<p>He wouldn’t be the first kid to finish college and realize he didn’t like what he’s doing for a living. My ex majored in CS/engineering because he was “supposed to”, and he’s good at it. Very good. But he really wanted to be a musician. He didn’t get the guts to oppose his father until after his father had passed, but he now has a second job in a semi-pro band, doing what he loves. To this day I feel that if he had not had such a demanding father and had not met me, he’d have chosen the music first.</p>
<p>Not everyone is cut out to sit at a desk all day. Your son seems to have figured out that for now, he is one of them. My own son is currently living mostly on his boat and working a non-desk job. He has no GF, no plans to have one anytime soon, and is happy as can be. He gets to decide that. He may never own a big house or a fancy car and that’s ok with me.</p>
<p>Peace Corps might be a nice option…but the application process is about a year long from initial application to appointment. Also, you don’t get to pick where you are going or your job when in the Peace Corps. If this young man wants to go NOW to places he wants to go to only…that won’t work.</p>
<p>I have probably written about this before. S interned with a tier 1 accounting firm last summer and discovered that he does NOT want to be an accountant after all. So this fall he turned down an internship for this summer - without any back up plan. And decided to pursue his other major in his double-major and do film as a career (one of the top 10 worst majors on all the lists). After a couple deep breaths - I went with the flow. Everything has worked out fine. He has landed two internships this summer in film production in NYC and he is as happy as can be. I would have never made a decision like this when I was young - I was too risk averse. I respect and admire his decision. Regardless of how things work out in the future - I will continue to provide my full support.</p>
<p>OP, your son sounds wonderful. Having earned a serious degree and taken on serious work in the real world, I think he has earned the right to explore a bit more what would satisfy his soul. Since he is not asking for advice or financial support, he appears to be quite responsible in his desire for exploration/adventure. I would say this same thing even if it were my own son. (OK, I would take a gulp.)</p>
<p>At age 23, this may not be his time to settle down or to settle for a less-than-fulfilling day job. Out there, he may discover his true passion, or simply that he had it great back here in the USA and invent a new way to pursue his ideals when returning to his career. Without risk-takers there would be no great achievers.</p>
<p>Has he read the book “Miles From Nowhere” by Barbara Savage? It’s about a couple of people in the tech field who did exactly what your S is planning to do with an around the world bicycle jaunt. It’s a great read (but not a happy ending in the epilogue).</p>
<p>If he wants to do something like this now’s the time.</p>
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There are people whose focus is what you stated and it’s echoed frequently in the media and by a certain political party so it’s no wonder he might have been giving this area some thought. Regardless of one’s thoughts on it though, travel and exposure to the bigger picture could help to reinforce his thoughts in the area or expand his knowledge such that he reaches different conclusions. At the end of the day you have to consider - is he better off expanding his horizons or limiting them? I think he’s better off expanding his horizons and his conclusions will fall where they may.</p>
<p>If he does this trip he really needs to have his eyes wide open up front and be aware of the issues in some other countries. It’s not the USA anymore and the freedoms and relatively corruption free society we take for granted doen’t apply in many other countries. I suggest he read as much material as he can by other people who have done similar treks (including the book I mentioned above) and get organized to figure out the routes to take, the costs involved, the applicable laws in the countries he’d visit, the safety aspect of violence and theft, the safety aspect of the roads, the logistics of the weather, how to get medical care, how to pay for medical care in other countries, how to get evacuated if need be, how to stay in touch, etc. </p>
<p>Since he’s already biked across the USA he’s done much of this but it’ll be totally different outside of the USA and especially in third world countries.</p>
<p>I have one DD who went into the Peace Corps after doing a year of her master’s She came home, finished her master’s and took off to live in Turkey eight days after a phone interview. Another DD moved to Costa Rica after graduation two years ago. They grew up as military children and I think they got all the nomad genes. I’m done moving and don’t like travel at all after 28 years and 15 or so moves.</p>
<p>It’s a global marketplace these days and becoming a relaxed and experienced “global citizen” only increases your opportunities. I’ve been to 69 countries over the last few decades, a large number of them more than once. When you go, your mind opens up because you’re no longer following the same daily/weekly routine. Often you will see potential opportunities, either by bringing something from the local market home or by bringing something from home to a market where there is little competition.</p>
<p>If he decides to return home and seek a job with another US company, he shouldn’t have any trouble getting interviews – let’s be frank, interviewers get bored with their jobs and would be delighted to talk to someone interesting. Then there is also the possibility that he would be a good fit for an international firm that needs to place staff abroad for short-term assignments; such job candidates often get premium pay since most people are either reluctant to uproot themselves or cannot afford to do so because they also rely on a spouse’s income to pay the bills.</p>
<p>From what I know of companies sending people overseas, they tend to send people who have worked at the company for a while with proven track record of performance. If they just want a body they could hire locally, which would be a lot cheaper. I can’t speak for all hiring managers, but I tend to look for someone who would stay for few years, not just for few months. I like my friends to be interesting, not so much when it comes to my staff.</p>
<p>I agree with austinareadad, I admire your son. Sure, I’d worry, but I’d also enjoy living vicariously through his adventures. Good luck to him and to you!</p>
<p>I like Thumpers post. Yes, he’s old enough to make these decisions and young enough to be able to do them too. Now is the time. When he’s taken on responsibilities, doing these sort of things is not so easy. </p>
<p>I have a poor starving artist. I don’t like it. I wish he were making a living wage. I wish he’d find some steady work. But he’s in his 20s, single, no debts, no baggage. Why not give it a go, until the time he comes that the stability is more important to him? I’m glad he’s having this time to do this, much as it makes me nervous.</p>
<p>He should go for it. However, he should have a clear understanding with his employer and backup plans when he comes back. </p>
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<p>Not everyone wants the same types of careers and lifestyles that are considered “normal”.</p>
<p>Many of those who are like that in the article never wanted or concluded normalcy isn’t for them. </p>
<p>They include people like you describe above…lots of my musician and actor/theater friends are like that. Others may have the career/finances, but not the family due to working 100+ hours/week for several years without many breaks because they’re workaholics. Worked with several such types and have some in my extended family. Relationships don’t exactly thrive under such circumstances…especially when spouses aren’t very understanding. </p>
<p>And then there’s the factor that some of the ones who are single in their twenties and thirties felt like they dodged a bullet when they attend class reunions and found many classmates who married at some point ended up divorced or hear about similar tales of woe from older colleagues. </p>
<p>At many afterwork hangouts with colleagues or a few HS alum gatherings, I lost count of how many classmates in my year and older have gone through or still undergoing nasty divorces/custody battles or garden variety rants about spouses not doing chores or otherwise being annoying. Talk about depressing…</p>
<p>Your son is following the advice I’ve given my daughter since she was little. Graduate college, save some money then have a grand adventure; whether six weeks or six months. Afterwards, there is time for career and marriage and kids. Depending on what her adventure is, I know I will be a nervous wreck, but I will say, “God Bless, keep a journal and let me know you’re still alive at least once a week.”</p>
<p>I went on long bike trips when I was 21 and then again when I was 23. It was transformative and I would not be the same person without those experiences. My parents were worried sick about their daughter going off on these trips, especially since the trips had rather free-form itineraries, and were on a shoe-string budget. </p>
<p>My dad eventually gave me his blessing. My mom was never supportive. Unfortunately we never again had a very good relationship, although other factors also created difficulty between us. So I would let your son live his life and try to get behind him.</p>
Your S is riding all over creation on a bicycle and this is what you are worried about? Sorry, if this were my S (an avid bicycle rider) I would be worried that he would be injured or worse somewhere. Hell, it’s my daily worry now that summer is here :(. His mental ramblings are the least of my worries. But then, I’ve already been through one accident. I will add your S to my “keep him in one piece, lord” prayer, op.</p>
I will add your S to my “keep him in one piece, lord” prayer, op.</p>