Working before PhD

[jacket24]

I'm sure that I've seen a post about this somewhere but had no luck finding it.

 

I will finish my MS degree this semester and am in the process of applying to PhD programs for the Fall 2014 season. Ideally, I would like to find employment in my field for the 8-9 months between completion of MS and start of PhD but I've had a hard time identifying employers willing to work with that time limitation (understandably so). I have been applying for internship positions without much luck so far. 

 

Would it be unethical to apply for a full time job without telling them about my intentions to leave within a year to continue my education? Something about that approach leaves me feeling uneasy about burning bridges but I have not had any success with being upfront about it.

[ArtHistoryandMuseum]

answers your question slightly -- unfortunately, not fully. However, it addresses a subsequent problem: getting time off from a full-time job, for school visits and interviews.

[socioholic]

I'm sure that I've seen a post about this somewhere but had no luck finding it.

 

I will finish my MS degree this semester and am in the process of applying to PhD programs for the Fall 2014 season. Ideally, I would like to find employment in my field for the 8-9 months between completion of MS and start of PhD but I've had a hard time identifying employers willing to work with that time limitation (understandably so). I have been applying for internship positions without much luck so far. 

 

Would it be unethical to apply for a full time job without telling them about my intentions to leave within a year to continue my education? Something about that approach leaves me feeling uneasy about burning bridges but I have not had any success with being upfront about it.

 

Yes, it's ethical. Employers are not under the impression that everyone they hire will be employees for life; giving sufficient notice is the appropriate thing to do if you end up leaving. Also, until you are accepted into a phd program, there is no conflict at all. If you are a great employee, you'd be surprised how flexible employers can be. they may try to keep you on board or introduce you to other opportunities.

[juilletmercredi]

I think this is a gray area.  Yes, employers are aware that not everyone they employ will be there for life; at the same time, they have a reasonable expectation that the people they hire will be in their position for at least 1-2 years at a time.  Moreover, if you don't find a job immediately, it may end up being just 6 months of employment.

 

In this case I would say whatever you do should be out of self-preservation, but that includes not burning bridges in an industry that you may potentially come back to or, at the very least, with someone who may serve as a reference.  My first move would be to try to contract with a temp agency - when employers contract temp firms they KNOW the temps will only be around for a few months, so there's no risk there.  If temping is not an option, then I would apply to jobs and not necessarily disclose up front that I was planning grad school, but perhaps after a few weeks in the job make it clear that you are planning grad school - and perhaps excuse yourself during the application phase if it becomes *clear* that the employer is really looking for someone who will stay longer-term.

[socioholic]

The employer's expectation, if any, would be based on its current turnover rate, which you have no way of knowing. A temp agency is a great option. Just don't pass up opportunities for options that dont exist yet.

[jacket24]

Hate revive a dead topic but this issue is becoming more real since I have a job interview lined up in the immediate future. How would you respond to questions like "Where do you see yourself in 1 year? 5 years?" with PhD admission decisions looming in the next couple of weeks? I don't want to be dishonest or deceptive but also don't want to exclude myself from opportunities when I don't know which (if any) programs I will be accepted to. Should I even mention that I've applied to grad schools in the interview or wait until an official offer is made?

[Vene]

Hate revive a dead topic but this issue is becoming more real since I have a job interview lined up in the immediate future. How would you respond to questions like "Where do you see yourself in 1 year? 5 years?" with PhD admission decisions looming in the next couple of weeks? I don't want to be dishonest or deceptive but also don't want to exclude myself from opportunities when I don't know which (if any) programs I will be accepted to. Should I even mention that I've applied to grad schools in the interview or wait until an official offer is made?

Do not tell them about grad school, just answer with what you would want to do without a PhD. You gotta remember, a good many companies will lay you off in a second if they think it will save them money, you don't owe them any loyalty.

[spectastic]

A lot of companies have internship positions with the intention of hiring some of them for full time positions, so I'd treat them like full time positions, and not mention grad school at all. It also seems fishy that you've graduated and are looking for internships, which will inevitably lead them to bring up the question why. So just tell them you want a full time job. If/when you get the job, eventually bring up your plan about grad school, and allow them a peaceful transition for someone else to take your place. no harm done, everyone wins.

 

 

 

And as you've mentioned, it's not yet certain whether or not you'll be in grad school this August, so I would definitely cast a wide net, just so there are more options. 

Edited February 27, 2014 by spectastic

[jacket24]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. It sounds like the consensus is that I shouldn't bring up the PhD until after I actually get a job rather than during the interview process. I've been applying for internships as well but most of those won't start until the summer so this quandary only applies to the more immediate entry level positions.