Did anyone else NOT tell their work you were leaving for med school?

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pyra

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I think I should do that soon since school is starting the end of July. But when I applied last year I didn't divulge that I was applying to med school (they wouldn't have given me the job and I need the money to save up for tuition). Also, I didn't tell them I was leaving when they gave me a promotion which I just finished training for. It is in clinical research, but its not like they spent millions of dollars training me...I am just worried about telling them.

So did anyone else just make up a story of why you are quitting (like just saying you decided to move , but not that you are going to med school)?

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pyra said:
I think I should do that soon since school is starting the end of July. But when I applied last year I didn't divulge that I was applying to med school (they wouldn't have given me the job and I need the money to save up for tuition). Also, I didn't tell them I was leaving when they gave me a promotion which I just finished training for. It is in clinical research, but its not like they spent millions of dollars training me...I am just worried about telling them.

So did anyone else just make up a story of why you are quitting (like just saying you decided to move , but not that you are going to med school)?

I wouldn't worry about it. I am in the same predicament (provided I am accepted next year). I took a job at Genentech (biotech company based out of norcal) and kept all options open when interviewing. I never told anyone I was applying to medical school, as nobody needs to know. People leave their jobs all the time to better themselves. So yeah, I am going to just tell them that I was accepted to medical school and even though they spent a lot of time and money training me, I appreciate the relationship we had, no hard feelings, but it's time to move on to follow my dreams..

If they can't respect that, then you probably don't want to work there anyways! =)
 
I was proud to be a pre-med...and told all my employers during undergrad about my plans. After graduating in December, I got a full-time job, and I was honest about my plans...I didn't know if I was gonna get in. I did, so now I don't have to pay my boss back for her getting me my insurance license and all. I like being upfront...I can't lie 🙁

Karina
 
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Throughout our careers in medicine, we'll be forced to lie at times I'm sure...this should not be one of them. Just tell them the truth. Everyone at my job knows, and has been very supportive. I work at a cancer diagnostics lab that is in desperate need of people in my field, and I know they wish I wasn't leaving but they would rather I leave to go to med school than to another company.
I think it was foolish to wait so long, but you should tell them you are going to medical school. This is such a small world, and I'm assuming that you work in the sciences. IF/WHEN they find out you made up a lie, you'll look like a total a$$ not to mention have burned a bridge behind you that you mind need one day
 
i concur... i was working for a biotech company this past year while applying to medical school. im leaving at the end of this month and i told them straight up that im going to medical school. i mean, im sure they wont be happy about losing an employee - but at least it's because you're going to be a doctor (after all, biotech companies will always need more biotech friendly doctors).
 
I told my boss as soon as I found out that I was going off and although she wanted me to stay longer, she was happy I told her ahead of time, so that she could plan on getting someone to replace me.
 
Well the thing is that they know I was pre med and know I want to go to medical school, but not that I applied this year or went on interviews (I took vacations for that saying I was going somewhere fun, visiting with family, etc.) After graduating in 2002 I spent 9 months looking for a job (at all interviews I was honest and said I was applying that year for medical school) Everyone said they couldn't hire me because I would only stay a year and I could only find work part time.
So I wouln't be burning any bridges because they know that eventually I will go to medical school and my study is very small (like 5 people that I work with only). I think I will look like a bigger a$$ if I tell them I am going to med school this year when all along I said I wasn't applying this year. Also I did not know I would get in this year, my acceptance came pretty late. Plus it is embarrasing if everyone knows you are applying and you end up not getting in in the end...
And the deed is done, I already dug myself into a hole that I can't get out of.

Should I just give the 2 weeks notice or should I tell them earlier like a month to get a new person?
 
It's a tough situation. I didn't tell my employer that I was applying, and I got time off for interviews without telling the complete truth. I still haven't told them that I am leaving, but it won't be for another 6 weeks. They didn't spend a great deal of time training me, so I don't feel too bad about it.

I'll definitely be up front with them on why I'm leaving, and I'm sure they'll understand.
 
Suck it up, be the bigger person, and tell the truth. You made the mistake of allowing them to believe they were investing in your future with them; now it would only add insult to injury to give 2 weeks, knowing it will take them far longer to find someone, let alone get them up and running in time to replace you. Once it's off your chest, let them think what they will. Will they be pissed? Probably, at least for a little while. But they will likely eventually be happy for you rather than embittered were they to find out later how you just "forgot" to mention you were going to medical school.


pyra said:
Well the thing is that they know I was pre med and know I want to go to medical school, but not that I applied this year or went on interviews (I took vacations for that saying I was going somewhere fun, visiting with family, etc.) After graduating in 2002 I spent 9 months looking for a job (at all interviews I was honest and said I was applying that year for medical school) Everyone said they couldn't hire me because I would only stay a year. So I wouln't be burning any bridges because they know that eventually I will go to medical school and my study is very small (like 5 people that I work with only). I think I will look like a bigger a$$ if I tell them I am going to med school this year when all along I said I wasn't applying this year.
And the deed is done, I already dug myself into a hole that I can't get out of.

Should I just give the 2 weeks notice or should I tell them earlier like a month to get a new person?
 
Well ok you all changed my mind. thanks for the responses I will tell my boss when I get my 1 year review next week. He will definitely not be happy.
 
But that will be OK and you won't have to squirm when he asks you "so, how will you improve next year?"

pyra said:
Well ok you all changed my mind. thanks for the responses I will tell my boss when I get my 1 year review next week. He will definitely not be happy.
 
the most important thing to remember is that you don't owe your employer anything. most companies will not give a rat's a-- whether you stay or go. virtually all employees are expendable, and while you may have a congenial relationship with your coworkers, they don't really care about you either. tell them the truth, lie, it doesn't matter. best of luck.
 
doc05 said:
the most important thing to remember is that you don't owe your employer anything. most companies will not give a rat's a-- whether you stay or go. virtually all employees are expendable, and while you may have a congenial relationship with your coworkers, they don't really care about you either. tell them the truth, lie, it doesn't matter. best of luck.

Geez, whatever happen to the Golden Rule??

I agree w/ PrimaDonna, suck it up and be a man (or a woman if ur female 🙂 )

I told my job in May as soon as I knew which school i would go to. It took them about 3-4 months to find me, so I know it will take some time to find my replacement. Furthermore, it would be better if there was some period of overlap so that I can help the new person with all the projects that we are doing.
 
doc05 said:
the most important thing to remember is that you don't owe your employer anything. most companies will not give a rat's a-- whether you stay or go. virtually all employees are expendable, and while you may have a congenial relationship with your coworkers, they don't really care about you either. tell them the truth, lie, it doesn't matter. best of luck.

Looks like doc05 is a man of the world who has been kicked around some and learned from the experience.

Get it through your head right now. Your employer could not care less about you. You are not breaking any sacred bonds of trust by leaving. I have seen several instances where the standard policy at a particular company was to immediately terminate anyone who gave notice. That day. Out on your backside.

I have seen a wide variety of employers lie to, cheat on and steal from their staff. Their goals are to make the largest possible profit while paying the minimum required to labor with an appropriate skill set to get the job done and not incite too much discontent in the ranks.

So, first and foremost protect your own interests. Learn to ignore these petty moral battles and think about doing what is right for number one at all times. Number one is YOU. Remember under the laws concerning employment, absent a specific contract for services, you are an "at will" employee. That legal term means that you can leave at any time and your employer is free to toss you at any time as well without providing severance or any other benefit not mandated by federal or state law. That means they are free to let you go for no reason whatsoever with zero compensation other than wages for work already performed. In addition, if you are dismissed from a job, anticipate that your former employer will lie about the circumstances surrounding your departure to prevent you from collecting unemployment insurance since each former employee who collects increases their premiums. It is a very hard and unforgiving world out there. There is no security in working for others save what you create for yourself by way of personal skill.

If you feel like taking the risk, after removing all of your personal property from the job site, give one week of notice. Anticipate immediate termination and the loss of the salary from that week. Do not make any excuses for your conduct. Do not give any reasons. What you do is for your own benefit. Do not stand for any abuse. It does not matter that you are "closing that door". The chances of your encountering your former supervisors in a future setting where you will be applying for employment as a physician are exceptionally small. Forget about such possibilities.

I wish the OP good fortune and success.
 
primadonna22274 said:
Suck it up, be the bigger person, and tell the truth. You made the mistake of allowing them to believe they were investing in your future with them; now it would only add insult to injury to give 2 weeks, knowing it will take them far longer to find someone, let alone get them up and running in time to replace you. Once it's off your chest, let them think what they will. Will they be pissed? Probably, at least for a little while. But they will likely eventually be happy for you rather than embittered were they to find out later how you just "forgot" to mention you were going to medical school.

Primadonna,

I have been honest when applying for clinical RA positions. Telling them I was planning on applying to med school within a years time DID HURT and possibly cost some of my interviews.

Simple as this: Went to job interview, was asked what my plans were down the line, I told them med school for 2006, the door of opportunity slammed. PERIOD.
 
I actually just had an interview today at a research lab at Yale. The guy asked me how long I could stay, I said probably a year if I get into school for next fall, if not, then I can stay longer. And then he said that others have been able to give longer committments, and that they really want 2 years. And he said that whole thing with it'll take too long to train and then they only get a few months of real productivity.

I don't know why he didn't just ask me how long when he emailed me.

::Sigh::
 
relema said:
I told my boss as soon as I found out that I was going off and although she wanted me to stay longer, she was happy I told her ahead of time, so that she could plan on getting someone to replace me.
that's what everyone should do, and how good recs follow you. good job! 👍
 
C.P. Jones said:
I actually just had an interview today at a research lab at Yale. The guy asked me how long I could stay, I said probably a year if I get into school for next fall, if not, then I can stay longer. And then he said that others have been able to give longer committments, and that they really want 2 years. And he said that whole thing with it'll take too long to train and then they only get a few months of real productivity.

I don't know why he didn't just ask me how long when he emailed me.

::Sigh::

This was my experience before applying to medical schools
HONESTY BITES YOU IN THE ASS
There are enough people who lie or who just don't know what they're going to do in the job market. You need to be able to support yourself and thats all there is too it.

The worst part is that I refused to make 2 year commitments and I followed an honest path... and I didn't get in my first try. That means I lost the opportunity to take GREAT research jobs and ended up doing ****ty molec bio/achem crap which I hated (and did not last long).

Reality bites. This honesty **** is overrated. Life is tough.
 
The funny things , employers never gives us a two weeks notice when they want to fire us.
 
TCB said:
The funny things , employers never gives us a two weeks notice when they want to fire us.

Is that you in that pic for your sig? You got some crazy rock hard abs.

Did you use 8 min abs? Pilates? Zone Diet? Let me know your secret!
 
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