[airehead]

<p>I have someone whom I care about very much asking me for school and career counseling.  Very sweet young lady, with a difficult parent situation.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>No one has really helped guide her toward a career path.  They just said, "go to college."  </p>
<p> </p>
<p>What would you do?  She doesn't have money for expensive career counselors.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>She's finished all of her basics and now wants to attend a 4 year, but doesn't know what she wants to major in, but she doesn't want to waste time or money.</p>

 

[gretriever]

<p>An obvious question - what interests her?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Also, the way you explained this - she's already graduated high school?</p>

 

[airehead]

<p><br>
I've tried asking her interests.  She has been very sheltered.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>She's been doing what is expected of her, like a bunch of math, but not really enjoying it.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>College should be hard, but it should also not be so hard that you are hating it.  </p>
<p> </p>
<p>She has finished high school and two years of her basics.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>gretriever</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/74774/y-all-are-smart-like-that#post_2009140"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>An obvious question - what interests her?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Also, the way you explained this - she's already graduated high school?</p>
</div>
</div>
<br><br><p> </p>
<p> </p>

 

[Grizzly]

<p>Hmm, it's hard even with kids who are motivated.  I got the "What if I don't like my major...?" from the obys.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If she is cash strapped and on her own the concern is genuine.  What about something in terms of a profession like nursing where there's a definite job at the end of the rainbow?</p>

 

[airehead]

<p><br>
I don't think she likes the medical stuff.  </p>
<p> </p>
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Grizzly</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/74774/y-all-are-smart-like-that#post_2009148"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>Hmm, it's hard even with kids who are motivated.  I got the "What if I don't like my major...?" from the obys.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If she is cash strapped and on her own the concern is genuine.  What about something in terms of a profession like nursing where there's a definite job at the end of the rainbow?</p>
</div>
</div>
<br><br><p> </p>
<p> </p>

 

[Grizzly]

<p>Is she good with drawing - Architecture Tech (not an architect), designer etc.</p>
<p>Is she interested in the outdoors?  Careers as arborist, conservation officer, etc.</p>
<p>Is she interested in police work? other legal work?<br><br>
 </p>

 

[satfix]

<p>As an "adult learner" - I'll offer another perspective.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I didn't get my degree until I was 40 years old. I did have some basic classes I took early on - but never finished - once I did, it made sense and has help my career immensely.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Why does she have to go to college right away ? Her credits don't expire - what about suggesting a 2 or 3 year stint in the military? Doesn't have to be Army or Marines - it could be Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard.</p>
<p><br>
When she goes down, they have to take an ASVAB test (at least they did when I was in) - this is a vocational aptitude test that will help guide her.</p>
<p><br>
While in, she'll get a few years older and wiser - she'll have a better understanding of who she really is (especially be sheltered) and she'll have a better direction in what she wants to do.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I am not suggesting the reserves or the NG - I'm suggesting Active Duty Regular Enlistment.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Or - a year in the peace corps - they still have that, right?</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I had a similar discussion with my niece about her future - she was 'sheltered'; she got no guidance from her parents; and she was trying to figure out what to do. And though my advise to her was slightly different - she's did take my advise and is now doing what she loves in Seattle - (Music Industry )....</p>
<p> </p>
<p>College for what she was doing wouldn't get her the exposure and experience she's now getting - in time, she'll go back to school and finish what she is lacking - but for a 26 year old, she's doing pretty good out there.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>FWIW</p>

 

[coachie]

<p>I don't have any suggestions.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>But I'll join in with a bit of what Rich just said...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If you don't know what you're interested in...  figure that out first.  Courses that cost money should help you.</p>

 

[jcumming]

<p>I'm with the guys above. Going to college for the sake of going to college seems like a waste of time and money to me.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>A couple of years in the work force will make her a couple of years older and those two combined may point her in a direction of interest.</p>

 

[RaisingArizonainNH]

<p> What about a  volunteer  job such ad Americorps or othe..r. where she could have an advetnure if desired,  chance to be out on her own and expeience which migh help delineate her interests?</p>
<p> </p>
<p> If she is that vague about what carreer she wants... I think that is pretty normal , but with the cost of college and the job market, experience and direction would make the balance of her college $ more worthwhile!</p>
<p>.</p>

 

[airehead]

<p>She's an awesome young lady--she works full time and has gone to college full time, too.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>She's far from lazy.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The boy she's attached to is a reservist trying to go active duty.  I don't know if they both want to be military or not.</p>

 

[Grizzly]

<p>There's nothing wrong with a liberal arts degree either ya know.  Just saying.  If anything it is a solid grounding in, as you put it "the basics", and it is a piece of paper...</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>

 

[rlemert]

<p>College is great if you know what you want to do and it requires the advanced education.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>College is good if you have some general idea of what you like, even if you don't know exactly.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>College is practically a waste of money if you have no clue what you like or what opportunities are out there.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Rich's advice about the military or the peace corp echo exactly what I would have suggested. They'll both give her an opportunity to become more mature, and they'll give her some extra time to define herself and her interestes.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>  If she lives close enough to a college or university, she could always go on campus to the different departments and say something like "I'd like to find out more about what students in your field do when they get their degrees. Could you point me to a couple of students I could talk to, please?" She'll probably find quite a few willing to talk, especially if she brings some cookies to share.</p>

 

[Grizzly]

<p>Auditing classes?  Do they allow that in the states? </p>

 

[airehead]

<p>Auditing classes--brilliant!</p>