Hello guys,
I'm writing here because I think I need some advice. I want to start a PhD this year and after graduating at the end of November 2018, I worked in a lab as a technician and I applied for some positions during the summer. I got a really good position, even if it wasn't the one I was wishing for: nice project even if it's not exactly what I wanted to do, nice city even if it's not my dream one, really high fellowship (Marie Curie). When I got this position I didn't have anything else and I was waiting for some other results and even if I was about to refuse it I decided to accept because I was feeling quite stupid to refuse such a position. I've been told that it was a big chance for me (and I'm actually sure it is) and that probably I can't get better training than the one offered by the ITN. I signed a contract, not a very strict one in my opinion since there weren't my IBAN and ID on it, but still a contract. Now I should start the procedure to get enrolled and I should sign another contract when I'll be there, at the beginning of October. The problem is that I'm still not convinced. Moreover, it seems that I could get another PhD position, closer to my place, with a project that I would prefer, but with a lower fellowship and of course without all the advantages that being in a Marie Curie network could have. I feel bad in refusing the position that I already accepted because I think I can put the lab and the PI in a really uncomfortable situation and I still don't know if it would be the right choice to refuse this one. Would it be that bad and unpolite from me to refuse this position 20 days before starting? Is it really wise to refuse a Marie Curie position? Hope you can help! Thanks!
Hello. I do not like normally to be hard but unfortunately, I have to be.
You don't get how the way life is. Thinking that you always deserve better is wrong at the first place. There is a narrow borderline between being ambitious and being ungrateful. Life does not owe anyone anything. No one gets the dream project in his/her dream city. A good PhD position in a nice city is a dream of many qualified graduates. I know personally Master graduates who sent tons of applications to get a PhD in a close related field and they were not successful.
Regarding the lab and the supervisors, if you quit, you won't bother them at all. They are enough qualified PhD students waiting for your chance. If you quit now, it is even better for them.
Now comes my advice. First appreciate what you have. Start your PhD. Work and finish it. But if you start feeling you do it for the sake of pity to the lab or you feel you are sacrificing for them, there will be nothing good coming out of this.
I think eng is being harsh, you shouldn't take a position unless you are sure about it / can put up with it. My advice would be that, but to bare in mind that rejecting this position could be a very grave risk. I wouldn't reject it UNLESS you get offered something else you prefer, as you might end up with nothing. Eng is right, it won't be much of a strife for the Uni if you did quit, slightly annoying maybe, but plenty of others will be available to take your place. Your last question - is it wise? Probably not! But you only live once. Think long and hard about it.
Hello guys, I just want to tell you that I refused the Marie Curie position. I hope this will be the right choice, in this moment I feel really strange but I think I will be happy in the lab I'm going to join. I'm a bit afraid that I won't have all the doors opened when I'll finish with this, but maybe if I do a good job I will still have good chances when I'll be done.
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