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Of course you can. There is no law to prohibit you from doing that. The thing is you would be foolish to simply quit without having a plan. What happens if you dont find a job? How will you survive?
If you want to move, perhaps it would be better if you could take days off from your current job, go to interviews and find a job in another city.
XRite I've got enough money to last me for a while; which is why I'm thinking about just quitting and take the time I need to find something suitable to my interests and skills.
One of the big problems is that I don't want to move, but might be forced too. My city has very few places where someone in my field or biotech could work (small city, 45K). The plus is that it's gorgeous, I've got all my friends here, and I feel really settled here.
[...] If you guys were in my position, what would you do?
I was in a very similar position about a year ago. Working for an environmental firm handling nasty stuff with no protection for bad pay. I did that for about half a year and got out. Here is how I did it:
Step 1: Stay put and be patient.
Step 2: Learn to say "no" to overtime. Keeping your workload to 40 hours a week leaves you with enough energy to write one or maybe two good applications each week. If you know what you want and target these positions, you shouldn't need more than that.
Step 3: Go to the interview. Be honest about why you want a different job and give personal reasons. Don't say anything bad about your current employer.
Just some advice. Consider going into sales. Those 100k $ machines you're working with, someone has to sell them. These salesmen need to have the necessary background to convince a potential customer, such as your boss. You have that background, which is valuable to companies who make these devices. And companies give solid salaries and advancement opportunities to those who bring them value.
Furthermore, you will naturally grow your network with a job like that. You may be able to get a good laboratory manager position after 3 to 5 years on the road.
I'm fairly sure it is. I'm specifically responsible for the ambient air and source level analysis. I'm actually the one who does our annual "safety" air tests. Their sampling methods are flawed and give an all day average as opposed to directly testing the air when solvents or samples are out.
And don't worry; because of my unique position I've taken several analytical air samples of places I feel uncomfortable. I don't think it can get more specific than that haha . One time I walk in, the entire lab wreaks of some heavy gasoline/oil. I tell the owner I feel uncomfortable, sample the ambient air, show to him that it is dangerous and leave for the day. Everyone else stayed .....
If you have air samples have you talked to State OSHA?
If you are already financially set and are only working for enjoyment, then it doesn't matter. If you need a job to put a roof over your head and feed you, then you don't quit a job until you already have another one.
I honestly feel that if I don't just quit, than I won't feel the drive to find something better, and will fall into complacency.
In my letter of resignation I was planning on giving the company a two month notice. They rely HEAVILY on what I do and I know would be completely screwed if I left on a short notice.
1/ Talk to your direct boss mentioning that you are planning to quit in a few days. if they are 'HEAVILY' reliant on you, he/she will take it up the chain - and they WILL pay you more than $16.50. Of course, if the new number is $18.50, you can show them the finger and leave.
2/ Keep applying for jobs all over, and take the time off of work to do interviews etc. If you do this for 1-2 months, get a job lined up, give your 2 weeks notice, and then quit. It may be easier said than done, but it is possible.
Whether you quit with a job lined up or not - DO NOT give more than 2 weeks' notice. Unless it is your family thats owns the business/organization, no employer is worth more notice.
If you only applied to 2 jobs, you really need to step up your job searching.
Do this NOW during weekends or evenings before you quit.
Set a goal now to spend at least 8 hours each week job searching. If this means 4 hours Sat and 4 hour Sun then so be it. Spread out the hours as needed. Try to go to 10 hours if you can. This is while you are still working.
You need to ensure your resume is up-to-date and tweak your resume for each job that you apply to. Save the job ad and save the version of your resume used for that job ad so when they contact you,you'll remember the details of that job.
For example,some jobs ask for specific experience and you want to use important keywords on your resume to prove you have this experience. A diff job might focus on other experience that you want to highlight. So you have to almost have a tweaked resume for each job you apply to.
Go crazy with keyword searches on indeed to find jobs and employers. Find other web sites to apply.
Make a list of potential companies that have jobs that match your skill/education. Go directly to their web site weekly to see if they have new openings. This list of companies should grow as you learn about new companies that have jobs (at times) that you could do.
Once you quit, make sure you have a good 'reason for quitting' when you are interviewed for your next job. Don't disparage the former employer. Say you wanted to focus 100% on the job search or that you knew there was no advancement, etc. Or if the company you apply to is out-of-town, say you want to relocate.
My major concern with this company is safety however. I work with extremely hazardous chemicals and don't feel adequately protected from their vapors. I bring it up and nobody seems to give a **** (were talking hexane, benzene, toluene, oil products, gasoline....etc).
Are you not provided with the correct PPE? Isn't the fumehood/scrubber suitable for the type of materials you handle? Can you push for safety improvements? Workplaces have to comply with safety rules.
It sounds like moving somewhere is your first option.
Quote:
My city has very few places where someone in my field or biotech could work..
The plus is that it's gorgeous, I've got all my friends here, and I feel really settled here.
What ELSE aside from the science things could you do there for a decent living?
This sort of shift in employment is the second option ...but allows you to stay there.
If you only applied to 2 jobs, you really need to step up your job searching.
Do this NOW during weekends or evenings before you quit.
Set a goal now to spend at least 8 hours each week job searching. If this means 4 hours Sat and 4 hour Sun then so be it. Spread out the hours as needed. Try to go to 10 hours if you can. This is while you are still working.
You need to ensure your resume is up-to-date and tweak your resume for each job that you apply to. Save the job ad and save the version of your resume used for that job ad so when they contact you,you'll remember the details of that job.
For example,some jobs ask for specific experience and you want to use important keywords on your resume to prove you have this experience. A diff job might focus on other experience that you want to highlight. So you have to almost have a tweaked resume for each job you apply to.
Go crazy with keyword searches on indeed to find jobs and employers. Find other web sites to apply.
Make a list of potential companies that have jobs that match your skill/education. Go directly to their web site weekly to see if they have new openings. This list of companies should grow as you learn about new companies that have jobs (at times) that you could do.
Once you quit, make sure you have a good 'reason for quitting' when you are interviewed for your next job. Don't disparage the former employer. Say you wanted to focus 100% on the job search or that you knew there was no advancement, etc. Or if the company you apply to is out-of-town, say you want to relocate.
So I've really stepped up my job search. Resume is up to date, and I've got a letter of recommendation from a professor from my college, as well as several references now. Hopefully this will all work out for me in the long run! I'll be going up to San Fransisco next weekend so hopefully can set up some interview than.
I'm nervous for my next step in life but have finally come to realize that the time is now.
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. One time I walk in, the entire lab wreaks of some heavy gasoline/oil. I tell the owner I feel uncomfortable, sample the ambient air, show to him that it is dangerous and leave for the day. Everyone else stayed 
.....
