by yourself that you will enjoy. Obviously, it would be better/more profitable to stay within your field, but who knows - lots of successful people change from field to field and remain successful (see James Altucher who has had many career changes). I would suggest you put some serious thought into what this special thing is, though. Do not quit your job before you do.

Some people might tell you to quit immediately for your own health, but I think putting some serious thought into your options will go a long way into keeping you happy. Sure, you're working in some corporate gig, but you've got some consulting business you're planning...something like that. Good luck, whatever you decide.

About consulting, that something that came to mind and it could be a good option. Let's see what I end up doing. Thanks for the advice and bringing this up.