Job stuff, yay!

[noodles.galaznik]

Next week I have an interview for an assistant curator position at a local museum. I'm not planning on sticking around there for ages, and if I get into grad school (same city), I'd be leaving a year from now. If they ask how long I would plan on being around, should I be completely forthright with them?

[cunninlynguist]

Absolutely. I met with the head of the Conservation department in my town just this morning and I told him I'd be gone in Fall 2012. Otherwise he would've considered me for a Commissioner position, but it's clearly long-term, and consequently it wouldn't be fair for me to accept. I don't know if the museum expects assistant curators to stick around for a few years, but in any case honesty is always best for both parties. Hopefully you won't encounter any trouble - a year is still a good amount of time. Good luck with the interview!

[Agradatudent]

I disagree. What if you don't get in anywhere? You may find this is a great job for you and want to stay. Do you think for a second that they wouldn't fire you because you commited for X amount of time when budget cuts come along?

I find it ridiculous to look out for a company or corporation or anyone else really over yourself in an economy like it is today. There's not tons of options even for us capable, degree'd individuals. My girlfriend will be attending Upenn in the fall for a bio PHD but couldn't get a job in january of this year. She was only looking for a normal job (non science), but the nicer places she could work (think restaurants) asked her that same question, and she was honest. So instead of working somewhere for 8+ months (totally respectable amount of time at our age) and making well needed money, she couldn't get those jobs, and had to wait till summer to get a short term job at a book store

The point is these people don't care about you. Look out for number one, you don't owe these people anything.

[noodles.galaznik]

Ahhh, now I'm torn! I'd feel bad intentionally leaving that tidbit of information out, but at the same time I told them I would only be available to do part time work since I'm taking some classes. Also, the musuem I'm interviewing at is associated with my top choice school, and a lot of the curators are also faculty members...so, that might make things a bit awkward down the road if I were to leave out these details, and might potentially hurt my application--that's what I'm really worried about.

Edited July 17, 2011 by genotype+phenotype

[Emelye]

That does seem to be a rather awkward situation, but I think faculty members, of all people, should know how uncertain graduate applications can be. So, I think they would be understanding. I personally would NOT tell them upfront that you're planning on leaving in a year. Just subtly hint that you're looking into graduate school as a future possibility without saying specifically when that would be. If you like working there, it couldn't hurt you all that much to work an extra year and wait on applications. On the other hand, you could apply and get in or not get in. If you do get in, you could always explore the idea (with your boss and school) of working part time and starting your program part time. If you don't get in, well you still have a great job! So, to answer you're question, be honest about wanting to pursue grad school but still a little vague because you really can't know if you're going to get in or not (so saying you don't know when is 100% true).

Btw, I was in a very similar situation --epic job opportunity but not wanting to put off grad school. And I'll just say, I'm very glad I didn't let a shot at an epic job go because I MIGHT possibly get into a graduate program next year.

[noodles.galaznik]

That does seem to be a rather awkward situation, but I think faculty members, of all people, should know how uncertain graduate applications can be. So, I think they would be understanding. I personally would NOT tell them upfront that you're planning on leaving in a year. Just subtly hint that you're looking into graduate school as a future possibility without saying specifically when that would be. If you like working there, it couldn't hurt you all that much to work an extra year and wait on applications. On the other hand, you could apply and get in or not get in. If you do get in, you could always explore the idea (with your boss and school) of working part time and starting your program part time. If you don't get in, well you still have a great job! So, to answer you're question, be honest about wanting to pursue grad school but still a little vague because you really can't know if you're going to get in or not (so saying you don't know when is 100% true).

Btw, I was in a very similar situation --epic job opportunity but not wanting to put off grad school. And I'll just say, I'm very glad I didn't let a shot at an epic job go because I MIGHT possibly get into a graduate program next year.

Thanks, this is really great advice! I do want to go to grad school, but I'm not sure when that'll happen--maybe I'll get the position and really love it, or maybe the profs I want to apply to work with won't be taking students, or maybe I won't get in for next fall. I think this'll be a great way to express that I'm interested in grad school with a potential employer, but not to jeopardize my chances with getting a job!

[Agradatudent]

That does seem to be a rather awkward situation, but I think faculty members, of all people, should know how uncertain graduate applications can be. So, I think they would be understanding. I personally would NOT tell them upfront that you're planning on leaving in a year. Just subtly hint that you're looking into graduate school as a future possibility without saying specifically when that would be. If you like working there, it couldn't hurt you all that much to work an extra year and wait on applications. On the other hand, you could apply and get in or not get in. If you do get in, you could always explore the idea (with your boss and school) of working part time and starting your program part time. If you don't get in, well you still have a great job! So, to answer you're question, be honest about wanting to pursue grad school but still a little vague because you really can't know if you're going to get in or not (so saying you don't know when is 100% true).

Btw, I was in a very similar situation --epic job opportunity but not wanting to put off grad school. And I'll just say, I'm very glad I didn't let a shot at an epic job go because I MIGHT possibly get into a graduate program next year.

That was a more elequent way of expressing my sentiments