DS does not want to work after college graduation. WWYD?

[Anonymous]

I find the naysayers here shocking. I know a couple of people who have done this. Not only did their careers not suffer, they are some of the most interesting people I know. If you are motivated enough to graduate in 3 years and then travel the world before you are even 25, then it means you are a particular type of person. A motivated, intelligent, capable person. I think this kid is going places and he should travel the world and not be bogged down by the doomsayers and fearmongerers here.

[Anonymous]

Stay in school, my friend.

[Anonymous]

Restless soul, enjoy your youth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Haha, I was actually going to address that cybersecurity is more in demand, largely because a huge market from government and similar entities. Recent breaches help bolster the demand.

So if OPs son is specifically in cybersecurity he could be okay. But sure, keep narrowing the parameters for his unicorn job.

We don't even know what role this kid has at the startups, he could be social media specialist for all we know.

You don't get paid 103K salary after graduation for a media specialist job. That just does not happen. A 103K salary is more likely a CS major in the DMV.

It is very easy to transition from CS over to Cyber Security. A person with a CS major can transition over to Cyber security in less than six months of reading up cyber security. One can say that Cyber security is so much easier than CS. I transitioned from CS to cyber security in 2006 in less than six months and got some security certifications. After that, I got a good paying job and I am doing well now. the DMV market is still good even in the recession due to lot of work in both the government and contractors space. OP's kid will be fine. Let him travel and recharge himself, and stop stoking fear in OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Haha, I was actually going to address that cybersecurity is more in demand, largely because a huge market from government and similar entities. Recent breaches help bolster the demand.

So if OPs son is specifically in cybersecurity he could be okay. But sure, keep narrowing the parameters for his unicorn job.

We don't even know what role this kid has at the startups, he could be social media specialist for all we know.

You don't get paid 103K salary after graduation for a media specialist job. That just does not happen. A 103K salary is more likely a CS major in the DMV.

It is very easy to transition from CS over to Cyber Security. A person with a CS major can transition over to Cyber security in less than six months of reading up cyber security. One can say that Cyber security is so much easier than CS. I transitioned from CS to cyber security in 2006 in less than six months and got some security certifications. After that, I got a good paying job and I am doing well now. the DMV market is still good even in the recession due to lot of work in both the government and contractors space. OP's kid will be fine. Let him travel and recharge himself, and stop stoking fear in OP.

NP. My DC is graduating with an Accounting degree in May and the standard entry-level salary for big 4 staff 1 (must be CPA-eligible your by start date) around here seems to be about $70-80k. That is what DC is getting and it doesn’t seem too out of the ordinary for that industry.

So color me surprised if a “media specialist” is making $100k fresh out of school.

[Anonymous]

How is his overall mental health?

You don't want him crashing and burning at his first job because he is struggling. That's probably worse than taking a gap year.

OP can counsel her son and choose or not choose to help him financially, but as her son is an adult. I hope she is just neutral when presenting his options.

Don't use the money to control him...just state the facts of your financial situation.

He is young and the economy is improving. Time off is not going to be nearly as catastrophic as some of the controlling and/or partisan parents here are saying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would absolutely encourage him to do this. He will never get this time back. He knows he is burned out and knows what to do about it, and he has the time, the money, and the lack of other responsibilities to be able to do it. Would that we could all be so lucky!

I would, however, suggest that he budget to spend only a portion of his $25k, maybe $25k, which may mean that he isn’t able to travel for a full year. Of course this will not be luxury travel. I’m sure he expects that.

The remainder of his savings he can live off of while he looks for a job once he gets back.

Bad idea. And, what about things like health insurance?

He is probably healthy . . . You people are so dumb and boring. I did this after college. It was AMAZING. I'm a partner at a law firm today many years later and doing quite well. That year changed my life and gave me perspective for the rest of my life. OP, encourage your son to live his life. He seems like an incredible person and will absolutely find his footing.

This - people on here are insane. Now is a great time for him to travel, he has some savings and no responsibilities. I never took the time to travel after college and regret it. Once you start working - it is really hard to get off that wheel and then having a family meant a year traveling was definitely off the cards. I am hoping to travel when my kids leave for college.....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find the naysayers here shocking. I know a couple of people who have done this. Not only did their careers not suffer, they are some of the most interesting people I know. If you are motivated enough to graduate in 3 years and then travel the world before you are even 25, then it means you are a particular type of person. A motivated, intelligent, capable person. I think this kid is going places and he should travel the world and not be bogged down by the doomsayers and fearmongerers here.

And what was their family of origin like? I'm guessing are referring to UMC circles, where it is common.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would absolutely encourage him to do this. He will never get this time back. He knows he is burned out and knows what to do about it, and he has the time, the money, and the lack of other responsibilities to be able to do it. Would that we could all be so lucky!

I would, however, suggest that he budget to spend only a portion of his $25k, maybe $25k, which may mean that he isn’t able to travel for a full year. Of course this will not be luxury travel. I’m sure he expects that.

The remainder of his savings he can live off of while he looks for a job once he gets back.

Bad idea. And, what about things like health insurance?

He is probably healthy . . . You people are so dumb and boring. I did this after college. It was AMAZING. I'm a partner at a law firm today many years later and doing quite well. That year changed my life and gave me perspective for the rest of my life. OP, encourage your son to live his life. He seems like an incredible person and will absolutely find his footing.

This - people on here are insane. Now is a great time for him to travel, he has some savings and no responsibilities. I never took the time to travel after college and regret it. Once you start working - it is really hard to get off that wheel and then having a family meant a year traveling was definitely off the cards. I am hoping to travel when my kids leave for college.....

No responsibilities? He is responsible for paying his own way since his parents aren't wealthy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would absolutely encourage him to do this. He will never get this time back. He knows he is burned out and knows what to do about it, and he has the time, the money, and the lack of other responsibilities to be able to do it. Would that we could all be so lucky!

I would, however, suggest that he budget to spend only a portion of his $25k, maybe $25k, which may mean that he isn’t able to travel for a full year. Of course this will not be luxury travel. I’m sure he expects that.

The remainder of his savings he can live off of while he looks for a job once he gets back.

Bad idea. And, what about things like health insurance?

He’s under 26. He can stay on his parents’ insurance.

Next excuse?

Health insurance that works worldwide? Decent insurance is very expensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. In many fields, and many graduate programs, he would have a competitive edge over other candidates with one year of work experience or directly out of school. Perhaps not if you were on his interview panel, but every panel I’ve been on, especially recently, has valued diversity of experience. The life experience and independence he will gain from traveling alone in foreign countries cannot be matched by anything he would accomplish in the office. He graduated from college in 3 years with merit aid. He has demonstrated he has the aptitude and ability to do the work and achieve excellent results. The kind of travel he’s talking about will only enhance his already stellar resume.

OP here.  Funny that my DS said almost the same thing you said above.  He always reminds potential employers that he graduated in three years on a 100% scholarship, room, board, and stipend.  He also reminds them he did two internships in his freshman and sophomore years, the first one with a startup and the 2nd one with Qualcom, and 25K in savings from those two internships.  He told me and my DW not to worry but as parents, I am always worried given the current economic situation.  

Look at it this way OP. If the economy tanks next year he’s likely to be out of work anyway - last in, first out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. In many fields, and many graduate programs, he would have a competitive edge over other candidates with one year of work experience or directly out of school. Perhaps not if you were on his interview panel, but every panel I’ve been on, especially recently, has valued diversity of experience. The life experience and independence he will gain from traveling alone in foreign countries cannot be matched by anything he would accomplish in the office. He graduated from college in 3 years with merit aid. He has demonstrated he has the aptitude and ability to do the work and achieve excellent results. The kind of travel he’s talking about will only enhance his already stellar resume.

OP here.  Funny that my DS said almost the same thing you said above.  He always reminds potential employers that he graduated in three years on a 100% scholarship, room, board, and stipend.  He also reminds them he did two internships in his freshman and sophomore years, the first one with a startup and the 2nd one with Qualcom, and 25K in savings from those two internships.  He told me and my DW not to worry but as parents, I am always worried given the current economic situation.  

If I were the employer I would think: this kid goes over the top and then burns out and quits. Unreliable

There is lots of info that could make me change my mind, but as an employer I'd initially think the kid comes from a pretty privileged background to be able to take a year off to travel. To me that says they have a substantial safety net to fall back on. Yes the full scholarship is impressive (they worked hard in HS I assume) and so is graduating in 3 years, but if a kid isn't working to pay their way through school they really should be working hard at school so its a wash IMO. Also, I know there are cinderella stories out there, but IME kids who did the best in HS had more stable families, they didn't have to have jobs to pay for their own clothing or going out with friends. Or if they did pay for some of that on their own they weren't responsible for all of it. If a kid is just sailing through life stellar HS, stellar college and amazing internships and all around super star, I'm wondering how much of this was possible because of their support system. How will they fare once that support system is gone? Can they survive if they aren't #1 top of everything?

Someone upthread wrote "The life experience and independence he will gain from traveling alone in foreign countries cannot be matched by anything he would accomplish in the office." Nonsense. Any idiot can over pay for accommodations, flights and tours in another country. Few have the safety net to do so.

I continue to be grateful to not work for someone like you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would absolutely encourage him to do this. He will never get this time back. He knows he is burned out and knows what to do about it, and he has the time, the money, and the lack of other responsibilities to be able to do it. Would that we could all be so lucky!

I would, however, suggest that he budget to spend only a portion of his $25k, maybe $25k, which may mean that he isn’t able to travel for a full year. Of course this will not be luxury travel. I’m sure he expects that.

The remainder of his savings he can live off of while he looks for a job once he gets back.

Bad idea. And, what about things like health insurance?

He is probably healthy . . . You people are so dumb and boring. I did this after college. It was AMAZING. I'm a partner at a law firm today many years later and doing quite well. That year changed my life and gave me perspective for the rest of my life. OP, encourage your son to live his life. He seems like an incredible person and will absolutely find his footing.

This - people on here are insane. Now is a great time for him to travel, he has some savings and no responsibilities. I never took the time to travel after college and regret it. Once you start working - it is really hard to get off that wheel and then having a family meant a year traveling was definitely off the cards. I am hoping to travel when my kids leave for college.....

Totally agree. You should see the world at that time of life when you’re good with sleeping in youth hostels and roughing it, with no one else having claim to your time. Better than hitting 50 and feeling full of regret for a lost youth. I’ve seen that up close and it’s not pretty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would absolutely encourage him to do this. He will never get this time back. He knows he is burned out and knows what to do about it, and he has the time, the money, and the lack of other responsibilities to be able to do it. Would that we could all be so lucky!

I would, however, suggest that he budget to spend only a portion of his $25k, maybe $25k, which may mean that he isn’t able to travel for a full year. Of course this will not be luxury travel. I’m sure he expects that.

The remainder of his savings he can live off of while he looks for a job once he gets back.

Bad idea. And, what about things like health insurance?

He’s under 26. He can stay on his parents’ insurance.

Next excuse?

Health insurance that works worldwide? Decent insurance is very expensive.

He’s 22. He’s cheap to insure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. In many fields, and many graduate programs, he would have a competitive edge over other candidates with one year of work experience or directly out of school. Perhaps not if you were on his interview panel, but every panel I’ve been on, especially recently, has valued diversity of experience. The life experience and independence he will gain from traveling alone in foreign countries cannot be matched by anything he would accomplish in the office. He graduated from college in 3 years with merit aid. He has demonstrated he has the aptitude and ability to do the work and achieve excellent results. The kind of travel he’s talking about will only enhance his already stellar resume.

OP here.  Funny that my DS said almost the same thing you said above.  He always reminds potential employers that he graduated in three years on a 100% scholarship, room, board, and stipend.  He also reminds them he did two internships in his freshman and sophomore years, the first one with a startup and the 2nd one with Qualcom, and 25K in savings from those two internships.  He told me and my DW not to worry but as parents, I am always worried given the current economic situation.  

If some 21 year old entry level worker “reminded” me of his many accolades, his resume would be in the trash. I had them too, and I still went to work.