Taking a new job just before matriculation?

Question

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

aerien · Answer

You are basically me almost exactly a year ago. Here's a link to my old thread on this topic:
changing-jobs-during-the-application-cycle-127553.html#p1044659

I was contemplating leaving a job for a new one right before bschool. Since you've already quit your job, you probably should take the job so you have an income, but hopefully some of the pros/cons in that thread helps you out.

kingfalcon · Answer

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  https://www.gooverseas.com  and it seems like a good place to start if you're interested.

machichi · Answer

I would let them know my situation before taking the job. As someone who hires a lot, I find it very frustrating when people only come on for a short timeframe. Sometimes I am able to work out a special short-term project. For those that have left suddenly when it's obvious they knew they were leaving, we blacklist them from ever working here again and don't provide references.

Yeah, we're hardcore for a non-profit.

CobraKai · Answer

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!

quantplyr · Answer

I think these things come back to haunt you. It's not illegal, but it is very uncool. You will be burning bridges and it's not worth it. You could level with them - they may still want you to fill a short term gap. If they don't then you know you did the right thing and will probably be able to have a good relationship with them in the future - you never know when paths might cross. The money concerns are short sighted - how much will you really make in less than a year - ten years from now it will be irrelevant.

Taking a new job just before matriculation?

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