I was working in our nation’s space program right out of college and everyday was drudgery. Repetitive tasks that required intelligence but no creativity. The reward was good pay and every once in a while we launched the most advanced space ship on the planet. I was thinking of quitting and going back to school when I was offered a new assignment. I took the new assignment which was stimulating followed by boring ones and jumping around looking for interesting work. 30 years later I was the one making the creative decisions. Now I would do this job for free, I love my job. It take years to build a reputation and yes, sometimes you need to use your voice but I think you missed an opportunity. I would have tried to turn the HR talk into a chance to talk to someone up the management chain. HR is flunkies. Offer to take down the post if someone in you direct leadership above your manager would talk to you about better writing opportunities. Did you even have an elevator pitch memorized for when you got the chance to talk with someone with power?

It seemed you blindsided yourself. Got to a point with which you were not prepared to deal. Did not know that you were not satisfied until you tasted the forbidden fruit. You should have leaned in not run away.-

TEK