lakmiseiru has decided I've been offered a job. From the unofficial offer, salary is slightly below average for MIT grads in the field ($750 below, salary ~$29k) but benefits are decent. I tried to negotiate for a slightly higher salary but was rebuffed by the potential manager in a reply that is either rude or just clueless (or me reading into it too much). The salary is of slight concern, but right now I'm concerned about whether the manager's reply indicates something I should be worried about dealing with next year. Job is for 1-2 years, and I will need the manager's recommendation for grad school.
See previous comment. The salary went up and she calmed down, and a previous employee said she really liked the manager and the lab.
Asked 2 years ago
My choice: Stick with the job; it's guaranteed money and the research is really neat. The manager may be silly but the rest of the staff were really nice and quite bright.
- cos
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If the work sounds good, take the job - you can always look for something else if it turns out the boss is bad.
- Richie
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It is only for a couple years and will teach you the invaluable skill of working with difficult people. :) Plus, she might warm up to you once she knows you better.
trs, jrockway, cygnus183, rowr_grl, peggusus, nelhage, paigep, CiVViE, tibbetts, sauergeek
Pass on the offer. A rude email before the job offer is even formally extended is a very bad sign. Plus a friend says he's worried and has met the manager before.
- lanyanavich
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One rude email might not be enough to persuade me, but if a friend who's met the person is worried, that would give me some worries.
- aletta
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I'd try to meet her and make your own decision, but otherwise...
- melike
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The other day I found out that MIT keeps records of the average salary for each major, and that companies often ask MIT administrators about this before making an offer. So the manager's just being an ass. Don't work at a job where you won't be appreciated.
- jtu
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Misery eight hours a day five days a week for a year is a long time. Also, do you really want to bet your grad school applications on this PI?
- nakor
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It depends on what you and the manager each said. If you think the question can be answered without that information, go get a different job: you already know the answer.
jesse, coolworld, kyrandil, beppu, kevinr, Ian, erin, tingah, androidqueen, Thadd, ralphy
Skipped (with comments)
- ntn
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Don't take a job with a manager you don't get along with. It can hurt you even for your next job. I'd suggest have another face-to-face meeting with the manager, and see what impression you get. (It shouldn't be too hard to think up an excuse for the meeting)
- photon
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Can you ask some of the current employees about the manager before you commit?
- susannah
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Taking a job (or getting into anything) because it will give you the "invaluable skill of working with difficult people" is never a good idea.
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