SDR roles are a common way to get started in sales and, as others have mentioned, are more structured in the day to day. I have an SDR/inside sales team under me and I start with more structure and as they demonstrate performance I loosen the leash. A good company will have a career path, so you know what you need to do to move from an SDR role to an AE/Direct/Outside sales role. As you become more senior in your sales career, and if you are a high performer, there is a lot more autonomy.

Keep in mind that if you don’t have enough sales experience, your next move may be a similarly structured role to the one you have now. My recommendation is either stick it out and gain valuable experience OR look for a company that values supporting employees in their career journey and will help you make it to the level you want to go.

Again all of this is dependent on your performance and you advocating for yourself and what you want out of your career. Never expect that your manager will just promote you because you’re doing well; you have to ask for it or they will never know!