Hello Todd,

I write to you with great reluctance and mixed emotions. Yes, that time has finally arrived. While in the process of completing my internship hours and preparing for my final oral exams, I know that there is something else that needs my attention. I have to resign from ASI. My last day will be the Friday, 26th of October.
I have considered leaving many times in the last three years for one reason or another, but the relationships I built with JC and CV kept me from leaving. Words just cannot completely cover the range of feelings I am working through right now. Part of me feels excited because I am about to start the next stage of my career. I am reaching a real-life, long-term goal. Another part of me is torn by what is called anticipatory grief. I am walking away from two friends with whom I have spent the last three years, sharing the highs and lows of our mutual experiences.
I have begun going on interviews with various agencies around the city. While I chose not to leave for just a slight increase in pay, the packages being offered now are much more attractive. I have to make more money in order provide for my family now. My priorities have shifted in the last few years, and I have to make decisions to accommodate such change.
My time with ASI has pushed me to develop new skills. One of these is meeting deadlines. I hate paperwork, but I love getting paid. The connection between the two became crystal clear in the last three years. Also, I was able to establish a solid work record. My three years with ASI definitely give me a solid foundation to base my next few steps. I have seen many changes in both the agency and myself during that time and am grateful for the opportunity that was extended back in July of 2004.
I have enjoyed working here and will continue my personal friendship with you and your staff.
Sincerely,
Joel Reed

So that’s my letter of resignation from ASI. I’d prefer to just give two weeks, but I’m under contract to give a notice in writing and 30 days notice, so I had to go the formal route. I’m more grateful to my grandmother whose encyclopedia of letters gave me the format I used. Sure, the front piece is a but awkward, but I really wanted to get my point across. What point is that? Well, I have wanted to quit many times, but not just for a few pennies more across the street. Also, the relationships I developed with my clients was more of a friendship than a client/therapist. We’ve seen changes over time and I wanted to comment on that.
At the same time, I am excited about looking for new work and going on interviews. The one this morning felt very solid. I was thrown by a question regarding schizophrenia. When I looked up the answer @ home, I realized that what I said was accurate. I guess that I actually did learn something in grad school. I have heard myself comment on the level of academic rigor and how I left SF in order to focus on the books. I guess that the message between the lines is that I am pretty smart when I focus and can do more than I actually give myself credit for being capable of doing. Part of me just doesn’t see what everyone has been seeing since I was little. Back then; my uncle called me “the professor.” It just felt awkward, being praised for reading or wanting to know about pyramids, chemistry, or whatever else caught my attention. More and more, I’m grateful to my grandmother for encouraging me to dig deeper into books. I don’t know where I’d be if it weren’t for her. She got me into drawing and painting as well. Things wouldn’t be and aren’t the same without her…