Archive: Around Town

Dear Margaret:  I couldn’t be more proud of my son. He is intelligent, friendly and devoted to lifelong learning. The problem is, he isn’t putting his knowledge to work for him in the real world. He has 3 degrees and continues to enroll in yet more courses. He does have his own apartment which he pays for with jobs well below his credentials. He’s not even applying for positions that would put his education to work for him. I worry for his future and nothing I say seems to spur him to look for meaningful work.
Mother of Eternal College Student
 
Dear Mother of Eternal College Student: There are those that simply love to learn and are comfortable with a collegiate environment.  It sounds like you’ve exhausted your pleas for him to enter the work world. One last suggestion to offer might be for him to make higher education his career by looking for work at his college or university. And, many colleges offer reduced tuition for employees so it would be a win/win for him.  If this isn’t of interest to him, you must face the fact that he will figure this out on his own.  All of your worrying and coaxing will not secure what you deem a successful career. Allowing your son space to figure life out on his own and expressing confidence that he is capable of finding his niche in his own time will go miles in building a supportive relationship with him. It will also give him the confidence knowing that you believe in him. Don’t make your desire for a career for your son so consuming that it turns into a career for you.

---

v12i32