post-doc dilemma (sort of)

[edieb]

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I was wondering what all of you would do in this situation

I have been working at an informal post-doc that pays relatively little ($35K). The work is fun, but, because of the low pay, I feel angry all the time, really angry.

I have a strong feeling that I am about to receive a job offer that pays around $65K . Of course, accepting this offer would mean I would have to quit the post-doc I am at now.

If I quit here, there are really no big repercussions. It is an isolated applied site and nobody here really has any connections outside of this city.

When I finished graduate school, I promised myself that I would start looking out for my best interests, and not my employers. I guess I became cynical through this whole process.

So I am pretty much decided that after I sign the offer letter for this other job, that I will give them a 1 week notice and quit. Would you do the same thing?

 

[erg923]

How long have you been at the curent place? Any value to it being a "post-doc"? Does the other position offer what you need in term of pos-doc training/supervison. To be honest, if you have ongoing clients, I would give them a months notice at least. If not, I would still give them the standard 2 weeks.

 

[psychmama]

I tend to agree that 2-4 weeks is more appropriate notice, assuming this will not jeopardize your right to the new position.

It's interesting to me that you feel 35k is low pay for a post-doc. I guess it is low, but I'd be okay with that given how hard pre-licensure jobs can be to come by. Maybe I'm selling myself short though... 😕

 

[edieb]

I have an advisor who said, if it won't hurt you, only give one week notice before leaving a position. His reasoning is that your employer could fire you right then and there, and you will be without work immediately. A one week notice only leaves you vulnerable for 5 days or so.

No, there is no value to being a post-doc here. It is a very small hospital in the middle of nowhere. I checked with the licensure boards and they do not require continuous licensure by one supervisor, so leaving will not affect my ability to be licensed, either.

I kind of feel good for leaving, very empowered. I think all too often employers think they can force us to work for slave labor wages. I mean, it's absurd -- paying me this amount for 7 years of training. My leaving will send a signal to them that when you pay low, people, esp psychology post-docs, will just use you as a temporary watering hole, and then move on within a couple months.

 

[erg923]

Sounds like you have been doing alot of moving around lately. Isnt that stressful, or at lesats adding to the stress? Moving (the actuall physcial process) is the worst part of grad school, but then again we (no, make that just my wife) have tons of sh--t...

 

[psychmama]

I have an advisor who said, if it won't hurt you, only give one week notice before leaving a position. His reasoning is that your employer could fire you right then and there, and you will be without work immediately. A one week notice only leaves you vulnerable for 5 days or so.

No, there is no value to being a post-doc here. It is a very small hospital in the middle of nowhere. I checked with the licensure boards and they do not require continuous licensure by one supervisor, so leaving will not affect my ability to be licensed, either.

I kind of feel good for leaving, very empowered. I think all too often employers think they can force us to work for slave labor wages. I mean, it's absurd -- paying me this amount for 7 years of training. My leaving will send a signal to them that when you pay low, people, esp psychology post-docs, will just use you as a temporary watering hole, and then move on within a couple months.

I see your reasoning. I know the low pay for psychologists has been on your mind a lot (at least judging by your posts). In the end it's a personal decision. One week still seems like short notice, unless the place has not treated you decently. But then again, I've been accused of being too "soft" about these kind of things.

Good luck to you in whatever you decide.

 

[edieb]

Sounds like you have been doing alot of moving around lately. Isnt that stressful, or at lesats adding to the stress? Moving (the actuall physcial process) is the worst part of grad school, but then again we (no, make that just my wife) have tons of sh--t...

LOL, kind of, but I intended to leave this place pretty quickly, so I left my crap in storage and am staying in a month-to-month apartment. I feel like a gypsy, lol

 

[LM02]

If you want to use the hours you've already accrued there toward licensure, I'd be wary of burning any bridges and leaving them in the lurch. When it comes time to apply for licensure, you will have to rely on them to submit paperwork on your behalf, confirming your hours, and you don't want someone to drag their heels and create obstacles for you because they have low motivation to help you after you picked up and left with little notice.

I would also consider the ethical principle of abandonment - with one week's notice, will your clients have access to another provider? Will you have ample time to terminate?

I say give them 2-4 weeks. Personally, I think it's the professional thing to do in this circumstance.

 

[deleted176373]

Offer them the two weeks, and ask if you can make it shorter. You never know, they might be willing to let you leave that day.

Mark