Leaving a school funded fellowship early? Forum

[TLSaul2001]

I'm currently a fellow at my alma mater law school that is stipulated as a year duration (though my actual employment contract is considered 'at will'). It's basically set up to allow the school to hire a few people from each graduating class to help the employment numbers look a little better. Pay sucks but I'm employed and am extremely grateful for that.

Issue is, I interviewed for and got an offer for a permanent job in civil legal services (field I want to practice) that is great starting pay (for the field) and at a large enough organization that I can make a career out of it. Of course, I've only been at my fellowship for 5 months so instead of being ecstatic that I have a great career opportunity ahead of me, I'm terrified of telling my supervisor because I'd only be able to give 1 month's notice and bailing after 6 months. (I've heard some fellows in the past have left early but I'm not sure how early into their fellowships)

I'd really like to not burn a bridge here but I also feel that if my supervisor is going to hold this against me then it's worth it because I can't turn down a career opportunity for the sake of a year long fellowship that isn't giving me a job once the year is up. I'm also someone who specializes in overthinking people's reactions but I'm pretty positive my supervisor is not going to take the news happily given our current workload.

Anyone have experience leaving a fellowship early? Were there bad feelings? Should I care?

[A. Nony Mouse]

I thought the whole point of such fellowships was to help grads get jobs? You're a success story! I can't see why anyone could hold this against you. If your fellowship employer is getting free labor they can't complain when you get a real job.

Maybe your school can transfer the remaining funds and place someone else at the organization?

[cheaptilts]

Congratulations OP!!!!! You should put in your notice ASAP. Your current employer will understand and if they don't, who cares?

[lapolicia]

Don't even think about turning down this opportunity. One month notice is more than sufficient and if your supervisor doesn't understand that you want to work in a real job then that's not a bridge you want to keep anyway.

[zot1]

Take it and run.

[LA Spring]

You are good to go!