Summer job and taking a college class

[Anonymous]

DC, a rising senior, has been offered a well paying summer job as a "personal assistant" to a surgeon and an opportunity to take a college biology class. All due to "nepotism" of a sorts since the surgeon is DC's girlfriend's father and he has an in at the college.

I don't know how I feel about this. On one hand, I feel it is an amazing opportunity for DC but on the other hand I feel DC has an unfair advantage and is getting something he truly didn't earn (although who earns such things? DC is a straight A student and a nice kid).

I am not so divided that I am forbidding him to take the job or the class but... maybe I am just too working class for all this...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC, a rising senior, has been offered a well paying summer job as a "personal assistant" to a surgeon and an opportunity to take a college biology class. All due to "nepotism" of a sorts since the surgeon is DC's girlfriend's father and he has an in at the college.

I don't know how I feel about this. On one hand, I feel it is an amazing opportunity for DC but on the other hand I feel DC has an unfair advantage and is getting something he truly didn't earn (although who earns such things? DC is a straight A student and a nice kid).

I am not so divided that I am forbidding him to take the job or the class but... maybe I am just too working class for all this...

1. This is how life works. It's not unfair in a way that would make it unethical to accept unless actual rules against nepotism exist, apply, and were violated.

2. Sounds like an excellent opportunity. Why is refusing even on your mind?

3. Someone who knows your kid thought of opportunities for which he would be a good fit, and recommended him for it. What, specifically, seems wrong to you? How might this fail the Washington Post test?

Good for him, nice job to you as a parent too, congrats to you both.

[Anonymous]

The majority of my DCs college friends got their summer jobs through some kind of connection. Three of DCs 4 summer jobs in HS and college have come from connections. These aren't always favors, they are just an entree into the company/field.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC, a rising senior, has been offered a well paying summer job as a "personal assistant" to a surgeon and an opportunity to take a college biology class. All due to "nepotism" of a sorts since the surgeon is DC's girlfriend's father and he has an in at the college.

I don't know how I feel about this. On one hand, I feel it is an amazing opportunity for DC but on the other hand I feel DC has an unfair advantage and is getting something he truly didn't earn (although who earns such things? DC is a straight A student and a nice kid).

I am not so divided that I am forbidding him to take the job or the class but... maybe I am just too working class for all this...

1. This is how life works. It's not unfair in a way that would make it unethical to accept unless actual rules against nepotism exist, apply, and were violated.

2. Sounds like an excellent opportunity. Why is refusing even on your mind?

3. Someone who knows your kid thought of opportunities for which he would be a good fit, and recommended him for it. What, specifically, seems wrong to you? How might this fail the Washington Post test?

Good for him, nice job to you as a parent too, congrats to you both.

Thank you, PP. Honestly, I don't know why this situation makes me feel uneasy. There are no rules forbidding nepotism in either opportunity; it is truly amazing opportunity for DS - both the class and the job which is quite well-paying aside from being a fantastic opportunity to shadow a surgeon; and I don't know about your third point... bias on my part, I guess. Rich kids get opportunities like this - not people like us... except my kid did get it... I don't know...

Honestly, I am just being goofy... Of course, DS is thrilled and looking forward to both opportunities, so my unease has nothing to do with anything...