Guiding your kid(s) towards a degree/profession.

[ifish4tuna]

Hey guys, I'm getting into college planning mode now that my oldest son is in highschool. I'm wondering what degree or line of profession people recommend and why, and then again what people recommend against, and why.

I figure this is a good place to get input since there are some people with some rather expensive boats on this forum. You must have good jobs or businesses, or in debt up to you're eyeballs

I've got an engineering background. Money & benefits have always been good. Well into 6figs, but employment has been sketchy over the past 5 years, and stock options are pretty much a thing of the past. Lots of outsourcing to india, china, russia. I think we've become the new blue collar. I've always regretted not getting an MBA.

We got sued by my asshole neigbhor 2 years ago. My lawyer billed me at $237/hour. To the tune of 40K. I can't help but think a law degree is a good direction to go. My other thought is finance degree and work towards managing a mutual fund. Either that or CPA. If the kid has the right personality, I think sales is the way to go. I don't know any salesman (business degree) that makes less than 150K and the bastards are either golfing or fishing or eating out. Usually, its the sales guy that eventually becomes the CEO of a company - at least in my industry.

So what are you recommending for your kid(s).

Thanks, Ed

[#1Gaffman]

I am just finishing my first year of college, so i cant really say what will be good for youre boy in the future.

But i am majoring in business.

Business is a degree that is versatile and and you can imply it to almost anything. Its something that any entraprenuer needs to have.

My dad is a doc but has the business smarts to, he always has told me that you can make more money by being a SMART businessman than any other proffesion.

JUST MY THOUGHTS HERE!

[Capt. Squiddly]

Im a second-semester sophomore in college. Im majoring in Finance and minoring in Economics. Business is really the best route to go because you can do so much with a degree in business. I hope to persue a short career in investments and/or wealth-management.

My brother, on the other hand, went the "other" route. He graduated with two degrees, one in Philosophy and the other in English Literature. He is currently in Law School.

[Logan9581]

I got my business degree 2 years ago from a top 10 business school. I am a charter captain now!! Why? because I love to do it. I am running a full time charter business with 2 boats (more in the works...watchout!). I have the owner of one of the boats backing me and I am already out of the red in 5 months.

Anyway, something my grandpa told me...do what you love to do and you will be the best in the business.

As for what to steer your son towards....I would suggest whatever he loves, he will put 110% into it all the time and he will excel!

[Glenn W]

Ed,
Here's the cold hard facts: MBA's are a dime a dozen now. No more credentials than a business degree 30 years ago. However. an MBA with a technical BS will open many a door--- but let's get him through undergrad first.
What's his interest and apptitude?
If he's looking at maybe law school, there is nothing more marketable than a JD with an accounting undergrad. If not, what other profession (without luck) can you expect a 6 figure income with only a BS within 5 years of college?
You know all about engineering so you are well aware of the pros and cons

For me, I have HS senior that has his shit all together and figured out----
Major in partying with a double minor in babes and mouching off the ole man for a few more years.

[Tunacatcher74]

Im a senior in high school. I'm gonna be goin to Nova Southeastern in Ft Lauderdale to study Marine Biology. Chances are than I'm gonna end up switching out because of what I heard from other marine biologists. The good thing is that the American college system allowes students to change their major in very little time in a painless process, and I remember reading a statistic somewhere that over 50% of undergrads switch their major at least once in by the end of their second year. Basicly what I am trying to say is don't choose for your son, if he choses the wrong major he can switch out; however, the final decision is between you and him. Make sure that your son also looks over certain job opportunites that certain majors will open up for him. If all else fails just have is major as undeclared because most freshman and sophmore classes are similar if not the same between most majors, an once he is ready to make his choice he will already have taken most of the classes he needed to.

Also, don't let him slack off and miss deadlines for the apps. Fortunatly my father was riding my ass about that, and even though I never told him, I'm so thankful he did.

Hope this helps

[Foul Hooked]

I would recommend a technical undergrad and get the MBA later on with the company dime.

[Squidnation]

Ed you hit the nail on the head with a sales position. Quite frankly i think the best "first Job" out of collage should be an entry level sales position. Sales taught me more about how to deal with people, rejection, perservierance and goals in 1 year then I learned in my 7 years of collage (so it took me a little longer ). The lifestyle and income are only two reason why I chose a sales career path. If you sonr develops a proficient sales skill set i.e. becomes a really good bullshitter, then he will always be employed.

Now in what direction. I chose telecom and data sales. It has been very rewarding. But I told my son that if I were in school now and thinking about a career path today I would choose Optometry. Why? todays youth are the first generation to have grown up all their lives in front of a computer. I have a feeling that a whole lot more eyes are gonna go to crap a whole lot sooner then generations past.

But as logan said - you gotta love what you do. If science isn't his gig then this is all moot. Although I still have my telecom business, I decided to start squidnation a year ago. It has become a labor of love. the money ain't their yet but I sure look forward to going to work every morning.

Good Luck

[Bog Monster]

Really discuss with your child what he wantsto do. I ended up going back to school for my teaching degree and then on for my masters. The psych degree I earned has been helpful. Franky has a double major, english and Philosophy, after graduation he went to chapmans. Your child probably won't be sucessful, unless he is persuing something he enjoys.

Look for a college that has a successful career planning service. This department helps the students gt their first job and sets up interviews.

[biebs]

Become a lure maker.

Just kidding.

I did something rather new when I was choosing where to go to college. A few schools in the US offer a business degree in Entrepreneurial Studies. My father always told me that i'm never going to make any REAL money working for someone else. GO to college; get a good job, yada yada yada. By far the smartest advice he ever gave me. I also took a minor in marketing also. That degree teaches you the in's in outs of starting and running a business. Also looks at money management and how to invest. I ended up at the University of New Mexico where UCLA has their sister business school which is the Anderson School of Mgmt. I worked one year out of college for someone else and that was the last of that. Never again.

More importantly, if your son is really involved in the fishing world, you need flexibility. I also work on a great boat that understands my schedule. Owners like mates and captains that aren't ding bats. When i'm not fishing, myself and partners are running 3 different businesses. It’s a fun way to go.

K