Summer Research Job

[habromania]

Hey folks, I'd appreciate some advice!

 

I'm currently working at the McMaster Hospital as a part time research assistant (in ped surgery). My tasks include: consenting patients on a study (I spend most of my time on this), scoping reviews, data checking, and some stats. Anyway, I've been offered a full-time summer position with them and I told my supervisor that I'd let her know by the end of Feb/early march.

 

Now for my dilemma... Before being offered summer employment by my current boss, I began to apply for an internship that will also take place at the Mac hospital. This internship will focus on hematology with a smattering of oncology and I'm interested in this field due to family history/potential specialization. My potential supervisor is fairly confident in our application and believes that we have a good shot at getting the funding. Unfortunately, I send the application off in February and there's no way of me receiving a response as to whether or not I got the job before I have to tell my current employer my decision. This wouldn't seem like that big of a deal if they were offering the same thing, but the potential summer internship would end up being more money (500-1000 dollars difference I believe), alongside a secured publication as first author, followed up with some more patient consenting and in clinic duties.

 

So, what do I do? Do I tell my current employer that I'll take her up on the offer and back out if I get the internship? Or do I tell her upfront that I won't be taking the job and end up possibly being unemployed if I don't receive funding? Although my current job encourages publications, I've only been there for a few months and I don't think that a pub will come by my way anytime soon. The reason I don't want to hold out on my boss is because I don't want to ruin our relationship and my chances of getting a ref letter from her + an internship for next year that I'm pretty much guaranteed (provided I keep up good appearances). Yes, I'd probably feel pretty immoral to drop out at the last second but, let's face it, I'm trying to do what's best for me and my future. Wow, I'm a cold-hearted beeotch huh?

 

If I don't end up getting a job this summer, my plan was to do both orgos, some bird courses, and possibly study for the MCAT (provided I don't take it in april/may like I'm planning or if I do really poorly).

 

I know this is pretty "tl;dr" but I need some feedback. Gah.

 

Thanks for reading and good luck to all of you premeds/prehealthprofessionals

[shadows16]

If you have a specific gut feeling telling you that you really need to do this hem/onc position and that it is something you're very very passionate about I would take your chances and go with that. Ultimately you need to do what makes you happy and fulfilled.

 

That being said, if you are interested in it but it's not the be all end all I would stick with the current job. It sounds like you are in a position to get a great ref letter out of this, and your letter will carry some more weight if you've been in the position for a longer time. It also sounds like leads into a substantial further opportunity (i.e. the internship next year). I'm sure if you have significant experience in clinical research (after working at this peds surgery job for a year +) you will be well-qualified to transition to related jobs in another field (for ex. moving into heme/onc in a year).

 

500-1000$ is an incentive of course, but I don't think it's so much money that it's a deal-breaker either way. However, if it is going to lead into a paid positon over the next year through the internship then money is definitely something to consider (if you otherwise wouldn't be working except for the heme/onc thing in the summer).

 

However, just because I would choose to stay in the current position if I were you doesn't mean you should. I think if you have a strong intuition telling you to do one thing or another, then listen to that. Failing that, I would make a pros/cons list and weigh out the practical considerations to help you decide.

[IamIDP]

I would be honest to your boss. That's the best way to go, that way you get both a recommendation letter and perhaps your new position if it gets approved

[Edict]

Hey folks, I'd appreciate some advice!

 

I'm currently working at the McMaster Hospital as a part time research assistant (in ped surgery). My tasks include: consenting patients on a study (I spend most of my time on this), scoping reviews, data checking, and some stats. Anyway, I've been offered a full-time summer position with them and I told my supervisor that I'd let her know by the end of Feb/early march.

 

Now for my dilemma... Before being offered summer employment by my current boss, I began to apply for an internship that will also take place at the Mac hospital. This internship will focus on hematology with a smattering of oncology and I'm interested in this field due to family history/potential specialization. My potential supervisor is fairly confident in our application and believes that we have a good shot at getting the funding. Unfortunately, I send the application off in February and there's no way of me receiving a response as to whether or not I got the job before I have to tell my current employer my decision. This wouldn't seem like that big of a deal if they were offering the same thing, but the potential summer internship would end up being more money (500-1000 dollars difference I believe), alongside a secured publication as first author, followed up with some more patient consenting and in clinic duties.

 

So, what do I do? Do I tell my current employer that I'll take her up on the offer and back out if I get the internship? Or do I tell her upfront that I won't be taking the job and end up possibly being unemployed if I don't receive funding? Although my current job encourages publications, I've only been there for a few months and I don't think that a pub will come by my way anytime soon. The reason I don't want to hold out on my boss is because I don't want to ruin our relationship and my chances of getting a ref letter from her + an internship for next year that I'm pretty much guaranteed (provided I keep up good appearances). Yes, I'd probably feel pretty immoral to drop out at the last second but, let's face it, I'm trying to do what's best for me and my future. Wow, I'm a cold-hearted beeotch huh?

 

If I don't end up getting a job this summer, my plan was to do both orgos, some bird courses, and possibly study for the MCAT (provided I don't take it in april/may like I'm planning or if I do really poorly).

 

I know this is pretty "tl;dr" but I need some feedback. Gah.

 

Thanks for reading and good luck to all of you premeds/prehealthprofessionals

 

I'm also in a similar sort of dilemna, but a little less than yours. Its all related to all this rolling acceptances thing, multiple offers but not the same deadlines.

 

I think though you should go for the opportunity that will provide a publication. First, your supervisor said he/she is fairly confident it will work. If your supervisor is willing to say that, it'll probably work out. Second, is that application a funding (stipend) or something else? If its just a stipend, worst comes to worse you don't get money and you can still do it as a volunteer? I'm not sure if you are willing to do it for no money but you are guaranteed a publication which i think is really worth it.

[future_doc]

I would stay with my current supervisor and not even apply for funding with the other potential possibility, which is iffy and may never happen notwithstanding the confidence of someone. Why go down that risky road? To me it is a no brainer, but we all have different views.