DS will graduate from college next month with a very good job offer, 103K salary, waiting for him; however, DS feels like he is burning out after five years in the rat race, started in sophomore year in HS and about to end next month, he graduates in three years. He just wants to take a year off to pursue things that he has missed for the past five years. He has 25K in savings from two past summer internships that he will use to travel the world. Is this a good or bad idea especially with the uncertainty in the economy at this time? |
I'd negotiate a start date for the job in the fall. |
Poor kid. I think he should do it. Can the start day of his job be pushed back several months? Then he keeps the job while still having a significant break. |
I’d ask about a fall start date. My kids are ES and I’m sure I’d love for them to take a year to travel the world. I’d love to do that myself. I’m sure many people feel burned out OP. Without more it’s hard to muster a ton of sympathy. |
No employer can put a job on hold for 12 months. |
The employer has a hard start date, immediately after memorial day weekend. It is non-negotiable. |
I’d let him do it. Once in a lifetime opportunity. And if he’s talented enough that he’s being offered a 130k salary straight out of undergrad, there will be another job offer. |
I think it is a great idea. He has plenty of time to work and traveling could change the trajectory of his life in a good way. |
I’d just be clear to him that he’s living on his savings and expected to support himself going forward but not fight with him about it if that’s what he wants. Sounds like he’s in a good position and has marketable skills so I think he’ll be fine. |
Welcome to adulthood. Time off is for vacations. Sounds like they can afford weekend trips to Europe so they’ll be fine. If not, they can afford therapy. Try a hobby. |
I’d let him do whatever he wants, but I wouldn’t financially support it. I’d let him stay on my health insurance, but that’s it. He’s making an adult decision so I’d let him figure out the adult consequences. |
You’ve posted this multiple times in the college forum. |
This. If he doesn’t take the time now, it will come later, and probably not at a logical break point like college graduation. And probably not in a healthy way. The kid needs a break. If he doesn’t take it, he’ll probably crack down the road. |
It isn’t clear how traveling the world equates to making up for everything they missed. Few people have traveled the world by the time they’ve finished college. If they missed out on time with friends then taking time off work isn’t going to help because presumably people their age have jobs and aren’t hanging out in the middle of the day. |
How wealthy and connected are you? People who forgo employment after college have parents who can support them nearly indefinitely and help connect them with jobs.
He has $25k - they wont cover a year of traveling even by backpack. No student debt? |