<p>DS was scheduled to graduate May 2011. He is now targeted to graduate August 2010. Obviously this is an off cycle graduation date, meaning that he did not attend the schools career fair for May 2010 graduates, and did not take the GREs. </p>
<p>Today I read a post where someone talks about their kids "High School Career". It struck me that we talk about high school as if it is a career now. When I was in high school it was just high school...</p>
<p>Basically the kid doesn't think he wants graduate school. Doesn't really know what he wants to do when he finishes. Is in school in Boston but doesn't think he wants to stay on the East Coast. </p>
<p>I think for the first time in his life he doesn't feel like there is a clear plan laid out for him. He was successful in high school, successful in college. All of a sudden we are giving him the reins completely and he is a bit lost. </p>
<p>I have suggested he contact his schools career center and look at their online on campus recruiting stuff. I really don't want to direct his actions and he definitely adamantly doesn't want me to. I have friends who are well connected who have offered to mentor him. I have mentioned this option to him and he is at least somewhat receptive. </p>
<p>How have other wise CCers dealt with this? (By the way yesterday on the way home from the airport the friends vs. family over the holiday conflict erupted and I kept thinking back to cc posts on the topic...I did better than I did last year at least so thanks to all of you for that!)</p>
<p>It’s not good enough to know that there are plenty of companies in a particular area, it’s knowing how to go about applying. Connections are hugely important! They let a job seeker know of potential openings and may provide some reference, not necessarily about the college record of the applicant, but more general. As a result, the applicant may get a “look-see.” So I would urge your S to get as much help as possible from acquaintances and professors, graduate students with whom he may have worked, summer internship connections, etc…</p>
<p>He should hit his Office of Career Services. At any good school, they would be able to help him craft a resume highlighting what might be most impressive and useful. They should be able to coach him about how to conduct himself at interviews, what kind of questions to ask, and maybe also suggest possible jobs (not necessarily careers) on the basis of his college preparation and interests. </p>
<p>There was a poster on CC recently who had graduated off-cycle from Wharton and was having trouble, real trouble, finding a job. The school placement offices are set up for May graduations. It’ll take a lot more networking on his own to find his own way. I do hope that he won’t reject mentoring just because it comes from adults that know his parents.</p>
<p>ebeee – congrats to your son for graduating early, co-op and all.
Does him graduating early save you some money? Because if so - and if you can afford it - maybe from the tuition money he’s saving you - you could offer him a sum to travel? Go on a volunteering trip overseas?</p>
<p>Haha. He is graduating early because he elected to skip a third coop. The opportunities weren’t that great…it will save us some money which couldn’t come at a better time…
I said Haha regarding travel because he has plans to go to the World Cup in June and we already offered to help with that as a graduation/Christmas gift. He informed me that he also wants to go somewhere over Spring Break. I suggested he better start saving his money!
He has been all over the globe at the ripe old age of 21. I want him to go get a job.</p>