How can I break out of an 'office junior' role?

My salary has increased because my manager wants to keep me, but my CV is lacking and my passion is elsewhere
A day dreaming office worker
I don't want to still ne an office junior at 30, but how do I get more experience? Photograph: Andy Hall


I am 27 and have been working as a fundraising assistant for the past two years, which is very administration-heavy. My passion is for marketing communications, but despite having 10 interviews I am yet to find a job in that field. I applied for a more senior job in my current workplace but was told I was "too good" for the position. They hired somebody with very little experience who I am now training.

My salary is equivalent to a much more senior role because my manager is desperate to keep me – but clearly only as the office junior. Unsurprisingly, I am struggling with the mixed messages I'm getting, and feel totally demotivated, stressed and anxious.

Feedback from interviews is that other candidates have more experience. I've been volunteering and am currently doing a professional qualification to boost my chances, but it still doesn't match what other candidates are able to offer.

Should I write off the past two years and try to move sideways into the same role I am doing now but with a different focus, which if I am lucky will give me the new media-related experience my CV is missing? Or carry on and hope I will eventually get a role? I don't want to still be the office junior at the age of 30.
