College students without a "plan"

[Anonymous]

Is this unusual? One DC has always had a career goal in mind and is working toward it in college. The other DC (a sophomore) is a pretty good student and enjoys the classes but is completely undecided about a career path or even a major. I realize many people end up doing something different than what they started out as, but does anyone have advice to help a young person figure out what he/she wants to do in life? Are college career offices helpful for kids like this? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Does he/she have an interest or subject that they are good at? If so get a degree in that or obtain a skill that will be useful and helpful while at college such as qualifications to sit for an exam ( MLT, CPA ETC)

[Anonymous]

if your dc is smart and is at a top 15-25 school, strategy consulting is usually what kids like him/her do for a couple of years.

[Anonymous]

They just need to pick something, it doesn't have to be the perfect something. I'd tell a kid like that to major in whatever they enjoy the most, or are the best at. Take the job that sounds most interesting. It doesn't have to be the stereotypical, "I knew from age 6 that I wanted to be X" type of thing. Doesn't need to be perfect.

[Anonymous]

People are so busy making college about a vocation, they forget it is a place for young people to stretch themselves intellectually and emotionally. Most people I know took a few different jobs out of college before settling into a career path. And I know people who knew exactly what they wanted to do at 16 (research/faculty) went straight through and finished PhDs at Ivies who ended up as project managers and coders--something they could have done with just a Bachelor's. Your youngest will figure it out and your other daughter's career plan will likely change.

[Anonymous]

To answer your question, I would say YES...a College Career Center would benefit your DC. Does she already have an advisor? If so, I would encourage her to talk to him/her. Do you know if your DC's college has a Career Center? If so, your DC will find many resources at no charge. There are also some aptitude tests to determine a college degree that can be found on the web, but they are not comprehensive and there is usually a charge for the report. Your daughter still has time, so don't give up hope. I bet she will figure it out once she explores some of the resources she has available! Best of luck!

[Anonymous]

WI am confused. Your sophomore DC-- are they currently in high school or college?

[Anonymous]

I am confused.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, college sophomore. Can't convince him to take advantage of the career office.

[Anonymous]

Which school? Some career offices are better than others. Many schools have programs where students can meet with alums to talk about career optionsas well.

[Anonymous]

I think this article has some great advice for kids who aren't sure about what they want...

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/02/education/edlife/four-steps-to-choosing-a-career-path.html?emc=eta1

[Anonymous]

Get part-time jobs or internships.

It took working in a lot of different environments to realize what I absolutely DIDN'T want to do with my life.

[Anonymous]

The best way to figure out what you like doing is to start doing something. Your child doesn't need to know what job or career she wants after college. She just needs to find a summer internship for now, and another next year.

As long as she's attending campus career fairs and hearing different companies out, she'll be in decent shape.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:if your dc is smart and is at a top 15-25 school, strategy consulting is usually what kids like him/her do for a couple of years.

What is strategy consulting?

[Anonymous]

I didn't decide until halfway through junior year, and even then I wasn't sure. Normal. Not your decision.