My son doesn't have to go to college, but wants to anyway:

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think that you need to reframe your thinking. First, your son wants a degree. For a lot of jobs, it doesn't matter where you went to school, it just matters that you have a degree. I'm not talking nuclear physicist, investment banking, etc. I'm talking jobs for regular people in the real world, not the dcum world. Second, very few people in the U.S. go to the 7 or 8 schools you listed. If you only think people who get into those schools should go to college, you have a very limited world view. I know plenty of people who were not motivated academically in high school who are doing very well 30+ years later. Grades and study skills don't mean everything. Since he needs to take out loans and will be living at home, you may suggest that he start at a community college to save money and then transfer his credits to a four year school. Good luck to your son. He sounds like a great kid. Plus, if he decides that college isn't for him, he can always enroll in a boot camp later.

Agree with this. Secondly, he do the boot camp now, since it is short, then start college after. That way maybe he can make some money coding in his spare time while he goes to college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This has to be a troll post.

Tough to say. I really think douchebags like the OP actually do exist.

[Anonymous]

First of all, people's career "dreams" as a teenager seldom turn into a lifelong career. He may or may not stick with coding. He needs to try working for a bit in the field to even have a glimmer of understanding of what his adult life will look like. A 4 year degree from a decent state school with a great CS program will open up doors and give him more flexibility to have a variety of career paths open to him.

Also, of course he says he'll do whatever it takes to pay for college.
Your teenager does not understand the implication of debt at his age and stage of life. It' very, very difficult for him to envision how crushing student loans can be. Share with him your own struggles and mistakes with a sense of humility, if you can. If you didn't struggle personally with debt, have him listen to some episodes of Dave Ramsey for some broader context.

You need to think about the bigger picture here. What do you want for your son? To be an independent adult who can take care of himself financially and make good decisions that lead to a happy life?

If you have the financial wherewithal to assist him in paying for college, you have a seat at the table to help guide him in his decision-making with how to select that program, and you can help model adult decision-making that will hold him in good stead for life.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like a troll. No parent that crappy would admit to it.

[Anonymous]

I can only assume OP did not go to college.

[Anonymous]

It’s not a troll. It’s the son looking for arguments in favor of skipping college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This has to be a troll post.

Yes. Please be a troll. If you are not, OP, you are a craptastic parent.

[Anonymous]

So OP wants her to son to pursue the current version of vocational educational and enter the work world with valuable skills.

If she had recommended he pursue plumbing or become an electrician you would probably all still be calling them a craptastic parent and calling troll.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So OP wants her to son to pursue the current version of vocational educational and enter the work world with valuable skills.

If she had recommended he pursue plumbing or become an electrician you would probably all still be calling them a craptastic parent and calling troll.

OP wants her son to take a short cut to get only basic skills to do a job that is easily outsourced and sent overseas, so may not be a secure path long-term. OP’s kid wants to go to college to get those skills and more, and thus be more marketable and versatile in the long run.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So OP wants her to son to pursue the current version of vocational educational and enter the work world with valuable skills.

If she had recommended he pursue plumbing or become an electrician you would probably all still be calling them a craptastic parent and calling troll.

OP wants her son to take a short cut to get only basic skills to do a job that is easily outsourced and sent overseas, so may not be a secure path long-term. OP’s kid wants to go to college to get those skills and more, and thus be more marketable and versatile in the long run.

For everyone stuck in the college for all world, know that there are other pathways to success without dumping $100k + into a liberal arts degree.


https://www.sas.com/en_us/certification.html

[Anonymous]

Everyone thinks this is a troll, but it sounds exactly like my brother -in -law, a blue collar guy who thinks he has life all figured out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So OP wants her to son to pursue the current version of vocational educational and enter the work world with valuable skills.

If she had recommended he pursue plumbing or become an electrician you would probably all still be calling them a craptastic parent and calling troll.

Nope if he wanted to pursue a career where the best way to set yourself up for a solid career was vocational school or an apprenticeship, then I would recommend he do that. Software development (“coding”) is best learned in a college computer science setting. I posted upthread about the quality of education that comes out of coding boot camps because I see it in people’s interviews. If OP’s son wants to work in software development, he should go to college. If he wants to be a plumber, he should go to a trade school or find an apprenticeship.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So OP wants her to son to pursue the current version of vocational educational and enter the work world with valuable skills.

If she had recommended he pursue plumbing or become an electrician you would probably all still be calling them a craptastic parent and calling troll.

Nope if he wanted to pursue a career where the best way to set yourself up for a solid career was vocational school or an apprenticeship, then I would recommend he do that. Software development (“coding”) is best learned in a college computer science setting. I posted upthread about the quality of education that comes out of coding boot camps because I see it in people’s interviews. If OP’s son wants to work in software development, he should go to college. If he wants to be a plumber, he should go to a trade school or find an apprenticeship.

Just wanted to add — I have several cousins who passed on college for trade school or apprenticeships and they’re doing great as adults. I don’t think college is the right choice for everyone. But if you want a career on computer science, college is very helpful.

[Anonymous]

A college degree is important

[Anonymous]

Rare unanimity in DCUM.
OP, you don’t sound like someone who actually knows anything about tech careers. Take a clue from your son.
A bootcamp is not a substitute for a college education especially for someone with little experience. As other said, coding is easily outsourced.
My friends in the field have expressed that having liberal arts background in addition to comp sci degree are what set them up for success.
Boot camps are more helpful for mid-career employees looking to expand skill set (like me!) Not meant as a substitute for an education.
Just be happy you will be saving money by sending him to state school and by him living at home.