My son asked me with help regarding a major

[Anonymous]

It's ok to be undecided. Here are some ideas:

Science-Related:

- information tech/info sys (focuses more on managing systems, troubleshooting, and supporting technology infrastructure).

- engineering tech (if available) - more hands-on than trad engineering, less math

- enviro science/enviro tech - good job prospects

- health information mgnt - tech w/ healthcare

- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) - this might be the most interesting for him? Bc it uses tech for spatial data & connects to his interest in astronomy (ideas here: https://www.space-careers.com/jobs/remote_sensing_optics_and_gis)

Business:

- business admin (broad, flexible, and practical)
- supply chain management - not math-heavy
- human resources (people-focused)
- project management

Other "hot" tech careers that don't have a ton of heavy programming:

- cybersecurity
- digital media/web design
- database admin

[Anonymous]

Is he about to be a freshman in college? Giving us his age/grade would be a big help.

[Anonymous]

OP, do you think he would accept tutoring help at college?

Almost every college has free tutoring. The name of the office may vary from college to college, but i would be Student Services, Student Support, etc. I would encourage him to connect with them ASAP.

I would worry about that before worrying about his major.

I think a BBA would be fine ... there would be a couple of hard math courses, but if he can get through stats and the easiest possible calculus class, there wouldn't be much more than that.

[Anonymous]

Community college for two years then transfer an option?

[Anonymous]

I’d highly recommend community college and ask him to attempt more math, community college is a great 1-on-1 education model and can support him where he has gaps. Science, especially astronomy and related careers in data science, are very difficult without math. He can reach his dreams, but it won’t be easy- as all things, as I’m sure you know!

[Anonymous]

Nursing. It will be in great demand! Particularly male nurses.

You really don't have to attend a top school for nursing. Just apply to any nursing school, attend any one that accepts him.

[Anonymous]

I love that you're asking for ideas. You seem like a really engaged and loving parent. Your DS is super lucky to have you!!

It's totally normal for a kid not to know what they want to major in or what they want to do when they graduate four years from now. So many kids who think they DO know this at your DS's age will change their mind, sometimes more than once!

My first thought is to recommend that you look to see what services are offered by the school's career office. They've seen so many kids come through over the years - it might be helpful for him to do a Zoom call over the summer to chat with someone there. Not because they'll help him "figure it out," but because he'll be able to make a first contact with someone and see whether they are reassuring and supportive and "get him." That would be so awesome to have in place when he starts school, so he can check in with that person once a semester to help him reflect on his classes and experiences. Seriously - a little career counseling can go a long way at that age. He should use ALL the resources he can at his school.

Also, it might help if you tell us more about his personality.

Would you describe him as social and socially skilled? Is he the kind of kid who's good with people and is one of the talkers in the group? Does he like working with other people and in groups?

Or is he more quiet and reserved? Maybe more of an observer and listener than a talker? Maybe someone who likes to work independently - to be given a task or project and be left to do it himself at his own pace?

[Anonymous]

First, kudos to you, mom, for the love and support you are showing your son. He is lucky to have you.

Second, it is absolutely ok to be undecided. I agree with the PP who said there is altogether too much pressure on these kids to have it all figured out. They are young. Yes, some of them will show a propensity for a certain area of study or career early. But many more are better served by keeping an open mind.

Third, has he sought out what the career center at his school offers? They can help him explore his strengths and practical skills he excels in. From there they may be able to help him “back in” to a major. There are a ton of assessments available to him that may help provide direction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is sad that we as parents are so worried because our kids are worried because they dont know what they want to be when they grow up. Our system is wrong. Sure. While 20% or less of kids know exactly what they want to do at 17, this is not normal. It perfectly ok to not know what you want to do. Specially with boys. Their interests and drive will change as they mature. Typically several yrs after girls the same age.

Don’t pressure your kid. Incentivize him to learn about different industries, jobs, etc. He likes science? Tell him to go to YouTube and search for jobs related to science. But dont be to specific. He will find himself.

College is changing too fast with the way AI is moving forward. Getting your to kid to understand that Learning how to learn is the best suggestion I can give you for college. Regardless of major.

It's not normal in America. It's the norm elsewhere (England, Australia) where you have to know what to do going into college. But, in the US, I would focus on the required classes the first two years giving a student time to sort their interest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I am willing to give more information, I just do not know what to give. To answer the questions that I see so far, he enjoyed Astronomy and learning about space. He was interested in computer science but the Math part of it scared him off. He has handy with fixing things when it comes to computers. Is that what Information technology would be?

Help Desk is "information Technology" and yes that would a job of fixing things.

also, a network engineer... they install stuff, that is along the lines of fixing things, they could do Information Technology and a CISCO certification
a datacenter engineer would install the physical servers and run computer lines and electrical.

Those are also NOT computer science, and they could be information technology... so is project management if he is good with planning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I am a single mother. He is my only. We do not have a lot of resources. I know DCUM should not be a resource but it is for me. Because we are financially in need, the school he is going to is covered and we pay nothing out of pocket. We are beyond blessed for that and do not want to play around or mess anything up. I suppose that is why we are both stressing out. We do not want him to take extremely hard classes or pick a difficult degree and not thrive in it. It would crush him. I myself was thinking business administration for him. Would that be an option for a child like mine? I do think that trade school is 100 percent the best option for him but I can not force him to do that. I do think he would thrive in that though.

Information technology is part of the business administration track.

Yes business administration would be good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So look up the major’s requirements to see whether Calc is required. Is he in a University where he can declare any major or does he need to be admitted to a specific school?

Look for business majors that don’t require higher level math.

Easiest majors are education, sociology, psychology, communications etc.

Even business majors require calculus. It's just easier calculus.

Yes, true, but you can take it at Montgomery College and transfer the credits so if you get a C NBD and if you get a D, you take it again and it never goes on your transcript.

[Anonymous]

He can explore and doesn't have to know now.

What about health sciences with the goal of medical sales?

[Anonymous]

My friend’s kid was undecided and ended up with a degree in General Studies. She’s working for a local Park and Planning agencies; not in the DMV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I am willing to give more information, I just do not know what to give. To answer the questions that I see so far, he enjoyed Astronomy and learning about space. He was interested in computer science but the Math part of it scared him off. He has handy with fixing things when it comes to computers. Is that what Information technology would be?

Help Desk is "information Technology" and yes that would a job of fixing things.

also, a network engineer... they install stuff, that is along the lines of fixing things, they could do Information Technology and a CISCO certification
a datacenter engineer would install the physical servers and run computer lines and electrical.

Those are also NOT computer science, and they could be information technology... so is project management if he is good with planning.

They don't really fix hardware, which is what I think OP was talking about. Helpdesk is usually software related.