Majors/careers for a kid who wants money and work/life balance

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:With respect to major, consider data science. The many branches of career opportunities available from this major can be explored as this student progresses through his undergraduate studies.

I have been told that just having a Bachelor's degree in data science won't cut it. Kids need to have at the very least a Master's degree. Not in the field so I don't know if it's true. Anyone cares to weigh in?

I think that's fair but the other issue is that someone with a masters or phd in physics or computational biology can likely do everything a data scientist can do and more. You don't have to have a data scientist-specific background for data science jobs, at least not now.

If my kid likes math and computers more than science, and wants a data science job why would be major in physics or computational biology? And why would it bother him if other people did?

[Anonymous]

Teaching.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So he basically wants money but doesn’t want to work hard? Isn’t that what you are really saying, OP?

He wants to work hard, but not a million hours, and have the funds to play hard.

I don't see anything wrong with that!

+1 a well balanced life is a very worthy goal

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teaching.

+1 It's been a wonderful career, and there are administrative options within school systems as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teaching.

+1 It's been a wonderful career, and there are administrative options within school systems as well.

This is interesting. I'm OP and I'm a teacher. I love many aspects of my job. But I definitely feel like I chose doing what I love over money.

Not that it matters in this context, because he'd definitely prefer something where he's solving problems involving numbers and computers, to something where he's solving problems involving teenagers or little kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:With respect to major, consider data science. The many branches of career opportunities available from this major can be explored as this student progresses through his undergraduate studies.

I have been told that just having a Bachelor's degree in data science won't cut it. Kids need to have at the very least a Master's degree. Not in the field so I don't know if it's true. Anyone cares to weigh in?

I think that's fair but the other issue is that someone with a masters or phd in physics or computational biology can likely do everything a data scientist can do and more. You don't have to have a data scientist-specific background for data science jobs, at least not now.

If my kid likes math and computers more than science, and wants a data science job why would be major in physics or computational biology? And why would it bother him if other people did?

Because your kid won't have a job. My point is that a data science degree isn't the best preparation for data science jobs right now. At least at my company, and I work with a lot of data scientists. The junior data scientists don't stack up well against the physicists.

[Anonymous]

You can then go get a 1 year masters in statistics and be done with it. You don’t have to get a phd.

My hs friend did physics undergrad (there was no data science major then), got a 1 year MS in stats, and now works for the NSA/CIA tracking govt satellites. (Or something classified.) It’s been a great career for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teaching.

+1 It's been a wonderful career, and there are administrative options within school systems as well.

-1 The OP mentioned work/life balance. Teaching requires a ton of nighttime and evening work, especially at the beginning. The pay is okay, but the hours and lack of flexibility during the work day aren’t something I would recommend.

Now admin: that’s a much better option, but many teachers are in line for those positions because they want out of the classroom.

[Anonymous]

Marketing major in college with a technical/practical minor.

They’ll get a decent marketing role paying $66-$70k+, lower than consulting or finance right out but way more peace. As long as they do it for a few years out of school and just enjoy life outside of work, they’ll be able to earn a T15/T20 MBA.

From there they’ll get a brand marketing/CPG role ($120-$133k base), a marketing LDP with upward organizational movement ($133-$150k), or product marketing management ($150k+). Skills are transferable across industries if they get laid off and AI reduces the grunt work but enhances the human side. You’re welcome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teaching.

-1, there are so many jobs with higher pay and more flexibility.

[Anonymous]

Project 2025 says this is no longer possible.

Of course none of you have read it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Marketing major in college with a technical/practical minor.

They’ll get a decent marketing role paying $66-$70k+, lower than consulting or finance right out but way more peace. As long as they do it for a few years out of school and just enjoy life outside of work, they’ll be able to earn a T15/T20 MBA.

From there they’ll get a brand marketing/CPG role ($120-$133k base), a marketing LDP with upward organizational movement ($133-$150k), or product marketing management ($150k+). Skills are transferable across industries if they get laid off and AI reduces the grunt work but enhances the human side. You’re welcome.

Sounds like a lot of work. Does it top out higher than you mention?

I’ll put another plug in for engineering. It’s a 4-year degree, and you make good money out of the gate. The ceiling is lower than some big bucks careers, but still solid. You can do the startup thing and work long hours, or find a more traditional industry, or even government roles depending on your branch. And if you want to make big bucks, you can go into engineering leadership/managment and you probably don’t even need to get an MBA to do it.

[Anonymous]

What about jobs in public policy? My college jr is interested in that. Double major political science and chem (bc he loves both subjects and has genuine interest in both of them). He talks about public policy but… It’s hard for me to advise him on how to start and get into that career. Since we’re all discussing careers, can anyone advise?

[Anonymous]

own a pet daycare. have a 4-5 employees, get some kibble and a hose. done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about jobs in public policy? My college jr is interested in that. Double major political science and chem (bc he loves both subjects and has genuine interest in both of them). He talks about public policy but… It’s hard for me to advise him on how to start and get into that career. Since we’re all discussing careers, can anyone advise?

Also wondering about this. Would guess this group includes tons of public policy folks. Decent income and good lifestyle??