Anonymous wrote:She can teach for a few years and if she doesn't like it, go to grad school. Your disappointment is understandable but there's not much you can do except support her dreams. It's her life to figure out.

This. Take heart OP, almost nothing is irreversible. She can always go back to school for an MBA later if she wants to go into business.

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

+1. I followed my dream (which was actuallly STEM) but gave no thought of finances and career planning suffered as result. I wish my parents had been savvy enough to really plan.

That said if your DD plans to SAH, teaching could be part of that strategy.

She can follow the path of other elite college grades and do Teach for America for a few years to get the bug out of her system. She can still go to business/law school after that and write a compelling essay about teaching in the inner city.

I don't share OP's values. Seems like his daughter is in the same boat.

Anonymous wrote:Business is a dumb major.

It is her life. My DH is a fifth grade teacher and loves it.

THIS. She will actually be far more employable as an elementary math teacher. There is high demand.

I'm sorry OP thinks that teaching is a waste of intellect. She's wrong.

To add to my comment I just posted
..teachers are amazing, but deciding to limit yourself to only this career option through your major is not a good choice in my opinion even if she does end up becoming a teacher

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'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

Business is a dumb major.

It is her life. My DH is a fifth grade teacher and loves it.

Teaching is an honorable profession, and is an in-demand profession.

She’s bright and hard-working?
The teaching profession is lucky to have her. Wouldn’t you want your youth to be taught by capable and dedicated teachers (rather than unsatisfied and reluctant, unhappy teachers)? Perhaps your business background prevents you from recognizing the merit of the teaching profession. Hint: the country needs qualified teachers.

And BTW - there are endless opportunities for someone with teaching experience, so I wouldn’t discount this career choice just yet. Think: higher level degrees, administration, consulting, writing/publishing, etc.

She can teach for a few years and if she doesn't like it, go to grad school. Your disappointment is understandable but there's not much you can do except support her dreams. It's her life to figure out.

You sound evil, op. Sorry!

Let her live her life.

which is great

and

but feels like a waste of her intellect and drive.

Let your daughter make her own decisions or risk further alienating her.

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.