i just distributed my resignation letter. my boss isn't in the office yet, but i'm a little afraid. i didn't really give any warning - he doesn't even know that i applied...but now that i've gotten that taken care of, i also feel lighter, happier.

resignation letters are funny things...i've never had to write one before, so i got a template from my supervisor....here's mine. for the sake of my one reader, i've clarified which sentences are true and which are false...comments in parentheses.


July 24, 2003

***** *. *******, **, ***, ****
**** ***** ****** *********
**** ***** ****** *********
***** ******, ********** *****


Dear Dr. *******:

It is with much sadness that I am writing this letter to inform you that my last day at the **** ***** ****** ********* will be August 29, 2003. (false - i guess you're supposed to show some regret over leaving...the template had, "with a heavy heart." didn't really go for that, but i couldn't very well write, "with much happiness and joy.") I have been accepted into a graduate program for public health and I feel that it is necessary to pursue this opportunity to achieve my future goals. (true)

I would like to thank you for the invaluable experience that I have gained at the **** ***** ****** *********. (true - invaluable can mean different things.) It has been such a pleasure working in the Gastrointestinal Research Department, and I have learned much that I will take with me in my future endeavors. (true - notice i said department, not necessarily him. i love my co-workers and my supervisor. and i have learned a lot - mostly because of his incompetency as a researcher...it's always a good lesson to learn from someone else's mistakes, especially when you're the one that has to clean them up.) I am deeply indebted to you, the department, and the **** ***** ****** ********* as a whole for providing such a positive professional experience. (half true - i wasn't even going to put the "you" in there, and hope that when i put "department" he would think he was included in it, but then i felt bad.)

Again, I appreciate the time I have spent as the department�s clinical data coordinator and clinical research associate. (true) If there is anything I can do to help make this transition easier, please let me know. (also true, though there's a limit to what i'll actually do.)

Sincerely, (true)




Evelyn Kim (true)