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

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]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. [/quote]

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.  [/quote]

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

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.[/quote]

I continue to be grateful to not work for someone like you. [/quote]

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