MBA in Hand, But Suddenly the Outsider?

Just landed a new job leading the marketing team in our Chicago office—a role I thought would be my big break after finishing my MBA. On paper, it looked perfect. But from day one, it felt like everyone had already decided I didn’t belong. No one talks to me unless it’s about work, and every idea I pitch seems to go nowhere. I thought my degree would help me fit in, but now it feels like it’s made me stand out in the worst way. Maybe it’s my age, or maybe it’s the new title, but I can’t shake the feeling that I’m just an easy target when things get tough. Has anyone else felt like their hard work just made them more isolated? How did you break through and actually connect with your team? I’d love to hear your stories or advice. 😓 #LeadershipJourney #TeamAcceptance #WorkplaceChallenges #JobCareer