Employer LoR

[PRodulous]

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Hi, I've been working full time in a lab at a small company for about a year now. I'm doing a good job and my manager likes me. However, I haven't told anyone that I'm going into medicine. Since it's a small company, word gets around quickly. I'm worried that I may lose my job because no employer wants to hang onto an employee that has their heart set on leaving the company. This brings me to my dilemma on this application cycle and asking my manager for a letter of recommendation. While I feel that it will help my application, there's a chance I'll lose my job. Comments, thoughts, suggestions?

 

[Mattabet]

Is your company actively laying people off? If so, then I think you're right, this could come back to bite you. If not, it seems a little strange to me that a company would rather lay someone off over a letter rather than let you work another year (time to find and train a replacement). As you said, they like you.

You might also want to tell your manager something like you're thinking of applying to medical school in the future, and were wondering if he would give you a letter. Try to make your leaving sound less imminent, because let's face it, even if you get accepted this cycle, you still wouldn't have to leave your job for another 15 months or so.

 

[0Complications]

Quite the predicament.

I would say go with your gut. If you really believe he will fire you then don't ask, because then you'll most likely get fired and no letter.

However, that being said, you can feel him out. Mention medicine around your boss. Ask him about the field (not sure what your lab is, but I'm guessing if you think hard enough you can come up with a way to tie the two together) and see what his take is. If he seems receptive, let him know that you're thinking about applying, but in the same breath how long the application cycle is and that you won't be starting medical school (play up the difficulties of getting in) for at least a year, under perfect circumstances, and likely 2 years. Then let him know you really respect his opinion and you would love to buy him coffee sometime to discuss your app. Once he's chatting about med school and your app (and yes this is possible, I did this with my PI who is not chatty) then ask him if he would be willing to write you a strong letter of rec for med school.

You could go through this whole process in about a week and if you're good enough get a letter by this time next month. I would however recommend that you give him until July for the letter.

Good luck! But remember, use your gut instincts about the situation. If you truly believe he might fire you, don't go there.

 

[PRodulous]

Thanks for the quick reply guys... First off, yes they were actively laying people off. The last wave of lay offs were in January, so they may have stopped.

The good news is, my boss is the chatty type. The bad news is that we don't really ever go out for coffee; most of our interactions are within the lab or office. You guys put up good points to ask in a more casual manner and to feel him out. There are times in the lab we have time to chat for a bit so I should be able to find time. In the past, he has mentioned me going back to school, because he feels that me sticking with a bachelor's is limiting my potential. This would be a good building block (i.e. "Remember that time you said..."). I think he was assuming I'd go back for a PhD, so hopefully mentioning medicine won't be a slap in the face. Anyhow, I'll mention it next week. Wish me luck!

By the way for AMCAS, am I allowed to submit additional LoR AFTER I submit my primary? Sorry for the newb question, but it slipped my mind. Thanks again!

 

[witness23]

no. don't ask them. even if they don't lay you off immediate, they will look and find a replacement for you.

 

[witness23]

you could, however, ask them for a general rec letter/reference letter and be vague. tell them you want to teach the SATs to kids or something and needed one. Have it uploaded to interfolio.

Its not honest but if you tell them it will be awkward, especially if you have not told them already (they will assume that you were already being dishonest/flaky at the time of interview by not mentioning your future goals). ask the nontraditional forums.

 

[0Complications]

Thanks for the quick reply guys... First off, yes they were actively laying people off. The last wave of lay offs were in January, so they may have stopped.

The good news is, my boss is the chatty type. The bad news is that we don't really ever go out for coffee; most of our interactions are within the lab or office. You guys put up good points to ask in a more casual manner and to feel him out. There are times in the lab we have time to chat for a bit so I should be able to find time. In the past, he has mentioned me going back to school, because he feels that me sticking with a bachelor's is limiting my potential. This would be a good building block (i.e. "Remember that time you said..."). I think he was assuming I'd go back for a PhD, so hopefully mentioning medicine won't be a slap in the face. Anyhow, I'll mention it next week. Wish me luck!

By the way for AMCAS, am I allowed to submit additional LoR AFTER I submit my primary? Sorry for the newb question, but it slipped my mind. Thanks again!

I think that is a great approach. Even if he does fire you it sounds like you'll get a good letter. If he knows you only have a year you might be next on the chopping block, but who cares. You will have a good letter and a strong contact.

Another approach is to let him know you are thinking MD and possibly a post doc when you're done so that you can get involved in both patient care and translational medicine. I used that one yesterday, it's true for me, but doesn't necessarily have to be for you. It would be a white lie, that lets him know you are interested in research still, you just want to apply it to patients.