my high school senior/prep for college

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-13-2007
my high school senior/prep for college
15
Tue, 03-13-2007 - 6:01pm

I have an 18 year old son who has been accepted to Ohio State University in the fall.
He has declared engineering as his major
When asked about why he chose engineering as his major he says feels like it's his best option
He really doesn't know what he wants to do for sure
My concern is that he doesn't have the vision for his future that he will need to sustain him through the hard work.
I was wondering is anyone could advise me as to how to best prepare him for his future plans.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-13-2007
Fri, 03-16-2007 - 7:03am
thank-you so much for your words of wisdom
i think I just need this type of reassurance partly I think because he is our only
there's a good possibility we have the "all our eggs in one basket" mentality
(poor kid)
the bottom line is that he is headed in the right direction and support him in that
feel free to pass on any other advice since you are a little bit ahead of us in this whole experience
thanks again for the input
best wishes from one mom to another
Avatar for suzyk2118
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-30-1997
Fri, 03-16-2007 - 9:05am

Excellent point on the 'big bucks' - based on an AIP study, I'm making starting salary for someone with my educational credentials just getting out of school; I have 23 years in, post-masters. But that's just what our little area of the midwest is like, unless you're in project management, which isn't the same as the day-to-day 'real' engineering. And you're right on hours too - most weeks are at least 50-60 hours, with pay for 40, and no comp time/extra pay. But I find the group I work with great (we do ophthalmic surgical equipment design (cataracts, retinal issues, etc.)), we have a wonderful dynamic that I'd miss if I jumped just to get extra money.

Sue

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-07-2004
Fri, 03-16-2007 - 6:24pm

We went through a similar situation last year with my DD. She was accepted at Penn State and said she was going to go for Elementary Ed. (Before I say more... let me just state that my daughter hates pretty much any child that is not her baby brother and sister ...and they only stay on her good side for small spurts at a time) Anyway, since her only true interests are shopping and wasting gas, I wasn't sure how we could turn either of those into a career but we knew we couldn't let her go for Elementary Ed. We had her sit down and talk with a few of our friends who are teachers to see exactly what she was thinking. In the end - SHE decided that it wasn't for her and is now a liberal arts major ....until she can figure out how to turn spending my money into her major.


If you've had him speak with people in the field and he still wants to do it...he may surprise you and do well.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-29-2004
Fri, 03-16-2007 - 8:48pm

As an physcist (and also have worked in an optics lab) plus engineer married to an engineer with one kid in engineer and another planning for that path...

(1) So what if he doesn't take things about! There are many branches of engineering that don't require that,especially. To be a good engineer, you need a very strong math and physics skills and to be a PROBLEM SOLVER.

(2) At 18, he is too young to narrow down what type of engineering. He should be taking a general first year in engineering anyways. There is time enough to decide which type he likes best.

(3) Engineering is a VERY GOOD first degree. He can use as a spring board to anything. (I know engineers who ended up in medical school). He shouldn't be worried about what working as an engineer is like. All he should be wooried about now is if the courses sound interesting.

(4) In my experience, high school counselors only KNOW ABOUT high school. Unless this counselor has worked in industry and KNOWS what it is like to work in industry, he has NO IDEA. Writing a book does not impress me.

Your son is young. Of course, his passion is basketball and playing poker. He WANTS TO DO.
He might very well find that engineering is fun and will reveled in the problem solving aspect of it.

Honestly, I would be very happy if I were you that he is thinking of even trying engineering. If he drops out, he drops out. Cross that bridge when you get there.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-29-2004
Fri, 03-16-2007 - 8:56pm

Well, I have over 30 years post research masters and am into "hard core" engineering (space) Even here, project management does not pay big bucks either. If you factor in the hours, as you posted, your hourly rate is not that high.

But, it is the challenge of the job that keeps us at it. It is fun. That's why we do it.

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