Stuck in the same role for 5 years, no promotion, should I switch industry?

I was in your exact position and staying too long was my mistake. The market often rewards movers, I got a manager title only after switching companies, something my old boss never offered internally. Before you leap, do a skills audit: which of your skills transfer across industries? If plenty transfer, industry switch is less scary. If you love your field but hate the blocked ladder, just change company. At 30 you're in a sweet spot, experienced enough to be valuable, young enough to pivot. Talk to people in industries you're curious about, do informational chats. Don't quit rashly, line up the next thing first. Restlessness is a signal, listen to it but act with a plan, not emotion.

From my experience, when the ceiling above you is blocked by people who won't move, patience alone rarely pays off. At 30 you still have great flexibility to pivot. Before jumping industries, ask what's actually stuck, is it the company or the field? Sometimes moving to a competitor gets you the title and pay bump instantly, because external hires often leapfrog internal ones (ironic but true in Malaysia). Switching industry entirely is doable at 30 but you may reset a bit on pay, so weigh that. Update your LinkedIn, quietly explore the market, and interview to test your value. You lose nothing by looking. Just don't stay stuck for another 3 years hoping the seniors retire.