Hi cl3,
In a way, I have been in your situation. My career entry position did not provide me with the future opportunities I was looking for.
GIS is an exciting, dynamic area. If your position is not providing you with an opportunity to use GIS, you might consider a slight career shift within the University, a transfer to another University that would provide you with more GIS opportunities or perhaps a government or private sector job with GIS responsibilities.
If you have been using ArcMap, you need to acquire GIS skills in ArcPRO and WebGIS. As a possible start to look at the broad uses of of GIS, many of with can be applied to environmental problems. A broad approach can be at this this site:
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/939b0102d1bb4af380edc6d9de2e5cc4
This is the GeoInquiry site, and it focuses on basis critical thinking and problem solving. In addition it includes the use of AGOL (Web Mapping) and an Environmental Sciences section. Apply what you learn in the Environmental Sciences to you own area of interest. Use StoryMaps to form a resume. If you are an instructor encourage your students to use StoryMaps in the classroom. Possibly link them to Sustainability Issues.
Now you will be using GIS and staying current. Can you solve or document some University or community issues with GIS? Perhaps you can then present these ideas to community action groups. Perhaps the University will recognize your ability to document and offer solutions to University problems and appoint you to work with various administrative committees. Show them the value of GIS.
Jerry Bartz, GSTEdC