Option for a kid that will not go on to college.

[Anonymous]

I don't know how things have changed but my husband didn't go to college. He went to Stayer in his early 20s and got IT certifications.

He now works for the government and makes about $180K.

[Anonymous]

Learn coding!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You might look and see what the local CC's have on offer. Maybe just perusing the program list will spark some interest. Talk to your neighbor, for sure. Think about what he likes to do, his hobbies, his preference for inside/outside, computer/hands, interacting with others/working alone, etc. And have him consider some basic business classes at a CC, which are useful for lots of different vocations -- running his own business or working for a small business.

I was going to make this same suggestion about programs offered at community colleges - lots have certificate programs to start in a career with advancement opportunities after a year or two of training.

Another idea is ultrasound technician.

[Anonymous]

Most trade fields lead to a successful life, OP.

I have a friend who worked at Victoria's Secret while we were in college. By our senior year in college, she was made assistant manager and then about 5 months later, manager. She was thankful to have a decently paying job after graduation while she looked for a job in her chosen career field.

Except all of the entry level jobs she was finding in her field had starting pay lower than her VS manager salary. She decided to stay at VS and save money for a year before applying to grad school. Try to lower her loan burden. A year later, though, she was promoted to assistant regional manager and decided to stay with VS. She worked her way up to GM of the area stores and was making over $110k/yr.

She's now a GM of another brand and makes a very good salary.

College wasn't for my brother. He makes $100k+/year as a bartender.

My cousin dropped out of college and got a job as a lineman with Verizon. He makes around $80k.

[Anonymous]

OP---we have a similar son. Focus on what his strengths are. It might be worth investing in a jobs counselor to give him one of those aptitude tests that identify the types of career paths he would be suited for.

I am a big fan of the skilled trades (e.g, plumbing, electrician) over something like IT because you cannot ship those jobs overseas. There is a HUGE dearth of young people entering the skilled trades because for the last 20 years (ever since No Child Left Behind was enacted) the cultural expectation for kids has been post-secondary 4 year college---the U let our vocational educational programs stagnate. Many large building engineering companies (the types of companies who manage the repairs for large commercial, governmental and institutional properties are dying to recruit young people and will pay to train them. There are union programs as well.

However, he needs to have an aptitude for fixing/repairing/putting things together. Our son could barely pass English lit but has almost a photographic memory for how anything is put together.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP---we have a similar son. Focus on what his strengths are. It might be worth investing in a jobs counselor to give him one of those aptitude tests that identify the types of career paths he would be suited for.

I am a big fan of the skilled trades (e.g, plumbing, electrician) over something like IT because you cannot ship those jobs overseas. There is a HUGE dearth of young people entering the skilled trades because for the last 20 years (ever since No Child Left Behind was enacted) the cultural expectation for kids has been post-secondary 4 year college---the U let our vocational educational programs stagnate. Many large building engineering companies (the types of companies who manage the repairs for large commercial, governmental and institutional properties are dying to recruit young people and will pay to train them. There are union programs as well.

However, he needs to have an aptitude for fixing/repairing/putting things together. Our son could barely pass English lit but has almost a photographic memory for how anything is put together.

Good luck!

Thanks for this suggestion, do you have any suggestions for finding a job counselor?

And thank you to everyone else who has responded. I'm making a spreadsheet and then I'll have my son sit down with me to google and research all these options - salary, training requirements, certifications needed, job outlook, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP---we have a similar son. Focus on what his strengths are. It might be worth investing in a jobs counselor to give him one of those aptitude tests that identify the types of career paths he would be suited for.

I am a big fan of the skilled trades (e.g, plumbing, electrician) over something like IT because you cannot ship those jobs overseas. There is a HUGE dearth of young people entering the skilled trades because for the last 20 years (ever since No Child Left Behind was enacted) the cultural expectation for kids has been post-secondary 4 year college---the U let our vocational educational programs stagnate. Many large building engineering companies (the types of companies who manage the repairs for large commercial, governmental and institutional properties are dying to recruit young people and will pay to train them. There are union programs as well.

However, he needs to have an aptitude for fixing/repairing/putting things together. Our son could barely pass English lit but has almost a photographic memory for how anything is put together.

Good luck!

This reminds me - highly sought after countries to emigrate to that have merit based immigration systems (such as Australia and New Zealand) often have openings for qualified trades people with specific skill sets they need each year (often plumbers, electricians, welders, para medical, or whatever). So if OP’s son wants to travel, it might be good to factor in what trades will help him to get where he wants to go).

[Anonymous]

flight attendant
phlebotomist
child care (may need a CDA)
bus driver (needs CDL)
police/fire/emt
vet tech/work in an animal shelter
arborist
work in a nursing home
PCA for a person with disabilities
security guard
cable/utility worker
store employee (can work up to manager as the PP mentioned about her friend at VS)
administrative assistant (DCPS has a lot of attendance clerk and similar office jobs that only require a HS degree)

There are so many entry-level jobs that could be a fit depending on what your kid likes to do! And once he figures out his passion, there are ways to move ahead in most fields. Sometimes that will require additional school but if it's on a topic he cares about he might be more interested.

[Anonymous]

Apply to be an air traffic controller! No experience or degree necessary, they train you and you make like 100k a year.

[Anonymous]

If he has the aptitude and interest, electrician. They make serious money. But you’d have to be interested. A lot of people would be terrible at that kind if thing and hate it. You probably know if he’s good at fixing things, building things etc to know if those kinds of jobs make sense.

If he’s entrepreneurial he should take some basic business classes.

Is he sure college in some fashion isn’t for him? You mention sports - he could become a PE teacher and coach. He’d need a degree but it doesn’t need to be from the most competitive place.

[Anonymous]

Kudos to you and your son, OP.

Check this out:

https://www.youscience.com/student-aptitudes/

[Anonymous]

Pretty much any of the skilled trades have training programs. Electrician and plumber have been mentioned several times, but there are many others. Carpenters, masons, bricklayers/tilesetters, operating engineers, iron workers, pipe fitters, painters, etc. If you get a union job you can start out as an apprentice or helper knowing basically nothing but still not making a terrible wage and work your way up through experience and classes/licensure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One nephew is doing double apprenticeship as electrician and home construction. He is in demand already.

After a two year diploma in hospitality services, a niece worked as an apprentice sous chef for an airline. She has been promoted to supervisor after just one year.

Another niece has an apprenticeship with Toyota services, loves it and has work for life since many people hang on to Toyotas far longer than most other cars.

Most others in our family have college degrees but it is definitely not for everyone.

There are many paths to success and happiness. Good luck to your son.

Np - could you please expand on the internship with Toyota services? My ds has been working at a grocery store since he graduated high school and is looking for a new challenge. He does not enjoy school and has no desire to go to college. This sounds like a great idea bc he likes cars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One nephew is doing double apprenticeship as electrician and home construction. He is in demand already.

After a two year diploma in hospitality services, a niece worked as an apprentice sous chef for an airline. She has been promoted to supervisor after just one year.

Another niece has an apprenticeship with Toyota services, loves it and has work for life since many people hang on to Toyotas far longer than most other cars.

Most others in our family have college degrees but it is definitely not for everyone.

There are many paths to success and happiness. Good luck to your son.

Np - could you please expand on the internship with Toyota services? My ds has been working at a grocery store since he graduated high school and is looking for a new challenge. He does not enjoy school and has no desire to go to college. This sounds like a great idea bc he likes cars.

I will ask her next time we have family chat.

As far as I know, the Toyota dealership owner is a friend of my sister so the connection helped. Toyota dealerships make more money on services department than sales. Niece is apprenticed and loves it.

I would ask around at Toyota dealerships or garages that specialize in Toyotas and ask about their apprentice programs. I would also suggest working on getting super solid recs and doing research about whatever dealership he applies to. It probably differs state by state regarding minimum requirements but niece only had high school certificate.

Looking into Honda dealerships may be another good option as they are also very reliable cares many people keep for many years.

Good luck …

[Anonymous]

Peace Corps? Not a long term career options, but a great experience for 2 years, maybe give him time to see where he fits into society and a great opener for any job applicant.