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From graduate job worries to moving away for his first role

6 replies

WeWillLookBack · 31/08/2026 11:40

For fellow Mum worriers: my 21-year-old DS graduated this summer with a good degree from a Russell Group. He's clever and kind, but lacks confidence and can be a bit socially awkward. (waiting list for Autism) He lived out at uni, but stayed in the nearest city to home.

Then began the next stage of parental waiting and worrying. We'd braced for the full 140-applications-into-the-void experience. I was fully expecting to be composing pep talks for the next two years.

Instead: application one, some tests, a couple of example pieces, then the offer of an interview five hours away. He went. Three days later, job offered. Grad scheme, £40k, starts October.

He's off to Manchester, and is excitedly flat-hunting. So that's loads of time and energy wasted worrying about the grad job market, but it has freed me up to start a whole new worry about him being 5 hours away instead.

Just wanted to share - there is hope.

OP posts:
TryingAgainAgainAgain · 31/08/2026 12:04

He’s done incredibly well, but you don’t seem to have must faith or confidence in him.

WeWillLookBack · 31/08/2026 12:26

I have loads of faith in him - he is utterly brilliant in all ways. This was more about the constant reporting of 'no jobs for grads' that we are inundated with. Just wanted to share.

OP posts:
TheNewFinch · 31/08/2026 13:09

WeWillLookBack · 31/08/2026 11:40

For fellow Mum worriers: my 21-year-old DS graduated this summer with a good degree from a Russell Group. He's clever and kind, but lacks confidence and can be a bit socially awkward. (waiting list for Autism) He lived out at uni, but stayed in the nearest city to home.

Then began the next stage of parental waiting and worrying. We'd braced for the full 140-applications-into-the-void experience. I was fully expecting to be composing pep talks for the next two years.

Instead: application one, some tests, a couple of example pieces, then the offer of an interview five hours away. He went. Three days later, job offered. Grad scheme, £40k, starts October.

He's off to Manchester, and is excitedly flat-hunting. So that's loads of time and energy wasted worrying about the grad job market, but it has freed me up to start a whole new worry about him being 5 hours away instead.

Just wanted to share - there is hope.

There should always be a positive outlook of life and being hopeful is great because what we believe becomes the reality as well.

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Denim12 · 31/08/2026 16:58

wow congratulations to your DS 40k in Manchester as a fresh graduate would be the dream for so many people/

WhatAGoal · 31/08/2026 17:09

Congratulations to your DS! Can I ask where did he start the search for his graduate role?

BetweenTheThoughts · 31/08/2026 20:13

A truly encouraging reminder that every young person’s journey unfolds in its own time. It is wonderful to see how confidence can grow through the right opportunities and support. Wishing him every success in this exciting new chapter.

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