Surprise - you don't have a job here anymore!

Normally, I'm a big fan of surprises. Well, at home, at least. Work surprises, at least in my limited experience, are not good. Here's my latest example:

Sitting in a meeting with my boss, I'm asked "so, does the lab know you're leaving at the end of the month?"
To which I responded "Wait what? I didn't know that yet. I was told not to worry and to wait and see because they were trying to figure something out."
"Oh. They were supposed to send you a letter..."
"I never got anything."
"Oh"

 At 5pm that evening I got an email telling me my services were no longer needed. I had 2 weeks to figure out what the hell I needed to do to finish my papers, coordinate my benefits, and pay my rent. Thanks guys!

Massive HR fail....

If it doesn't kill you....

Sooo..... Last month I came across an interesting article meant to help you figure out  how much your job/work environment sucked. Being a masochist I had no choice but to take the quiz.

While it's not necessarily surprising, it is somewhat deflating to have your a survey point out how stupid you were for choosing to work where I did. Oh well, live and learn...

My moment of clarity

I was officially handed my walking papers and I'm more than a little relieved. A little freaked out because they gave me 2 weeks notice and I need to coordinate insurance, but still relieved at knowing that I will be turning a new page at the end of the month. Happy to leave this place and certain people here. Happy I won't have my hellish commute every day. Happy that I will get money for my unused vacation time.

That's not to say I'm not pissed that no one was upfront with me - I'd just rather focus on the positives. Yes, I'm terrified about my somewhat uncertain future. Yes, money will be tight. Yes, I will probably go on unemployment while I look for a job.

But the biggest thing I noticed is that I was how much fun I had with my kids. I didn't just go through the motions, I had deep, belly-laughs as we played tickle monster. Squealed as they hit me with squirt guns before I unloaded the hose on them. Had teachable moments about cancer, responsibilities, and how to react to setbacks in life.

I didn't realize what I had been missing lately....

Yes I'm back, and that has meaning in so many ways. I like it.

Watch out world - I'm back and excited and ready to take the world by storm.

I'M BAAAACCCKKK, BEACHES!

It's been way to long but I am back and promise to post more. I apologize for leaving, but the last year has been rough and I needed a different outlet to cope. I am finally ready to share some of what happened, hopefully so others can learn from some of the mistakes I made.

Sadly, not much has changed in the past year and half since I last posted (I can't believe it's been THAT long, smh...). I still work at the same place for the same person, although there is less open hostility towards me. Which I suppose is a nice change. Where I work feels like an academic sinking ship with people leaving in droves with no signs of hiring replacements. I think I'm stuck in a horrible game of career survivor, only now I'm the only castaway left, living with the rats and trying to steer a coarse towards safety.

Professionally, I am in a state of limbo. I am grant funded for less than one month, but no one will tell me what will happen next. Will they rehire me? Give me a title other than postdoc so I can apply to grants? Will I have a salary?New supervisor? These are important questions to me and I am frustrated that no one seems to care enough to explain anything to me. This, and has caused tremendous stress for me and part of my haitus was used to repair the damage that stress inflicted on my family. Thankfully I think (or hope) we've turned a corner and are headed in the right direction.

However, things are looking up. Despite not being allowed to work on any projects in the lab, I will have 6 publications in the last 2.5 years. 3 Reviews, 2 co-authored papers, and a first author research paper that I will resubmit in a month. I also have two academic job offers. Yes, I still prefer an industry position, but these opportunities make sense for me in the short term (the family still needs to eat, no?). One is a Research Assistant Professor and comes with a raise (~15%) and familiarity of the research (PhD research). Unfortunately, it also comes with a cross-country move and a need for my wife to quit her job. She currently makes as much as this new job is offering for me. The second job is a local (no move) Research Associate, pays the same as my current job, and ties directly to my previous postdoc. I love the PI (we've collaborated in the past), but this position is only guaranteed for 1 year, unless miracles exist and grants roll in. The PI fully supports my industrial job search, and will help my local networking efforts.

With that, I am signing off. But I WILL be back to share some of what has happened in the past year.

PS. Please let me know what you think about these job opportunities. Although I've pretty much already decided which opportunity I will pursue, neither is set in stone yet. It would also be nice to see if anyone is listening....