not placing eggs in one basket - have outside connections

Last month has been the final straw for one of my friends. They are leaving the lab, finally deciding and getting out. The abusive environment in the lab has finally taken its toll and they are done with science overall*.

It's hard. It's extremely frustrating for me, partly because I couldn't help then, and I can't help now - apart from being there and trying to make the exit plan the best one. (I think I've said this before, but I'll say this again - exit strategy and future planning is very important.)

Let me run down some points that I have learned over the years - and from watching both myself and others end up in less than great situations.

First and foremost, go with gut feeling. If something is starting to ping your tummy - listen to it and start collecting facts, then take a look and see if the feeling is warranted. If spider sense is warranted, get out as soon as you can. If you start in a lab as a post-doc and after less than 6 months things seem to be weird. Maybe the PI is screaming at people. Maybe the atmosphere is "not to have any outside contact outside the lab". Maybe something else that sounded weird when you started but you adapted, shrugged it off and then now it doesn't seem as bad.... Take another look. You might be like the frog in hot water - or the Stockholm syndrome. Get out ASAP. Moving labs within the first year can be salvaged. "It wasn't the right fit", "the project didn't turn out to be what was told at the interview" etc. It's not a great thing, but leaving earlier is better than adding another two years in a bad situation.

Second, which ties into the first, HR works for the employer. Not you as the employee. If you want them to help you, its probably going to include you having leverage and a solution planned so it's the least messy situation and solution for them to choose. But again, they don't work for you.

Third, have contacts outside your lab. Another mentor, another connection apart from your PI. Keep your old job connections and grad advisors in the loop. It's nothing strange to have another angle on your career and research. It doesn't mean that you tell all about the research from the lab, it means that you have another person who can be a support person to you. If you aren't a post-doc (like a research scientist or lab manager), definitely have outside connections for future career planning or options in case your PI loses funding or gets a new offer to another institute.

Fourth, if you find yourself in a bad situation - device an exit plan. Talk to some people outside of the situation since you will most likely be a little biased, scared and not thinking really straight. There might be some salvageable ideas and efforts. Perhaps even a solution that you have missed when being caught up in a bad situation. Don't just quit cold turkey. It could be that it happens that way but most often there are other solutions. Mainly because there is less hard to find a new job if you already have a job... and if you are on a visa... see next point.

Fifth, if you are on a visa - like I was on my post-doc - you need to be very diligent and know your requirements very well. How long can you stay in the country when your contract is up? If you are terminated, how long can you stay? (I had a 30 day stay in the country after the contract was ending. Not really super great for long term planning but the reality at the time.) How are things affecting your future visa status and applications? Do you have a possibility of applying for permanent residency for example? Is it possible to shift jobs within the institution or could you shift between places etc.

This post wasn't meant to be a negative one - but considering what I see now and have seen a few times, not to mention went through myself for a bit in my post-doc - it is a reality that one should look into. Like the saying goes: Si vis pacem, para bellum ("if wanting peace, prepare for war"). I interpret that it is better being prepared and having options. It's easier to take on challenges that way.




*they don't think they can get another job within science anymore. But mainly they don't think they have it in them for now to risk another lab. I'm not sure what will happen, I have my own hopes here, but I'm hanging in there providing support and alternatives.