New Job While Applying to Med School?

[journalistdoingscience]

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I looked and couldn't quite find a thread that fit my question so I'm hoping I can get some advice! I currently work at a medical school on a research project that will end in early 2015 so I have been looking for and casually applying to a few positions in anticipation of not having work in a few short months. I also have had several interviews and am just waiting to hear back to see if I've been accepted/waitlisted/rejected. How do you handle being in a state of limbo while interviewing for a new job position and/or is it unacceptable to go into a new job if you know you may not be able to stay for a year (most research positions are a one year appointment). I'm really not sure what to do because I don't want to just bank on getting into school even though I feel confident in my app and had great interviews but I also don't want to get a job only to bounce after a couple of months. Halp!

 

[Osteoth]

I looked and couldn't quite find a thread that fit my question so I'm hoping I can get some advice! I currently work at a medical school on a research project that will end in early 2015 so I have been looking for and casually applying to a few positions in anticipation of not having work in a few short months. I also have had several interviews and am just waiting to hear back to see if I've been accepted/waitlisted/rejected. How do you handle being in a state of limbo while interviewing for a new job position and/or is it unacceptable to go into a new job if you know you may not be able to stay for a year (most research positions are a one year appointment). I'm really not sure what to do because I don't want to just bank on getting into school even though I feel confident in my app and had great interviews but I also don't want to get a job only to bounce after a couple of months. Halp!

Really depends on your personal ethics code.

Would you feel comfortable accepting a job knowing you might not be able to complete your contract, or would you rather risk them rescinding your job offer and finding someone who can?

 

[journalistdoingscience]

Thanks. I feel super uncomfortable taking a job if I know I'm going to leave them in the lurch but at the same time I don't want to screw myself over in the (hopefully unlikely) event that I have to reapply next year. I could just let them know I may be leaving and see what they want to do. Probably not hire me, haha.

 

[ConsultantMD]

I'm in a similar boat since my contract is up the beginning of the year. I am accepted thankfully, and I am unsure if I want to pursue another contract, knowing that my time is limited. In my line of work 3ish month contracts exist, but then also too it's a matter of if I want to spend my last couple months before school working if I don't have to (financially, I could probably not work because I'm preparing to be in torrential debt).

If I did get a job that I knew would not be doable with my timeline, I wouldn't feel so great about taking it. Also too, I feel pretty OK with not working for a couple of months after working for more than 3 years after college, and knowing that I'm going to be busting my butt in med school.

So I'd stay if you can stand it, maybe not work and then volunteer here and there or get a job that won't be upset if you bounce after a couple of months.

 

[crossfit4lyfe]

I was upfront and honest with my work, and they were fine with me being short term (luckily). Many places won't hire you knowing that you plan to stay only 6 or so months. But realistically, if you need a job and need the income, don't tell them when you plan to leave. You need to take care of yourself. Sure it will inconvenience them a little, but they will replace you.

 

[BamaNicole]

I was always very honest with people who were interviewing me for jobs. I didn't get a lot of positions because of it but I did finally find one.

She was all for me applying and took me on knowing there was a chance I was leaving within a year of being there. Once I got in......she was upset that I was leaving that coming summer and made my work life very unpleasant.

My reason for telling you that story is to make sure that when you're honest....they're being honest in their understanding/support for you leaving for school.

 

[Zelda840]

Given that you feel reasonably confident about your chances, I would just get a job where you're easily replaced. Data entry, entry level construction, whatever. Just something to give you some dollars while you wait.

 

[journalistdoingscience]

Thanks everyone! I feel even more conflicted because they had me fill out an employment application (which is one step above a position application I guess?) and they have you sign a form that says very clearly "nothing contained in this application or in any other Hospital policy or other document is intended to create a contract of employment for a definite term" so it isn't technically a contract job, I assume I would be grant funded and they want to leave themselves an out in case funding runs out (which has happened to me before). I think as it stands I will probably wait to see if they bring up an ideal period of employment and then inform them that the most I could do is about 6 months.
@Zelda840 - I've thought about that but I have a fairly well paying job currently and I'm paying back undergrad loans so it would be financially stressful to have to get an "in-between" type job that most likely won't pay as well although I definitely have no problem with something like that otherwise.