Choosing college major and/or career

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-14-2006
Choosing college major and/or career
11
Wed, 02-13-2008 - 7:46am

Any suggestions for helping DD get more specific about what she wants to "do" after college? It seems so far away, but really it's not. As she's beginning to look at colleges (halfway through Junior Year), it seems like she should have some idea of what she wants to study, even just to narrow down her search. If I ask her, she says "I don't know". OTOH, I think this is fine - start college with more general interests, find a focus while you're there. OTOH, some general ideas of possible careers would be a help.

BTW, I was *positive* I was going to be a veterinarian - changed majors and career goals between my sophomore and junior years in college - so, I'm torn in how to advise my DD. I know, from my own experience, that you CAN change your mind. And, what seems like the absolutely perfect career when you're 16/17 may not appeal to you so much when you're 20.

DH wants her to focus on math/science - these have been her strongest subjects this semester, and she'll take AP Physics and Calculus next year - but I don't hear that from her yet - if you ask her now what she's passionate about, she'd say "baking" - not sure if that would ever be her career or if it will be a lifelong passion (or something she grows less fond of over the years).

Sorry to be so rambly. Any ideas of how to help her focus her interests?

Sue, mom to Leah and Seth


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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-06-2006
Wed, 02-13-2008 - 8:22am

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None whatsoever!

 

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 02-13-2008 - 8:40am

None of mine have had clarity in this area


DS1 eventually decided on business but it was sort of a 'fell into' thing because of his job and the availability of the program(evenings)


DS2 has to apply any day now to transfer from his community college program and HAS to choose something as a transfer-cant keep wth general ed as a junior-LOL


I have decided, across the board, to encourage them to pick something, aim for that, and change later on. If it means 5 yrs of college to accommodate the change, so be it!


Otherwise, it seems to be 'I dont know' forever


DS2 says he has no passion. He is very honest and forthright about it and I give him credit for admitting it in a 'Dr Phil' time when everyone asks that question and expects an answer


He wants a job where he can make enough money to enjoy his personal life

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-17-2006
Wed, 02-13-2008 - 9:01am
I am not sure exactly what the form is called but my ds filled one out to asses what his strengths and weaknesses were.
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-14-2000
Wed, 02-13-2008 - 9:12am
Since the first year or two of college are mostly gen eds I think it's perfectly fine to go in with an undeclared major.
Pam
Avatar for mjaye2002
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 02-13-2008 - 11:01am

Well, this is going to be NO help at all...my ds21 *still* has no idea what he wants to be when he grows up!

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-28-1999
Wed, 02-13-2008 - 12:25pm

I think this is a really difficult decision, some kids seem to know (or at least think they know) right away and some kind of flounder.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-19-2003
Wed, 02-13-2008 - 12:52pm

I am an designated accountant.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-25-2006
Wed, 02-13-2008 - 1:52pm

Leah and C are not alone, and taking a year off is not a bad idea. (My brother just told me that at one of the intro sessions for freshmen when he started college back in the 60s, they were told they should all leave and take a year off--they weren't mature enough yet to be there. But those were Vietnam days, and that was Harvard, so he stayed.)

Recently we saw DH's cousin in Miami. His son graduates this yr and doesn't know what he wants--he's good in everything and scored a perfect score on the SAT. His dad said he wants him to keep his mind wide open and try all different classes. Of course, he'll likely end up with a hefty scholarship, if not a full one. When you're that good, you don't have to try to finish in four years, as the money will always be there.

Our DS24 was good in both humanities and science/math, but not good enough for any scholarships. We advised him to stick with the science and math cuz those are hard to get back to if you've been away. We told him we could pay for only four years, and after that he got a decent-paying job as a civil engineer (project management) that he likes. His company will help pay now if he chooses to further his education in engineering or for an MBA. Maybe he would have been happier with another major...time will tell. I always thought he'd make a good lawyer.

DS18 chose pre-pharmacy after attending a career fair at a local hospital, but now says he'd prefer research, not hospital pharmacy. He's always been stronger in math/sci than in language arts. He job shadowed an accountant once, and decided he DEFINITELY does not want to do that. Job shadowing is a good way to get some idea of what they'd like to do, or what they would NEVER like to do.

Career changes often occur because WE grow and change, I think. And we can't prevent that from happening. I've changed careers several times, and now at age 52 I'm considering going back for another master's degree. So as long as our kids choose a major they think they'll like, or take a year off and do something productive, they'll be doing alright. Changing majors is not a big deal except that it might take longer to graduate, and then it would cost more.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-14-2007
Wed, 02-13-2008 - 3:04pm

I haven't read all the replies, so maybe someone answered this. But there are questionnaires out there--they may be called interest or skills "inventories" or something like that--that might help narrow down some possible areas of interest. I'm also wondering if there's a version of "What Color Is My Parachute" for teens. (If not, maybe there should be!) I'd think the guidance counselor would know about these tools.


EJ

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-29-2004
Wed, 02-13-2008 - 5:51pm


This is what I told my kids.

1. University is totally different from high school.

2. Take the most challenging program who can handle so you have a strong foundation. You never know what life will take you and your career will evolve in ways you can only dream of.

3. No decision is written in stone and no education is a waste. Take each step at a time. You don't have to have everything figured out at age 18.

4. List your strengths, weaknesses and personality traits. Be honest.

5. Make a list of the subjects you love, the subjects you on the fence and the subjects you don't like at all. It doesn't matter what mark you got. What are the subjects you always do first for homework? Try to separate the teaching from the subject. And don't pick a subject just because you got a high mark.

6. Combine 5 with 6. and you come up with a short list.

7. With your short list, derive a list a programs in university that those subjects area are explored in more depth. And knowing your personality, you can come up with a rough path to start to head down.

8. Don't pick something because everyone else is. Don't pick something because it sounds cool. Pick something you are interested in.

Both kids did this and both ended up with different flavors of engineering.

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