Angry at college sophomore for changing to lower paying major

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD is incredible smart. She graduated Salutatorian of her High School and has made the Deans list for the past 3 semesters and will probably make it her fourth. Since her Sophmore year is HS DD has been adamant about going to business supply. She worked her ass of in HS and has in college as well in order to get into her grad school of choice. She’s currently at a top 10 school and is majoring in business and finance. She is a very strong math/Econ is student as my DH and I was so proud that she wanted to work in a male dominated field. I’ve always encouraged her to work hard so she can become financially independent as a woman in this economy. I pushed STEM/Medical/Busienss/Finances as DH and I both know those at promising career paths. DD has recently decided to switch to an elementary education degree in get a teaching certificate. She wants to teach 5th grade mathematics, which is great but feels like a waste of her intellect and drive. I believe teaching is a difficult and underpaid field, and I don’t want to see her struggle financially and not reach her full potential. I believe her advisor inspired this massive change. I am disappointed she’d make such a change and just worry. No disrespect to teachers, you are priceless but you know the struggle. I know I don’t have much control over her decisions, but I think she’ll really regret wasting her opportunities.

I think your belief that teachers are poorly paid and mistreated is the result of teachers' union propaganda.

In some parts of the country, experienced public school teachers with master's degrees make over $100,000 per year, with a regular schedule that's conducive to having a family. Principals can easily make $150,000.

Entrepreneurial teachers who use their knowledge to start education-related can become billionaires.

If your daughter is a bright, energetic, well-educated teacher, she'll probably be in a good position to decide for herself what her income will be.

I'm the principal from an earlier post.
Fairfax County's starting salary for a teacher with a master's degree is in the low 50s. I've been a teacher and now administrator for 27 years. I will be making $143K. Salary schedules are public information. FCPS's can be found here: https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/pdf/FY18-teacher-194-day.pdf

Please share these "parts of the country" where teachers are making over $100K a year and include how many years experience they have.

Well, come across the river to MCPS. http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/departments/ersc/employees/pay/schedules/FY18%20MCEA.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD is incredible smart. She graduated Salutatorian of her High School and has made the Deans list for the past 3 semesters and will probably make it her fourth. Since her Sophmore year is HS DD has been adamant about going to business supply. She worked her ass of in HS and has in college as well in order to get into her grad school of choice. She’s currently at a top 10 school and is majoring in business and finance. She is a very strong math/Econ is student as my DH and I was so proud that she wanted to work in a male dominated field. I’ve always encouraged her to work hard so she can become financially independent as a woman in this economy. I pushed STEM/Medical/Busienss/Finances as DH and I both know those at promising career paths. DD has recently decided to switch to an elementary education degree in get a teaching certificate. She wants to teach 5th grade mathematics, which is great but feels like a waste of her intellect and drive. I believe teaching is a difficult and underpaid field, and I don’t want to see her struggle financially and not reach her full potential. I believe her advisor inspired this massive change. I am disappointed she’d make such a change and just worry. No disrespect to teachers, you are priceless but you know the struggle. I know I don’t have much control over her decisions, but I think she’ll really regret wasting her opportunities.

I think your belief that teachers are poorly paid and mistreated is the result of teachers' union propaganda.

In some parts of the country, experienced public school teachers with master's degrees make over $100,000 per year, with a regular schedule that's conducive to having a family. Principals can easily make $150,000.

Entrepreneurial teachers who use their knowledge to start education-related can become billionaires.

If your daughter is a bright, energetic, well-educated teacher, she'll probably be in a good position to decide for herself what her income will be.

I'm the principal from an earlier post.
Fairfax County's starting salary for a teacher with a master's degree is in the low 50s. I've been a teacher and now administrator for 27 years. I will be making $143K. Salary schedules are public information. FCPS's can be found here: https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/pdf/FY18-teacher-194-day.pdf

Please share these "parts of the country" where teachers are making over $100K a year and include how many years experience they have.

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/departments/ersc/employees/pay/schedules/salary_schedule_current.pdf

If I’m reading this correctly, I would have to have a master’s degree and 19 years experience to break $100K.
And

The PP said experienced with a masters degree. Depends on what you consider "experienced ", but many teachers in MCPS are making over 100K.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'll not join in the piling on

In my opinion, OP is correct

It's very important for her DD to not close doors at this stage in her life

If she majored in math and econ she could teach 5th grade math

The reverse will not be true if she picks the easy major

Really try to help her understand the concept that you don't always understand the value of your studies until later in life when you realize how many doors it opens

Exactly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I taught 5th grade for 15 years. Graduated from an Ivy League. Now a principal.

I've never been happier in my life. My work has meaning. I'm challenged intellectually every single day and surrounded by really smart, hardworking and caring people. Never bored. And I make decent money.

OP--Perhaps you should follow a 5th grade teacher around for a day and into the evening to watch planning. I think you might change your mind about wasting her "intellect & drive."

I note that this PP does not have an undergraduate education degree.

She should major in math and minor in elementary education.

[Anonymous]

My cousin had two well educated parents with multiple masters degrees in business and engineering. My cousin graduated with a degree in art history. She worked with at risk youth and taught them art as therapy. Her parents were proud that she wants to help people. She also became a yoga instructor. After a few years, she decided to get an MBA as a back up. She is married, employed, and happy with her life choices. I studied psychology as an undergrad and then went to law school. College is the time to study what interests you. If your daughter wants to explore this route, let her and support her. She can change her mind and go to grad school for another subject if she decides later.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD is incredible smart. She graduated Salutatorian of her High School and has made the Deans list for the past 3 semesters and will probably make it her fourth. Since her Sophmore year is HS DD has been adamant about going to business supply. She worked her ass of in HS and has in college as well in order to get into her grad school of choice. She’s currently at a top 10 school and is majoring in business and finance. She is a very strong math/Econ is student as my DH and I was so proud that she wanted to work in a male dominated field. I’ve always encouraged her to work hard so she can become financially independent as a woman in this economy. I pushed STEM/Medical/Busienss/Finances as DH and I both know those at promising career paths. DD has recently decided to switch to an elementary education degree in get a teaching certificate. She wants to teach 5th grade mathematics, which is great but feels like a waste of her intellect and drive. I believe teaching is a difficult and underpaid field, and I don’t want to see her struggle financially and not reach her full potential. I believe her advisor inspired this massive change. I am disappointed she’d make such a change and just worry. No disrespect to teachers, you are priceless but you know the struggle. I know I don’t have much control over her decisions, but I think she’ll really regret wasting her opportunities.

I think your belief that teachers are poorly paid and mistreated is the result of teachers' union propaganda.

In some parts of the country, experienced public school teachers with master's degrees make over $100,000 per year, with a regular schedule that's conducive to having a family. Principals can easily make $150,000.

Entrepreneurial teachers who use their knowledge to start education-related can become billionaires.

If your daughter is a bright, energetic, well-educated teacher, she'll probably be in a good position to decide for herself what her income will be.

I'm the principal from an earlier post.
Fairfax County's starting salary for a teacher with a master's degree is in the low 50s. I've been a teacher and now administrator for 27 years. I will be making $143K. Salary schedules are public information. FCPS's can be found here: https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/pdf/FY18-teacher-194-day.pdf

Please share these "parts of the country" where teachers are making over $100K a year and include how many years experience they have.

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/departments/ersc/employees/pay/schedules/salary_schedule_current.pdf

If I’m reading this correctly, I would have to have a master’s degree and 19 years experience to break $100K.
And

The PP said experienced with a masters degree. Depends on what you consider "experienced ", but many teachers in MCPS are making over 100K.

Um, yes. AND it probably took them about 2 decades to get to that. What’s your point?

[Anonymous]

IMO if you as the parents are paying for school, it’s fine to limit the type of degree program you are willing to pay for.

[Anonymous]

Female teachers have the highest percentage of any occupation to marry a millionaire

[Anonymous]

I’d be upset too, OP. Especially if you are footing the bill. A good friend paid for her DD’s college education in a STEM field at a top 10 school. She’s an extremely bright young woman and was Valedictorian of her HS class. She had everything planned out and her future looked very bright. Then she met a guy first semester of her Jr year and everything changed. They became engaged during winter break of her senior year. She decided to delay grad school and instead just get a job after graduation in the college town because his major was a 5-year combined BS & Masters degree, so they needed to remain there. They got married the following summer after he completed his degree and she was pregnant by Oct. Other than that year after she graduated, she’s never put her pricy degree to use and has been a SAHM.

His degree was not in a high paying field from what my friend tells me, I think some sort of specialized HR degree, and their life is mainly financial struggles according to my friend.

[Anonymous]

I have a liberal arts degree from an Ivy League school and worked for a few years as a high school teacher. Then I went back and got a PhD in a different liberal arts field. My awesome parents never acted like they were disappointed that I was in my 30s and still making TA wages even though they worked hard to pay for my first degree. Fast forward ten years and I started a tutoring company, make very, very good money, have several employees, set my own schedule, and am able to innovate and experiment with my product. I earn much more than my sister who is an engineer. Have a little faith in your kid. Life is a marathon, not a sprint.

[Anonymous]

Mildly curious. Which "top 10" school allows you to major in finance/economics, and also elementary education degree? (as undergraduate degrees).

Why specifically fifth grade math?

Based on my admittedly limited experience, math teachers in elementary schools rarely solely teach fifth grade but a range of grades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mildly curious. Which "top 10" school allows you to major in finance/economics, and also elementary education degree? (as undergraduate degrees).

Why specifically fifth grade math?

Based on my admittedly limited experience, math teachers in elementary schools rarely solely teach fifth grade but a range of grades.

A top ten flagship. ?

[Anonymous]

Teachers can find a job wherever they go. As long as they haven't gotten themselves into crushing student loan debt, they should be able to survive just fine on even their beginning salary. Benefits, hours are not too bad once they get some experience with lesson plans under their belts.

If she wants to work with kids that's great. If she's just picking education because she wants an easy degree....no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:IMO if you as the parents are paying for school, it’s fine to limit the type of degree program you are willing to pay for.

Do you have children? I ask because that is incredibly harsh and controlling. Setting parameters such as maintaining a certain grade point average as a condition for paying tuition is one thing. But setting a specific major as a condition for paying is a whole other ballgame. That’s not what being a loving and supportive parent is about. It’s a sure route to a fractured relationship, especially pulling it halfway into the kid’s college experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:IMO if you as the parents are paying for school, it’s fine to limit the type of degree program you are willing to pay for.

Do you have children? I ask because that is incredibly harsh and controlling. Setting parameters such as maintaining a certain grade point average as a condition for paying tuition is one thing. But setting a specific major as a condition for paying is a whole other ballgame. That’s not what being a loving and supportive parent is about. It’s a sure route to a fractured relationship, especially pulling it halfway into the kid’s college experience.

Lots of people disagree with you, including me

Many subjects are fascinating but do not improve employment prospects... There are many books and videos online in those subjects for free.. your degree should be an investment

I almost wish my parents were a bit more controlling about my major

I almost graduated with a major that would have seriously limited my future earning potential before adding another one at the last minute

In my ten years since graduating, I never even talk about my easy major other than once in a while at an interview sometime will say "oh that's an interesting combination"