I decided to join a different lab (doing a similar project as us) than the one I am currently in because the one I am in right now is very unstable, not much is getting done, and I feel like it will not take me anywhere good. I want to leave by the end of this semester, but I don't know how to tell the professor I want to leave without him hating me afterward. He hates kids who leave his lab; I know because he always talks poorly about them. Anyways, I was wondering what feedback you all have?
How to leave a research lab
- Thread starter TBMcGee
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Just say you are leaving because you no longer feel that the lab is a good fit for you.
Don't sweat what he says about you when you're gone; his badmouthing past students reflects his own lack of professionalism, not their shortcomings.
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I suggest leaving the lab through an open door. If there are no doors available, a window may suffice. Just be wary of the drop if you're above ground level. 😉
In all seriousness, though... if you're not engaged in the lab (in both senses: engaged in a project physically and engaged in their area of research intellectually), you owe it to yourself to find something you do enjoy. The prof. likely doesn't want someone who's disengaged from their projects anyway, so it's not like you're doing anyone a favor by sticking around.
Are you sure research is your thing? From what I'm reading you're not engaged in the lab you're in, but you want to move to a lab that's doing a similar project. Contrary to popular belief, it's okay if you're not into being a lab rat; you just have to consider what other projects/EC's you're passionate about and pursuing them. Good luck at any rate!
In all seriousness, though... if you're not engaged in the lab (in both senses: engaged in a project physically and engaged in their area of research intellectually), you owe it to yourself to find something you do enjoy. The prof. likely doesn't want someone who's disengaged from their projects anyway, so it's not like you're doing anyone a favor by sticking around.
Are you sure research is your thing? From what I'm reading you're not engaged in the lab you're in, but you want to move to a lab that's doing a similar project. Contrary to popular belief, it's okay if you're not into being a lab rat; you just have to consider what other projects/EC's you're passionate about and pursuing them. Good luck at any rate!
Dude I know exactly what you are going through! Honestly though, you might still want to think about getting the LOR since you've known him for over a year. (I know I'm definitely going to try to leave on good terms.) I don't think you should just say you're leaving and walk out. I like the "I want to try more things" or "explore my options as an undergrad" excuses.
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In Soviet Russia, technology sells you! (it had to be done)
Haha thanks everyone! I love the project, but the lab is unstable and not much is getting done, whereas the other lab has a great professor, there is more team work, things are being accomplished. He's also not too nice, and I'm not sure how an LOR will work with him. I just don't want to risk it. I love research, but I still have a while before I apply to medical schools, so it is definitely not too late to join another lab.
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I would definitely move to the other lab, as graciously as possible. From experience, if "the lab is unstable, not getting much done, lack of team work, prof not nice," don't expect a great LOR. This is all a reflection of the leadership (Prof), but who will get the negative press? You, in the LOR...
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Fill beakers with water and potassium metal and run the other way while they are distracted.
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It's really important that you are happy in your lab! It's totally normal for undergrads to switch labs, so don't worry about hurting the prof's feelings.
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I'm in almost the same exact situation... except i JUST started my lab (yesterday was my first day) and i haven't even got a position in the other lab yet. But when i talked to the guy from the lab i really want to be in, i mentioned that i would ditch my current lab for a position with him.
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I prefer the dry ice in a two-liter trick, myself. Wear hearing protection when that thing goes off!
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Most people just leave all of their dirty dishes and supplies, ditch their experiments, and just stop showing up.
But if you don't want people to hate you, let the PI know and make up a reason why without putting his or her lab down.
"This interests me" "I want to diversify my experiences" etc
If they probe say your pre-med advisor told you these were good ideas.
If they don't probe, they probably didn't like you and are glad to see you leave
But if you don't want people to hate you, let the PI know and make up a reason why without putting his or her lab down.
"This interests me" "I want to diversify my experiences" etc
If they probe say your pre-med advisor told you these were good ideas.
If they don't probe, they probably didn't like you and are glad to see you leave
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...don't do that. Ever. How do they know you won't ditch their lab for greener pastures in a heartbeat?
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Just say "Sayonara Mother F***er!"
But seriously, if he hates everyone that leaves, you're not about to find some amazing word combo to have him continue to like you.
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Since you're going to a lab doing similar research there is probably some degree of healthy competition. Poke around and find out what you need to sabotage to cause the most damage before you go. It's surprisingly easy to destroy years of work with a couple well planed coincidental catastrophic failures. Go to the new lab as a hero.
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To the OP, leave as gracefully and amicably as possible. Do not burn bridges.
Seriously? This is such a dick move. Why did you start working in your current lab if you wanted to work at the other one and were waiting to hear back from them? Depending on how long you stay in your current lab, you might end up costing them a decent bit of time and money. Not only that, you might have ruined your chance at the other lab by telling a person in their lab that you would "ditch" your current lab for them. As a previous poster mentioned, now that that person got a glimpse of the kind of guy you are, why would they risk taking on someone who would dump their lab in a heartbeat?
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I'm in a similar situation. I'm not exactly surrounded by productivity and the ass-kickers down the hall seem to pump out papers every month. In my experience all research professors despise premed undergrads to some degree. After all, you don't plan on spending your saturday nights dissecting fruit fly testes with them......even though thats my kinda party.
Have you made 100% sure that the new lab will put you on publications and provide you with projects? Nothing worse than washing dishes when real provocative science is going on all around you.
Have you made 100% sure that the new lab will put you on publications and provide you with projects? Nothing worse than washing dishes when real provocative science is going on all around you.
