Resigning from job after only one year? Bad idea? 3

[TriGuy876]

Hi everyone

I recently graduated with an MS. To keep my options open I applied to many jobs as well as some early applications to funded PhD programs. I got a good job offer and started working as an aerospace engineer. To be honest, I'm pretty grateful for this opportunity.

About a month into this job I received an offer/admissions to a funded PhD at a top program. I find the offer very appealing. It's important to note that I wouldn't enroll until over a year from today.

However, despite the appeal of this offer, I find this to be an ethically questionable maneuver. Is it poor form for a young engineer to work at a company for only 1 year then resign to pursue a PhD? It should also be noted that I would be interested in working for this company in the future, so offending them is not in my best interest.

I personally would be unimpressed if a young newly hired engineer left after one year to pursue a PhD. However, maybe the views of more experienced engineers here would be useful. Maybe I could give them a convincing argument.

 

[TriGuy876]

Also note that the PhD program is far away from the company, so part-time is not an option.

 

[desertfox]

Hi

Well how much does obtaining a phD mean to you, was always a goal and if you obtain one what are your plans, I mean what are you going to specialize in?
So I would sit down and write out the good and downside to going back to study and I would also include what you actually like doing and how going back to study might change that.
At the end of the day you are the only one who can decide.

 

[lacajun]

I wouldn't view it negatively. Education is always the best investment you can make in yourself. I would also consider rehiring you upon completion of the Ph.D., if you and it benefitted the company and its goals and there was an opening.

Did you tell your current employer you also applied to Ph.D. programs? That might make their acceptance of your decision better, if you have concerns about them.

Pamela K. Quillin, P.E.
Quillin Engineering, LLC

 

[Comcokid]

It's not like you're leaving for a better offer at a competitor. Leaving for schooling purposes is not viewed as negative. Staying a year, for a first job out of school, is not viewed as negative either.

In the US from a legal viewpoint you're a 'at-will' employee, and the company or you can terminate your relationship at any time without notice, for just about any reason, or for no reason at all. The standard 2-week notice is more of a polite courtesy.

Since you're going back to school, you might consider giving your employer a longer notice. Good employers will appreciate it, and let you part with a glowing recommendation. However, I have seen bad employers that the moment you gave them an indication that you might be leaving, they've immediately escorted you to the door in as vindictive a manner as possible.

 

[dvd]

Why can't you start the PhD sooner?

If you plan on staying with your employer for a year then I think that you AND your employer should be in on the secret. If you both can agree that it will be an acceptable arrangement, then, fine, stay and learn some, otherwise find something of a more temporary nature.

 

[GregLocock]

Go for it, explain to them what is going on a couple of months before you start the PhD. That way if they throw a hissy fit and sack you then you only have a couple of months to wait, but if they are sensible you'll have enough time to tie loose ends up and do a decent handover.

1 year is a tad short, but it is for good reasons.

Cheers

Greg Locock


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[KENAT]

What do you plan on doing with the PhD? Lots of jobs requiring PhD's in your field of interest?

I wouldn't be impressed if someone I'd just hired did this, but then, I'm an a$$hole sometimes.

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[ScottyUK]

I'm an a$$hole all the time. And I'm good at it. :-D

Employers expect to see a high turnover of early-career employees. Obviously they do what they can to limit the turnover because it's not great for them, but it is reality. I'd talk to your boss and see if you can leave on speaking terms with him and with HR, especially if your PhD is in aerospace because you might want to go back there in a year or two.

I've left most jobs on pretty good terms and have been in a position where they'd have me back and I would consider going back. I've had one or two where they couldn't drag me back with a tow truck, and I'm pretty sure the feeling was mutual. The former category is definitely the one to be in.

 

[weldstan]

It is your life and if the Doctorate is what you really want, don't obsess about leaving the company after a year.

 

[steellion]

I don't think there is an "ethical" issue with leaving the job to go back to school, but don't be surprised if that bridge is burned at that company. You just have to decide which route is the best for you. Make sure the opportunity cost of taking several years to earn a Ph.D. is worth not gaining income and work experience during that time and potentially ruining a relationship with a good company.

 

[rconnor]

Any company that would respond to you leaving to pursue a good opportunity with “how dare you leave after less than a year; you’ll never work for this company again!” is a company that you should be happy to leave. It shows that your happiness and professional development are irrelevant to them. You’re viewed as (an expendable) resource for making profit.

Any company that would respond to you leaving to pursue a good educational opportunity with “well we would be sad to see you go but we understand you have to do what you feel is best for your career” is a company that you should be happy (and welcome) to return to. It shows that your happiness and professional development are important to them. You’re viewed as a person.

Simply put, if leaving to pursue a good opportunity would burn a bridge, it’s a bridge you should be happy to never cross again.

 

[Twinkie]

Don't ever give more than 2 weeks notice. This rarely ever turns out in your favor. I've thought I was being courteous on two separate occasions by giving advance notice. The first time I was shown the door, the second time I sat in an empty office with no work for 4 weeks, and not a sould spoke to me.


Give the 2 weeks and roll. If this is what you really want to do.

 

[IRstuff]

I think that highly depends on your company and your relationship to the company and the people that work in it. I've given 4 week notice each of the 3 times I changed jobs, and was generally busy to the very last day. In one case, I actually got a short term contract to finish off some new work that had been languishing.

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[GregLocock]

Yep, I've usually given heaps of notice, always found my workload INCREASING up to the last day.

Cheers

Greg Locock


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[TD2K]

I don't see an ethical issue. If the workload dropped off, your company would very likely have no problems with laying you off.

Do what is in your best interest, no one is going to look after you or have your best interests at heart more than you will.