<p>^^But how many 17 year olds know where they intend to work five or more years later? (Answer: very few.) And how many will change majors (and even colleges) at least once before they graduate? (Answer: very many.)</p>
<p>My midwestern son is attending a little-known LAC in the south. Most people here have never heard of it. This summer, shortly before he left, he met two recent graduates of his college who live and work in our small city. One has a full-time job doing research at a promising biotech startup and the other landed at THE most desirable place for young people in our area–a wildly successful company whose founder just made the Forbes billionaire list. Apparently, the people who read resumes at these two businesses know smart, accomplished kids when they see them…even if they have to do five minutes of internet research on their alma mater before deciding to give them a chance.</p>