Teens need to learn some basics about life

[Anonymous]

This thread is weird.

I appreciate op giving a heads up to parents who may not have thought to teach their kids something pretty specific (letter writing) and also general professionalism (your friends might not care if you're occasionally ten minutes late, but your workplace might. If you have a set start time, be in your seat roughly five minutes before that time.)

In my first job I was asked to fax something. I asked the receptionist if she could help me with the machine and she thankfully pointed out some things I could improve on my cover sheet.

I also grew up in a family and culture that was lackadaisical about timeliness. Thankfully my first boss schooled me on that in a firm but kind way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread is weird.

I appreciate op giving a heads up to parents who may not have thought to teach their kids something pretty specific (letter writing) and also general professionalism (your friends might not care if you're occasionally ten minutes late, but your workplace might. If you have a set start time, be in your seat roughly five minutes before that time.)

In my first job I was asked to fax something. I asked the receptionist if she could help me with the machine and she thankfully pointed out some things I could improve on my cover sheet.

I also grew up in a family and culture that was lackadaisical about timeliness. Thankfully my first boss schooled me on that in a firm but kind way.

Yeah, but if you have an intern from and elite college, I’m sure they did not come from a lackadaisical family. You know they arrived to their violin lessons, RSM classes and CS competitions on time

[Anonymous]

They arrived on time because their parents took them to these classes and lessons. Now they have to do it themselves. They probably haven’t ever had a job before the internship either.

[Anonymous]

OP and others make good points. I’m Tran my 16 year old to make his own doctor appointments, etc but I don’t think he’s addressed a letter. I need to think on the things he needs to practice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been a professional for over 20 years and I have never once had to mail a letter for work.

Same, but I have seen mail. I've received it. I've seen movies where people look at addresses on envelopes.
It's not plausible the kid didn't know, in the abstract, that envelopes need addresses. He or she just wasn't engaging the brain on that task.

Np. Yes, but it's also possible the kid asked "how do I mail this" and someone said "just put it in an envelope" and the kid though that was the first step, and the address would be added later, along with the postage, since most offices don't use stamps. You don't know what you don't know.

But really the main issue is that it's a generational thing. My kids struggle to read cursive. But do they help me with all my tech? Yes, they do. I agree with OP about work ethic, but the letter example is just silly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been a professional for over 20 years and I have never once had to mail a letter for work.

So? The point interns do have to mail letters, clearly don’t know how, and don’t bother to figure it out. I’m sure OP wouldn’t be so harsh if the intern came up and asked if they did it correctly, googled it but just wanted to verify it was correct, or flat out ask how to do it. I have have zero problem answers the questions of the young or new employees/interns. I will happily offer any guidance I have on the most trivial things. However, they do need to show some initiative to get their tasks completed and do to them correctly.

I’m sure the interns can clock that OP is too lazy and incompetent to teach them their job functions. She expects their mommies to teach HER employees how to function in HER offie.

OP is an entitled brat, sorry!

Well, that’s a bizarre take away. I think most people would expect their Harvard intern to know how to mail a letter. But should they not- then they need to ASK

But this the result of being to lazy to screen candidates appropriately. You just hire the Harvard pedigree without a second thought.

The fish rots from the head.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been a professional for over 20 years and I have never once had to mail a letter for work.

So? The point interns do have to mail letters, clearly don’t know how, and don’t bother to figure it out. I’m sure OP wouldn’t be so harsh if the intern came up and asked if they did it correctly, googled it but just wanted to verify it was correct, or flat out ask how to do it. I have have zero problem answers the questions of the young or new employees/interns. I will happily offer any guidance I have on the most trivial things. However, they do need to show some initiative to get their tasks completed and do to them correctly.

I’m sure the interns can clock that OP is too lazy and incompetent to teach them their job functions. She expects their mommies to teach HER employees how to function in HER offie.

OP is an entitled brat, sorry!

Well, that’s a bizarre take away. I think most people would expect their Harvard intern to know how to mail a letter. But should they not- then they need to ASK

But this the result of being too lazy to screen candidates appropriately. You just hire the Harvard pedigree without a second thought.

The fish rots from the head.

But this the result of being too lazy to screen candidates appropriately. You just hire the Harvard pedigree without a second thought.

The fish rots from the head.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow. Lots of parents who don’t get it. Maybe that’s the issue?

I work with your teenagers, and I can say with full confidence that professionalism is an issue. Young people think everyone should accommodate them all the time. No.

These interns are there to work. It sounds like they’re actually creating more work for everyone else. You can’t do that in a workplace.

Bolded is part of training people, fool.

[Anonymous]

Yes, a lot of parents in this generation have done their kids a disservice for sure.

[Anonymous]

The letter thing wouldn't bother me, but not being able to make a phone call would.

I started making our kids make appointments for themselves when they turned 16. Started with hair appointments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow. Lots of parents who don’t get it. Maybe that’s the issue?

I work with your teenagers, and I can say with full confidence that professionalism is an issue. Young people think everyone should accommodate them all the time. No.

These interns are there to work. It sounds like they’re actually creating more work for everyone else. You can’t do that in a workplace.

Bolded is part of training people, fool.

Nobody has the time of day for incompetent morons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been a professional for over 20 years and I have never once had to mail a letter for work.

Same.

Maybe because the lowly interns and secretaries are expected to do these tasks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s strange that you would not give a good reference to a teen who couldn’t properly address a letter, despite that being something that teens these days are pretty much never required to do.

Being consistently late; sure that’s not a good thing. But my teens work and they are on time. Not all teens do this.

Maybe use this time to teach/coach them, and if they are still unable to fulfill duties THEN you withhold a good recommendation. Internships are for learning.

Have your kids never gotten a gift or a favor for which they had to write and mail a thank you card?

[Anonymous]

OP I see you and I am so thankful that you posted this. It is sad to see many of the hateful responses here that mind you are not all posted by adults. I already ask my DS common sense (among other) questions so I can gauge his thought process and there are times when he surprises me and makes me change my perspective on something. We are in a scary place, when young adults are graduating from elite institutions and are not able to problem solve and think critically. But thanks again OP, confirms what I already knew that the competition won’t be that stiff this summer! 🤣

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow. Lots of parents who don’t get it. Maybe that’s the issue?

I work with your teenagers, and I can say with full confidence that professionalism is an issue. Young people think everyone should accommodate them all the time. No.

These interns are there to work. It sounds like they’re actually creating more work for everyone else. You can’t do that in a workplace.

Bolded is part of training people, fool.

Nobody has the time of day for incompetent morons.

So don’t hire interns if you don’t have time to train them. Problem solved! And it’s on this house!