<p>So, the good news is that S is graduating in May. Did very well at his LAC, for the most part had a positive experience there, studied abroad his junior year, and is infinitely more mature and pleasant to be around than he was 4 years ago. I am really proud of the person he has become.</p>
<p>He applied for a competitive fellowship for next year and really focused on that application for nearly a year, revising the essays, putting much thought into his project proposal, and got stellar recommendations. He felt fairly confident that he would get it, but just found out that he did not. No real Plan B, no safety net. We are all pretty stressed out. Now what? </p>
<p>My better judgment tells me that he is resourceful and resilient and that he will come up with something, but it's going to be tough. Anyone out there have a child who was in a similar situation and pulled it together more or less at the last minute? I know he needs some time to let the bad news settle in and to regroup, but I am feeling a little anxious.</p>
<p>This was us almost 4 years ago! Except in our case, D didn’t hear about the NO answer until late May! </p>
<p>What worked for us: let everyone in the Mom and Dad network know that D is on the hunt for a career job and to let her know if there is a training program for new college grads at their workplaces. Turns out that sometimes those programs have last minute cancellations and are desperate for good candidates to fill those slots at a moment’s notice. </p>
<p>Good luck! Your S has a lot of time still and the economy is picking up. With luck, he’ll find something in the upcoming months…</p>
<p>It is not too late for him to make use of his college’s on-campus recruiting system.</p>
<p>Although companies that recruit for groups of entry-level people tend to do it earlier in the year, those that are looking to fill only one or a few slots often recruit late. </p>
<p>And there are always regular job boards and newspaper ads. He’s close enough to graduation that he can start applying for jobs that way.</p>
<p>It’s only March, and he has the rest of his life to work. Many place that hire do so when they need someone to fill the position immediately - even “career jobs” do that most of the time. Since he is not available to start yet, they would not be interested in him. He should keep looking, but not be discouraged if he does not get something right away. It is also fine for a new grad to get a “little job” while waiting for the first professional job to appear.</p>
<p>I agree with anxiousmom, it’s March, let him enjoy the last couple months of his “youth”. I guess I don’t see why so many people jump right into grad school programs. Maybe it’s different here but unless you NEED a masters to do a job, most kids go into the work force and then get their masters because many companies will pay for that for you. I’ve told our kids, if it works out, plan to take at least a month off after college and travel, wherever. It will really be the last time they will have the opportunity to be free to do that until they retire.</p>
<p>OP, S2 is in a somewhat similar situation. He will finish all classwork in May and will be allowed to participate in May graduation but will not receive his diploma until completing a summer internship (for nine credit hours that count as a summer sch. class). It has to be in his major,unpaid and must work 375 hours during the eleven week summer session so has to be full-time. The university provides no assistance in securing the internship (although we have to pay the univ. for a nine hour summer sch. class).</p>
<p>He has applied for quite a few but at this point has heard nothing. To say we are a little tense is putting it mildly. So like your S, S2 is looking at a summer with no plans and even worse than your S…will have no diploma/degree without the internship. </p>
<p>S2 is very down about the whole thing which throws quite a pall on graduation. Don’t know if he’ll even want to attend the grad. ceremonies without the internship that guarantees a diploma in hand. I hate that his college days are ending on a stressful sour note. Wanted graduation day to be jubilant for him but may just be a day of disappointment.</p>
<p>I’ve been wanting to post something similar. My D is graduating in May. No job yet. She’s interviewing and getting quite a few first interviews but waiting on second interviews. She was called for a second interview on Thurs but was in another interview and called them back. They haven’t got back to her yet. Why! I just want this over. </p>
<p>I know she has a lot going for her. Good (not great) GPA (over 3.0 so should be fine for her major). Good major (mechanical engineering), got through in 4 years and has really grown as a person. But she wants a job and I want her off my payroll!</p>
<p>She really has no back up plan, didn’t take the GRE or really has any plans past graduation. I don’t think that moving back to our area is a good idea because she is looking for jobs in the area her university is known in (and it is not very well known in the area we live in). Unemployment is high here and I think she should be living in the area she wants to work in. I just keep hoping things work out. Every year I seem to panic around this time. Every year things work out and she finds a job, why should this year be any different.</p>
<p>I know it’s a waiting game but I’m not very good at waiting.</p>
<p>PackMom, the situation your S is in is crazy. Everything we are hearing is that they are moving away from unpaid internships. So to require something (and have to pay for the privilege) when they provide no assistance is ludicrous! I really feel for you and your S.</p>
<p>I’ve written about various graduating senior issues on the college class of 2012 thread, but since this is about jobs: My S will have a poli sci degree and decided last summer that he wants to be a chef. He’s passionate and focused, but the truth is he can’t look for a job until summer. He has a plan, so that’s good. I’m trying not to hover, but I wish he would ask his current boss for a written reference and advice on his resume (he’s working part-time as a line cook). My mantra: He’ll make it happen. He’s a great guy whose employers have always loved him. Between now and May 12 he needs to focus on his classes (ha!) and savor these last months with his college friends.</p>
<p>Kayf…Nope. At the end of this sem. he will have taken all the regular classes that he needs to graduate. All that’s left is a required internship. It is counted as a nine credit hour/eleven week summer school class. He has to send in reports during the internship and have his internship supervisor sign off on it. And we get to pay for that!</p>
<p>His major is Criminal Justice.</p>
<p>He could do it in the Fall if he can’t find anything for summer but he would feel defeated…as if he went to college for four years but came back home with nothing. He’s really tired of school and wants to be done with it. There is a class at the CC he could take to fulfill the requirement ( it’s a police officer training academy where all new hire cops go to train) but it’s only offered Fall and Spring. It wouldn’t kill him but he’d really like to get something done this summer, get his diploma and move on. </p>
<p>DH (an engineer) had a job in hand when he graduated as did our S1. DH thinks S2 just isn’t trying hard enough. S2 is frustrated. If S2 has to come home to live with us for summer w/ no plans it won’t be fun. Did I mention that tension is high?</p>
<p>PackMom, what does he want to do with his criminal justice degree? I ask because I work for Customs and Border Protection and they are hiring CBP Officers again after a long hiring freeze. The job isn’t right for everyone, but it starts at a GS-5 or 7 (depending on qualifications) and progresses automatically to a GS-12. So in 4 or 5 years, you can go from $31,315 ($38,790 for a GS-7) to $68,809, plus overtime (capped at $30,000 per year). You can’t beat the Federal benefits, either.</p>
<p>PM me if you want more info and I’ll send you some links.</p>