So basically, I've been in this lab since winter of freshmen year, and was paid $1k to do research work over the summer while also taking summer classes (commuting for 1.5+ hours each way from home every day). I was also given my own project (which is WAY too much work for one person, I was only trained on it because no one else in the lab was willing to give up their winter break for it (~8 hours a day for the entire winter break, same commuting situation + no compensation). Now I'm in my soph year and I asked my PI for a letter of rec for a summer research program that would provide $3k and housing, to which he said "i mean I'll write it but it would be good if you stayed here for this summer".....now I'm feeling super awkward and anxious after the meeting and I feel obligated to stay in this lab, where I've already been in for over a year and it doesn't seem like a paper will get written anytime soon. Does anyone have any advice for moving forward in this situation? I honestly haven't been enjoying the research recently and have been contemplating quitting the lab because I feel like I'm burning out with that + my BME major + pre-med stress.
Awkward meeting with PI - advice?
- Thread starter OGplanner
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Is the problem that you don't feel able to complete the project you've been given all on your own? How often have you sought help or checked in about your progress? Where is the burnout coming from, exactly?
You could leave, but 1 year in a lab with little to show for it won't earn you much of a recommendation.
You could leave, but 1 year in a lab with little to show for it won't earn you much of a recommendation.
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Who else can write you a letter? I've been in roles that were overwhelming and, while I will put the experience on my resume and whatnot, I just don't ask for letters from those supervisors. I'm a little concerned that your supervisor didn't acknowledge what a major opportunity this is for you.
You can try to negotiate staying if you want, but it sounds like you feel done. Maybe it's best to offer to train your replacement for the summer ASAP and leave for other opportunities on a friendly note.
You can try to negotiate staying if you want, but it sounds like you feel done. Maybe it's best to offer to train your replacement for the summer ASAP and leave for other opportunities on a friendly note.
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As someone who has done research and published in medical school, if this guy wants slave labor without publishing, he can take a hike. No publish = no work. Move on to greener pastures where you will be able to publish.
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You shouldn't feel obligated to do anything. A good mentor wants you to succeed not just for his own lab to be productive. This is something that I've had to find out the hard way.
If you work hard, you expect to be compensated in the form of publications. Unfortunately, to many people, you're just cheap labor.
What's the probability of your project becoming a manuscript? What's the likelihood of you being first or second author?
Honestly, everything in this lab feels like it gets done at a very slow pace. All while managing my cell culture project, I am continuing to help the grad student with his rat-surgery project (that 5 other people are helping with too) which has still not been written up/gotten to the point of publishing for the past year and a half (when I joined, they were all saying we were almost finished with the project lol but its getting sidetracked multiple times and the grad student is not so motivated to finish) For my own project, I imagine it will definitely get to the point of publishing, but probably not for another year. And I don't think I want to put all this time and effort into something with no yield (not to mention, I'm starting to dislike the people/environment of the lab). The only thing holding me back from leaving is that I will possibly/probably lose a letter of rec for med school from a professor that knows me better than most. (applying in the summer of 2019, not this year) Maybe I should find a different lab/ will this experience be sufficient? (and will the lack of rec be a red flag?)
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It seems to me that your professor is leading you on. I have been in a position where the research extended farther than my graduation timeline and while you get a lot of experience and autonomy since your project is yours to do it is certainly not worth it. Take this advice from someone who was in a similar position. I got a lot of letter of recommendations out of the opportunity that helped me well beyond college but if I could do it over again, I would have liked to go into a more productive research and gotten my noteworthy mentions in a paper or two which many of my lucky colleagues got after they work with a clinician for just 1 year....I am not sour about that experience but be careful of PIs that are there to take up free labor. The fact that your PI questioned you on providing a LOR for just a summer experience and shares no sympathy upon your commute is extremely inconsiderate and selfish. I understand that funding is low but it seems like you are doing a good amount of labor for the lab that merits some compensation. If you really dislike the lab I would quit but I would leave with good impression. NEVER BURN BRIDGES!!! Explain to the PI that you are having problems financially and have a difficult commute. This summer opportunity will provide you with some financial and accessibilty. You will only stay in the summer if there was some way the PI can provide you compensation. If they agree then I think there is good chance that your name might go onto getting published/postered. If not, understand and be satisfied that your decision to leave is a very good one since that would probably mean after 4 years of undergrad, you were being played.
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Get the LOR, but make sure to read it. Also, leave the research since it appears this PI is not understanding and you need to focus on the basics. Research is great to try (shows you are open minded) but after that, it doesn't fill a particular purpose if you don't enjoy it in this case.
Best wishes
AB
Best wishes
AB
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