Path for this kid

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wtf is a legacy hire at a federal agency? And no, you don't need to think about a college or career route for him. He can choose. If he wants ROTC after JROTC, he should pick a place that offers it.

“Legacy hire” - strange word for nepotism.

I know one higher up manager who neglected her son knowing he’ll be a fed “legacy hire”. The kid had trouble getting a GED. Sure enough, he was became a “legacy hire.“ Most fed jobs do have a standard, however. The kid washed out of the original gs 7/12 position and was lucky to become a gs 5/7 technician. More than 10 yrs later, he’s still a 5/7 technician.

Then this kid had bigger problems than parents “neglecting” his education. One should not need to have a helicopter parent to complete high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know this is early, but I think I have kind of unique situation on my hands.
Kid is currently in 8th grade, strong student, but struggled during virtual learning and had to repeat Algebra which he is doing perfectly this year.
He is highly social and extroverted. Good test scores. Very good writer. He’s on year round swim team. In spare time bikes around and organizes pickup basketball and kickball games with school friends.
He really wants to do JROTC but I don’t know how common this is among presumably strong college bound kids.
Possible future legacy hire at fed agency of one parent.
Is there a career or college route I should be thinking about?

good kid, but I don't see any unique situation.
I work for fed agency. What you mean to say is that good chance of working for fed with good networkings.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like a great candidate for Faber College. If you take the tour, ask for Babs.

[Anonymous]

What's with all the derision in response to this post? I understand the resentment about assumptions of favoritism in Federal hiring, and would agree with it if it seemed like arrogance, but it seems likely to me to be naïve wording rather than privileged thinking.

And as to starting to think about things in 8th grade, everyone wants to do the right thing from the get-go with regard to course selection, encouraging their kids in the right direction with regard to their passions, etc.

OP, if your kid is excited about JROTC and it's readily available, that sounds like a great path to pursue. Almost anything a kid is excited about is worth giving a try. It is a bit early for career concern, but if he's excited about following in a parent's footsteps, maybe the parent should talk to colleagues about what activities they were involved in as teenagers that helped them arrive where they are. Scouting seems like a natural fit with a kid interested in JROTC, but there are many other opportunities out there, too. Check with the career counselor at your high school--they'll be able to work with your son to figure out what he might enjoy based on his interests.

[Anonymous]

There are still legacy hires at CIA - although I have never heard the term it apts
describes the situation.

I’d think about the service academies, OP, and I bet families do engage in long range lanning regarding those applications, although right now it sounda lije you son is on the right track as is taking challanging classes and participating in sports. I wonder if you go onto the USNA or USMA websites, they may have a recording “info session” that could give you a sense of what they look for in applicants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know this is early, but I think I have kind of unique situation on my hands.
Kid is currently in 8th grade, strong student, but struggled during virtual learning and had to repeat Algebra which he is doing perfectly this year.
He is highly social and extroverted. Good test scores. Very good writer. He’s on year round swim team. In spare time bikes around and organizes pickup basketball and kickball games with school friends.
He really wants to do JROTC but I don’t know how common this is among presumably strong college bound kids.
Possible future legacy hire at fed agency of one parent.
Is there a career or college route I should be thinking about?

Hi, OP. My friend did ROTC at Boston University, which helped pay for college. ROTC does not mean not college-bound. If he wants to work where his parent works, he needs to do well in college, get some life skills under his belt, and demonstrate he has the skills/passion to be at that Agency.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are still legacy hires at CIA - although I have never heard the term it apts
describes the situation.

I’d think about the service academies, OP, and I bet families do engage in long range lanning regarding those applications, although right now it sounda lije you son is on the right track as is taking challanging classes and participating in sports. I wonder if you go onto the USNA or USMA websites, they may have a recording “info session” that could give you a sense of what they look for in applicants.

+1

If you’re local, spend a day at USNA just walking around, attend a drill parade during the summer or football game in the fall. JROTC isn’t necessary, but if DS is interested in it than he should do it. Scouts, sports and community service are helpful when looking for ROTC or service academies. Also, good grades and rigorous classes.

[Anonymous]

I think OP's question is mostly whether JROTC is a good option.

For kids who are really into it, I think it is. It instills discipline and good work habits. I don't think JROTC would compel someone to do ROTC in college, but it would probably solidify that mindset.

I think a bright kid who liked JROTC would be a good candidate for a service academy.

I went to a college where ROTC was pretty big. The biggest cautionary tale I remember is that kids definitely have to understand that their service assignment post-college isn't always one they would choose for themselves. You have to go where they need you.

[Anonymous]

I went to college on a full ROTC scholarship and served 4 years after. It was a wonderful experience and gave me many opportunities I wouldn’t have had access to otherwise.

While my JROTC experience is limited, from what I’ve seen, high schools that have JROTC programs tend to be very poor preforming high schools overall. The JROTC is out in place in those high schools as a heathy outlet and to teach discipline to kids who may lack guidance and good adult mentors. Your child participating in JROTC is fine, but I would be more concerned about the the type of school and quality of the teaching and education they are getting in their core classes. Plus peer influence; what path are their friends headed down?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What's with all the derision in response to this post? I understand the resentment about assumptions of favoritism in Federal hiring, and would agree with it if it seemed like arrogance, but it seems likely to me to be naïve wording rather than privileged thinking.

And as to starting to think about things in 8th grade, everyone wants to do the right thing from the get-go with regard to course selection, encouraging their kids in the right direction with regard to their passions, etc.

OP, if your kid is excited about JROTC and it's readily available, that sounds like a great path to pursue. Almost anything a kid is excited about is worth giving a try. It is a bit early for career concern, but if he's excited about following in a parent's footsteps, maybe the parent should talk to colleagues about what activities they were involved in as teenagers that helped them arrive where they are. Scouting seems like a natural fit with a kid interested in JROTC, but there are many other opportunities out there, too. Check with the career counselor at your high school--they'll be able to work with your son to figure out what he might enjoy based on his interests.

+ a million. All of this.

I don't think pursuing JROTC will mean you are crossing off the Ivy League right now. I don't know a lot about it tbh, but I think you should follow your kid's interests and see where it takes him.

[Anonymous]

Ivy League has ROTC programs -- your child will be fine.

[Anonymous]

I agree with other posters that you should keep talk or thoughts of college to yourself for the next couple of years. It's ok to educate yourself, but try not to project that onto your child. Junior/senior year gets crazy enough with college talk so wait as long as you can. The only way your child can really get caught off guard is by not taking the right classes as that is hard to undo. You don't have to worry much in 9th grade so you are good for now. Have your child take that classes that they can do well in. If there is a subject along the way that they like then they should stretch in that subject.
Remember that no-one at all sees your child's 8th grade transcript (unless you are applying to different HS). As soon as you hit 9th grade, your middle school life is dust and you start again.
It will be ok, stay calm, enjoy the ride and go to all the school info meetings about class choices etc. It is not really more complicated than that for now. Good luck

[Anonymous]

If the CIA hires employee kids without regard to education, achievement, or intelligence level, no wonder we are in the position we are in.

[Anonymous]

Agree with others that your 8th grader seems to be on a good track for federal government service. Also agree that too much pressure at this young age is not productive. What I would add as a military/Federal employment family, if your DC would be well suited for a federal government career is to talk to DC early and often about not using any drugs (even if legal in the jurisdiction where you live) or involvement in underage drinking. If federal government or military academy recruitment is looking to disqualify applicants from a large pool, these are the first to land in the "no" pile. Also, it can affect someone's ability to get a security clearance. Not insurmountable, but much tougher with these things in their background.