For anyone out there who can relate, I think it needs to be said that it can be very intimidating when a friend, contact or colleague criticizes your choices. It can be difficult enough to make it in a professional industry.
Culture shock, impostor syndrome, denying others of their qualifications are all social issues that serve to stand in the way of a young professional and their success. I'm sorry to say that it's almost like elitism at times-- the subtle (or less subtle) ways of the pecking order.
We deal with these issues in competitive settings. We have past work that is under our belt called into question, and we have to work to regain that sense of legitimacy.
I'm proud to say that I swim in these perilous waters and remain triumphant... and very strong! It was great to get out of my comfort zone after school, and then plunge into my professional degree, with a thick skin. But, since I have dealt with it for years, I feel almost like it's an important topic that should be discussed.
How do you teach it to a recent college grad, without intimidating them? They will just have to cross that bridge when they get there. Teaching young people to go out into the world with the understanding that envious or prejudiced people will try to prod you with a stick just sucks.
The good news is that when you become successful, you really don't care what other people think. Your job is to be polite and professional, but you have to sift through all of the rubbish that some people will say.
It's very hard not to just to label it a "scare tactic" before stubbornly deciding that you won't be phased. Use a sense of humor, change the topic, whatever social tactic is used to overcome what was said. It all adds up, and can be irritating. Ultimately, I don't want to change as a person. I don't want to be a person who lives with my guard up all the time. Welcome to the Real World.
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