Research Delima

[tiger330]

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Recently I was lucky enough to be hired as a research assistant at a medical school and will be allowed to begin conducting my own project soon. I submitted my primary on 6/2 and think it would be a great update for my secondaries. The more I work there though the more I am uncomfortable with it. The doctor is demeaning to the point of name calling, and belittles me and insults my parents, my choice friends, and even other doctors that he introduces me to. If it was any other job I would quit, but I am worried I wont find another experience like this. I am just wondering if the experience will be beneficial enough on my secondary applications for it to be worth it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Dr. Retractor]

Get out of the lab and report him to the Dean. There's no excuse to insult you, much less your parents. It doesn't matter how good of an experience it might be for secondaries. Quit and find another lab.

I'm curious though, why did you join the lab in the first place? It seems weird that the PI would put on a nice face and then turn into what you've described unless you did something particularly egregious or just ignored the signs before joining the lab.

 

[Syns]

Respect yourself, that is worth more than any 2nd advantage.

As I tell my students, " You matter." and "Work hard, our future needs you."

If you have to put in more effort to find a position that empowers you, do it. Strong young people are the only future we have and being in a toxic environment just costs us all human potential.

 

[ChillDawg]

Quit.
Not worth being miserable just to beef up your secondaries.
Will your face light up on interviews when they ask about your job? Probably not, eh?

If you just need the money, its another story...

 

[GrapesofRath]

Leave. As in like right now. You aren't going to get ANYTHING out of a position like this where you are this disrespected and have such a bad relationship with your PI. No worthwhile project. No publication. No rec letter worth a damn. And none of this really matters honestly. Regardless of how productive a a position like this could be, if you don't have any self-respect for yourself, who will? That's all that matters.

It's June, if you search hard you can still have a solid shot of finding something within the next 2 months. And if these insults did extend to your family, there are definitely people whom you can report this type of behavior about. If it is true you can bet if told to the right people it won't just be ignored.

 

[tiger330]

Thanks for the replies everybody. That's the way I was leaning, I just needed a little bit of reassurance to follow through. During the interview he seemed blunt but I figured that was because of his military background. After I took the job though it turned from blunt feedback in to unproductive insults. I should have had more foresight, I was just overly excited about the opportunity. I have definitely lost confidence because of the experience but feel better already knowing that the end is in sight.

I really appreciate the feedback and support!

 

[ChillDawg]

Before you quit, break into his office and take a **** on his desk.

[Don't actually do this]

 

[tiger330]

Haha I appreciate the disclaimer at the end. It's tempting...

 

[tiger330]

I officially quit! Didn't get a chance to **** on his desk but it still feels pretty great. Thanks everybody

 

[emraldragon]

I officially quit! Didn't get a chance to **** on his desk but it still feels pretty great. Thanks everybody

Congrats on getting out of a toxic environment and don't beat yourself up for "not seeing it coming." Blunt =/= insulting.