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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Slightly different situation but I got out of college without a job and unsure of what I wanted to do, freaked out, and jumped right into a one year grad school. A year later, I still didn't really know what I wanted to do, moved across the country, and found a temp job. That led to a "real job" and I've had a decent career ever since (though I still don't know what I want to do when I grow up - at age 50 LOL). Living probably an UMC lifestyle, nice house, travel, etc.

If I had to do it all over again, I would have skipped grad school and realized I didn't need to jump right into the rest of my life immediately after college. It's a great time to try to "find yourself" and he may regret jumping right into a job, especially if he's already feeling burnt out.

If you are fifty you graduated in 1994. The following six years was the best and easiest on market in history.

[Anonymous]

OMFG AYKM?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Slightly different situation but I got out of college without a job and unsure of what I wanted to do, freaked out, and jumped right into a one year grad school. A year later, I still didn't really know what I wanted to do, moved across the country, and found a temp job. That led to a "real job" and I've had a decent career ever since (though I still don't know what I want to do when I grow up - at age 50 LOL). Living probably an UMC lifestyle, nice house, travel, etc.

If I had to do it all over again, I would have skipped grad school and realized I didn't need to jump right into the rest of my life immediately after college. It's a great time to try to "find yourself" and he may regret jumping right into a job, especially if he's already feeling burnt out.

If you are fifty you graduated in 1994. The following six years was the best and easiest on market in history.

You think everyone graduates college at 22?

[Anonymous]

Absolutely he should do it. He will learn so much. And it will help his mental health.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely he should do it. He will learn so much. And it will help his mental health.

A therapist and drugs can also help with mental health. time for him to grow up.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t feel comfortable with my child doing this. He’d have a gap on his resume for no legitimate reason (sorry, traveling the world doesn’t quantify). As an employer, I’d have reservations about hiring a recent grad who wanted to delay working for a year so that he could travel. I’d assume he wasn’t serious about employment. Savings of $25 isn’t much when you consider down payments, retirement and rainy day funds.

That said, maybe he can delay the start date a month and use that time to travel. That’s much more reasonable IMO.

[Anonymous]

I would let him do it. When else will he have the time to travel that much? He might get tired of it and come back early.

[Anonymous]

I would encourage him to find a secure job with a fall start date, and go travel for the summer. There is a real risk of a recession and a year gap on his CV will be held against him if the market turns and gets more competitive.

[Anonymous]

Anyone who takes a year off after college will become completely unemployable, except in a poor people job. If this were me, I would realize I’d failed as a parent, lock DS in room like Eos did to Tithonus, and have a new kid who does exactly what I want.

[Anonymous]

“Let him”? He’s an adult he can do whatever he wants.

[Anonymous]

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?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely he should do it. He will learn so much. And it will help his mental health.

A therapist and drugs can also help with mental health. time for him to grow up.

You sound jealous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone who takes a year off after college will become completely unemployable, except in a poor people job. If this were me, I would realize I’d failed as a parent, lock DS in room like Eos did to Tithonus, and have a new kid who does exactly what I want.

You should work with a professional for your catastrophizing and delusions of grandeur. They aren’t mentally healthy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone who takes a year off after college will become completely unemployable, except in a poor people job. If this were me, I would realize I’d failed as a parent, lock DS in room like Eos did to Tithonus, and have a new kid who does exactly what I want.

You should work with a professional for your catastrophizing and delusions of grandeur. They aren’t mentally healthy.

And you should work on your critical thinking.

[Anonymous]

I'd let him support himself any way he chooses. He's an adult.

Assuming he understands that he's on his own financially post-graduation it wouldn't matter to me how he chooses to do it. If he wants to take a cushier job next year, that's understandable but he won't have as much spending money. He will have to live leaner, but he'll find his way.

It's amazing how fast they figure this all out once they have to support themselves. He'll know pretty quickly if he's willing to trade off longer hours or a more intense job for more $$, or if a simpler life with a tighter budget is a better path.

Now, if he's asking you to fund a vacation for a year, my response would be no, but that's obviously your call.