I didn't realize how much the environment was actually affecting my mental health until I finally stepped away.
Sometimes you become so accustomed to the stress, office politics, lack of recognition, being beaten down and used for what the company needs from you, and the constant uncertainty that you forget what a healthy work environment should actually feel like.
I've moved on to a new opportunity, fully remote, and honestly, life feels so much better. I took a pay cut, but when you factor everything in, I feel like I really 1000% came out ahead. I feel more positive, appreciated, and excited about my work again. And of course, getting to this point required investing in myself and putting myself through some challenging schooling.
It's amazing what happens when you remove yourself from an environment that no longer serves you, especially one that has become accustomed to taking you for granted and offering so little in return in terms of employee appreciation.
Sometimes leaving isn't losing. It's moving forward.
To anyone considering making a change: don't be afraid to take that leap of faith. A whole world of opportunities exists outside Nike, and you might be surprised by how much happier you can be on the other side.
There are many jobs out there. You need to get in the right mindset, polish your resume, sharpen your interviewing skills, and believe in your value.
One thing worth remembering: getting a job nowadays takes considerably more effort than it did a few years ago. Competition is tougher, interview processes are longer, and it can take persistence. But people are still landing great jobs. It takes preparation, patience, and considerably more effort than before.
Don't underestimate yourself, and don't let one company make you forget what you bring to the table.
I honestly feel bad for the people still at Nike, especially those in IT. I don't think I'm alone in wondering what is happening to the technology industry. It increasingly feels like the people making decisions have lost sight of the fact that employees are human beings, not resources to be endlessly squeezed for more productivity or discarded like old shoes.
Nike generates tens of billions of dollars in revenue. This isn't a company struggling to survive. This is a winning company. And yet, the pressure, restructuring, uncertainty, and apparent lack of appreciation seem never-ending, and I don't know why, when they make at least 40 billion a year. They just lost sight of how to treat employees like human beings.
At some point, you have to ask yourself: how much more do you expect people to give?
It's almost like being in a toxic relationship. No matter how much you give, it's never enough. The expectations keep growing, more is demanded of you, and eventually the environment just su-ks the life out of you.
That's what I feel has happened to so many people at Nike.
I hope those still there remember they have choices. Your skills, experience, and worth are not defined by one company.
Your career is bigger than Nike. Your well-being is worth more than any paycheck or job title.