Need college/career advice for Jr. Critter

[Geo]

Please please please just encourage him to do what he loves. He doesn't need to know all the answers now. And he definitely doesn't need to follow rules/conventions like-

Go to college, get good grades, get a job so that you can use to get another job so that you can make a lot of money so you can buy stuff.

 

[Miss Critter]

Please please please just encourage him to do what he loves. He doesn't need to know all the answers now. And he definitely doesn't need to follow rules/conventions like-

Go to college, get good grades, get a job so that you can use to get another job so that you can make a lot of money so you can buy stuff.

That's my goal, Geo. That he does what he loves. Still, I'd like to maximize the earning potential of doing what he loves. While money most certainly does not buy happiness, it does buy groceries, electricity, a comfortable place to live, reliable transportation. . . . you get my point.

Anyway, who has the same career throughout adulthood anymore? Practically no one. And lord knows my ancient undergrad degree ain't exactly opening doors these days. Whether it's college or junior college or trade school, I just want to give him the opportunity to excel at something he loves. A launching point, I guess.

 

[SHELLY]

how about a couple years in the military?

.

 

[Miss Critter]

how about a couple years in the military?

.

Don't people shoot at you? Welding is about as much danger as I'm willing to risk with him. He's an only child. :roll: [Not to imply that moms of multiples are any more eager to risk their kids.]

 

[scooterbug44]

Actually, a part time service organization might be a better fit - I am sure they would love to put his ingenuity to work and it doesn't sound like he would respond well to a regimented environment.

He seems to respond well to set challenges - I am sure there must be a variety of competitions (and scholarships) you could find online that could occupy him and possible help him focus on what he wants to do.

If you do go the college route, make sure he goes to a small liberal arts school with a wide variety of course types. Not a guarantee he won't slip through the cracks, but the odds are much better than at a giant state school. A good solid education base will serve him well whatever field he chooses or works in.

 

[zip3]

That's my goal, Geo. That he does what he loves. Still, I'd like to maximize the earning potential of doing what he loves. While money most certainly does not buy happiness, it does buy groceries, electricity, a comfortable place to live, reliable transportation. . . . you get my point.

Anyway, who has the same career throughout adulthood anymore? Practically no one. And lord knows my ancient undergrad degree ain't exactly opening doors these days. Whether it's college or junior college or trade school, I just want to give him the opportunity to excel at something he loves. A launching point, I guess.

You sound like you are a great mom. Boys are hard little critters to raise and some need more than others. I think you are on top of this and believe it or not your son will turn out to be a fine young man.

 

[miznotebook]

He sounds like an amazing family member to have around. My husband is an engineer and he's also handy with mechanical things. I asked him what he thought about your question. He suggested an internship or work/study with a factory where they are looking for solutions to problems. I couldn't get him to be much more specific than that. (He got good grades in college without studying much, mostly listening to the lectures, although he wishes now that he had studied more.)

 

[Matt J]

There's the plastics plant in Freeport. Not many businesses turn down slaves er, interns.

 

[newyorker]

less-than-motivated for college

Hi folks--haven't posted in some time, but since I'm a Vice President for Academic Affairs at a liberal arts college, thought I'd chime in with some thoughts. First, many young men at age 17 are still very immature, so working hard and academic drive will come, eventually. An engineering tech program is not a bad option, but you want to ensure that he could transfer to a four-year program. (My liberal arts college, located in So Calif near LA, accepts transfer students from ccmmunity colleges--we get excellent students) but not all cc prepare students for transfer. Be sure your son takes lots of math courses--any kind of engineering program depends on having a good math preparation, and the saddest thing I've found is when kids who think they like technology or science have not pushed themselves with math. Think about a school that does lots with internships--many liberal arts colleges like mine are pushing our students to do multiple internships. If he goes to a 4-year school--ask what their **4-yr** graduation rate is--many public universities now have abandoned graduation in 4 years. Private schools cost a little more but we graduate our students in four years.
I can add more--but good luck. This is an exciting time for him, and for your and your family. That's why I love college teaching and administration.

 

[miznotebook]

Certainly wasn't suggesting slavery or drudgery, SWGB. I was afraid that saying "factory" might be taken wrong. We had a friend who worked for a juice bottling plant part time and they really relied on him to work out problems and come up with solutions for their operation. He had a natural mechanical gift that I think must be similar to what MC was describing. He did that and got good pay and was able to play with a band on the side, which he loved. The suggestion was in that vein.