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 ...
Good grief. My parents helped me move, let me stay with them over the summer to save money so I could pay for my wedding, and told me to have a nice life. They did not influence my choice of major (well, not directly, I did follow in my father's footsteps), schools, courses, graduate applications, job applications, or job interviews. What are these parents thinking?
Really, the best way to ensure a kid never makes it through college is for the parents to pay for it.
I don't know anyone whose parents paid for college who graduated!
My uncle paid for my college--Uncle Sam!
When I took him to work this evening, I met his manager and the man absolutely lavished praise on my son's maturity and raved about how well he handled himself during the interview. He spoke of Jake's intelligence & confidence in himself and his ambitions to be be a cardiac surgeon. He swore to me, "that boy is going to make something great out of himself". I just said "thank you".
As I drove away, I bawled 'cause another one of my kids (he's my second son) has "grown up". I knew though, this was something he had to do on his own. Mommy can't do everything and there comes a time when the kids have to learn to stand on THEIR own two feet. My son's goal is to work and save his money for his insurance on his first car. His reasoning is it's his privelege to drive and he want to earn his own money and not have to rely on daddy and me for insurance money. I think he will do well too.
Congrats - you did well.
I'm well aware of the damage the educrats have caused.
Ann Coulter accurately described them as the socialists' priesthood.
Well, I'd have no problem with her taking a day off because she's too hungover to work. In fact, having come in after a few late nights myself (in my wilder years...) I'd rather not see her at work.
But, as an intern, you miss work, you don't get paid. Actions have consequences. lol!
I think this was a good time for your intern to learn this particular lesson. Better now, than after college at a fulltime job where it really counts and your rent/food/etc is hanging on it.
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