What expectations have you set already, whether directly or indirectly–general conversations throughout high school and college years that mentioned “the door is always open here at parents’ house” or have you been more of a “our support stops the day you get your diploma” ? Has he held any jobs before, in high school, during college or summer breaks, or any internships? When does he graduate?
In general conversations, what can you tell about a possible career interest? I know nothing about comparative literature, so I don’t know if that automatically means grad school is required to get any kind of job in that field, or if there are types of jobs that usually interest those students, like book editing? Again, I am pretty clueless. Is he looking to become a college professor?
Do you have any contacts in any general field of work?
If you haven’t had any conversations with your child, I strongly suggest you (and his mother if she is in the picture) agree on what you can offer/what you expect from him. Then find a time to speak with him, in person or over skype. He needs to hear it in the clearest language, and handing it to him in writing after you’ve spoken with him would be great also.
Decide what you can/can’t tolerate, and speak now. After graduation it will be too late to set your expectations in his mind.