How Will Employers Regard Today’s Student Activists?

To the Editor:

Re “And Now, a Real-Life Lesson for Student Activists,” by Pamela Paul (column, May 31):

Ms. Paul tells us that students who took part in recent protests may face reduced job prospects because of their actions: “Corporate America is fundamentally risk averse.” The prospects for these students are dim. Or are they?

These are students who have the courage of their convictions, who are willing to stand up for what they feel is right and make their own judgments. They are leaders. If they can’t get jobs they will start their own firms — and they will thrive.

Let corporate America hire the other students, the timid, conformist followers who accept what they are told without question and “fit into the company culture.” Let’s see where that gets them in five or 10 years.

Walter Williams
New York

To the Editor:

I wouldn’t want to work in an organization full of people who did nothing wrong as children and adolescents. For one thing, I imagine that office parties would be dull and water cooler conversations bland.

Adolescence is inherently rebellious. Creativity is disruptive. But although I feel like an old fogey for saying this, what I find lacking in the younger generation is a sense of responsibility, of ownership for one’s actions. We learn character and courage when we face the consequences of our choices, whether it’s repaying school loans or justifying, defending, regretting, apologizing or atoning for our deeds.

As an employer, I’m willing to forgive and provide second chances. What I’m reluctant to do is hire those incapable of admitting or acknowledging that they might be wrong and unwilling to accept accountability.