What did your average to below average child end up doing career-wise that they are happy and successful in?

[Anonymous]

I have a child who is not learning disabled, but is behind in a few subjects. Everyone on this board talks about wanting their kids to get into the best colleges, etc., but I want to know, what should we be pushing our child to do, realistically. Our kid isn't going to get into an Ivy League school or UVA/Virginia Tech. They're not going to be a scientist or a doctor. What should they consider? What did your average to below average children end up doing successfully?

[Anonymous]

Are they personable? Sales.

[Anonymous]

What is your child interested in? If it were me, I'd encourage my child to explore a variety of things and to delve deeper in the ones that were interesting. I'd encourage them to think about what they'd like to DO with their time - do they like to make things, be outdoors, help people?

[Anonymous]

My low IQ son became a mechanic and he loves it. He went to vo tech in HS and then a certificate program in community
College where you pass based on demonstrating skills with no tests required. He’s really happy and makes a decent wage working with the government. I’m happy too because he can support himself comfortably without us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My low IQ son became a mechanic and he loves it. He went to vo tech in HS and then a certificate program in community
College where you pass based on demonstrating skills with no tests required. He’s really happy and makes a decent wage working with the government. I’m happy too because he can support himself comfortably without us.

+1 Plumber, electricians, HVAC.. especially in a hcol can make good money.

My niece (college educated) just married a plumber who works on large scale buildings.

[Anonymous]

Younger relative barely graduated high school and became an apprentice electrician. Now the head of his union, beautiful family, owns lovely home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My low IQ son became a mechanic and he loves it. He went to vo tech in HS and then a certificate program in community
College where you pass based on demonstrating skills with no tests required. He’s really happy and makes a decent wage working with the government. I’m happy too because he can support himself comfortably without us.

+1 Plumber, electricians, HVAC.. especially in a hcol can make good money.

My niece (college educated) just married a plumber who works on large scale buildings.

It doesn’t take to be hands on trade. Lots of IT jobs (like network administrator, help desk, etc) are rote. You pass a cert and you just follow the manual. Very decent pay.

If he’s in decent shape, the military is an option.

Lots of careers in the medical industry are accessible. Phlebotomist, xray tech, etc. Veterinary tech jobs too.

Hispitality industry jobs. Pastry chef, barista. Could maybe be a manger of a small shop.

[Anonymous]

An average student with a good personality and decent organizational skills can make big bucks in some of these areas with very average credentials: Sales, marketing, social media marketing, business development, recruiting, program/restaurant management, real estate (commercial or residential), executive assistant

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:An average student with a good personality and decent organizational skills can make big bucks in some of these areas with very average credentials: Sales, marketing, social media marketing, business development, recruiting, program/restaurant management, real estate (commercial or residential), executive assistant

This sounds like my youngest. She was an average student held back by a word processing issue but she has thrived in the social media, sales, marketing arena. She has very good planning skills and once she found her sweet spot she has really thrived. She is very attractive and personable and that has certainly opened doors but once you get in you’d better perform.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a child who is not learning disabled, but is behind in a few subjects. Everyone on this board talks about wanting their kids to get into the best colleges, etc., but I want to know, what should we be pushing our child to do, realistically. Our kid isn't going to get into an Ivy League school or UVA/Virginia Tech. They're not going to be a scientist or a doctor. What should they consider? What did your average to below average children end up doing successfully?

I've seen many average students do well in life and many top students do average, your job is to support, encourage and trust them, they'll find their way.

[Anonymous]

I'll throw it out there that having solid personal finance skills can be a significant determinative factor in being successful insofar as being defined by being able to support yourself. Plenty of people that make a lot of money that live paycheck to paycheck because they're really stupid about how they spend their money. Go to money and finance board for weekly examples of this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'll throw it out there that having solid personal finance skills can be a significant determinative factor in being successful insofar as being defined by being able to support yourself. Plenty of people that make a lot of money that live paycheck to paycheck because they're really stupid about how they spend their money. Go to money and finance board for weekly examples of this.

It's your job as a parent to teach your kid finances and that they should live within their means. And that "living within your means" should include saving for retirement as well as some "general savings" as well. So even if you make $50K/year, you should be putting 10-15% into savings if possible.

But I agree, most in this country do not understand "wants" vs "needs" and that savings should come before many "wants" or at least side by side

[Anonymous]

Federal government. There are lots of jobs that are routine that don’t need a huge skill set.

[Anonymous]

Politics ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a child who is not learning disabled, but is behind in a few subjects. Everyone on this board talks about wanting their kids to get into the best colleges, etc., but I want to know, what should we be pushing our child to do, realistically. Our kid isn't going to get into an Ivy League school or UVA/Virginia Tech. They're not going to be a scientist or a doctor. What should they consider? What did your average to below average children end up doing successfully?

Plumber. Nice money and high demand. If he is ok with dealing with the ick factor.