Hey all, looking for some quick advice. I was in a nightmare work situation and hung on for a while but just left this week. I'm lucky to have been accepted by a couple of MBA programs for Aug '13. I thought I would do some short term consulting engagements, pursue some startup stuff, etc. during this time, but I live in NYC, it's expensive, and I'm starting to feel regret thinking about my savings being drained. Meanwhile, I have a full time job offer on the table (would represent a step up from my latest job), but they don't know I am planning on b school. Ideally I would just take this job but have a few questions.

1. What are the consequences of taking the job and quitting after 4 - 5 months? I have no desire to return to this company but will it affect my MBA acceptances or future job recruiting?
2. Is this unethical? I'm coming from a company that has repeatedly lied to me about everything pertaining to my salary/employment, etc., so my stance has become that at-will employment benefits both employers and employees. Sometimes people get laid off, sometimes people leave after 4 months.
3. Will I ever have to "justify" quitting in February to recruiters next year when looking for internships/full time jobs? Or will no one care?

Thanks, appreciate the input

If you can't or don't want to travel (and therefore give up your NYC apartment) between now and when school starts, I'd take the job. At the end of the day, you need to pay your bills. In my opinion, six months is the minimum time I'd like to spend at a job, but sometimes circumstances call for extreme measures.

Edit: If I were in your shoes and traveling were an option, I'd look to do some long-term volunteer work abroad. It's relatively cheap, you get exposure to another country, and you can develop additional language skills. I've done some research on http://www.gooverseas.com and it seems like a good place to start if you're interested.

Honestly, I think it would look better if your work history stopped in February of 2013 before school and you travelled, did volunteer work, etc. It's a little easier to explain a pre-MBA vacation than it is to explain a job switch so soon before matriculating at an MBA program. That could plant a seed of doubt in a recruiters mind exactly how long you plan on working for them. I.e. Is he just going to use us to get to something better? Just my .02. But hey, congrats on your acceptances!
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