re: What would you do if your millennial kid was unemployed after college?

We can and much respect to you.

My father set very clear expectations that I was on my own after college.

Kids who graduate with a halfway decent work ethic and social skills have no reason to be unemployed. You gotta network

Eta. 27, not rich, been living away from home since 18, doesn't work at mcdonalds.

Parents need to let their children struggle and figure it out. If your kids are home after the age of 20 you are not doing it right.

I'd ask him why they didn't take advantage of the career resource center and career fair. They really should be applying for jobs in the first semester of the last year.

After looking at the young people we hired at work I have come to realize that a few words that are uncomfortable for them to listen to would help them:

*Get off your fricking cell phone, kid. We are not paying you to test cell towers.

*Don't look surprised when you are told to sweep the floor. That's about all that a degree in anthropology is good for.

*You need to know that it is OK to sweat. You won't die if your job means that you might have to put forth some effort every now and then.

*You are a new employee. Quit trying to tell people who have worked their jobs for 20 years what to do. Learn what you have to know in order to do your job, then do your job.

*Work starts at 8AM, not 8:05 or 8:07. Do that 3 times and you're out.

The difference between when I was in school for my first degree (early 2000s) and going towards my second now, is significant. In most fields today, a good job like our parents would've had for decades requires things like unpaid internships, lower level job experience (without a livable wage), etc. They want multiple degrees or certifications for jobs that you could obtain right out of high school 10 years ago in some cases. With increased specialization, we've created a vacuum where for a few years out of college you're kind of in the void and that means it's not as easy as just "getting out and struggling a bit".

And it's a completely different world than the one where my parents didn't even need a degree to obtain and keep a job that paid well for 30-40+ years.

Knowing that, I wouldn't have an issue with them staying home if they're working towards that better job or completing a post-graduate degree. They'd need to have a clear plan though and also be contributing to the household monetarily, within their means.

quote:

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Kids who graduate with a halfway decent work ethic and social skills have no reason to be unemployed.

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This.

If you are unemployed after college, I mean if you can't find ANY job, then there is something wrong.

Join the damn Peace Corps. Do something.

quote:

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This.

If you are unemployed after college, I mean if you can't find ANY job, then there is something wrong.

Join the damn Peace Corps. Do something.

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Before I walked across the stage in college I had a job offer accepted 1.5 months beforehand. My degree is in Electrical Engineering.

I drove up 3 hours to do the interview face to face and sell them me.

Needless to say it all worked out. Never did an unpaid internship, but had almost 7 years of work experience doing retail level management jobs. Even though I had a technical degree, they hired me for my soft skills and personality. Love the company and love my job (RF Engineer).

2 years later I now get offers from head hunters in the area offering me close to 6 figs.

People always want to put themselves in a box or tie themselves to a ball and chain. Break the fricking chain and get out your self imposed box.