Career Paths...

[monkeyswrench]

Ok, question to parents, or those who have made a good life for themselves. I have a daughter that is a senior in high school, math genius, but doesn't want to go into accounting. I have a son that's a freshman, sharp in math, and intrigued by tech...but not the "gamer" type...those two are trying to see which way to go.

I have no real "career". Kind of a major in automotive, minor in construction. I always kept options open, learned a lot about any trade I could. Worked out ok, always had an income, never went hungry.

My kids are much smarter than I am or was, and also more focused. As my daughter approaches college age, the doors are there, but where do they go? I don't have the slightest clue. Wondering what the educated people do, and if they enjoy doing it...that's always a plus.

 

[Rbcconst]

Ok, question to parents, or those who have made a good life for themselves. I have a daughter that is a senior in high school, math genius, but doesn't want to go into accounting. I have a son that's a freshman, sharp in math, and intrigued by tech...but not the "gamer" type...those two are trying to see which way to go.

I have no real "career". Kind of a major in automotive, minor in construction. I always kept options open, learned a lot about any trade I could. Worked out ok, always had an income, never went hungry.

My kids are much smarter than I am or was, and also more focused. As my daughter approaches college age, the doors are there, but where do they go? I don't have the slightest clue. Wondering what the educated people do, and if they enjoy doing it...that's always a plus.

Unless they have a vivid passion for a career i would suggest to start with a local community college and a part time job. Get the pre recs done at a local college while there figure out what to do.


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[riverroyal]

Simple. Use the math to get the college going. 1st year is not really where a life choice is made.
Same for tech. Get yr 1 going. Never know he coud be a BIM slash cad guy. Sorta construction but without the hammer.
I wouldn't worry about it to much. Good well behaved and respectful kids will find their way and employment is out there for those types.

A good tech kid can go into construction on the computer design side. Always a shortage

 

[Motor Boater]

I am a believer that this is one of the greatest parts about college. Very few kids know what they wanna do, hell i didn’t know at 30. They go to college, meet tons of people, learn to live on their own, learn how to get through the program, learn to budget, learn to pay bills, live with other people etc. They also meet people from all walks of life. If I wanted to go into pharmaceuticals I knew 10 people to call, accounting...I knew 10 people to call, Constrution... I knew 10 people to call. Etc etc.

 

[MeCasa16]

Being an airline pilot is a pretty good gig. You have to be passionate about flying to deal with the journey of getting to a major airline. It’s worth it when you do.

 

[GRADS]

Do what you love and you never work a day in your life.

 

[HBCraig]

I will tell you my story.

I was an engineering major. I took anatomy/ physiology and switched immediately when I saw a human cadaver to Kinesiology.

I got my bachelor's and a graduate degree in Kinesiology and Sports Medicine.

I sell crane now ans lovr it

 

[monkeyswrench]

Daughter will have an AA (?) From the local community college at the same time she graduates HS...same with tech boy if all goes well. It's so far removed from my skill set. A lot of the school terminologies are foriegn to me.

Do what you love and you never work a day in your life.

That has turned out to where I am now, but worked my ass off to get here. I still have an income, but like what I do and those I do it for. Makes a big difference. There were always those customers or contractors you didn't like, but needed the payday!

 

[HNL2LHC]

Pilot is good. Engineering is not bad as well

 

[yz450mm]

Tell them to get their Associate's degrees first, then start to narrow it down. Learn AutoCAD, both technically and practically. Everything you see around you is designed in CAD first, and it's not being done in SketchUp, LOL.

Learn two-dimensional AutoCAD, then start working on SolidWorks. From there, they could transition to anything you can dream of. But they have to have that base, when I draw plans to submit to the city I'm still using AutoCAD commands that I learned in high school.


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[LuauLounge]

Planned to be a mechanical engineer. Got through my jr year and a light bulb went on that this is not what I want to do. I then took some business classes, but I was bored. I dropped out and got into electronic sales. That eventually morphed into Integrating PC’s into businesses the year IBM introduced the 5150. I then started an IT network support for small businesses 21 years ago which is doing well. So, after 50 years working, I’m still trying to figure out what I’m going to do when I grow up.

 

[Shlbyntro]

Ok, question to parents, or those who have made a good life for themselves. I have a daughter that is a senior in high school, math genius, but doesn't want to go into accounting. I have a son that's a freshman, sharp in math, and intrigued by tech...but not the "gamer" type...those two are trying to see which way to go.

I have no real "career". Kind of a major in automotive, minor in construction. I always kept options open, learned a lot about any trade I could. Worked out ok, always had an income, never went hungry.

My kids are much smarter than I am or was, and also more focused. As my daughter approaches college age, the doors are there, but where do they go? I don't have the slightest clue. Wondering what the educated people do, and if they enjoy doing it...that's always a plus.

Wish I could help you buddy! Growing up, I was always told I needed to be a lawyer or a mechanical engineer, I had the IQ to support it and am also extremely good at reading people (to the point where it scares them, a lot of them). I had an opportunity to take over my fathers electrical engineering business if I wanted to go that route. He just sold it less than a year ago for millions along with his 3 partners.

I chose to be a mechanic. I literally love working on boats every day. I make a great living. I personally get an unmeasureable level of satisfaction out of fixing peoples boats for them and getting them back on the water with their families and friends.

I work and sweat my ass off. I get burnt out just about every year around this time. Sometimes I bite peoples heads off, coworkers and customers alike. But I've built a reputation for myself, even if its a subtle one where my name isn't neccesarily known but my work definitely is.

I wouldnt trade what I do for anything in the world and I had all the opportunities to do whatever I wanted.

30 yrs old, currently buying a house, own 3 cars, 1 harley, 2 jetskis, 5 boats ranging from 18-40ft, and owe less than $10k in total debt (material or not) outstanding. What you and I do for a living is a great thing if you love it. Dont ever think that it is merely "the best you could do with what you had" Ive seen some of your projects and have thought damn that would be fun to do!


Let the kids figure out what they want to do for themselves. And let them do it before they get themselves in 10s or 100s of thousands of dollars of school debt.

 

[montaj629]

My cousin got her undergrad in Math. That opened up lots of job offers with tech companies. She works for Apple now making good money and loves it. She isn’t an accountant with them but the math background helps with tech company positions.

 

[Javajoe]

They should look for internships. Really opens their eyes to what they may like. Hopefully they will get into a field they really like and have a passion for. Smart people always find their way in life. Just takes some time.

 

[RodnJen]

encourage Them to go to school if that is their interest. They will learn how to learn, doors will be opened, they will find their own way. I majored in accounting and haven’t done a lick of it since the day i graduated.

 

[Sleek-Jet]

Go to school to get an education, not a job is what I've been told.

My wife has one of those "useless" degrees, English major. She makes an easy 6 figures.

I went to trade school.

We make the same amount of money.

So there is one data point... LOL.

I'm guessing your kids will be successful at whatever they pursue regardless of education.

 

[BONER]

I'm on the fence about Jobs and Careers. I'm 40 and have been grinding my nuts off since I was 13. Everybody needs one at first, but I don't really think that's how you do really well in America.

I think you should teach your kids how to track their money down to the penny, and how to invest / flip it.

Here, I'll help you:

The Cashflow Academy

thecashflowacademy.com

 

[CLdrinker]

Well if it makes you feel better. I was horrible in school absolutely terrible in math, art and anything that involved computers.
Now I am a SR Planning specialist at SCE and all day I’m on a computer doing math and drawing plans.
6 figure income with great benefits. With no degree.

 

[WhatExit?]

Let them figure it out but encourage them to find a path into a utility company or the city or state so they have max benefits including pension and little chance of losing their job. Starting off on the right path early is an incredible advantage later in life

 

[cofooter]

Math genius opens a lot of doors, what is her passion, way more options than accounting, like someone said, tech companies love math geniuses. If she also likes computers have her look into being a data analyst, we can't hire enough of them and they make bank, have her look into interning at a company whose products or services interest her, a great way to get exposed to many different aspects of work to help her decide what she wants to do

 

[BHC Vic]

This is a very good topic. I’m going to try to get my kids to decide what they want to do young, that way we can work and pursue whatever it is from jr high through highschool. I don’t want my kids starting life at 30 if I can get them a jump start. I bought my first house at 23 and started having kids. I think that will let me enjoy my later years more, but who knows. My career fell into my lap. I’ve always been smart, but I started partying too much. Completely derailed my plans. I wanted to be a lawyer but by the time I pulled my head out of my ass it was too late. I fucked off too much in highschool and even more in college. Thank God I found the carpenters union because it’s allowed me a very good life. I work way more hours and way harder than people should. I’d like to see my kids be DCB owners one day. I’m studying for my cwi right now and test in a month. I actually enjoy school and learning now. If I were to go to college now, I would absolutely kill it. I wasn’t there when I was 18. Hopefully I can guide my kids but no one has control over anyone so we will see

 

[BHC Vic]

My other advice is surround them with successful people. As stupid as it sounds this site was that for me. It pushed me and made me want more and I was able to see real people doing it and some even let me ask how.there been times I’ve doubted myself and posted it here and people have given me enough to push past a lot. Sometimes I feel like the people here believe in me more than I do.

 

[Bpracing1127]

As far finding what they want to do, they need to figure what type of work they want to do? What industry do they want to serve.

My story I went to college and worked. Eventually said this wasn’t for me and got a job at the bottom in the aerospace industry. I was hungry and wanted more so I worked hard and moved up to a materials manager. I have networked through family, friends and friends of my parents since they could actually hire me.

The biggest thing is creating a networking path to help them decide and find a mentor for them to guide them along the way. Offer means to find the solutions but do not create the solution.

 

[Xtrmwakeboarder]

Actuary, Investment Banker, Trader, Engineer.... lot’s of options if you’re really good at math.

 

[GETBOATS]

I'd say if they qualify for a 4 year school, be it state or the UC system, send them there. Not a fan of community colleges "if" they qualify for the next step now. My boys both were good at math, physics, understood how things worked at a young age, so at age 28 and 30, we have one with a degree in Mechanical engineering and the other with a degree in Mechanical and aerospace engineering. Employed before they graduated! let their high school GPA, SAT and ACT scores get them where they need to go. Community college is great, but is t sounds as if you've got higher achievers than that.

 

[hallett21]

My other advice is surround them with successful people. As stupid as it sounds this site was that for me. It pushed me and made me want more and I was able to see real people doing it and some even let me ask how.there been times I’ve doubted myself and posted it here and people have given me enough to push past a lot. Sometimes I feel like the people here believe in me more than I do.

I’ve always tried to live by “if you’re the smartest or most successful in the room, you’re in the wrong room”. Success breeds success IMO [emoji1303]


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[GETBOATS]

I’ve always tried to live by “if you’re the smartest or most successful in the room, you’re in the wrong room”. Success breeds success IMO [emoji1303]


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All I have to do is enter that room with my boys, their brains work twice the speed of mine, LOL

 

[Flatsix66]

Increasingly the world is producing exponential amounts of data, the gold mine is for people who know what to do with it. Tech jobs that focus on drawing out and presenting the meaning of that data will be secure for life and pay well. Big tech companies pay in terms of total compensation (Salary + Bonus + Equity) and this can be $300-500k for software engineers. Your kids sound smart and starting now on basic software development skills leading to a BS degree or better is a relatively inexpensive education path that will give them all kinds of options for high paying in demand jobs in the future.

 

[X Hoser]

MW, you always provide good advice when I ask for it so I felt compelled to offer mine to you. Problem is, I don't know the answer! Whichever direction they go, it has to be their choice. Of my three children, only one has stuck to what he originally wanted to do. The other two thought they knew what they wanted to do, but have changed professions at least once. I was the same way. I wanted to play professional baseball, just wasn't good enough LOL! Got involved in Real Estate and made good money, but never really liked it. Took a firefighter test on a whim, passed it, got hired and had a great career doing something I loved but had never before considered. Best advise I have is encourage them to do what they think they would like to do and be the very best they can be at it. If they enjoy the profession stay in it. If not, seek what they believe they will enjoy. I worked with lots of firefighters that had degrees in Business Management, Kinesology, Mechanical Engineering and you name it that did not like those professions once they got into them. You gotta love what you do and if it's flipping burgers, just be the best damn burger flipper there is!

 

[bonechip`]

Being an airline pilot is a pretty good gig. You have to be passionate about flying to deal with the journey of getting to a major airline. It’s worth it when you do.

Yea thats what my daughter is going after, she received her degree in areonautical science from Embry riddle, she did it on line, way cheaper, while doing that we got here flying she now at the point of next month she takes her final for CFI, certified flight instructor, she works at french valley flight school so she could get discounted prices on plane rental ect, so far we are at 45.000 in cost with school and everything.

 

[Your ad here]

Let the kid decide what they want to do but give good guidance. Don't push them into something because you think it's good for them. They have to make their own decisions. Think high school sports. I know so many kids that their parents pushed sports in hopes of them making the big league just to realize it was their parents dream and not their own. They were into it but now flat out hate the sport.
I don't have as much as my parents at the age of 31 but I'm happy, have a house with a low payment, paid off trucks and equipment, a savings, and a clean background. All a result of great guidance from my parents but I had to make the decision and move forward with it. They know I'll be fine but probably still have the typical worries a parent has.
I chased the dollar out of high school. Took a liking to asphalt and concrete work in my late 20s and am making a career out of it. It's hard work but I enjoy it and the results are satisfying. My parents did question it in the beginning but after 3 months they knew it was good for me and would provide a lot of opportunities.

 

[boatdoc55]

My other advice is surround them with successful people. As stupid as it sounds this site was that for me. It pushed me and made me want more and I was able to see real people doing it and some even let me ask how.there been times I’ve doubted myself and posted it here and people have given me enough to push past a lot. Sometimes I feel like the people here believe in me more than I do.

A lot of "us" tried and did Victor!!! We're all proud of you and the proudest would be "Old Texan". Dang I miss him.

 

[bk2drvr]

I have a great career in the data storage business. (Like mentioned above) I work for an incredible company and make a very good living. However I wish I would have taken the knowledge from my field and started my own business 10 years ago.

The problem is I’m taxed to death being a high wage earner and W2. It’s a joke really. My advice would be to try and lead your kids down a path to owning their own business one day. Small business ownership IMO is the ONLY way to go. Your income is up to you, for the most part you have freedom and you can hide from the tax man a lot easier and keep more of what you make.

 

[lbhsbz]

Fireman

 

[YeahYeah01]

Well if it makes you feel better. I was horrible in school absolutely terrible in math, art and anything that involved computers.
Now I am a SR Planning specialist at SCE and all day I’m on a computer doing math and drawing plans.
6 figure income with great benefits. With no degree.

Lol. Same here. I don't think I ever got above a C-ish in math... I'm an VP/Chief estimator now and I'll do is math. Life is funny.

 

[YeahYeah01]

100

My other advice is surround them with successful people. As stupid as it sounds this site was that for me. It pushed me and made me want more and I was able to see real people doing it and some even let me ask how.there been times I’ve doubted myself and posted it here and people have given me enough to push past a lot. Sometimes I feel like the people here believe in me more than I do.

100%. You are an accumulation of the people you spend the most time with. So surround yourself with hard working people that have their shit together and your more likely to follow suit.

 

[WYRD]

My son wants to drive a trash truck, but he's seven...

 

[CoolCruzin]

Best to have them pay for college .
They will figure out what to do fast when they pay for schooling and not the parents .

 

[FrznJim]

As has been said on this thread already, find a career that you are passionate about. College is not a must do. I advised my kids to not go to college just to go to college. Decide on a major that you can actually get a job with.

I would back that up a bit, and ask does one want to work outdoors or indoors.? A career in construction will get you outdoors more, as will land surveying.

If you like working with your hands , a trade such as plumber or electrician can be good paying and a great sense of accomplishment of actually building something. The trade unions can provide excellent health and retirement benefits.

Do you want lots of time off? If you enjoy being with kids, teaching can be rewarding and will get you lots of time off in the summer and holidays.

Last question I would ask: Do you want to work for yourself or will you be happy working for someone else?

 

[Your ad here]

My son wants to drive a trash truck, but he's seven...

When I was 7 I wanted to drive a trash truck. Today if the opportunity came up and it pays well it wouldn't be out of the question. No matter what humans will always generate trash.

 

[GETBOATS]

Best to have them pay for college .
They will figure out what to do fast when they pay for schooling and not the parents .

Never felt that way, they both had enough on their plate to let paying for it cripple their chances of a timely degree. All the way thru school, it was their job to do the best of their abilities, and they shinned. I was happy to pay off the student loans after graduation. Maybe I was lucky, they were responsible people, didn't get tangled up in the sorority scene, worked their asses off. the younger of the two managed an approaching career racing motocross thru his sophomore year, coming home to practice at Pala raceway twice a week, raced weekends when he decided his education was more important than a pro license. Left UCI in 2015 with two degrees and cum laude, he is a vicious competitor. I do it all over again, Best money I've ever spent

 

[BHC Vic]

This must be where I get my no quit attitude... my mom is too much

 

[Motor Boater]

I’ve always tried to live by “if you’re the smartest or most successful in the room, you’re in the wrong room”. Success breeds success IMO [emoji1303]


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Yep. That’s what I like about college, you can surround yourself with really good, really smart people. Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future!

 

[monkeyswrench]

Don't get me wrong, I am not looking to push my kids any particular direction. I just really don't know what's out there in terms of "real jobs".

I grew up in a blue collar home. When I was on my own, ended up being the same. My SAT's were much higher than most expected, and my grades were good...I just didn't see myself pulling loans to go to school for a career I hadn't picked yet. Started working, bought a house, girlfriend got her teaching credential and became my wife. In the grand scheme of things, I got dealt a good hand and played it. I don't have a massive income, but it works well and no payments on anything.

As for community colleges, my two older kids are dual enrolled with high school. I think due to the number of kids in calculus and such in high school...farmed out for teachers. Hopefully it works out, but they should have a lot of transferable units buy HS graduation.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

I don't know if it's much help for the OP's kids, but any younger person that has a good work ethic and is good with computers, a/c and refrigeration controllers is getting more and more involved and important. It's an easy $100k a year job for a talented control tech and a profession that is only growing in need and scope.

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[77hallett]

I’m a little biased, but the military is a good route. More specifically the Air Force. If they don’t want to do full time active duty they can go guard or reserve. No moving bases every couple of years, a paycheck, college is paid for, and the ability to learn a multitude of skills applicable to any job on the outside.

 

[monkeyswrench]

I’m a little biased, but the military is a good route. More specifically the Air Force. If they don’t want to do full time active duty they can go guard or reserve. No moving bases every couple of years, a paycheck, college is paid for, and the ability to learn a multitude of skills applicable to any job on the outside.

Oddly enough, I'm going with my daughter to Luke tomorrow for something called a "CFA". She is currently trying like all hell, hoping to get into West Point. She is taking this one tomorrow as a "No Score" to see where she's at. Scares the living hell out of me, but still proud. We'll see if she can get an appointment.

 

[77hallett]

Oddly enough, I'm going with my daughter to Luke tomorrow for something called a "CFA". She is currently trying like all hell, hoping to get into West Point. She is taking this one tomorrow as a "No Score" to see where she's at. Scares the living hell out of me, but still proud. We'll see if she can get an appointment.

Hell I’d be scared too. Have her look into the Air Force academy if she’s wanting to look at those types of schools. Again, biased... however, the Air Force lifestyle will not be outdone by any of the other services. Either way, stay proud that she’s even looking into it! That’s awesome.

 

[DWC]

Depends on what they enjoy doing and are good at. None of mine are good with their hands and really can’t fix shit. Trades were refinery out.
My career suffered a bit from not having a degree so we encouraged them to get theirs. If anything it gets them interviews and opens up opportunities once they’re employed. Surely doesn’t hurt.

 

[Nordie]

I chose the no college route, so I got 4 things.

2 Pairs of Levis
A Pair of Diehard work boots
And a hand shake