Why don’t college students understand that they’re supposed to preserve optionality?

[Anonymous]

And what was your major OP?

[Anonymous]

Omg. Thank goodness we finally have a thread trashing all non STEM majors. No one in DCUM has ever said this before. Such bravery OP exhibits to speak truth to power. 🙄🙄

Not everyone can get or even wants a job in IB or consulting or BigLaw. There is already too much competition for those jobs as it is. That’s why the companies brutalize their entry level employees. They know there are hundreds lining up to take that spot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A marketing degree from UMD is WAY more useful than a Chem or Bio degree from, well, anywhere if you care about immediate earning potential.

OP here. Chem and Bio degrees are pretty useless, barring med school. I encourage any student who’s not 100% dedicated to getting into med school to major in a quantitative STEM field instead.

Most students aren’t capable of that. Are you the poster who thinks anyone can complete a math degree?

[Anonymous]

Another OP who thinks a university education is trade school. The point of university is not “what you do with it,” but what it does with you.

Even considering future employment, many people have little to no aptitude for quantitative fields, but are enormously talented in other areas. As at least one PP noted, it is silly and wasteful for them to force themselves into the Procrustean bed of STEM when they will be infinitely happier, better adjusted, more fulfilled and in most cases financially better off doing something that suits them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would rather pluck my eyelashes out one by one than work in investment banking or management consulting.

Are you a 22 year-old? That’s the only way I can justify such an immature response. Most adults in the working world would kill for an opportunity to work at Mckinsey or Goldman for their early twenties.

If you want to be a stooge like you … no thanks!

[Anonymous]

You have a very narrow idea of options, OP. That and the poor syntax makes me question your effectiveness or even authenticity as an advisor. Your hubris seems healthy, though!

[Anonymous]

Uh, no. You lack the reasoning skills to proffer advice on this topic.

[Anonymous]

Do you think there are enough positions in IB or consulting for every college grad out there? That is ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Optionality is my new favorite unword. TY!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m an alumni mentor for an Ivy, and one thing I see that frequently confuses me is that students are not focused on using their four years of college (and also their early 20s post-grad!) to PRESERVE OPTIONS. That’s the name of the game in your college years and your twenties.

I always advise students to major in STEM, since it’s way easier for a STEM graduate to go into classically liberal arts fields (law, media, politics, etc) than the other way around. I highly recommend that most college students at elite schools work in management consulting or investment banking post-grad, as those are the two fields that PRESERVE THE MOST OPTIONS for someone in their late 20s or 30s. A former management consultant (especially with Ivy pedigree) or Morgan Stanley investment banker can always decide to pivot at 28 to politics, media, the arts, the business side of tech, non-profit work, etc. — but it’s much harder to do the reverse.

But it seems like many students are averse to the idea of keeping their options open. Even at elite colleges, and especially so at state flagships — I see way too many bright kids in my wealthy MoCo neighborhood major in useless crap like marketing or psychology at elite colleges or at excellent flagships like UMD.

Do these kids not get it? Why don’t they understand the importance of optionality?

Different people value different things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would rather pluck my eyelashes out one by one than work in investment banking or management consulting.

Are you a 22 year-old? That’s the only way I can justify such an immature response. Most adults in the working world would kill for an opportunity to work at Mckinsey or Goldman for their early twenties.

NP and I agree with the first PP. I would be ABSOLUTELY miserable in that environment. The ones I know that work in those places work constantly: nights, weekends, on vacation. That's not a life. What's the point of making all that money if you can't enjoy it. No thank you. Never. Not one day.

I'm 50 yo, btw.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would rather pluck my eyelashes out one by one than work in investment banking or management consulting.

Are you a 22 year-old? That’s the only way I can justify such an immature response. Most adults in the working world would kill for an opportunity to work at Mckinsey or Goldman for their early twenties.

How do you not know the gazillion people in DC who left high hours / high pay situations for government? Most people are not happy or healthy in those jobs.

Also, anecdote, my DH was an English major and has worked in tech his whole career. He got hired for his writing, speaking, and soft skills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m an alumni mentor for an Ivy, and one thing I see that frequently confuses me is that students are not focused on using their four years of college (and also their early 20s post-grad!) to PRESERVE OPTIONS. That’s the name of the game in your college years and your twenties.

I always advise students to major in STEM, since it’s way easier for a STEM graduate to go into classically liberal arts fields (law, media, politics, etc) than the other way around. I highly recommend that most college students at elite schools work in management consulting or investment banking post-grad, as those are the two fields that PRESERVE THE MOST OPTIONS for someone in their late 20s or 30s. A former management consultant (especially with Ivy pedigree) or Morgan Stanley investment banker can always decide to pivot at 28 to politics, media, the arts, the business side of tech, non-profit work, etc. — but it’s much harder to do the reverse.

But it seems like many students are averse to the idea of keeping their options open. Even at elite colleges, and especially so at state flagships — I see way too many bright kids in my wealthy MoCo neighborhood major in useless crap like marketing or psychology at elite colleges or at excellent flagships like UMD.

Do these kids not get it? Why don’t they understand the importance of optionality?

Maybe these kids want to contribute somehow to society vs. selling their souls for money. Btw-I think you can still major in STEM, contribute to society, and make some money. Not investment banking money, but money. Thank God not everyone thinks like you OP. This country is going to shite, partly, because of the unchecked greed of people who already have more than enough. I've noticed these kids are more aware of the limitations of capitalism/inequalities and are calling into question the idea of the American dream. They are more pro-union and workers rights. I guess that happens when even if you get the "right" degree, you still can't afford housing. If it all comes crumbling down, I hope them young folks eat the rich-you included.

[Anonymous]

Definitely a You problem, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would rather pluck my eyelashes out one by one than work in investment banking or management consulting.

Are you a 22 year-old? That’s the only way I can justify such an immature response. Most adults in the working world would kill for an opportunity to work at Mckinsey or Goldman for their early twenties.

NP and I agree with the first PP. I would be ABSOLUTELY miserable in that environment. The ones I know that work in those places work constantly: nights, weekends, on vacation. That's not a life. What's the point of making all that money if you can't enjoy it. No thank you. Never. Not one day.

I'm 50 yo, btw.

I'm 54. I went straight from Georgetown to GS and worked there for three years. I practically cried myself to sleep every night. Left and got my M.Ed. and taught elementary school instead, which has been so gratifying and much better for my quality of life.