Help! Advice Needed!!!

[kbui]

I'm currently applying for a Program Specialist position that will presumably require quite a bit of commitment (at least a year). However, I got into graduate school and will be attending in Fall of 2015. That leaves me available from June 2014 until September 2015 to work. I got into a really good school so I want them to know that I'm of "quality."

 

Should I tell them this in my interview on Tuesday? If so, how should I word it?

[themmases]

I wouldn't mention it unless this position is for a fixed term that would end in time for you to start grad school. It's common for grant-funded or contract positions to be guaranteed for a year only, but one year is actually quite a short time to stay in a permanent position unless it's entry-level or a position with high turnover anyway. A year and a half is the kind of time range where employers shouldn't be mad if you move on, but they also might not hire you if they know that's the timeline. (I had this problem myself job searching while applying to grad school, and other friends did too.)

 

You should be proud of getting into a good program, of course, but from the employer's perspective this isn't that great: they won't benefit from your quality education because you won't have it yet, but they will guarantee that they'll be looking for a new Program Specialist in a year.

 

If you want to be transparent about your school plans, research assistant type jobs are the better way to go. You aren't expected to have as long a resume, so getting into a good school counts for more, and being available for more than just a summer is considered an upgrade. My department enthusiastically hires med and premed students taking a gap year, for example, but probably wouldn't hire them for anything higher than that unless we were desperate, they were amazing, and someone with longer tenure would also still be there.

[kbui]

Thanks! I'll definitely keep this in mind for the interview tomorrow.