Posted on 11/10/2006 7:13:49 AM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
CHICAGO -- Some parents are writing their college-age children's resumes. Others are acting as their children's "representatives," hounding college career counselors, showing up at job fairs and sometimes going as far as calling employers to ask why their son or daughter didn't get a job.
It's the next phase in helicopter parenting, a term coined for those who have hovered over their children's lives from kindergarten to college. Now they are inserting themselves into their children's job searches -- and school officials and employers say it's a problem that may be hampering some young people's careers.
"It has now reached epidemic proportions," says Michael Ellis, director of career and life education at Delaware Valley College, a small private school in Doylestown, Pa.
At the school's annual job fair last year, he says, one father accompanied his daughter, handed out her resume and answered most of the questions the recruiters were asking the young woman. Even more often, Mr. Ellis receives calls from parents, only to find out later that their soon-to-be college grad was sitting next to the parent, quietly listening.
Jobs counselors at universities across the country say such experiences are commonplace.
"My main concern is the obvious need of the students to develop their independence and confidence," says Kate Brooks, director of the Liberal Arts Career Services at the University of Texas. "I think it's great that parents want to share their advice -- and even better that students of this age are willing to listen -- but I think the boundaries get crossed sometimes."
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
We're reading from the same sheet of music. I turn to my parents for their insights because they are very wise. Similar to you, a candidate who visited my place of business and brought anyone to the meeting would be disqualified right on the spot.
~ Blue Jays ~
The dummacrats 'took care of us.'
Hmmm ~ you gotta' understand that when the parents have $100,000 and up invested in the kid's degree, they have a serious interest.""
Any parent today has more than that invested in just birthing the kid and getting it to age 18. The "college" costs are then added to above.
IF ANY applicant for a job where I was hiring showed up with their parent(s), I would not even look at the application, and I would take them aside and make it abundently clear to them that if their "child" was now 22 +, and needed their parents at this interview, why in the world would I think the "child" was anything more than still a "child".
The parents certainly couldn't be at my place of business and assist their "child" in performing the tasks of the job. What kind of co-dependent people are we creating in the USA in the past 2 generations? I have already concluded that we have bred the survival gene out of them.
Ya, Mom and Pop are the co-signer's on the loan. In addition they probably took a second morgate on the house to pay for college. They are going to be damn sure Junior gets a job. ""
Perhaps they are the co-signers.
In any event- the quickest way to make sure Junior gets a job is to NOT let him live at home, NOT make his NEW CAR payment, etc. Time for the birds to fly.
On the other hand if the kid showed up with his parents and the old man owned the company you'd bow and scrape and say "yessir, yessir, ....."
I could care less if my kids go to college. In 9 of 10 cases, it's a total waste. In fact it's worse than a waste. It's four years of learning new vices.
That's the point, they're there to give advice, not give your answers for you at interviews, write up your resume for you, do your homework for you, etc.
There are always exceptions...
It doesn't matter you'll probably get hit by a car anyway.
She took one Monday off because she was going to a rock concert on Sunday and announced she'd be too hung over to come to work the next day.
Mommy's little girl was shocked to find out that, as a summer intern, she wasn't entitled to a paid vacation day to nurse her hangover.
America's future.
And with that degree you go have a career in designing/selling/buying liberal arts?!?! A degree that should be canceled.
What happens when both parents work outside the home and leave their children in the care of government social workers? What happens when the majority of our population has been indoctrinated in government schools? After 12+ years of brainwashing, 8-10 hours a day?
That's what the hell happened to this country.
I teach in an elementary school; hovering parents come with the territory. My mother, on the other hand, teaches at a community college. She never ceases to be amazed at the parents of her students who call/visit her to ask for extensions, make-up assignments, find out why Junior got a poor grade on his test, research paper, etc. Doesn't my mother know that Junior is an "A" student?! Lol. I think that more often than not, the parents are insulted to discover that THEIR work is "C" quality.
Unfortunately, most college career counselors are totally clueless, so young adults seeking their first full time, permanent jobs are even more clueless. The parents, who have often just shelled out $100,000+ for college, realize this, panic, and behave irrationally.
Solution? Colleges should set up career advising departments that are for-profit, commission-based employment agencies. That's the only way to attract "counselors" who have a clue, and who will start grooming students early for serious jobs.
On the other hand if the kid showed up with his parents and the old man owned the company you'd bow and scrape and say "yessir, yessir, ....."""
Sorry for the confusion- I was referring to a company I owned...
How'd the parent get into your wife's office to begin with? She should stick up a big sign over some chairs outside the office, reading "Parent Waiting Area", and point to it firmly every time a parent tries to get into her office.
Oh, well all right then. But if it's a factory the kid's dad owns, you're in trouble.
Man, I haven't thought about that song in two decades.
Agreed, I came home one night at the age of 19 only to find my dog tied to my suitcase with a note attached.
Have a good life, love Mom & Dad.
Best thing that ever happened to me.
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