My Letter of Resignation: When You Know It's Time to Leave

After nearly 21 years (and four jobs) with the same university employer, I decided it was time for change and a new environment. My professional experience as a Social Worker has only included work in university settings. I have had an amazingly blessed career thus far and have been afforded opportunities I never could have imagined. Working in universities allowed me to complete my PhD (paid for by the university), travel across the United States to attend and present at conferences, meet interesting people from all over the world, have almost 30 days of annual vacation, great benefits and many other wonderful perks.

On the morning of Monday, August 19th as I sat in what was scheduled to be a full day Administrative Retreat, I tendered my two week letter of resignation. I actually submitted my resignation as an email attachment (using an App called "SignNow") because I was formally offered a position by my new college employer on August 19th and needed to report for my first day on the job September 3rd. This new employment opportunity came at a critical time in my life when I was seeking change, I needed change. I decided I would take action toward change during early July while on vacation; I applied for three college related positions. I received interviews for all three positions, and after the first round of interviews decided which institution would best fit my needs and interests and subsequently withdrew my candidacy from two of the three positions.

While I do not recommend giving an employer of 21 years a letter of resignation electronically and only two weeks notice (because you will want to avoid burning bridges), I had to submit the letter immediately in order to meet the minimum two week notice. I think sometimes we stay in positions too long because we become accustomed to the duties/expectations and can many times perform the job as second nature. While I was informed by supervisors I was very innovative and productive in my role, I did not want to ever become a disgruntled Social Worker or administrator, and when I began to see myself developing these negative behaviors, I decided it was time to leave.

I am excited to begin the new professional chapter in my life and I am sure other life changes are sure to follow. In retrospect, while it has only been just over one week since I submitted my letter of resignation, I've known in my heart it was time to leave over a year ago. If you are experiencing a need for workplace change, please take the time to think about it and if you are truly happy doing what you are doing. There is no room for fear to keep us stagnate where we no longer belong. Ask yourself if you are impacting those around you positively or negatively. Life can be wonderful if we are engaged in work that truly makes us happy and fulfilled and we are having a positive impact on others.

I recently heard a TV Pastor share with his audience "don't stay where you are tolerated, go where you are celebrated". He followed by stating, "if you can't be positive, at least be quiet". Those words resonated with me and served as a catalyst for me in e/affecting change in my life.

If you are no longer happy at work and do not see how this will change in the near future, or if your behavior is not positively adding to those around you, know when it's time to leave.