I get lots of emails that turn into lots of calls that generally end up going the same way. Some wide-eyed, bushy-tailed sophomore spewing things that either aren't true or that have some truth to them but are far beyond their level of comprehension. These "things" generally paint banking to be the paragon of a first job out of college. That leaves me in a fairly precarious position. Do I funnel a bit more Kool-Aid into the massive vat every sophomore at a target school seems to be drinking from? What's the harm in just pouring a tiny bit more? What if instead I chose to buck the trend, and withhold confirmations to their half-truths they so badly desired? Would it even help? Would they brush my words aside as so many of us do when something does not conform to our view of the world? So you see, networking calls clearly aren't as simple for me as they are for so many others.

There are a few broader questions I grapple with. Is it my job to steer them clear of this path just because I didn't find it to be fulfilling? I lean towards probably not. I do place certain duties upon myself to adhere to the truth, but there is a difference between concealing ones thoughts to deceive another and concealing ones thoughts to avoid a battle you don't believe is worth fighting.

Would I tell my friend his new jeans make him look fat? Of course. Will I give an impassioned rant to a kid I just met 5 minutes ago who will likely not even remember my name by this time next week? The decision is less clear.