Anonymous
04/28/2025 22:03
Subject: College vs vocation for high stats kid
Anonymous wrote:Two professional family. DMV.
DD 11th with very high stats. Public HS.
Unique ECs, part time job, leadership, varsity sport.
Follow their passion, nothing done just for college apps.
Cost of college being ridiculous (likely won't qualify for FA) + the rat race sucks + crazy competition every step of the way in schooling and career....
(Kid is more STEMy, not interested in Wall St or CS or medicine)
-Anyone ever consider a vocation or small business might be better?
College versus a job right out of high school is the better option for a high stats kid who can definitely handle the academics of college.
Anonymous
04/28/2025 21:41
Subject: College vs vocation for high stats kid
Anonymous wrote:My Dad’s best friend was an emergency room position.
In his later years, he and his wife would rent a condo for six weeks on Sanibel Island. He could not afford to buy a condo there. The neighbor was a retired plumber. He owned three condos in the building. My emergency room doctor friend said he should’ve been a plumber and not an ER doctor and he would’ve been able to afford to buy a condo.
Lol! OP here- I’m a physician too.
To the poster who said pipe dream, I hear you …. Need to sit down with her after APs and show her the pros and cons of different paths. Yes, I can afford college and maybe even to support her, but that’s not the goal. Being independent and support oneself is crucial.
As for trades being hard on your body in your 40s…. I’m a physician and it was hard on my body those last 2 yrs of med school and for all of residency. Even now in practice, it’s not ergonomic and it’s exhausting work, working at top speed, always “on”. Not complaining, I enjoy the work. And it is a profession that doesn’t fire you in your 50s.
Anonymous
04/28/2025 20:58
Subject: College vs vocation for high stats kid
My Dad’s best friend was an emergency room position.
In his later years, he and his wife would rent a condo for six weeks on Sanibel Island. He could not afford to buy a condo there. The neighbor was a retired plumber. He owned three condos in the building. My emergency room doctor friend said he should’ve been a plumber and not an ER doctor and he would’ve been able to afford to buy a condo.
In his later years, he and his wife would rent a condo for six weeks on Sanibel Island. He could not afford to buy a condo there. The neighbor was a retired plumber. He owned three condos in the building. My emergency room doctor friend said he should’ve been a plumber and not an ER doctor and he would’ve been able to afford to buy a condo.
Anonymous
04/28/2025 20:02
Subject: College vs vocation for high stats kid
Anonymous wrote:Sorry but as a Catholic I see vocation instead of vocational school and I immediately think, “wow, that’s a rare breed to have a vocation these days.”
So maybe be careful how you use that word in certain contexts/or around Catholics, or else you’ll end up with old ladies praying for you and a priest in your kitchen after schoo.
A vocation can be in any line of work. Teaching is a vocation. Just like doctors and anyone else who is compelled to do a certain line of work.
Anonymous
04/28/2025 19:59
Subject: College vs vocation for high stats kid
I think working and going to community college simultaneously is a decent path. The women I know who don't have college degrees (because they couldn't go or had to drop out for family or financial reasons) seem to really regret not having the degree later. It's limiting.
Anonymous
04/28/2025 18:45
Subject: College vs vocation for high stats kid
Anonymous wrote:OP here- no idea there would be so many relies regarding one word’s various definitions. Anyway, agree- college degree is uawful, social stuff is good. Good point about transitioning to real world via dorm etc. DD interested in a field that has low pay prospects but feels it will make a difference in the world.
Just a thought experiment right now… but Considering a small business for money that also involves passion and then in free time, do volunteer work to save the world.
Poor decision making. It’s a pipe dream OP don’t let her do it unless you are independently wealthy and can support her when she is 35 and cannot afford to live on her own or buy a place of her own.
Anonymous
04/28/2025 18:38
Subject: College vs vocation for high stats kid
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My nephew started college at a large state flagship during the pandemic. He couldn’t live in the dorms his first year (lived at home and did all classes online) so no chance for a real social scene. He was doing well academically but didn’t enjoy his classes/social experience.
He pivoted to attending a trade school to become an electrician. What a wonderful experience and super affordable (my sister was unable to save any money for college). He can work for himself, a small business, or a construction company. This summer he will work for a construction company. He makes really good money and is debt-free (he worked as a server at a restaurant to pay his tuition).
As a high school counselor - I love this option if a student has the interest!
It's a great option. Just keep in mind that many trades are hard on your body and it becomes increasingly difficult to "do the trade for 8-10 hours per day" once youre mid 40s. So having a Business degree or some goal to own the company in the future can be a great path as well that allows you to still work until l65 in an area you like
Well in white collar jobs, you often get laid off by 50s, especially if you’re a high earner.
Anonymous
04/28/2025 18:34
Subject: College vs vocation for high stats kid
Anonymous wrote:My nephew started college at a large state flagship during the pandemic. He couldn’t live in the dorms his first year (lived at home and did all classes online) so no chance for a real social scene. He was doing well academically but didn’t enjoy his classes/social experience.
He pivoted to attending a trade school to become an electrician. What a wonderful experience and super affordable (my sister was unable to save any money for college). He can work for himself, a small business, or a construction company. This summer he will work for a construction company. He makes really good money and is debt-free (he worked as a server at a restaurant to pay his tuition).
As a high school counselor - I love this option if a student has the interest!
It's a great option. Just keep in mind that many trades are hard on your body and it becomes increasingly difficult to "do the trade for 8-10 hours per day" once youre mid 40s. So having a Business degree or some goal to own the company in the future can be a great path as well that allows you to still work until l65 in an area you like
Anonymous
04/28/2025 18:31
Subject: College vs vocation for high stats kid
Anonymous wrote:My high stats kid is very drawn to that. However, we have talked abt the social aspects of college being a big part of its value and he can see the appeal as well. So for now plan is college but he knows we are completely fine w something off the beaten path afterwards.
So go to college, pick a major they like and then find their path.
For kids like that, business is often a good major.
Anonymous
04/28/2025 18:21
Subject: College vs vocation for high stats kid
My nephew started college at a large state flagship during the pandemic. He couldn’t live in the dorms his first year (lived at home and did all classes online) so no chance for a real social scene. He was doing well academically but didn’t enjoy his classes/social experience.
He pivoted to attending a trade school to become an electrician. What a wonderful experience and super affordable (my sister was unable to save any money for college). He can work for himself, a small business, or a construction company. This summer he will work for a construction company. He makes really good money and is debt-free (he worked as a server at a restaurant to pay his tuition).
As a high school counselor - I love this option if a student has the interest!
He pivoted to attending a trade school to become an electrician. What a wonderful experience and super affordable (my sister was unable to save any money for college). He can work for himself, a small business, or a construction company. This summer he will work for a construction company. He makes really good money and is debt-free (he worked as a server at a restaurant to pay his tuition).
As a high school counselor - I love this option if a student has the interest!
Anonymous
04/28/2025 18:12
Subject: College vs vocation for high stats kid
OP here- no idea there would be so many relies regarding one word’s various definitions. Anyway, agree- college degree is uawful, social stuff is good. Good point about transitioning to real world via dorm etc. DD interested in a field that has low pay prospects but feels it will make a difference in the world.
Just a thought experiment right now… but Considering a small business for money that also involves passion and then in free time, do volunteer work to save the world.
Just a thought experiment right now… but Considering a small business for money that also involves passion and then in free time, do volunteer work to save the world.
Anonymous
04/28/2025 18:03
Subject: College vs vocation for high stats kid
"Vocation" definitely means a strong desire or feeling of suitability toward a particular occupation or career. It's not just a job. See Max Weber's "Politics as a Vocation".
"Vocational school" aspires to train kids for a vocation, but it doesn't always do so.
I think it would be great to send a high school graduate to a vocation, perhaps through vocational school if appropriate. Does he love to build things? Get excited about wiring?
"Vocational school" aspires to train kids for a vocation, but it doesn't always do so.
I think it would be great to send a high school graduate to a vocation, perhaps through vocational school if appropriate. Does he love to build things? Get excited about wiring?
Anonymous
04/28/2025 17:47
Subject: College vs vocation for high stats kid
A degree is worth a lot, and you don't have to spend a lot to get it, even though you can: in MD, attend Montgomery College for 2 years, get good grades, and transfer to UMD.
Anonymous
04/28/2025 17:45
Subject: College vs vocation for high stats kid
Anonymous wrote:What vocation are you/is she thinking of?
Becoming a nun?
Anonymous
04/28/2025 17:33
Subject: College vs vocation for high stats kid
You need a degree for so many jobs now. Including being a manager at Target. It’s useful to have.