Leaving PhD program against Advisor's will - professional advice please 37

[ResearchEngineer987]

BACKGROUND
I'm a funded PhD student at a good American university. My research is not progressing, and I'm finding the work involved in a PhD is useless to realistic engineering applications. I believe further pursuit of graduate work does nothing to advance my career - in fact it could be a step back.

CURRENT SITUATION
I decided that I should leave the PhD program (ie, drop out), the sooner the better. I am a funded Research Assistant, and my advisor/boss relies heavily on my work. I basically function as a Research Engineer and Assistant, and am involved in multiple funded research projects. I have not talked to my advisor/boss about this. He will be furious if I leave. However I do not believe I am in a situation where I can be successful, and it makes sense to leave.

Because of my leasing/living arrangement and personal situation, the best opportunity for me to leave is in the next 3 weeks. This would allow me to give him a "2 weeks notice" (and one of those weeks I'd be working free of charge because of the payment system). However, there was a conference that I originally committed to (before I decided to quit). Now that I am resigning, I would not be able to attend this of course. This further complicates my relationship with my advisor/boss. However, anyone is entitled to quit and I cannot be held against my will.

QUESTIONS
1). Is it unprofessional for me to resign with only 2 weeks notice?
2). Am I expected to keep working (for free) and attend the conference? Note that this would not be feasible as I plan to move.
3). Does this kill any chance of a letter of recommendation for my advisor/boss?
4). If I leave without a reference from my advisor, how damning is this to my job prospects? I personally think I do more damage staying on this dead-end academic path.
5). Do you have experience resigning at the inconvenience of your employer? How did you manage it?


Any advise would help
Thanks

 

[BEMPE16524]

I only read few comments on top... my advise is simple, try to love what you hate and trust me, something really good will happen. but if you really have better prospects out there, just pack your stuffs and say goodbye.

 

[MacGyverS2000]

40 comments and the OP has never replied to any...

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[IRstuff]

from OP's profile: My last login was on Monday, April 18, 2016

TTFN
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!
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