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Jumping in late here (I just got back on list yesterday) ... to respond to
your first question, 'How much notice to give', I see where there are
varying recommendations ('stay to finish your projects' etc.); however,
there's another caveat: in more than one company that I have worked for,
when a person gives 'notice' (usually the standard 2 weeks), they are
escorted to the door/gate - sometimes not even allowed to pack their
belongings!
It may be that management was happy to see the person go, but I suspect that
there are other motives, such as security (or paranoia, that the person may
attempt corp sabotage or the like). The moral of this of course, is to be
prepared. In other words, be ready (financially and otherwise) to walk out
the door immediately if necessary.
-----Original Message-----
From: Anonymous [mailto:anonfwd -at- raycomm -dot- com]
Sent: Monday, April 28, 2003 9:06 PM
To: TECHWR-L
Subject: FWD: Changing careers FROM tech writing
After a lot of soul-searching I have decided to change careers and move out
of the technical writing field. I have made some great friends as part of my
work;
however, after feeling like a square peg in a round hole for quite some time
now, I'm finally in a position to return to school to pursue another career.
My questions to the group are:
1. How much notice should I give my employer? One
wrinkle to this question is I am not returning to
school full time at first. I would consider continuing
to work part-time for my employer through probably the
end of the year if they are interested in pursuing
that. How would you broach this subject if you were in
my position?
2. I have been in my current job for almost nine
years. Because I work in a small company, my leaving
will leave a gap. I'm not irreplaceable, of course,
but I've set up most of the documentation procedures
that are in use here. The only other writer here has
been here less than a year and though quite
experienced as a technical writer, is still learning
the procedures. What advice do you have for someone
leaving their position after being in it for such a
long time? What would you try to do in your last 4-6
months in your job to make the transition easier for
those who follow you?
Thanks in advance to the group for any advice they
have. I know it will be informative, as this group has
so often been in the past.
Anonymous
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