How on earth do I persuade my DS aged 21 that this is a terrible idea ?

[Wordsfailmeeverytime]

He’s just graduated from Uni with a first class degree. Applied for 30 odd jobs, mainly NMW as there’s nothing going in the field his degree is in. Has had a couple of interviews with no success.
‘A friend’ from uni has told him about an opening working as a cycle delivery person. Essentially delivering parcels around our local city on an electric bike. Pay is apparently £13ph. It will take him 1hr 20 to get to the job to start with. He doesn’t know the city at all. He’s not ridden a bike for 10 years and certainly not on busy city roads. He can’t drive yet (has just started lessons). He’s not the most confident, in fact I suspect there may be some undiagnosed autism going on but he’s resistant to take it further. I think it’s mad.
Appreciate I may be overreacting, what do others think ? There’s no pressure on him to start paying rent, we appreciate how hard it is to find employment but this just seems so foolish.

Sounds like a good idea to make some money and learn his way around the city more.

It sounds like a good idea for him to get a job right now, but not this one I agree.

What has he been applying for ? What is his degree in?

Signing up with some recruitment agencies would be a good start.

I agree. A job is a job but I'd rather my Dc stacked shelves than did this. At least they'd be warm, dry and safe whilst thy looked for something more fitting to their skills. He won't listen tho.

I also agree with you OP. It sounds dangerous

Thanks everyone.
its not his home city, it’s our nearest one but he’s never walked round the place let alone driven or cycled. My younger son who’s 17 knows it better as he loves going there with his friends.
He’s not applying for graduate jobs, just NMW, retail and the like.
I’d love to wave him off and say good luck but seeing as he has had no road experience apart from 2 driving lessons, the thought of him cycling round central Manchester just sounds a bit foolhardy to say the least.

Why is it foolish? Would you prefer he alive out at home and becomes unmotivated ?

21 is prime fuck around and find out time - he has to try things for himself he’s not a little boy. Just support him either way - just relax

I’d love to wave him off and say good luck but seeing as he has had no road experience apart from 2 driving lessons, the thought of him cycling round central Manchester just sounds a bit foolhardy to say the least

Probably - and he'll find that out pretty quick and make his mind up.

This is how people learn things – by doing them and making mistakes, or by smashing it when everyone expects the opposite

Let him.

If you can afford it, why not suggest he looks for some work experience in an industry he wants to go into ? Probably a better use of his time ?

this -I admire people that make the effort to take any job while waiting for a better one

I think she is worried about him having an accident. As would I be.

I think he needs to try it and find out for himself, if it’s terrible he can always stop, and it’s better to have a job than not.

That said I would try to help him stay focused on his end goal of a job in his field, it’s really easy to get sucked into doing shitty jobs that take up all your time and energy and not do enough to find the kind of job you really want.

I also think it's a good idea. It will get him out, keep him fit and give him some cash.

In terms of working conditions, for a "filler" job I'd say delivery is actually the preferred role if someone can learn the ropes!

Imagine it will be a bit tricky getting going, but once he gets to the rhythm of it it's a great earner if he can continue....Plus navigating a city by bike is a great life skill.

I always tip if I remember. Every person I know who gets food delivered tips.

Some guys I know who worked offshore switched to delivering food when they couldn't get a contract....they have their heads screwed on with money.

Shelf stacking or working indoors in a retail job can be absolute hell on earth if the team is bitchy or someone is difficult. Plus no bonuses. Unfortunately the days of working in a shop being "relaxing" are long gone.

Delivery means you get a certain amount of autonomy and a tip (for walking up the front drive, they don't even need to act servile).

No cold calling or upselling, no micromanaging....yes cold weather and the occasional rude person and starting might be hard, but agree it's a great idea.

Buy him a helmet and wish him luck!

I’m with you about nipping this in the bud OP. My neighbour’s 19 year old son was killed (hit by a car at an unfamiliar junction) during his second day as a bike delivery courier. He was not living with his partner and baby daughter at the time due to lack of funds and took the job hoping to do well for himself and bring his family back together.

Would reminding him you don’t need him to pay rent and maybe offering him some extra incentive not to take it work? I’m sure there are other jobs out there if you can encourage him to be patient and keep applying.

If it makes you feel any better I don't drive but manage to cycle around central London no problem having not cycled in years. It would be helpful if he can practice a bit locally though just to get the hang of road positioning, signalling and awareness. Here there are often courses available to help those cycling on roads for the the first time (or you could help him out?)

Does he even have a bike?!

Is it Manchester? Its full of these couriers and takeaway deliveries. He'll be fine.

He's 21 ..........

Apparently it’s like a trike thing with a box on the back

What is your main concern? If he got a first then he is not daft! I am sure he is at more risk when going out for a drink with his mates.

What type of parcels? Legit or drugs? That was my first thought but we don't have legit parcel couriers on electric bikes and scooters in my city just the latter.

Why on earth would you want to dissuade an adult from getting a job. He can keep looking for a better job at the same time. Long periods of unemployment will make it much harder.

How is getting a job a bad idea?

Maybe suggest he do a cycle safety course first? London has a scheme called Bikability, but am sure there must be similar elsewhere. (lcc.org.uk/advice/cycle-training/) It’s free and to my mind anyone cycling in a city should do one first, for themselves and for the safety of pedestrians.

He’s just graduated from Uni with a first class degree. Applied for 30 odd jobs, mainly NMW as there’s nothing going in the field his degree is in.

How did that happen? Why is he only just looking now? Did he not apply thorough any grad rounds?

He's 21 - he'll be fine.

It's also fairly common for people to graduate and work an unrelated job for a while before actually embarking on their chosen career. I really wouldn't worry.