8 interviews later, my boss is unhappy with my days off

[sdnstud]

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I work full time as a staff research associate. I've had 8 interviews, and I usually take 2-3 days off for each interview. After my first 4-5 interviews, My PI started to express her dislike for my (almost) weekly absence in the lab. I burned all my vacation time months ago, so now everytime I go out of town, I have to write a memo to her to ask for special permission. The problem is, everytime I ask for special permission, I get a 15 minute lesson.

Fortunately (or Unfortunately), I do not have any more interview scheduled. But, there are several second-look weekends I really want to go to. I'm hesitant to ask my PI for permission to attend these second-look weekends. Yesterday, she asked me if I have any interviews left, and I replied no. Then, she gave me a 10 min lecture and told me how relieved she is to have me back 100%. She didn't realize that I wanted to request several days off later this month to attend my second-look weekends.

What should I do? Should I skip my second-looks?

 

[melimi]

no, def go
i incorporated the use of sick days, and it really worked
plus, if u work weekends, then u can take weekdays off

 

[MD in 2009]

I work full time as a staff research associate. I've had 8 interviews, and I usually take 2-3 days off for each interview. After my first 4-5 interviews, My PI started to express her dislike for my (almost) weekly absence in the lab. I burned all my vacation time months ago, so now everytime I go out of town, I have to write a memo to her to ask for special permission. The problem is, everytime I ask for special permission, I get a 15 minute lesson.

Fortunately (or Unfortunately), I do not have any more interview scheduled. But, there are several second-look weekends I really want to go to. I'm hesitant to ask my PI for permission to attend these second-look weekends. Yesterday, she asked me if I have any interviews left, and I replied no. Then, she gave me a 10 min lecture and told me how relieved she is to have me back 100%. She didn't realize that I wanted to request several days off later this month to attend my second-look weekends.

What should I do? Should I skip my second-looks?

If I were you, I would NOT miss out on my second-looks. This is the rest of your life you're talking about vs. a few months in lab. I think second-look weekends are sometimes crucially necessary when deciding which school you'll attend for the next 4 years of your life! So, I would explain to my PI how serious this matter is.

 

[Bap2qwrq7]

I say you request the time off. Second looks can be important in your decision process especially if you are still deciding which school to attend.

Be selfish and do what you have to so you can ensure you will be happy your next 4 years at medical school but just tell her as early as possible. I mean she knew when she hired you full time that you would be applying to medical school and the problems with time that come with it.

What's the worst that will happen? If you're worried that she'll fire you, then that's a pretty bitchy thing to do. If you're a good worker, she'll grumble but she will put up with it. Hiring and retraining someone brand new can be time consuming so I'm guessing she'd want to delay that as long as possible.

 

[Bigsheed920]

At worst ur PI will say no and fire u. But even if u r fired who cares right cause ur headed to med school. I would def ask.

 

[sdnstud]

Yea, I understand. There are 2 more problems though. One, I just came back from 2 interviews in 2 consecutive weeks. So, I've missed significant amount of time recently. Two, I am the coordinator of 2 research projects. Hence, whenever I leave, the progress in our lab pretty much stalls. Now until mid-May is just not a very good time because we have many many things on our plates 🙁

If I were you, I would NOT miss out on my second-looks. This is the rest of your life you're talking about vs. a few months in lab. I think second-look weekends are sometimes crucially necessary when deciding which school you'll attend for the next 4 years of your life! So, I would explain to my PI how serious this matter is.

 

[superdevil]

I work full time as a staff research associate. I've had 8 interviews, and I usually take 2-3 days off for each interview. After my first 4-5 interviews, My PI started to express her dislike for my (almost) weekly absence in the lab. I burned all my vacation time months ago, so now everytime I go out of town, I have to write a memo to her to ask for special permission. The problem is, everytime I ask for special permission, I get a 15 minute lesson.

Fortunately (or Unfortunately), I do not have any more interview scheduled. But, there are several second-look weekends I really want to go to. I'm hesitant to ask my PI for permission to attend these second-look weekends. Yesterday, she asked me if I have any interviews left, and I replied no. Then, she gave me a 10 min lecture and told me how relieved she is to have me back 100%. She didn't realize that I wanted to request several days off later this month to attend my second-look weekends.

What should I do? Should I skip my second-looks?

well, to play devil's advocate for your boss, 8 interviews x 2-3 days off per interview = 16-24 (we'll split it down the middle and call it "20") workdays off over the span of a few months. that is kind of a lot for a full-time employee to miss. she is kind of a b*tch for all of her 10-15 minute guilt-trips/lectures, but asking for even more time off (i'm assuming you'd want at least 2-3 days off per 2nd look) is a bit of a stretch. i'm still in favor of going to the 2nd looks, but i understand her disappointment.

in the final analysis, if you plan on going to the 2nd look weekends (which is cool), you should limit it to 1 or 2 visits, sit your boss down, and explain to her your situation. the two of you must then come to a solution.

also, if you can work weekends, that's great.

 

[Medikit]

also, if you can work weekends, that's great.

That's what I was thinking.

 

[CarleneM]

can you start working 10 hour days? You can work a 4 day week and still do 40 hours. On of my co-workers does that and it works out well for her. Your boss sounds like a real piece of work, btw.

 

[superdevil]

can you start working 10 hour days? You can work a 4 day week and still do 40 hours.

another good suggestion. hell, if you need to, could you work 12 hrs/day? still pales in comparison to residency, eh? 😉

 

[jdovez]

can you start working 10 hour days? You can work a 4 day week and still do 40 hours. On of my co-workers does that and it works out well for her. Your boss sounds like a real piece of work, btw.

My 2 cents:

First off, if you can work weekends or extra hours in the day to make up the time will that suffice? That is what I had to end up doing (I work in a lab full time too) for my interviews. However, I also found a way to schedule all the interviews so I missed no more than 1 day (2 max for 2 interviews) so I only ended up missing about 11 days (1 interview was on the weekend). But I didn't have official time off so I would work 3 extra hours a day when I was around.

Honestly, second look weekends are very important specifically for the schools you are most interested in. Are there more than 3 that you can say you are REALLY interested in? If you are working as a research coordinator you do have a responsibility to the lab, and to the subjects to really put forth a real effort to make it work. I would say try the maknig up time, working extra and explain the situation to your boss. I am sure she is frustrated by the loss of productivity given your absence, and although you have a legitimate reason to be out, it is hurting her as well. Try your best to accomodate everyone.

Hope that helps. But again I say go to the schools you are most interested, but be cognizant of the ramifications of your time away and let your boss know you are aware.

 

[tinkerbelle]

Do you really need to take so many days off for the revisit weekends? You could always leave right after work on Friday, spend the weekend at School X, and be back in time for work on Monday. Maybe you should try to coordinate your flight times better.

 

[lightnk102]

I'm a little surprised that you took 2-3 days off per interview. I'm pretty sure you won't need more than 1 day off for a 2nd look day/weekend. I usually schedule my flights to leave the evening before the day I need to be there (go to the airport straight from work). And I schedule my return flight for the following evening after the festivities are over. This way, you'll only end up taking 1 day off.

Your PI should understand how the med school applications work. My PI wasn't thrilled with my days off for interviews either, but I think if you show effort to minimize the time off that you take, she'll be okay. After all, this is a huge decision for you. Its not worth compromising a potential bad decision for the sake of a few months at a research job that you're leaving anyways. It's admirable that you feel a sense of responsibility (and you should), but at this point in your life, some things just have a higher priority.

Based on what I've seen, most Second Looks are on weekends, and the ones that are on weekdays are usually only 1 day long. I've seen one school that has an evening reception the night before the day-long activities (on a weekday), but in a case like that, you can just skip the reception the prior evening (fly in on that night) and go to the main part of the Second Look Day.

Good luck!

 

[sdnstud]

I'm a little surprised that you took 2-3 days off per interview. I'm pretty sure you won't need more than 1 day off for a 2nd look day/weekend. I usually schedule my flights to leave the evening before the day I need to be there (go to the airport straight from work). And I schedule my return flight for the following evening after the festivities are over. This way, you'll only end up taking 1 day off.
Good luck!

This is harder to do for us CA applicants. If we leave after work (let's say 7pm PST), we won't arrive on the East Coast until 2/3am. Some of my interviews lasted until 4/5pm and only in large cities do they have flights after 6 or 7.

I think I've decided to skip my second-looks. I don't have more $$$ to waste anyways.

 

[Pinkertinkle]

Screw lab, just quit.

 

[lightnk102]

don't give up! go to the weekend second look days, and just take a friday off. work more hours on the other days to make it up.

besides. what's another few hundred bucks in comparison to the hundreds of thousands yo'ull be in debt anyways?

 

[xanthines]

I hear ya on the $$$ issue, but my opinion is that you should still go to at least a couple of second visits. It would be terrible to spend 4 years in a school/city that you hate.

Try to find someone to cover for you in the lab. I had three people do different types of experiments for me while I was away. Fortunately I worked in a big lab with great people, so this was possible. However, you ARE going to leave eventually. What is your PI going to do then? You know when your second looks are. Start planning NOW!

-X

This is harder to do for us CA applicants. If we leave after work (let's say 7pm PST), we won't arrive on the East Coast until 2/3am. Some of my interviews lasted until 4/5pm and only in large cities do they have flights after 6 or 7.

I think I've decided to skip my second-looks. I don't have more $$$ to waste anyways.

 

[xadmin]

I work full time as a staff research associate. I've had 8 interviews, and I usually take 2-3 days off for each interview. After my first 4-5 interviews, My PI started to express her dislike for my (almost) weekly absence in the lab. I burned all my vacation time months ago, so now everytime I go out of town, I have to write a memo to her to ask for special permission. The problem is, everytime I ask for special permission, I get a 15 minute lesson.

Fortunately (or Unfortunately), I do not have any more interview scheduled. But, there are several second-look weekends I really want to go to. I'm hesitant to ask my PI for permission to attend these second-look weekends. Yesterday, she asked me if I have any interviews left, and I replied no. Then, she gave me a 10 min lecture and told me how relieved she is to have me back 100%. She didn't realize that I wanted to request several days off later this month to attend my second-look weekends.

What should I do? Should I skip my second-looks?

Skip your 2nd look, too much money for travel expenses and 4 years is nothing in your life. Pick the school that gives you the most money in the end.

 

[yeeester]

Skip your 2nd look, too much money for travel expenses and 4 years is nothing in your life. Pick the school that gives you the most money in the end.

i think youre reaping what you sowed by taking so much time off for interviews. i too am in cali and i have not taken more than one day off for a single interview. you shouldve tried harder to get monday interviews and flown on sunday. i think this is a one of those "tough @#$@#" situations.

y

 

[beep]

i live in cali and have managed to get to the east coast by leaving work an hour early the day before the interview for the last flight out, then (mostly) fly back after the interview or take the earliest next morning flight back and only miss a few hours of work. also i work extra hours sometimes. i've only missed one to 1 1/3 day per interview, even when flying to smaller towns.

second looks are almost all on the weekend--why not fly out friday night and be there saturday? it seems shortsided to skip gathering information that will help you make a decision that is going to affect you long term quite a bit instead of having a tough conversation with a person who won't have power over you for long & working a little harder for another month.

 

[cytoskelement]

Depending upon the research, working extra hours a day is meaningless. You have to consider the down time associated with most research (ie. overnight incubations, long running times, planning, etc.). Consistency is more often important than time spent. That being said, you can try the weekend option - if the second looks are that important.

 

[lulubean]

you could also set up your own "second look days" to these schools.

why not take a week off from work and spend a day at each of the schools you are considering? most admissions offices will bend over backwards to set up meetings for you with faculty and current students. then you can plan each day according to the timing that works best for you (and your lab).

it would take a lot of coordination with travel, as well as more $$$, but it is soooo important to check out your medical training and the location where you will be spending the next 4 years of your life!!! good luck.

 

[getunconcsious]

I feel your pain, stud (Wow, first time I've called someone that not in a sexual way). I too work in a lab and I'm my PI's ONLY employee (He's poor and can afford only a single undergrad). As cytoskelement said, putting in extra time often doesn't help much. And, with 8 interviews myself, my PI grumbled/grumbles a lot about it. But he takes a certain amount of pride in which schools I've gotten into, etc. See if you can play into the same quality in your boss. Also, I'd just say narrow it down some. You're into quite a few schools (I looked at your mdapps), if you could narrow it to 2 or 3 and drop the rest, she'd probably be more understanding.

Good luck! 🙂

 

[doc05]

you're at the "who cares" stage. that is, if you're fired, who cares? you'll be in med school in a few months, so whatever happens with your current job, who cares? don't worry about what your current boss thinks. if you need to take time off, just do it.

doing several 2nd looks across the country can be pretty pricey and time consuming, and frankly they're usually not that useful anyway. you'll need to learn about the cities, financial aid, and match lists. whatever "vibe" you might get on a 2nd look isn't a great help unfortunately, since these events are meant to sell the school. good luck.

 

[jdovez]

you're at the "who cares" stage. that is, if you're fired, who cares? you'll be in med school in a few months, so whatever happens with your current job, who cares? don't worry about what your current boss thinks. if you need to take time off, just do it.

doing several 2nd looks across the country can be pretty pricey and time consuming, and frankly they're usually not that useful anyway. you'll need to learn about the cities, financial aid, and match lists. whatever "vibe" you might get on a 2nd look isn't a great help unfortunately, since these events are meant to sell the school. good luck.

Question for doc05:
Are you still in school?

 

[criminallyinane]

I agree with other posters who have said that you kind of made your bed with this one... you were too liberal with the time you took off for interviews and now are paying the price. I would still go to second looks because who cares if your boss gets mad, you're leaving! But you don't need to miss any work to go. Just leave Friday after work and go back Sunday night. If you miss part of the weekend, oh well. You'll still be there.

 

[the other Dr.]

another good suggestion. hell, if you need to, could you work 12 hrs/day? still pales in comparison to residency, eh? 😉

This was my theory, just do the same work in half the days...until I developed tendonitis in my forearm from overuse 🙂 I have barely been able to do my work for the past two months. Now I feel really guilty for taking off for the second looks, but it will be worth it. My boss knows the med school process and when he hired me he told me that interviews and such would not be a problem. I guess he didn't realize I would go on so many interviews because he has given me a guilt trip after every single one. When he hired me he knew that I would be going off to school and that I was reluctent to take the job because of this. Sometimes you just have to stand up for yourself because it your life. Chances are that you have more power than you think. My PI would be screwed if I quit because he hasn't done bench work in a while. TAKE CONTROL AND TAKE TIME OFF!