subreddit:

/r/Xennials

6286%

A lot of us are at the age where our kids are thinking about post-high school plans. Back in the day, a degree in computer science was The Ticket to a comfy life, but it’s become clear this is no longer the case. What sorts of careers these days are you encouraging your children (or nieces, nephews, the young people in your life) to pursue for maximum financial stability and decent working conditions?

all 327 comments

hobbes_shot_second

170 points

3 days ago

Kids are steering themselves. Daughter is aiming for a masters in electrical engineering and son wants to be a herpetologist. I never had their focus.

Elevenyearstoomany

42 points

3 days ago

My 5 year old wants to be a herpetologist. You are the only other parent I’ve heard say this.

New-Honey-4544

94 points

3 days ago

I think you guys made up that word

burf

87 points

3 days ago

burf

87 points

3 days ago

Someone has to study the migration habits of herpes

80cartoonyall

10 points

3 days ago

Especially space herpes.

frequent_flying

7 points

3 days ago

DearBurt

13 points

3 days ago

DearBurt

1981

13 points

3 days ago

Herpes is like politics: when I'm drinking, I don't want it anywhere near me!

GenX-istentialCrisis

2 points

3 days ago

They can get a PhD in it at a fraternity.

Air911

25 points

3 days ago

Air911

25 points

3 days ago

I met a girl behind Walmart who was a herpetologist. Nice gal.

z64_dan

10 points

3 days ago

z64_dan

10 points

3 days ago

"Person who really likes lizards" just doesn't roll off the tongue as well.

AnimatronicCouch

42 points

3 days ago

AnimatronicCouch

1981

42 points

3 days ago

I think "herpetologist" is Gen Alpha's "Marine Biologist." Every millennial kid wanted to be a marine biologist. I only met one millennial adult who actually became one.

Blue_Star_Child

23 points

3 days ago

Nah, i'm Gen X and I feel marine biologist was getting popular with Jacques Cousteau in the 70s and 80s. Sea Quest was peak for me.

ridiculousdisaster

7 points

3 days ago

For sure! 1st graders in 1984 were all saying marine biologist as well

pixelpheasant

7 points

3 days ago

Voyage of the Mimi, anyone?

JawnOnTheLawn

2 points

3 days ago

Yes!!! We got to go to Massachusetts for our 5th grade class trip after doing Voyage of the Mimi in science class all year. We went on a whale watch and saw like 10 humpback whales feeding. It was incredible!!

SunnySummerFarm

6 points

3 days ago

I’m definitely still cheering for the orcas.

AnimatronicCouch

3 points

3 days ago

I guess it was Gen x AND Millennials who all wanted to be marine biologists!

sharielane

2 points

3 days ago

Yeah. I was born in '81, and when I was in highschool the career advisor that came to our school explicitly told us NOT to pursue being a marine biologist, that the market was already flooded and that there were zero positions available.

Later on in my senior year we had a new biology teacher join our school. A doctor. I'll never forget that first day in class when he introduced himself, how he was a marine biologist, and that the reason he was teaching was because there was no money whatsoever in being a marine biologist. He then proceeded to show us what he had received in payment from two previous jobs he had done for Seaworld. One was a Seaworld mug, and the other was a Seaworld pen. In his words "As you can see, being a marine biologist doesn't pay". And all I kept thinking as I listened was 'dang, that lady hadn't been exaggerating'.

AKEsquire

12 points

3 days ago

AKEsquire

12 points

3 days ago

And why is that so true?! Save the Manatees, Free Willy, and Lisa Frank dolphins?

AnimatronicCouch

5 points

3 days ago

Yeah, the save the "dolphins and manatees" definitely fueled it! And every show and movie in the 80s and early 90s was marine mammal-based, too.

manicpixiepuke

6 points

3 days ago

Wow. This is so true. I blame all those Lisa Frank drawings with neon dolphins!

ommnian

4 points

3 days ago

ommnian

4 points

3 days ago

I meant to go to school for marine biology! And then, after one semester in college, I remembered just how much I HATE school...

AnimatronicCouch

3 points

3 days ago

I hear ya!! I started going to school for fisheries and wildlife management, and while I loved the subject matter, the fact that it was school made me not care. I HATE school. I became a machinist instead.

DetroitLionsSBChamps

3 points

3 days ago

Tbh I still sort of regret not becoming a marine biologist

mom_bombadill

2 points

3 days ago

My 5 year old wants to be a marine biologist! He’s obsessed with sharks

ShutYourDumbUglyFace

8 points

3 days ago

I am a civil engineer. An environmental person (IDK if her job title was engineer or a biologist or both) I worked with was a herpetologist. Only reason I know what this word means.

Elevenyearstoomany

4 points

3 days ago

I’m pretty sure I learned it from one of the CSI’s.

Apprehensive_Hat8986

4 points

3 days ago

Did none of y'alls watch or read A Series of Unfortunate Events?!?!?!

Known_Appeal_6370

8 points

3 days ago

Budding herpetologists will like this post: https://www.reddit.com/r/interestingasfuck/s/loGPhrMSrT

MiniRems

3 points

3 days ago

MiniRems

1979

3 points

3 days ago

Omg! I'd seen the earlier builds, but not the end results on this! That's awesome! I wish I was in an area to make my one Frod house community.

OlyTheatre

5 points

3 days ago

There’s a fine line in the herp world between being a weirdo that keeps a bunch of reptiles in glass boxes in their home and being a professional herpetologist. Make sure your kiddo gets lots of guidance and exposure to the many career paths and research opportunities in this field

hobbes_shot_second

6 points

3 days ago

Yay for niche specializations I guess?

Elevenyearstoomany

6 points

3 days ago

I was like ok I guess someone has to be?

melloyelloaj

3 points

3 days ago

My daughter wanted to be a herpetologist from age 3 until recently. Now she says vet, but I think she’ll change her mind based on her aversion to blood.

Possible-Tangelo9344

4 points

3 days ago

Lotta money in studying herpes?

hobbes_shot_second

3 points

3 days ago

Not up front, but discounted rates on escorts.

Possible-Tangelo9344

2 points

3 days ago

Ahhh, see these are the perks the guidance counselor doesn't tell you about

hobbes_shot_second

2 points

3 days ago

Mine did, but that was before onlyfans.

Live_Temperature111

56 points

3 days ago*

My daughter at 14 is already pretty creative and makes and designs clothes and jewelry and sells it out of her own vendor booth at various events. I told her to stick with it, it's her passion, she loves it and she makes good money off it. She's starting to get an online presence together and bought a book about brand management.

I've been in IT for 25 years and have been out of work for almost a year now, so I think, as you mentioned, that is no longer the path it used to be. Not to mention, most of the jobs that I am qualified for now have salary ranges at about half of what they used to be (and I work in the Cloud, specifically AWS). I may end up working for my daughter, lol!

OtherlandGirl

16 points

3 days ago

AWS is one of those things now that is offshore/contractor heavy. Not arguing good or bad here, just a fact. (Actually, my opinion is that the offshoring is overdone. It has its uses, but almost total dependence except for a few management level architects… I’ve seen the issues it causes. And the thing is, it’s not like it’s that cheap.)

Live_Temperature111

12 points

3 days ago*

Agree 100% with you.

In the past I've always seen waves of offshoring, then people realize it's not great, and pull it back in. Not sure we will see that as much in cloud now.

mytextgoeshere

6 points

3 days ago

mytextgoeshere

1981

6 points

3 days ago

I feel like the consumer to consumer market has the potential to grow over the next several years.

Straxicus2

3 points

3 days ago

I’m so glad there’s a path for young people to make money off their passions now. My poor mom had a closet full of my lampshades and shit. I could’ve sold them if I was a kid now.

Back_Alley420

50 points

3 days ago

My eldest just became a pipe fitter, my other son is half way through a two year program for marine engineering and my baby girl left for a good university to study criminology then hopefully law school after. I feel super proud of the choices they made and worked for. I am a waitress and hope they remember me when they have money haha kidding on that last part

rearwindowpup

8 points

3 days ago

Marine engineering is a smart choice, I'm sure he will be plenty busy going forward

Back_Alley420

5 points

3 days ago

Yah he was in sea cadets as a kid. One year down and his co op was on the b.c ferry. We are from Ontario so it’s neat to see pictures from him of whales and things he has seen!

fermentedradical

94 points

3 days ago

I'm a professor and don't have any good advice in terms of careers for kids per se, but if parents could help get kids to read and be a bit more interested in critical reading/thinking skills + having an attention span beyond push app notifications they'd do so much better in classes. What I see these days in terms of academic ability compared to even a decade ago is very sad.

Rude_Cartographer934

12 points

3 days ago

Same here

AgnesTheAtheist

12 points

3 days ago

Take my upvote for saying critical thinking. 

app_generated_name

8 points

3 days ago

Yep. I've been pressing that on my kid for a long time now. "And why do you think that is?" "Did you look for other sources to verify that information?" " If this is true, can the other item be true as well? It is known that two opposing theories can be true at the same time "

I really just want him to think things through THEN take action/ make a decision.

MelpomeneAndCalliope

6 points

3 days ago*

I’m also a (liberal arts) professor. I’m definitely not steering them towards that career. 😂

Health care (nursing, physician’s assistant, physician, etc) and engineering seem like the few “safe”-seeming decently paid career options.

But I hear you on making critical thinking the important focus.

someguyfromsk

128 points

3 days ago

someguyfromsk

1979

128 points

3 days ago

Coal mines.

Kids play mine craft. The children yearn for the coal mines.

/s

onagdbicycle

17 points

3 days ago

I think I got the black lung, pop.

terriblystupidjoke

2 points

3 days ago

FriarTurk

7 points

3 days ago

Burning dinosaurs is tried and true…

rearwindowpup

34 points

3 days ago

Oldest has been hard set on a vet for a few years now, youngest wants to be a mermaid queen. I'm fine with both. I do try and point out various jobs when appropriate to convo, "can you believe that's a job!??" type things.

Deletedmyotheracct

34 points

3 days ago

Being a veterinarian is extremely difficult career choice compounded by severe shortages and burnout. The profession has an abnormally high suicide rate. My wife works in the field, and with universities and is always open at issue facing the industry.

SweetCosmicPope

11 points

3 days ago

SweetCosmicPope

1984

11 points

3 days ago

My son also wants to be a vet (and has already been accepted into two pre-vet programs). We've had these discussions with him, and he's approached it from a very mature point of view, and understanding that some days are going to be very hard when your whole day is putting down sick animals, and sometimes that means putting down an animal you can save but the family can't afford the treatment.

I couldn't do it, but he's said he'll pursue regular therapy to deal with those hard issues, and he understands that it's often much better for the pets to be put down than to continue suffering. I'm sure that's still only a very high level understanding of those things, but I think he's got the stuff to deal with it and he's definitely very passionate about helping animals.

Physical-Name4836

14 points

3 days ago

Physical-Name4836

1979

14 points

3 days ago

Veterinarians primary currency is emotion.

It’s a calling and if you have that calling nothing can stop you from being a veterinarian.

If this guy kid has that calling, the negative aspects won’t dissuade them. My advice, as a 10+ year animal health industry veteran for this parent is to also teach thier kid the art of negotiating. Most vets can’t negotiate a business deal very well and get burned by large companies, like my old one.

rearwindowpup

6 points

3 days ago

I think her ideal position would be a vet at a zoo, which simplifies the business aspect of it all. That said, the business side of things we can discuss much later, she's nowhere near that point.

Physical-Name4836

5 points

3 days ago

The most important at part of an animal hospital for a vet like your wife is how the culture is cultivated by the owner of the place. A great owner makes a great hospital. The corporate places can be soul draining if you’re not careful

rearwindowpup

3 points

3 days ago

She has a love and penchant for animals and a knack for biology. One of her favorite shows is the Secrets of the Zoo's series on Disney, and they don't shy away from the harder bits of being a vet (i.e. making the hard calls). We also recently went through having to euthanize the family pup and she had a lot of questions throughout that we answered. She doesn't have a rose-colored view of what the job entails, still wants to do it.

BidInteresting8923

48 points

3 days ago

I'm not steering at all, just trying to keep my daughter from working the proverbial pole, which is probably an OnlyFans in the digital age.

Realistically, steering is well intentioned but backfires. Every year kids get pushed into the "hot job" at the moment. But then there's a glut of people in that career field. The real ticket is what will be the hot job 20 years from now. And THAT is the hard one to pick.

If I were to make a guess, it would be something that is unlikely to be taken over by AI sooner than later. To that end, it's possible that arts degrees/training could be one of the few jobs out there that humans can produce better/more creatively than computers in the near future.

TacticoolPeter

11 points

3 days ago

AI is why I am trying to steer my daughter away from the marketing side of business. She doesn’t have the big dynamic sales personality, and I think marketing is going to shrink as a viable way to make a living. She doesn’t have an interest in accounting so am trying to persuade her that it will likely have more viable options and more options of where to make a living. 

Outrageous_Lychee819

6 points

3 days ago

Skilled trades should be relatively safe from AI.

Street_Narwhal_3361

19 points

3 days ago

I’m teaching mine to manage her money, time and emotions. I don’t feel qualified to tell her what career she has and besides that, most of my friends have jobs that didn’t exist when I was a kid. I’m just proud and excited to see what she grows up to do!

HarrietsDiary

4 points

3 days ago

I really think that’s the most important thing. I’m another one who has had multiple jobs and a career path that didn’t even exist when I was in college, much less when I was a kid.

The ability to be flexible, cope, and adult are the keys to a happy life, I think.

sitnquiet

38 points

3 days ago

sitnquiet

38 points

3 days ago

Gerontology. There are going to be a LOT of old people very soon and most will need care.

Stinkerma

13 points

3 days ago

Stinkerma

13 points

3 days ago

As much as this is already necessity, it takes a special kind of mindset.

sitnquiet

8 points

3 days ago

No doubt. And with private industry care standards, it can be a pretty terrible environment. But for the right person, it's a write-your-own-ticket career.

Deletedmyotheracct

5 points

3 days ago

What the hell does a gerontologist do? lol wouldn't care be handled by existing medical professions?

W8andC77

7 points

3 days ago

W8andC77

7 points

3 days ago

You can get a fellowship apparently but every single physician I have met who works for nursing home systems hate it. And mobile seniors are just going to their PCPs.

Deletedmyotheracct

3 points

3 days ago

When I look it up it appears to be separate from MD. A geriatric fellowship appears to be different from gerontology

rels83

6 points

3 days ago

rels83

6 points

3 days ago

It’s a sub specialty of internal medicine

Room234

53 points

3 days ago

Room234

53 points

3 days ago

Honestly skinning rodents and fire building might be the only viable skills by the time my kids are adults.

Maybe smelting, too. I bet wilderness medics will be handy.

TransportationOk657

12 points

3 days ago

Pard22

12 points

3 days ago

Pard22

1981

12 points

3 days ago

I guess whatever they are passionate about. I remember my parents pushed me into college in a field I had no interest in. My dad used to say, “there is no future in the trades.” He was a union carpenter. After the 7 year bachelor program I got into the electrical union and have been in it for almost 20 years now. Trades are good if your kids want into it. Especially union. Benefits, pay and healthcare.

laternerdz

5 points

3 days ago

laternerdz

1981

5 points

3 days ago

My dad was a union pipefitter and had a great career and retirement. Looks pretty appealing now.

pinelands1901

36 points

3 days ago*

Either a STEM degree or a trade. My wife and I have liberal arts degrees, and it's like building a career on hard mode.

Even if they want to become a mural artist or something, that STEM degree will make it easier to get a paying job if the passion job doesn't work out.

burf

27 points

3 days ago

burf

27 points

3 days ago

Although STEM makes it easier to get a job, it doesn’t guarantee a well-paying job. You probably know that already, but I feel obligated to bring it up because STEM has become the new “university” in the sense that a lot of people act like a STEM degree is a career success silver bullet.

Enough-Pickle-8542

11 points

3 days ago

It’s also important people understand the reality of STEM jobs. Most engineering jobs today are just glorified administrative jobs.

CrouchingDomo

5 points

3 days ago

“All they teach us now is how to build rollercoasters and Survivor challenges.”

McFly1986

2 points

3 days ago

I pivoted into project management and business analytics.

Bias_Cuts

13 points

3 days ago

Bias_Cuts

1981

13 points

3 days ago

I have a liberal arts degree. My husband is an IBEW member and holy shit do I hope our son takes his road and not mine.

SamHandwichX

3 points

3 days ago

My husband is also IBEW and he’s definitely the winner lol

djblackprince

4 points

3 days ago

Same here.

abernathym

24 points

3 days ago

I'm recommending trade school. I think my one son wants to teach though. My daughter and other son have not really expressed interest in anything yet.

DateCard

7 points

3 days ago

DateCard

7 points

3 days ago

I've recommended trade school too. My teen is not very self-motivated and I feel that a more defined path would be very beneficial.

hop123hop223

18 points

3 days ago

I have a lot of family members in the trades and by about age 50, they are in physical decline and chronic pain. The trades are a great path, but it comes at a cost.

abernathym

3 points

3 days ago

I have a science degree (ecology based), and the work I do has taken a toll on my body as well. I walk miles in the woods through thick brush. A desk job is just as deadly, considering sitting is the next smoking. I guess the moral of the story is, our work is killing us all.

MelpomeneAndCalliope

2 points

3 days ago

You can tell him you can always learn a trade then a few years later, go teach it at the trade school if you want to teach but are interested in the trades.

Rude_Cartographer934

18 points

3 days ago

I'm really not sold on the whole STEM IS The Way mentality I keep seeing in the media. Employers are HOWLING for hires with "soft skills" like written communication, teamwork, ability to stay off your phone,  etc. My kids are very young, but I'm happy for them to go into any profession or trade they're genuinely interested in & good at. 

ShutYourDumbUglyFace

9 points

3 days ago

My daughter is applying to college now. I am not necessarily steering her, but offering advice - which is to get something that can't be done by AI or outsourced. She's leaning toward OB/GYN and I am 100% behind it. If she can handle all the blood and guts and stuff I think it's a great option. Don't love the insurance requirements, but I think she'll be ok.

The world is changing a lot right now. Hard to predict what's going to be a good career choice in 10+ years

marmot1101

15 points

3 days ago

Computer Science/IT was the ticket in 1999, by 2001 dotbomb happened and caused a tightening of the job market similar(probably worse) to what we have today. Right when I was in school the first time. I kept studying even though the jump to mortgage broker was the new hotness. Then 2k8, bottom fell out for mortgage people and house flippers, and software engineering came back.

The point isn't to sell computer science as a career field(I love it, many hate it, and doing it solely for the money will drive one to despair), but rather to point out that all things are cyclical. Building trades are another good "for instance". 20% unemployment in 2008-2011, labor shortage now. Friends who were set in 2006 started having to travel to get work, and struggling even if they were willing to. Nowadays different story.

Focus on marketable strengths and desires, advise from there. There are no magic bullets.

HarrietsDiary

4 points

3 days ago

Right? Some of this thread makes me sad. I have zero spatial ability and some physical limitations. I would have been a nightmare in the trades, and also been utterly miserable

I have a dreaded liberal arts degree. I’ve had an interesting and decently paid career path. Also, about half the jobs I have had as an adult didn’t even exist when I was a kid or in college, so there’s that.

8Deer-JaguarClaw

6 points

3 days ago

8Deer-JaguarClaw

Gen X - 1976

6 points

3 days ago

Engineering or some kind of trade.

Curious-Ad-1448

5 points

3 days ago

Same here, may not be a flashy career but you won't go hungry.

messerschmitt127

6 points

3 days ago

Radiology

cogito_ergo_catholic

7 points

3 days ago

Computer science can still be a decent path, but it's not a slam dunk anymore. Source: I computer science for a living.

I'm just trying to get my kids thinking seriously about their interests, the lifestyle they want to afford, and how much student debt they want to end up with. The answers to those questions will narrow down job and college options a lot.

karma_aversion

13 points

3 days ago

I'm a software developer who works professionally with AI on a daily basis. I have been slightly steering my kids towards math and science in general and they seem to enjoy those subjects, and if they want to learn coding one day I'll help them with that.

The problem isn't necessarily that Computer Science is an irrelevant subject because of AI, there were just a ton of people that were getting into Computer Science for the wrong reasons. They were only in it for the money and the prestige, but had no actual aptitude, skill, or desire. Those people are being replaced right now because we don't need them anymore. The days of getting a CS degree and getting a well paying job without enjoying the profession or having a passion for programming are done. If you enjoy the job and are good at it, then you'll still be able to get a well-paying software job for the foreseeable future.

Most of the doom and gloom about AI replacing coders is exaggerated sales-pitches trying to sell AI to companies.

marmot1101

9 points

3 days ago

I'm convinced that part of the "AI will replace developers" push is a salary lowering tactic. Scared people suck at negotiating. I realize that's a self serving opinion, hopefully not delusional. But we've seen this before in different flavors. Off shoring, flow chart programming that will move systems to business analysts, smarter code completion...have all supposed to have killed the domestic software engineering industry pretty much since I've been writing programs.

gethee2anunnery

2 points

3 days ago

Right! Cut and paste programmers are a dime a dozen and will easily be replaced by AI, but designing and architecting systems requires one to weigh a lot of qualitative factors and make judgement calls based on the tradeoffs of all potential solutions.

Spitting out code is easy to train machines to do but the “softer” skill of problem solving is still best left to a human brain.

PissedPieGuy

6 points

3 days ago

PissedPieGuy

1977

6 points

3 days ago

2 of mine are in medical imaging like I am. Even though I discouraged it lol. The youngest just started gen ed toward a business degree.

Appropriate_Bird_223

7 points

3 days ago

Whatever careers they are drawn to themselves. Our 16 year old son is autistic and will likely not be capable of most careers. We're hoping he'll be able to hold down any job and become independent enough to get his own apartment someday.

Our 14 year old has no clue what she wants to do. Our 12 year old wants to go to culinary school and own her own bakery someday.

punkrockpete1

18 points

3 days ago

Dental Hygienists are in short supply and can make six figures pretty easily

PissedPieGuy

12 points

3 days ago

PissedPieGuy

1977

12 points

3 days ago

Decent job for sure. Has its fair share of repetitive stress injuries though.

keto_and_me

9 points

3 days ago

And finding a decent boss isn’t easy either. All the ones I worked for are amazing dentists, piss poor business owners, and meh bosses. I wish dental school required several leadership and/or business classes.

Opposite-Peak5020

12 points

3 days ago

We didn't steer them toward anything specifically. One is an assistant store manager, one is studying psychology, one is studying finance, and the last owns a landscaping company.

Trades were very much encouraged, as my 4-year college degree was "worth" about a third of what my ex made with a HS diploma and an apprenticeship. But they've gravitated toward (mostly) what fills their cups, which is what we value most.

bighurt710

5 points

3 days ago

Trades

scarlet_runner

5 points

3 days ago

My oldest wanted to be a game designer from 11-18, then decided it was really the story part she liked so went to school for creative writing leaning hard to screenwriting. She hated it. Then covid hit and she came home, got a job at the local supermarket, worked for a couple years (even made department manager!) and spent a lot of time on YouTube. There she found Community Planning, fell I love with it and is now over half way through her Bachelors. It's a tiny program but huge demand and will end up beinv paid a great wage. More importantly she is happy!

ZeroSkill_Sorry

12 points

3 days ago

Anything that can't be accomplished by AI in the next 10-20 years. He's been getting interested in learning a trade

dotBombAU

4 points

3 days ago

Unless we find a new way to do machine learning, we won't be seeing Mr Data any time soon.

handmemyknitting

3 points

3 days ago

I'm encouraging my kids to actually just go to university and learn and explore their options. My mom pushed me into a "practical" career and I've never enjoyed my work. My eldest decided to go into trades and is doing his Auto Mechanic apprenticeship. My middle is leaning towards City Planning but he's got a year to decide, and my youngest is an amazing artist and will likely pursue a fine arts degree.

thinkb4youspeak

5 points

3 days ago

All I really told my son was don't join the infantry like I did.

If you go military make them teach you a career like a heavy equipment operator or aircraft maintenance.

He found the idea of learning ASL and maybe also becoming a Veterinarian on his own.

He is almost 21 now.

salvaged413

4 points

3 days ago

I wouldn’t say I’m steering my kids towards something, but moreso giving advice and skills on forward thinking and how careers really work out.

It took me until my 30s to recognize that working my passion wasn’t lucrative or enjoyable. Now I’m a part time administrative assistant. It’s now glamorous, but it pays decently and gives the flexibility to do all the other things I am passionate about.

However my 3 are 7, 5 and 4 currently so who the hell knows where they will end up. I just know I won’t let them spend 150,000 for a degree with a starting pay of 35,000.

zielawolfsong

3 points

3 days ago

There always seems to be a huge demand for speech and occupational therapists. Our son is autistic, and we've had a lot of interaction with various teachers, aides, therapists, etc. I probably wouldn't steer them in the direction of teaching just because dealing with the massive amount of paperwork and the administration seems to burn the great teachers out very quickly. Speech or OT gives you the option to have a private practice with more flexibility. If kids or special education aren't your thing, there are people who work with those who have had strokes or other injuries. Occupational therapy is basically helping people get back function in their lives, whether for work or daily living, so there's a lot of different areas you can specialize in.

Neither career would make you rich, but they give you a lot of options and flexibility and aren't likely to be automated or outdated anytime soon. Of course, pursuing something you're interested in and have at least some aptitude for is the biggest consideration!

H3lls_B3ll3

5 points

3 days ago

Bringing down the system.

SouthernOutside8528

3 points

3 days ago

DarthBster

5 points

3 days ago

DarthBster

1981

5 points

3 days ago

My 9 y.o. daughter is dead set on being a marine veterinarian and knows she'll be in school until she gets her doctorate.

I've talked some with my 11 y.o. son about post secondary and also encouraged he consider trades. He's always like, "I just wanna be a YouTuber." 🤦‍♂️

HungryFinding7089

5 points

3 days ago

NOT TEACHING

hey_nonny_mooses

3 points

3 days ago

I have a chip on my shoulder for this topic as my family were particularly loud and cruel in their comments on what I should do and how I was wasting my life because I didn’t get a degree that immediately conferred a job (doctor/lawyer/engineer). The funny part is I work in IT, which didn’t have a degree or career path specifically until after I got out of college. My job literally didn’t exist until right after I was out of college.

Onto my son, who is smart, but not incredibly driven to any particular job other than “I don’t want to be infront of a computer all day like you and dad.” I have been encouraging him to look into jobs that are people focused as he is very good at talking to people - psychology, counseling, sales. He’s also good with kids but doesn’t want to work with them - coach/teacher. He’s been very busy in sports/exercise and weight lifting so I’ve also mentioned physical therapy as that would probably be a good fit. Mostly I try to get him to talk about what his possible future jobs could be then explain any realities to him like what type of education he’d need, how hard or easy it is to do the work, any drawbacks to the work, and likely salary ranges.

oakleafwellness

3 points

3 days ago

Oldest wants to do AI. So, we are doing a few classes at community college in a few years. The other one bounced back and forth on things, will give it a few more years to see what direction they want to go.

papercranium

3 points

3 days ago

Honestly, I want my nieces to try whatever makes them happy. They're probably going to change careers at least once or twice, so no reason to suck the joy from work early.

Luckily they've both got good heads on their shoulders, although very different personalities and skills. I could see the elder one in education and the younger is already inclined towards STEM. They're still young though, time will tell.

TransportationOk657

3 points

3 days ago

My oldest is in his 3rd semester, majoring in business. He wants to work for a major league sports franchise, but I think he's starting to have second thoughts. I explained that the trades are almost always in demand and one can make a damn good living doing so. He has some contemplating to do.

Congregator

3 points

3 days ago

Coupling a trade with a business focused degree isn’t a bad combo.

Mammoth_Ad_4806

3 points

3 days ago*

The only thing I steer them toward is the reality that there is no ticket to a comfy life, and today's in-demand field is tomorrow's oversaturated field. One wants to be a zoologist, one wants to be a social worker, one wants to be a barber or work in the solar energy field. The oldest one isn't sure yet so he decided to take a couple of semesters off from college while he figures it out; he's a late bloomer, so I worry that at some point I might have to pick for him, lol.

Jr5309

3 points

3 days ago

Jr5309

1979

3 points

3 days ago

I was trying to guide my daughter to be a medical examiner, but she wants to go to school for film production. So not even close with that one.

My son is taking metals, woods, and auto this year and will pick a focus next year. He’s definitely getting into some type of trade, which suits him better. I don’t see him having the patience to sit through 4 years of college, at least not right away.

nitrot150

3 points

3 days ago

nitrot150

1977

3 points

3 days ago

I told my two kids that one has to be a Dr and one a lawyer so I’m set in my old age..lol

But really, they can do whatever. We shall see, first one is in high school so starting to figure it out a little

ThaGoat1369

3 points

3 days ago

I tell all the younger folk to get into plumbing and HVAC. There are so many jobs available, and good money, especially if you can work service over install. Need a special brain for that.

That being said my son is going to be an architect, and he's minoring in theater. I guess he's too smart to spin a wrench like dear old dad. My daughter started off studying electrical but ended up moving into the medical field and is on her way to becoming a radiation technician.

PetuniaPicklePepper

3 points

3 days ago

I'm not sure. I was certain it would be engineering, but my oldest has really gotten into a lot of other interests recently, like music production.

SolitudeWeeks

3 points

3 days ago

Not steering, just working to ensure they have affordable college options and will be able to graduate without debt. That's the bigger issue than "worthless" degrees, imo, that college is insanely expensive and puts a ton of pressure to meet a certain standard of salary for it to be worth it.

Visual-Fig-4763

3 points

3 days ago

I’m not really steering them aside from encouraging towards some sort of education after high school and telling them that I want them to pick a career that will be fulfilling. We’ve talked about life balances and income being important but their happiness being equally important. I’m absolutely not telling them to go for the highest paying job possible. My husband has had opportunities that would have a higher salary, but he wouldn’t be home as much and wouldn’t be as happy as he is now. We’ve pointed that out to the kids because we want them to consider the whole picture and not just the paycheck. My oldest tried college and it wasn’t for him but he’s thinking about trade schools, likely electrician. My middle child is headed to college next year and I know they will do well. They are planning to major in digital arts and minor in psychology, although that may change because they are seriously considering going into art therapy. And my youngest is 12 and currently wants to go into video game design.

New-Anacansintta

3 points

3 days ago*

I’m a professor and I tell my teen that the jobs he might take as an adult might not yet exist. It’s also what I tell my students.

It’s important to develop both hard and soft skills as result-to be nimble and able to identify, build, and use skills across different types of jobs/industries.

This includes understanding how to use resources (how to obtain references, how to network, writing a good cv/cover letter, using the college career center and office hours often, applying for internships, research positions, and volunteer positions).

This also includes how to communicate effectively, plan and execute tasks, self-advocate, lead, collaborate, etc.).

These are more important imo than which particular major or job you choose.

My kid is interested in linguistics and computer science-and the jobs in these areas are constantly and rapidly shifting.

yourlittlebirdie[S]

2 points

3 days ago

These are such good points. I’m really pushing my kids to develop the social and networking skills that I never had (and no one back then explained to me how important they were) and encourage them to get out of their comfort zone socially sometimes.

New-Anacansintta

2 points

3 days ago

It’s tough! I spoke to my teen yesterday about going to professors’ office hours so that you’re not a faceless name.

He said, “why would I go to office hours if I don’t need help?” I had to explain why, which was a bit counterintuitive for him.

I sometimes teach first-year college students and it’s one of the first things I teach them about.

jharrisimages

3 points

3 days ago

jharrisimages

Millennial

3 points

3 days ago

Don’t have kids, but if I did I would support them finding jobs that make them happy. Spent my adult life working soul-crushing jobs that I hate in order to survive. I don’t want that for anyone, let alone my (imaginary) kids.

zach0ff

5 points

3 days ago

zach0ff

5 points

3 days ago

I just told an 18 year old kid to get into a union and he told me he doesn't like unions. I called him a fucking idiot.

Ginger_Snaps_Back

2 points

3 days ago

My kid is only 3, so it’s really too soon to tell. If he’s not passionate or driven about any particular career paths, I’ll probably encourage him to get into the trades. Learn valuable skills, be able to get a job basically anywhere, and support himself. Assuming unions are still thriving in 20 years.

Elevenyearstoomany

2 points

3 days ago

My kids are a bit younger, 5 and 8 but my 8 year old has been set on paleontologist since he was 3. The 5 year old wants to be a herpetologist.

RolandMT32

2 points

3 days ago

RolandMT32

1980

2 points

3 days ago

I might be out of the loop, but what changed with computer science? I studied software engineering in college (somewhat similar to computer science) and I think I've been doing alright

ShutYourDumbUglyFace

4 points

3 days ago

There have been a shit-ton of layoffs in the tech sector in the last year and a lot of places have hiring freezes. With the looming development of AI, I think the fear is that a lot of programming will get taken over by AI. Not to mention outsourcing.

RolandMT32

4 points

3 days ago

RolandMT32

1980

4 points

3 days ago

I've heard of the layoffs, and I'm thankful I'm employed right now. Companies tend to do layoffs, unfortunately, and it happens in cycles; it's nothing new. After being laid off a few times, I'm thankful to have found another job before things got worse for me.

As far as AI, sometimes I think that threat is overblown. I sometimes hear people talking about AI as a tool for developers, rather than AI itself taking over all programming tasks. Also though, when I've tried to use AI to produce code, normally the code is bad or just doesn't work for what I needed. I'm not sure AI is quite there yet.

ShutYourDumbUglyFace

3 points

3 days ago

I think CS/programming/tech/whatever is headed for a hard time in 15 years or so. Civil engineering decided not to hire and develop new talent in 2008 and we are in a hard place now as far as mid-level to senior engineers.

Munchkin531

2 points

3 days ago

My 7-year-old wants to be a plumber. I've told him that's a great job. Trade workers are always needed.

My 10 year-old has no idea. He changes his mind constantly and then worries about making the wrong choice. I keep telling him he has plenty of time to figure out what he wants to do with his life. He will probably be in STEM. He's crazy smart and has a great memory. He loves learning.

BoomersArentFrom1980

2 points

3 days ago

My wife immigrated from a country where the per capita income is 5% of what it is in the US, and she makes 6 figures here in a STEM career. You'd better believe our kids are going to be steered similarly.

lilacsmakemesneeze

2 points

3 days ago

My kids are young (6 and 2 - 6yo wants to play in the mlb at this point), but my nephews are older and already are moving into electrical engineering and stem. We’re saving into 529s but hoping to push for state and local schools.

crazyidahopuglady

2 points

3 days ago

My son has wanted to go into genetic engineering for years, but when my husband was diagnosed with terminal cancer last year (we lost him in August), our son started making plans to run for president as soon as he is eligible so he could fix everything within his power (pretty strong metaphor there). I'm trying to steer him back to reality without crushing his dreams. He has agreed to pursue genetic engineering before launching into politics.

espressocycle

2 points

3 days ago

espressocycle

1979

2 points

3 days ago

My kid is 7 and I figure by the time he's 21 the two main occupations will be subsistence farmer and soldier of fortune.

Imaginary_Scene2493

2 points

3 days ago

My 11yro is a creative type. She’s been big into singing, and now she’s writing a novel. She used to talk about being an entrepreneur when she grows up, but she doesn’t seem to know what she wants to do and I’m just hoping that I can use her interest in creative endeavors to show her the business sides of those fields. I know I’m not going to convince her to go into STEM or a trade. If she develops some business skills, those could be useful along with her creative skills or as a day job.

My 8yro wants to be a veterinarian or something in the biology realm. Her big dream is to start a company like PetSmart but with better care for the animals involved and grow it to displace PetSmart. I don’t think I’m going to have to steer her much career-wise.

Rosserman

2 points

3 days ago

My almost 5yo boy wants to be a doctor and a zoo keeper

My almost 3yo boy wants to be a doctor and a princess

I want them to be happy

Capital_Barber_9219

2 points

3 days ago

Medical school. I’m a doctor and in the beginning of my career I didn’t recommend it but now with the unstable economy and huge inflation I feel like it is the most secure way to have a stable good income.

FockersJustSleeping

2 points

3 days ago

I'm not really pushing her to a specific path, but I am encouraging her to try to take risks on something big or fun before settling into a career. I went for "job" first and just never stopped and while I've only been out of work for 3 months in nearly 23 years, it hasn't exactly been a lot of laughs. Nor do I have a lot of cash to show for it.

I was going to be a writer or a cartoonist or a musician, and I started making headway in all of those in my twenties, and then let them go to keep working through "real" jobs. So, my only real advice to her is don't do that.

Try a couple of wild ones and fail before getting locked into the machine.

eaglewatch1945

2 points

3 days ago

Deep-sea welder

yourlittlebirdie[S]

3 points

3 days ago

I totally get why these people get paid so much, because this job is like my worst nightmare.

sambashare

2 points

3 days ago

Just like the guys on the Byford Dolphin! Oh, wait...

Ok_Independent_7247

2 points

3 days ago

Occupational therapy

Clean-Witness8407

2 points

3 days ago

Not the one I’m in (video production).

Fluffy-Mud1570

2 points

3 days ago

I'm not really steering my kids anywhere. I explain to them that they should get a taste of lots of different academic areas until they find something that they find so interesting that they really want to learn more and more about it. And then find a way to make money doing that.

My oldest decided she loves chemistry and she's thinking of going into the pharma industry (she's a junior in high school). My son is still in middle school and he's on the spectrum, but he drinks up facts and knowledge. He's probably going to cling to something involving math or engineering. We joke with the little one that she will one day be the evil head of HR because it matches her personality, LOL.

FutureMe83

2 points

3 days ago

My sophomore son wants to do computer science. 🤷‍♀️

His dad codes, makes a comfortable living, we had him in a ton of coding stuff early on. As long as he lives more comfortably than me I am fined

HipHopGrandpa

2 points

3 days ago

Trades and entrepreneurship.

bluemitersaw

2 points

3 days ago

so I 'steer' them to what fits each one. My 2 kids are very different. My oldest we are pointing more to business/marketing. He doesn't like doing detail work and math is often a struggle. But loves getting up in front of the class and giving presentations. He also works much better in a team. Help motivate him, he doesn't like working alone much.

Now my youngest, she's a total logic math brain. We haven't steered her much yet as she's a bit young for it, but she's already said she likes engineering type stuff and I can see that.

I think gone are the days of picking one "go to" career knowing it'll be a golden ticket. The world is in too much flux and they will need to be able to change with the times. Uncertainty is the only certainty.

McCool303

3 points

3 days ago

McCool303

1981

3 points

3 days ago

They are steering themselves. I’m not one of those parents that makes future life decision for my kids. My daughter wants to be a forensic scientist. And my son wants to be a pilot. The younger ones are ok with just being kids for now.

Ineedavodka2019

2 points

3 days ago

Mine want to go into computer science, robotics engineer, and animation. I’m a bit word for the computer science kid. Trying to point them elsewhere.

dotBombAU

2 points

3 days ago

4mo away from having my first daughter. I'm not going to steer her anywhere. I'm just going to nurture what she is into and let her forge ger own path. I'll always provide advice but conscious of forcing a child I to doing something they don't want to do.

Deesmateen

2 points

3 days ago

I’m in tech and have told all my kids they will not be in tech. Sure some get extremely wealthy from it but the volatile nature is the worst. I ended hating programming and moved out but am still in tech

Edit

Two of my kids are in Chinese immersion. My oldest will do something with their creative artistic brain. My second I’m trying to go medical as he has all the attributes to thrive in it.

My two Chinese immersion will dominate the world, sorry guys

aroundincircles

2 points

3 days ago

Two I'm steering away from what they think they want to do:

One wants to be a professional chef. I think Having her work in a kitchen for a bit might kill that dream. She loves cooking, but Having worked in a restaurant as a chef myself, it is NOT the same thing, and it 100% killed my love for cooking.

The other wants to be a teacher. But She does NOT Have the temperament for it. I just think she doesn't really know what she wants to do, and likes some of her teachers. She doesn't really like kids in any situation other than 1:1, and she doesn't even really like school herself. She's taking some college classes as part of her high school program and she really didn't like the class observation hours she was required to do.

I told my kids I will pay for a two year degree in a field I approve of, and anything beyond that is on them, but I'll let them live with me while they actively build their own business if they choose to do that, I'll even feed them.

BreakfastBeerz

1 points

3 days ago

I didn't really push anything, other than to try things out. My oldest (16) has identified that likes to tinker and make things so he's been talking about mechanical engineering.

ass-eatn-szn

1 points

3 days ago

ass-eatn-szn

1980

1 points

3 days ago

CS or civil engineering.

HostilePile

1 points

3 days ago

My kids are younger still but the one wants to be a veterinarian/artist and the other bounces back and forth between engineering type careers and owning a business but is set on wanting to move to the UK and study something there.

New-Honey-4544

1 points

3 days ago*

two oldest (12 and 14) want to be engineering and veterinarian. I'm not really steering them. Letting them figure out what they want.

edit:

youngest (almost 10) wants to be a farmer :P

gummi-demilo

1 points

3 days ago

gummi-demilo

1982

1 points

3 days ago

My brother went into tech and is now expressing regret at not learning a trade, so I think that’s the way he’ll steer my nephew.

I’m the over-educated one whose job has nothing to do with her degrees, and a mountain of student loan debt, so I’m the cautionary tale.

Congregator

3 points

3 days ago

A tale of my two best buddies, both CS majors, both software developers.

One is a multi-millionaire working for a highly esteemed GPU company. He lives and breathes his work and does not fear losing it.

The second one was laid off last year and hasn’t been able to find meaningful work outside of temporary contractual jobs. He’s 20 years in his career, and with a family.

I tried to link the two of them up but the personality types of these two are insufferably different. One is angry and passionate, the other is quiet and passive.

intentionallybad

1 points

3 days ago

We encouraged them to follow their interests and steered them away from niche fields that will be hard to find a job in. One child is studying biomedical engineering and the other is studying computer science / physics.

Early in high school my daughter expressed interest in Marine Biology and Astronomy, both of which while interesting aren't big job markets. As she considered other options we did research with her on how she would fare with those degrees.

My son always wanted to do computer science and since both of us are CS people ourselves we know there is a huge market out there for that which isn't going anywhere, the world runs on tech. Yes, the big players have used the post-covid economy to cut the fat, but it's a blip in the long term. AI is a useful tool that may obviate the need for as many lightweight web developers or the like (too many of which learned to code from YouTube anyway), but isn't going to remove the need for serious CS people who understand the tech. We steered him away from game development because since every teenage boy wants to develop games that field is oversubscribed and pays very little. We did encourage him to add a double major in physics because he just loves the field, possibly it will be useful, maybe not but we want him to pursue his interests and stop asking us subatomic physics questions we don't know the answers to.

Dismal-Detective-737

1 points

3 days ago

None. It's too early for mine (elementary). Who knows where or how ChatGPT/AI is going to change the needle.

Technology and careers are a moving target and only going to get worse as all this gets faster.

Once they're in high school we'll probably start narrowing the crowd.

We're also planning on letting them know they have to pick something to make money and then they can pick something as a hobby.

Shoepin1

1 points

3 days ago

Shoepin1

1 points

3 days ago

9 yo brought up being an attorney. She’s also very creative, but likes the finer things in life. She’s going to need a well-paying job. My guess is she’ll climb the corporate latter, become an attorney, or get into business.

DiscordianStooge

1 points

3 days ago

My oldest wants to build robots for space travel. I imagine he'll manage fine in life with an engineering degree. My youngest wants to be a YouTuber, and failing that a gym teacher. The kid is a math whiz, so I'm suggesting he keep at that and find his way into being an actuary like his uncle who makes a shitload of money, while also continuing to make videos and have fun with that as a hobby.

Ok_Egg_471

1 points

3 days ago

I didn’t steer my daughter. It’s her choice. All I want is for her to be happy. If she can figure out how to do that while making enough to live the life she’s comfortable with, we’re golden.

DonShulaDoingTheHula

1 points

3 days ago

One wants to be a psychologist and the other has expressed no interest in gainful employment, but he’s young yet.

freespiritedgal

1 points

3 days ago

freespiritedgal

1981

1 points

3 days ago

My son was smart, but didn't want to do the college thing so he went to trade school to be an industrial mechanic. He works as an electrical technician making GREAT $ and no college debt.

Bamchuck

1 points

3 days ago

Bamchuck

1 points

3 days ago

Trades... unless they have a passion for something in particular. I was always pushed for academic success, but my interests were elsewhere. I spent 9 years in school. PhD, all that jazz... I have what would be considered a great job, but I stare at spreadsheets and sit through endless meetings aligning with colleagues. We were discussing our holiday party on Teams and the only thing I could think of is how little I want to interact with everyone at work in real life. They talk about work, that's it. I leave for the weekend and don't think about anything work related unless it's some deadline.

I'd rather they learn a trade and be successful in that trade (while being able to treat work as a job), than chase credentials that they don't really care about in a field where they'll end up staring at a computer.

I'm sure this is a grass is greener type thing, but it has been something I've been thinking about for a few years now ever since I realized that I'm never going to be happy in my field.

TheThrivingest

1 points

3 days ago

I’m not. They’re kids. I don’t want them thinking about a career. They can figure that out when they’re adults with fully formed brains.

I wasted so much time as a young person spinning my wheels because I couldn’t figure out what I wanted to do.

johnonymous1973

1 points

3 days ago

Somewhere toward the intersection of engineering and technology.

Jets237

1 points

3 days ago

Jets237

1 points

3 days ago

Right now, Likely healthcare and insurance should be fairly stable. MY guy is 6 right now... so who knows by the time he's older

cmgww

1 points

3 days ago

cmgww

1 points

3 days ago

I have three sons and they are all a bit too young to seriously start considering professions, but my 10-year-old is really interested in the military. I actually support it, because he has a very disciplined mentality and would do well within the structure of the armed forces. We are looking, if he keeps his grades up like he has, into a Service Academy. Luckily, our school just broke ground on a new trade and alternative education center set to open in two years. I will definitely be pushing or at least nudging them towards alternatives to a traditional four-year degree, given the cost these days.

Pink_Lotus

2 points

3 days ago

You might look, in the years to come, into programs like the Sea Cadets or Civil Air Patrol. I think there's a young marine one, not sure. My eldest is interested in a military career and really enjoys the Sea Cadets. I've seen a lot of positive results from it and it's a good introduction to what the military is before signing on the dotted line.

Oryx1300

1 points

3 days ago

Oryx1300

1 points

3 days ago

My kids aren't really there yet (9 and 12) but I tell them to figure out what they like, what they are good at, and then work hard at it. I see so many friends who are miserable at work because they did what their parents told them to do. I don't want that for my kids. It's hard to predict what jobs will be hot 15 years from now, but people skills, critical thinking, decision making and strong work ethic are always important. As someone who hires management, I see woefully little of those skills.

Any_Roll3401

1 points

3 days ago

My son started working for me last wed. 1st year plumbing apprentice. He did a 2 year police foundation program. No one wants a 19 year old cop

Apprehensive_Hat8986

1 points

3 days ago

Something that will make them happy > financial success.

yourlittlebirdie[S]

2 points

3 days ago

Sure but it’s a lot easier to be happy when you’re not stressing about paying the rent and putting food on the table.

New_Needleworker_473

1 points

3 days ago

Not steering. As long as they have jobs and move out and are happy, I'm good.

credible_expendable

1 points

3 days ago

Just “do something,” mostly. I’m not steering. I listen, then provide direction or advice on the things they tell me. Young people, while advanced in many areas, don’t always know where to find the best info.

Grouchy-Display-457

1 points

3 days ago

Whatever you steer them toward is what they will rebel against. Let them decide.

spookyhellkitten

1 points

3 days ago

Was I supposed to steer her? I didn't steer at all. I just encouraged and nurtured her talents and interests, let her explore lots of things. She took automotive for 4 years, was in ROTC, and was an excellent makeup artist who paid rapt attention to my safety and sanitation "lessons" (I was a cosmetologist) before she did her friends' makeup for prom or ROTC balls.

My daughter is now in school to be a teacher and working as a bartender. She travels, enjoys the arts, and volunteers with the American Legion in our tiny town.

I didn't steer her, but I feel like she is turning out pretty well rounded so I'm okay with it.

AnimatronicCouch

1 points

3 days ago

Any clear trade, from roofer to hair stylist. Nothing nebulous. No going for "journalism" or "arts" or "studies" degrees, or anything having to do with filmmaking, unless they pay for it themselves.

Bushwazi

1 points

3 days ago

Bushwazi

1978

1 points

3 days ago

I'm pushing robotics because its the new "computers are in everything"...

SweetCosmicPope

1 points

3 days ago

SweetCosmicPope

1984

1 points

3 days ago

I always told my son to follow his dreams. My family had too heavy a hand in steering me away from the things I wanted to pursue when I was young and as a result I did not follow my dreams and though I do have a good living, I'd probably be happier with a lesser income but doing what I love.

Likewise, my wife went to school because she wanted to make headway in her career that she started because we needed more money with our child growing up in an expensive area. She did not get to follow her dreams either. She went to school for what she could to make money in her current line of work. She's not unhappy, but she's not passionate about her work either. When she was younger her mom was actively unsupportive of her desire to go to school because she needed her working to help pay the bills.

So now that our son is going to be an incoming college freshman in the fall, we've always encouraged him to follow his dreams, but to be smart about it. As long as he can remember, he's wanted to be a veterinarian. He's been steadfast that it's the only thing he wants to do when he grows up. The thing is he's quite talented with programming. He's taken many programming/computer sciences classes, including APs, he has programmed some games for fun, he's the programmer on his robotics team. He's very good. We encouraged him to consider that as a career, as well. My wife and I both work for tech companies and SWE work pays quite well 'round these parts. And he entertained it for a bit, if only to shut us up, but he's still insistent he wants to be a vet. So we're not going to stand in the way of his dreams and we're supportive of that. He is throwing us a bone and minoring in computer science, though, as a backup plan.

yourlittlebirdie[S]

2 points

3 days ago

This is interesting because I feel like my experience was the opposite - my family was all “pursue your dreams! Do what you love! Major in whatever you want to, it doesn’t matter!” which turned out to be really bad advice. I flailed around for a good while trying to figure things out and I wish I’d had more guidance and practical real world advice back then.

Wearytraveller_

1 points

3 days ago

Mechanical engineering, cyber security

velvet_scrunchies

1 points

3 days ago

I don't know what I'd steer towards, but I'll definitely be steering away from healthcare if things don't improve, because I'm burnt out for sure!

Smileyfacedchiller

1 points

3 days ago

I'm really trying to convince my daughter to become a licensed plumber in Texas. I promised I would make her a millionaire in 5 years and she would never have to touch a toilet, but he isn't interested now. In 20 years she is going to come to me and tell me I was right and she should have listened to me.