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Reader Questions

Published: Jun 08, 2009

Since the first installment of Reader Questions, I'm pleased to say that I have received several more emails.

Q: My son will be graduating one semester early next year, at the end of December 2009. Will a mid-year graduation date hurt his chances of getting a job? He has held several internships over the past four years but I am still concerned that employers are not looking to higher recent grads in the middle of the year. I know I may seem like a helicopter mom, but I promise you I'm not!

Hoping Junior doesn't move back in with his,
Kathleen

A: Kathleen, I agree, you do seem a bit like a helicopter mom. I  understand you don't want your son moving back in with you--you lived with the boy for 18 years! You deserve some peace and quiet!--and hopefully he won't. I can tell you his graduating mid-year will not impact his job hunt. In fact, interviewers may be impressed that ge graduated a semester early. Employers interview candidates for jobs when the person whose currently there leaves or moves up; they are not aiming specifically to hire a few recent grads come May and June. You say your son has had some good experience, and this will definitely give him a leg-up in his job search. Your son should recognize that it may take him months of searching to find a "real" job. In the mean time, he should continue adding to his resume.

Q: I graduated magna cum laude from an Ivy League school in 2007. I am currently in law school and bartend at night and on the weekends. I have recently realized that I enjoy going to work at the bar much more than going to law school. I jsut finished my first year don't think I want to continue pursuing a JD. On the one hand, I would be giving up an enviable position--in a one of the top 5 law schools in the country, on a big scholarship--and on the other, I think I would be significantly happier if I wasn't here. Basically, I am feeling burnt out; I worked very hard during college, both in school and at various internships, and although it has gotten me to where I am, I am not sure this is the payoff I really want. Should I give up my spot at school--and my scholarship--to pursue something else?

Decisions, decisions
EA

A: EA, this is a pretty tough question. I respect your honesty, and I understand feeling burnt out; you should not have to continue doing something you don't like just because you've been given the opportunity. Would your school allow you to take a semester or even a year off? If so, I would highly suggest that, rather than quitting outright. You may come to realize that you do enjoy law school, but that you needed a break. If you have have the means, go travel; it is a fantastic, life-changing experience, and will really help you decompress and clear your head. If travel is not something you're interest in, continue bartending or working as a lifeguard, a waiter, an afterschool sports coach, a tutor, etc. A flexible schedule will give you more down-time. Good luck!

--Posted by Sophie Friedman, Vault Web Content Intern

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