I have to say, the import thing to do is follow your passion. In my opinion, it is better to earn 50K doing something you love than 200K doing something you hate. With that said, I was lucky....I love computational physical science, and get paid well for doing what I love. Now, when I was in college, it did not look so good for that career path, but I pursued it anyway.

The difficulty is figuring out what your passion is. I do not have the names of anyone to help, but second the Womens Center. Also, there are books that can help people figure it out.

I worry about this with my DD -- not what she will do, but is she trying to earn my approval by being interested in the same field? Or is my enthusiasm addictive?

Problem with sports management is that jobs are few and when you actually get into the sporting group ite hard to rise through the ranks bc someone has to retire out or move jobs a lot of times for you to move up. That being said not impossible. I'd have him start looking at entry level jobs at sporting complexes, I'm talking ticket seller...he won't ge t much more without a college degree these days...but he can work at that and then maybe work his way slowly up from there. Start now....21 is still young would hate for him to start all this when he is 30.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son decided college wasn't for him. After a year off (while working), we know it is important to get him back on track, but are not sure where to turn for advice. Any suggestions on a counselor or a some sort of non-conventional degree program? He is intelligent, just is done with sitting in a classroom full time.

What was he studying/what is he interested in?

This is my worst nightmare.

I'd rate "being addicted to heroin in some shithole apartment in DC with an illegitimate kid or two that isn't cared for" as worse.

The problem with 10:26's advice is that it seems most companies want a college degree to work in the mailroom these days. Why? There's an over-abundance of liberal arts majors with no high-demand (usually STEM-related) skills for the jobs that really and truly require a college degree, as opposed to a demonstrated track record of willingness to work/learn on the fly.

Not sure where you live OP but the women's center in Vienna, VA does career counseling. They have a smaller office in dc. Started in the 70's for women but for everyone ( if he does not mind the name.) if you or spouse by chance went ot school in the area ( grad or undergrad) most have career counseling services for alumni. He could not use but the names will have been vetted and you could contact on your own and offer to pay. The NCDA is the professional site for career counselors and you can get some names there. As is MAC- LPN the dc area group ( google.) also, even if he just takes one class at NVCC or MONtg he can meet with one of their advisors.

Fit will be key though. Former career counselor at large university and now sahm. Good luck.

Thanks for advice and suggestions. I still would love to find a counselor or some knowledgeable person who could offer options that we might not be aware of. He is not ready to sit in a college classroom, so I am looking for alternatives to that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son decided college wasn't for him. After a year off (while working), we know it is important to get him back on track, but are not sure where to turn for advice. Any suggestions on a counselor or a some sort of non-conventional degree program? He is intelligent, just is done with sitting in a classroom full time.

What was he studying/what is he interested in?

This is my worst nightmare.

17:31, you are an unhelpful jerk.

OP, realizing this before your son has racked up huge tuition bills and student loans is great. Look at how many people get a degree in one thing when they are young only to realize they want to follow another career path and take out twice as much in loans.

My advice is for him to apply to entry level positions at companies that promote from within. Get him some real world experience so he can start to determine what it is he actually wants to do with his life. School is not always the best way to figure this out.

17:31 here. Fuck you. I was asking for more information and sympathizing. Please explain why you felt that merited name-calling.

Is he good at science? If so, a physical therapist is a great line of work. He could go into sports medicine. They have to study a lot of anatomy/physiology and related sciences, but there are always jobs and the pay is great. It will require graduate level work, however.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son decided college wasn't for him. After a year off (while working), we know it is important to get him back on track, but are not sure where to turn for advice. Any suggestions on a counselor or a some sort of non-conventional degree program? He is intelligent, just is done with sitting in a classroom full time.

What was he studying/what is he interested in?

This is my worst nightmare.

17:31, you are an unhelpful jerk.

OP, realizing this before your son has racked up huge tuition bills and student loans is great. Look at how many people get a degree in one thing when they are young only to realize they want to follow another career path and take out twice as much in loans.

My advice is for him to apply to entry level positions at companies that promote from within. Get him some real world experience so he can start to determine what it is he actually wants to do with his life. School is not always the best way to figure this out.

It’s Not About You


If you sample some of the commencement addresses being broadcast on C-Span these days, you see that many graduates are told to: Follow your passion, chart your own course, march to the beat of your own drummer, follow your dreams and find yourself. This is the litany of expressive individualism, which is still the dominant note in American culture.

But, of course, this mantra misleads on nearly every front.

College grads are often sent out into the world amid rapturous talk of limitless possibilities. But this talk is of no help to the central business of adulthood, finding serious things to tie yourself down to. The successful young adult is beginning to make sacred commitments — to a spouse, a community and calling — yet mostly hears about freedom and autonomy.

Today’s graduates are also told to find their passion and then pursue their dreams. The implication is that they should find themselves first and then go off and live their quest. But, of course, very few people at age 22 or 24 can take an inward journey and come out having discovered a developed self.

Most successful young people don’t look inside and then plan a life. They look outside and find a problem, which summons their life.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/31/opinion/31brooks.html

How about pursuing something with a higher chance of good, steady employment, eg STEM major or sports medicine, and do the sports thing on the weekends? The economy is pretty bad to pursue less than solid goals.

Why don't you give him a copy of Colleges That Change Lives? These are smaller, nurturing colleges that also help kids explore and find themselves. A lot of the learning is done in experiential ways which he might really enjoy.

Anonymous wrote:He was studying pre-athletic training at a large university. Unfortunately, he didn't get accepted into the selective program (they took less than 20 out of more than 100 applicants) at the end of his freshman year, and he wasn't sure what he wanted to do, so we opted not to send him back paying out of state tuition with no direction. A year at community college was a disaster--he really hated it. He knows he needs to get back on track, but still isn't sure what he would like to do. He loves all things sports, and if it something that interests him, he is usually very motivated. Grades are mediocre from both schools.

What about something outdoor-oriented? Look at Prescott College in Arizona, for example.

But what are we talking about here? Sports management? Maybe he can augment the classroom experience by working as a trainer or towel boy or some such for State U's athletic teams?

He was studying pre-athletic training at a large university. Unfortunately, he didn't get accepted into the selective program (they took less than 20 out of more than 100 applicants) at the end of his freshman year, and he wasn't sure what he wanted to do, so we opted not to send him back paying out of state tuition with no direction. A year at community college was a disaster--he really hated it. He knows he needs to get back on track, but still isn't sure what he would like to do. He loves all things sports, and if it something that interests him, he is usually very motivated. Grades are mediocre from both schools.

Anonymous wrote:My son decided college wasn't for him. After a year off (while working), we know it is important to get him back on track, but are not sure where to turn for advice. Any suggestions on a counselor or a some sort of non-conventional degree program? He is intelligent, just is done with sitting in a classroom full time.

What was he studying/what is he interested in?

This is my worst nightmare.

My son decided college wasn't for him. After a year off (while working), we know it is important to get him back on track, but are not sure where to turn for advice. Any suggestions on a counselor or a some sort of non-conventional degree program? He is intelligent, just is done with sitting in a classroom full time.