Recent graduates

[Gimsh]

If you have DC who are recent graduates and have recently entered the work force, do you expect them to have the next few years planned out?

As in terms of their own personal career development etc on how to maximise earnings?

Would like to get a range of views.

Very good question. No, it's not an expectation but one which we have advised DS1 to think about. So far ds (graduated last yr), he's plans are to complete his 2yr graduate program. Things such as 'specialising' & doing 'professional exams' to help him access not only those higher paying jobs but also will allow him the freedom to be flexible with his career in future e.g working hrs, private work, work location etc have come up but there are no concrete plans yet.
I think it's still a bit soon and they're still finding their feet in their new roles but also taking a much-needed break from the treadmill of education - primary,secondary, uni.

No. I don’t expect this. My DC hasn’t gone into a career with a specific development path (eg medicine, law, accountancy) so there would be no point. But earning well and getting lots of good experience so all’s good.

Assuming they’re not in a structured graduate programme with clearly defined end goals ( law or accountancy) I think it’s helpful to have some self defined goals and a general “direction of travel”. However, at the same time it doesn’t pay to be too single minded as there’s a risk you miss interesting opportunities. There used to be a saying” in your twenties learn, in your thirties, earn”.

I think one of the most important things in any career is to be flexible and willing to adapt to the market. The field I work in now didn’t exist in any meaningful way when I graduated, so I had no idea that this would be what I ended up doing. In fact as a 25 year old I turned down a job in this area because of lack of opportunity but ten years later when it was starting to take off I jumped at the chance.

My DC is not on a structured grad scheme. More of a just do the projects you get set.

As in no rotations. Just one team and do a variety of projects in that team

I do not have 'expectations' for my adult children, no.

I find the concept of 'expectations' odd when applied to an adult dc. Hopes, aspirations maybe. Expectations of a career I know very little about and am not immersed in myself - no of course not.

No I learned years ago when my DD struggled at school to not have any specific expectations and to just be there to encourage and support when needed. It’s a policy that has worked well. There were unspoken expectations from my parents when I was younger and I really resented it.

It was more of a general question to if your adult DC who are early careers are planning their future career wise or not.

Yes and no. DD is on a grad scheme but knows that it’s not a long term place for her. She’s learning about what she enjoys, different sectors (it’s a financial services role) and what her options might be.

This. Having expectations for an adult child is beyond weird. Let them find their own way. I've never planned anything in my career, I'm doing fine.

Our DS learned about graduate schemes from his Uni careers sessions, so he never really considered anything other than grad schemes. He spent a lot of time and effort applying for grad schemes in very large firms for actuarial positions. He got offered three and chose one based on location (both city and general location within the country). He's been there just short of a year and absolutely loves it. He loves the way the scheme is structured with regular support/meetings with internal careers and personal development advisors as well as line managers, and also has a couple of older grads who are mentoring him. He gets extra days off for studying and exams and all training materials and exam fees are paid for him. He basically says it's just like a "stepping stone" from Uni and a kind of bridge between Uni and "proper" work. One of the major benefits for him is the way his next five years are mapped out for him, with rotations between departments. There are quite a few others who joined the firm on "proper" jobs, not the grad scheme, who've actually applied for the grad scheme and moved onto it. He's very settled and plans to stay there for the full five years until he qualifies as an actuary. I suspect he'll try to stay there after qualifying as he loves the place so much, so assuming there's a decent job for him, he's probably there for the long term.

Same as adults of any age, surely? Some will be very career focussed and always be aiming a few steps ahead. Others are less ambitious, or less sure of what they want to do, or just have a more easy going personality, and so take things as they come.

Neither are wrong, just different outlooks.

Yup, this, and what @FleetingSeas said.

Why would I have "expectation" for another adult ?