Juggling classes, extracurricular activities and a social life may be difficult for some college students, especially when employed. Sometimes it makes it harder to be a full-time student, causing one to consider quitting their job. Students should know that there are various ways to gracefully quit a job without burning bridges.
Delores A. Dean, director at the FAMU Career Center, said the best way to leave a job is to “leave the way you walked in.”
“The employee should first speak with their employer or boss before they speak to anyone else at the company about leaving,” Dean said.
According to Dean, your bosses shouldn’t find out that you’re quitting from someone else. It’s more professional to speak with your employer first.
The employee should also type a letter of resignation, also known as a two-week notice. This letter should give the company praises and expound on what the employee has learned throughout the time he or she has worked there. In addition, the letter should also give thanks for being given the opportunity to have worked at the establishment.
“The employee may, or may not, include an explanation as to why they’d like to resign, but only if the person feels it’s necessary,” Dean said. “The letter of resignation should also be given to the employer two weeks prior the employee’s departure.”
Many students have the opportunity to move on to better things in life that may be more suitable.
Erica Taylor, an occupational therapy graduate student from Birmhingham, shared her experience as a student employee.
“I worked at the YMCA in high school. And when I got the opportunity to come to college, I resigned,” said Taylor. “I explained it to my supervisors and wrote a letter of resignation. Once the two-week date approached, I voiced the matter once more to remind my supervisors.”
Taylor said she knows that she resigned efficiently because she still keeps in touch with her supervisor and has even been offered a job again.
According to Dean, you should “make sure you continue doing your job. Keep coming on time and continue giving the same courtesy.”
It’s deemed inconsiderate to just not show up to work. It may be difficult for the company’s management to find a replacement in such a short amount of time.
Ira Dangleben, a second-year English student from Jacksonville, talked about the mistakes she made in the past with quitting her job. Although Dangleben understood she didn’t go about quitting her job the right way, she said she had to remember why she’s in Tallahassee. Strictly for school.
“Sometimes we get so caught up in making money that we forget why we’re really here,” Dangleben said. “My advice is to make sure your job doesn’t get in the way of your school work.”