Career Coaching Advice Needed for Kid who Flunked Out of Big 10 School

[Anonymous]

There were so many partiers I know back in my college days that were on the 5-year plan (some even 6, 7 or 8 year plan). My own brother could have had a medical degree with the time it took him to finish undergrad.

This sounds like the kid had a little too much fun. Rule out the party schools, time for a commuter school to get back on his feet.

[Anonymous]

Assessment for depressions and any job they can get. Then community college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The first thing I would do is not make a big deal of it. College didn't work out so I would go about finding a job - any job. Get the book "The Defining Decade." The idea is that you just take the next step and seize and build on opportunities as they arise. The student is lucky unemployment is low so he/ she should be able to find something.

Then, after kiddo is settled in a job, if they have an interest in a career path or in returning to a local college, then you look into it - a year or two or more in the future. In the meantime, he/ she should work at this job and make the most of it.

If kiddo is depressed, a counselor might help. It would at least help sort out emotions about leaving school. But it's entirely possible that not being in college is the right path.

This is horrible advice. One of my in-law's kids did this and he's like 30 still working a dead-end job. A "job" does nothing and will likely re-force dumb behavior as they make just enough money to satisfy their anti-social bad habits e.g. video games, porn, fast food, vape. It's incredibly easy to afford that crap as a single young man and just keep pissing the years away on nothing.

OP the best advice is enlistment --> https://www.defense.gov/About/our-forces/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your child got into a big 10 school from HS they are likely bright and has academic potential. I might look into taking community college classes at NOVA and reciprocity to the VA state schools. Also second getting a job in an area of interest.

Not true at all. Incredibly low bar as a first-gen and/or URM, especially the last few years with no ACT or SAT. All you needed was fake inflated grades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What advice do you have for a kid who just flunked out of a Big 10 school? Spent two years there and came away with very few course credits. Doesn’t show much interest, motivation or ambition, but is bright. Slightly depressed, and very overwhelmed. Possibly ADHD.

Welcome constructive guidance and feedback. Career counseling? Community college? Trade school? Army? At a total loss here. Thanks in advance.

Most kids flame out because of alcohol or drug issues that sidetrack them into partying too much. This is more an immaturity than a substance abuse issue. Make him live at home, go to community college, and get a job. He will hopefully be much more mature in two years and ready to commit to pursuing something more meaningful (more schooling or a career path).

Boys are flaming out at a rapid clip in college and it has little to do with booze or drugs. It's because they are years before their female peers and have never studied, applied themselves, or finished a college-level book in their life. They are unmotivated video game addicts years before their female counterparts.

[Anonymous]

1. Schedule the full neuropsych and therapy.

2. Since it may take a while to get an appointment, get a job so he has a schedule and responsibilities.

3. After you have the evaluation, you can assess the next steps. If it is something for which medication will work, start it, continue therapy, and then apply to community college to get back on track.