Advice on resigning

[Tabstar]

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I am planning on officially resigning before classes start in Spring 2004. Yes, I am a career changer and I have been waiting for the right moment to finally take the plunge and wholeheartedly pursue dentistry. This will take me 2 years (for prereq's and application time) and then 4 years for dental school.

Well I guess I just wanted advice on how I can negotiate a severance package with my company. I am going to request a lay off, (hopefully qualify for unemployment) and wanted to know if you know or heard of anyone who has gone through something similar.

I can't wait to go back to school fulltime. I was doing classes part time and I loved it. There are just some classes that aren't offered in the evenings. So this is it. I am going to go for it!

 

[JavadiCavity]

Congrats. Your situation sounds similar to mine. I tried to negotiate a layoff, but the manager wouldn't bite. Anyway, I haven't regretted the decision, even though the financial situation has been a lot tighter. If you'd like more specfics, send me a private message.

All I can say is that your desire to quit your current career and move into dentistry shows you are very serious about your decision. Adcoms will like that.

 

[critterbug]

Originally posted by JavadiCavity
Congrats. Your situation sounds similar to mine. I tried to negotiate a layoff, but the manager wouldn't bite. Anyway, I haven't regretted the decision, even though the financial situation has been a lot tighter. If you'd like more specfics, send me a private message.

All I can say is that your desire to quit your current career and move into dentistry shows you are very serious about your decision. Adcoms will like that.

Wow. I really admire both of you. I wish you both the best of luck, and what you have done (about to do) shows alot of courage and determination.

I wish the two of you the best
critter

 

[Tabstar]

Here is the letter of resignation that I drafted. My main intent is to negotiate severance because typically you get 2 weeks for every year worked. So that means 6.5 weeks of pay for me plus leftover vacation time.

So tell me what you think of it and the best strategy to go about this. I am very serious. My classes start Jan 20 so I wanted advice on when exactly I should drop the bomb...

Well here it is...

Dear Mr. Supervisor,
I am writing to let you know of my interest in returning to school full-time. I would like to pursue a profession in the healthcare industry. These professions offer a range of flexible work options, including part-time work, as needed. In addition, it can allow me to successfully raise a family, as well as, manage my household tasks.
I have given this career change considerable thought, poured over the pros and cons, and discussed amongst my family and friends for quite some time. I believe that now is the time to start paving the way toward that career flexibility.
I have learned a great deal working in the oilfield engineering industry since January 1998 and plan to use many of the mechanical engineering principles, skills, and thought processes that I have learned in my future profession - pediatric dentistry. I am enthusiastic about, not only, the technical but also the humanitarian aspects that this field has to offer. After doing volunteer work with several dentists in my spare time, I am confident that this is the next step.
I plan to attend school for up to six years! Hence, you can understand my desire to negotiate a severance package. I would like to discuss this in further detail.
I have had great pleasure working with an efficient, hardworking and knowledgeable group. I am also happy for the opportunity to have learned so much aside from just engineering.

Thank you for your understanding. Looking forward to meeting with you soon.

Best regards,

 

[JavadiCavity]

Sounds similar to what I said, only I didn't write it. I think it sounds good. I hope it works out for you.

 

[FMLizard]

You can recommend me to fill your job! Seriously, I have no idea how anyone could get a job doing anything but in the health professions right now.

 

[Tabstar]

I've been thinking and it looks like there will be a slim chance of receiving a severance package as layoffs in our particular department have to be justified according to a lack of budget. Since I am fairly certain, there will not be a round of layoffs in January then I am considering an alternative to resigning.

Has anyone every requested for a personal leave of absence? If so, what should I tell my employer. I really don't think that it is a good idea to let them know that I am exploring alternative career options. I may decide to do a Spring 2004 semester and then come back to work in the summer and then finally resign. Any extra money would help. So, what should I tell my bosses why I need this personal leave?

There's not a whole lot of information on the subject in the benefits literature. It's not exactly encouraged but also I don't think it will be denied. Any advice on this and what I should say is appreciated.

Thanks you guys!

 

[3rdMolarRoller]

When I worked for Citibank, this guy requested 6 weeks leave of absence for a cruise around africa to india. He got it no problem.

Well when I was going for my MBA, I requested 4 weeks leave of absence bec I had 6 exams, numerous papers, and the DAT to take. I was denied bec it was for educational reasons.

Need less to say I quit right there and then and screwed them big time since my postiion could not be easily filled. Ah, it felt good when they called me several times asking to return and I said I can't bec it was for educational reasons

 

[spooky42]

I was also in the same situation in Sept. I wanted to leave soI could study for the DAT but my company wouldnt lay me off or give me time off so I ended up resigning.

 

[Tabstar]

Thanks for all the advice. It gives me a better idea of what to say and how to say it. It seems like employers do not like the idea of you using your personal time to pave another career path for yourself. In my opinion, that is very selfish of management. Because ultimately, you will be more productive during your employment if you are given flexibility. That's what I believe anyways. So basically why tell them what they don't want to know!

I'm seriously headed for burnout where I'm at and even if I wasn't considering an alternative career, I sure do need the break!

I can't wait to get out of corporate hell!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[spooky42]

tabstar

I always thought that I would love working at a large firm, but once I was there you wouldn't believe how much it reminded me of Dilbert. Like you said its corporate hell

 

[Tabstar]

I know exactly what you mean! I actually started understanding the Dilbert cartoons because before working I never found them that funny.
I've saved up enough to get out and get into what I've always wanted to do - the health professions. That's basically how I think of it.
Unfortunately, I dropped out of pre-health my freshman year because of various reasons - depressive episodes, serious boyfriend breakup, financial difficulties, and that affected my prereq grades. I decided to get to stick to an engineering major that would allow me to get out and start working at a company to make money as soon as possible. It turned out to be quite a mistake because I am doing something that I absolutely hate with every thread of my being. I have calmly accepted it and I only work hard enough not to get fired (a.k.a. the office space syndrome). I always planned to go back and finish up my prereqs to apply and now 6 years later I feel is the time go back.

Also, my emotional health improved dramatically after I started seeing some doctors and was finally diagnosed with depression. Before that I had no idea what was wrong with me except that I was unusually sad all the time and felt suicidal. My life after treatment is so different now and I have gotten the strength to spring back (after 10 years) and pursue my original dream. I also found out that dreams never really die, they only fade.

🙂