Coworker's daughter a Survivor finalist

[Kodos]

Her daughter (age 25) is one of 35 finalists invited out to L.A. However, she also just landed a job that starts Monday that she is excited about (I don't know what field the job is in).

I've read that lots of contestants come back with parasites and end up with medical bills that cancel out some of their winnings. Also, there is the loss of anonymity to consider.

Finally, there's the theory that you only regret the things in life that you don't do.

What would you tell your daughter if she had this opportunity?

[Kodos]

P.S. I don't know her, but have seen her audition video. She's attractive, but not a superstar.

[Maple Leafs]

The job field would matter... if she's in some industry where it's nearly impossible to get in the door, that could change things.

But... go on the show. Not only is at a once in a lifetime experience, with a (slim) chance of winning some nice money, but it gives her a good chance at some steady income for years to come through speaking engagements, appearance fees, etc.

A lot of people wouldn't want to be on that show and should never go on that show, but if she's already gone through the trouble of applying, let's assume she thinks she could handle it. Jobs come and go. You're talking about a one-in-a-million chance here.

[JPhillips]

Talk to the employer first and see if it's even a problem.

[Kodos]

Right now she is leaning against going. I guess the job is in an area unrelated to her schooling, and she was lucky enough to have somebody high in the company that liked her and helped get her in the door.

I told her mom she should at least approach the employer and say "I won't do anything that will jeopardize this job, but I do have an opportunity to try out for Survivor. What are your thoughts?"

[flere-imsaho]

I'm with Maple Leafs. She's 25. She'll probably be working for another 50 years (sorry, it's true). Plus, if she puts it on her resume I guarantee it'll be responsible for at least one or two job interviews in the future she otherwise would not have gotten.

[larrymcg421]

I agree with approaching the employer. The one thing that would make me pause is that it's just an audition. If she had to choose between the job and actually going on Survivor, then I would say go. But it would really suck to lose the job to go on the audition and then not get picked. I'd probably still go on the audition, but I'm a huge Survivor nerd.

[flere-imsaho]

Speaking as a hiring manager, I'd totally allow it.

[Kodos]

She called HR and was basically asked if she wants the job or not.

She told Survivor NO.

[bhlloy]

Sounds like a sensible call to me over a very minuscule chance of winning any money out of survivor or even being one of the characters who gets remembered. I have a good job > I was one of the first people voted out of survivor in season x, remember me?

[Kodos]

It does make me wonder what they'll be like to work for. It's a fashion industry job in NYC.

[britrock88]

pics or it didn't happen

[Kodos]

Sorry. :)

I think I do have her YouTube Survivor audition somewhere.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

It does make me wonder what they'll be like to work for. It's a fashion industry job in NYC.

I don't know whether it'll be a bad work environment, but she made the right decision if it's a fashion industry job. It can be extremely difficult to get your foot in the door, so any job in that industry is a good one.

[Vince, Pt. II]

I agree with Mizzou. And I didn't even shudder when typing that out.

[flere-imsaho]

Plus, she called HR. HR are going to say "no" by default. A hiring manager may have said different, but there's literally no upside for the HR person to tell her "yes".

[Kodos]

I think there's a meeting where she's supposed to meet some important clients on the Tuesday after she starts.

[JeeberD]

HR people are such assholes.

[bhlloy]

If this is an entry level foot in the door job in a massively desirable industry, why would HR allow you to go audition for something that might mean you are unavailable to the company for months at a time in the near future? I'm assuming there are thousands of people who would kill for this opportunity. If you aren't committed to it, thanks and we will find someone who will.

Seems like basic supply and demand to me. Don't think anyone is being an asshole here?

[tarcone]

I would let my daughter decide. But I went with the job. Of course if it was a waiting job, then Survivor. If it was something she went to school for and wanted to do, the job.

Circumstances play a huge. part. But, ultimately and obviously, it would be her choice.

[JonInMiddleGA]

She called HR and was basically asked if she wants the job or not.

She told Survivor NO.

:/

I hate to say it but I'd say it's less than three years before she begins to regret that choice for the rest of her life.

I'll hope to be wrong but that's my gut.

[britrock88]

Eh, but what is life without regret?

[Kodos]

She plans to audition again next year. I imagine her chance has passed though.

[flere-imsaho]

Don't think anyone is being an asshole here?

Nope.

A culture where we prioritize a slavish devotion to our jobs, regardless of actual benefit, is the asshole here.

:cool:

[JeeberD]

If this is an entry level foot in the door job in a massively desirable industry, why would HR allow you to go audition for something that might mean you are unavailable to the company for months at a time in the near future? I'm assuming there are thousands of people who would kill for this opportunity. If you aren't committed to it, thanks and we will find someone who will.

Seems like basic supply and demand to me. Don't think anyone is being an asshole here?

Sorry, forgot the "/sarcasm"

<-----Works in HR

[Kodos]

<-----Works in HR

ASSHOLE!

[JeeberD]

:(

[MacroGuru]

ASSHOLE!

What he meant to say was UTEP FAN!

[bob]

:/

I hate to say it but I'd say it's less than three years before she begins to regret that choice for the rest of her life.

I'll hope to be wrong but that's my gut.

What's done is done but I agree with this. As someone else said she has 50 years of work remaining. If you can't take a risk at this age with these few responsibilities then when can you?

[Barkeep49]

If the option was between starting a job she was lucky to have and being on survivor, probably worth the risk. However, it was between starting a job she was lucky to have and maybe being on Survivor. I'm guessing in a couple years when she's more established it would be easier for her to get to that point in casting again without maybe costing herself the job to just maybe get it.

[Marmel]

She is 25 years old and has been an adult for 7 years now. Time to start making grown up decisions, which she apparently has. Good job!

[PilotMan]

What's done is done but I agree with this. As someone else said she has 50 years of work remaining. If you can't take a risk at this age with these few responsibilities then when can you?

This was my initial thought as well. However, the NY Fashion industry is very tight. It's not the kind of thing you walk away from. For me, the choice between a career airline job or being stuck at a smaller airline for years longer because I wanted to go on Survivor, I'd be dumb not to take the job.

[heybrad]

The fact that she made a responsible decision would suggest she's not crazy enough for Reality TV.

[Kodos]

Her mother said it was okay to share, so here's her audition video.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ag9k7RcPbmo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[CU Tiger]

Good thing HA snt around anymore or that number would get spammed.. lol

[Kodos]

Yeah, that did give me pause...

[Bisbo]

Not even close - Survivor!

[wustin]

dream job or risk getting parasites hmmmm

I think a lot of our responses have to do with our age.