Does it look bad to leave a research position after 3-4 months?

[nerdyjedi]

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I am a graduated applicant (2010) and I started working full-time in a research lab this past September. My plan was to stay at this job at least until summer 2011 so that I had a good 9 months to get to know my PI and to ask for a recommendation. Unfortunately, I have to work with rabbits a lot more than was initially suggested and I apparently have severe allergies... Money is tight in the lab right now and it looks like since there is no one else that can take over my animal duties, they may have to let me go.

I can honestly say that my PI and everyone else in the lab really seems to like me, and I know they are reluctant to replace me, so it's kind of a crappy situation all around. I'm mostly freaking out because my nice little plan for the next year is kind of crumbling around me. A large factor in me taking this specific job was that the PI is very well-connected with the med school, so a recommendation from him would be like an extra bonus. Can I still ask for a LOR if I only end up working here for 3-4 months? I am pretty sure that my PI would write me a recommendation still, especially since he's saying stuff like he will help me find a new job (which I don't think he would be willing to do if he didn't like me).

The other issue is that I'm not sure how it looks on my application to have had a research position for only a few months. On resumes, people tend to think that short stints look fishy. But med school apps are kind of a different story I suppose. On one hand, I feel like this is totally reasonable since many applicants might jump around between activities/jobs in order to gain new experiences, but on the other, everyone always says it looks better to stick with stuff... I was thinking I could explain this by saying, "well I was allergic to the darn bunnies, and I wanted to move to a position in clinical research since I realized that that is what I would be interested in pursuing as an MD."

Does this sound ok?

 

[rafflecopter]

You leaving would be totally understandable in this case. I would see if your PI would be willing to write a LOR for you and if so maybe you could ask them to explain the reason you're leaving so soon. I can't see how an adcom would put this against you.

Other possible actions to take:
1) Asking the PI if you can do any non-animal related work in the lab or seeing if they can help you find another PI to work with.

or

2) Going to an allergist to see if they can possibly treat your allergies to a manageable point. Obviously, if you're going to be miserable every day you shouldn't work in that lab, but its possible they can do something so its not so bad.

 

[Catalystik]

You're not the only one with the same problem: another recent poster had a mouse allergy and was responsible for for their care in the lab where she worked. She too had worked in the lab for 3-4 months and felt unable to continue with the job, but was worried about listing a brief experience on her med school application. But having worked full-time for 3-4 months is about equivalent to a summer research experience or two semesters at 20 hours per week, which is what many will list on their application. If your health obliges you to look for another position, you've still gained good experience in this one. And no adcomm will fault you for leaving a situation that negatively impacts your health.

As rafflecopter points out, your doctor may be able to help you with your rabbit intolerance issues by suggesting medication. But you could also ask your PI about having the workplace accomodate you by providing a respirator that would protect you from the allergens.

 

[nerdyjedi]

I unfortunately can't see the original post for that conversation... so it isn't really of much help to me.

 

[Catalystik]

Shortly after I posted above, the poster of the cited thread deleted it. I have summarized the situation and removed the link.