But in all seriousness, its best to have a back up plan. Not wanting to talk about future plans does not show leadership, only ignorance and close mindedness. It would probably look a lot better to people if your DS gave a well thought about response to the question with an actual back up plan, rather than just shut out the question.
Yeah, I don't know about that.
My thinking, and I've been wrong many times before, is this CAN get very annoying.
A question like "yeah I know this is your dream, but what are your plans after" would do two things for me, first it would minimize my dream, and second, it's not the supportive question I'd want to receive.
1. Minimize my dream - So despite the fact that I'm going to school for this and will serve for five years, at least, possibly putting life and limb on the line, you're question isn't focused on that, but "what are you going to do after this stepping stone?"
WHO KNOWS???? I promise you my plans (be a cutterman for 30 years) BEFORE I went to CGA were different than my plans three years (be a pilot) into my time at CGA, which were different from my plans one year OUT (be a cutterman) of CGA, which were different from my plans two years out (be a public affairs officer) which were different from my plans four years out (get out at five years) of CGA. Plans change.
So, if you're thinking of asking this kind of question to a high schooler... don't. Who know what will happen?
2. Be more supportive - I'm undertaking a big challenge. In a room of 10 classmates, three or four won't graduate with me. I'm worried about being one of those three or four. Yeah, I know I'm tough and I'm strong, but those three or four classmates were too.
But instead of offering a supportive piece of advice or asking about the school or future life, it's "yeah, but what are you REALLY going to do one day?"
It's not just annoying here, it's annoying anywhere. I had a grad school friend who, when I told him where I would be working, said "Yeah, but you're so good, this is just a stop on your way up." Um, I appreciate the compliment, but it also devalues the position and path I chose. I was very happy to get the position, but when I hear something like that, it really got on my nerves, to the point that I didn't want to talk to him, for fear that I might push back a little stronger than I wanted.
All of these are annoying. The answer, as a high schooler or cadet/midshipman or newly commissioned officer SHOULD be "I'm focusing on serving."
Of course, you'll want to do SOMETHING to build a private-sector transferable career, but that doesn't need to be at the base of every decision you make.
If I'm working for someone, I don't want to know their 10 year plan, and how they're going to leverage their experience with me for a better job. I want to hear how they're focused on THIS job, now.
