My son and I have just begun checking into trade schools and colleges. He is really into biology but we took a trip to an auto diesel school because a recruiter came to the school. I believe my son can become anything he wants but he is looking at the fast way to an education. Any advise I can give him or use myself?
No decisions made yet but he is open to everyone's suggestions. I think he is too cool.
Dear S.,
Has he taken the SAT or ACT yet? If not, go online and punch in SAT or ACT. Colleges want this and it will dtermine if he can receive scholarships. It will also determine his strengths & weak areas. If he needs financail aid, fill out a FASFA form on JAN 1st. L. J
Having raised 5 children of my own and now having 8 grandchildren my advise is to really visit as many colleges, business schools and trade schools that you possibly can. I know that the visits to the campus or school itself can assist inmaking the decision. Then I had my family write it all down. The strong points and weak areas and cost included in the list.Then my children were able to make a knowledgable decision based on facts and not emotion.Three of my children went to college and all chose a different college based on their own preferences.
My suggestion would be to see if the school is sponsoring any sort of "job fair" or talk to the counselor about possible options.
I would strongly encourage him to begin taking basic classes like English, Algebra, History, Foreign Language, Biology, etc. to get them out of the way, then he can "concentrate" on whatever he decides he wants his major to be.
Auto mechanics can make good money. See if you can take him to an auto-shop and talk to someone who does that for a living. Then find out what about biology interests him and help him check out options in that realm (doctor, chemist, biologist, whatever). That may help him make some decisions. You know something about the medical field and can help answer questions or guide him in that realm too.
I've worked at Caterpillar (Large Engine Center in Lafayette), and they're very skilled workers there who make good money. There's nothing wrong with putting engine's together.
I've heard an expression to "be the neck that turns the head". You don't have to "make the decision for him" or force a decision on him, but you can give him things to think about. Show him what the jobs will be like, and see if that's really what he wants to do.
Most people change their major's many times during their college experience, and he'll likely be one of them. BUT, if he can get some of the basic requirements out of the way while he's considering his options, then the last couple of years he can focus on learning those things he really enjoys whether it's science or auto-related.
Just some thoughts, for what it's worth, and good luck!
a few things my mother told me when I was entering the college phase of my life, "You are never too old to go to school." "Not everyone in the world is meant to be a physicist, the world needs good mothers and waitresses, as long as you love what you do and do your best you'll be fine."
Basically, let him do things his way, if it's truly what he wants and will love what he does and work hard at it then wonderful for him. If it turns out he doesn't like it he can always go back to school and try something new later on. The world really needs bio-fuel engineers, this might be a really good thing for him.
Good luck.
There are a few fields he can check into that will bring him into the working fields and we will always have need of if he isn't interested in a "college" degree in business, liberal arts, political science, medicine, etc.
Physical Therapy, certainly auto mechanics, plumbing, heating, are just a few. Barbering is another and a lot of women love to go to a male hairdresser as well, but one of the things people cut back on is hair styling when money gets tight.
We will always need auto mechanics, plumbers, and heating and airconditioning people so earning an income would be easier in those fields.
Where are his talents and his skills? What does he enjoy? If he likes working with his hands any of these fields, including physical therapy and massage therapy may be the right direction for him. Even getting his CNA would be a suggestion if he is interested in medicine but not wanting to be a nurse or physician.
S.,
I'm not an expert but in full disclosure teach at a university. If he's passionate about a trade school great but check their graduation rates. LOTS of kids start in trade schools and community colleges and drop out before getting the degree. Some reasons are legit like lack of money but there can be less encouragement to graduate and less community with a commuter school.(this doesn't apply to all of them)
Does his High School have guidance counselors to help? A college fair to see a bunch of colleges at the same time? Ask his biology teacher where the good programs are.
I would suggest going to three colleges and as many trades. If you call admissions(number will be on the website) you can ask for a tour, to sit in on a biology class, talk to a student majoring in that field, even eat in the dining hall. There are a ton of scholarships especially in the sciences and lots of people to help with that too. I used to give tours and talk to perspective students at Penn State and they have lots of ways to figure out what is a good fit for your son. Also, if he is first generation college they also have programs that can help.
The best thing is to visit these schools so he can imagine himself being there. Statistically a college degree will give you a larger salary w/in 5 yrs and huge difference long term but there are soo many exceptions to that number that it should be what is best for him. One last thought, if he changes what he wants to do at a college there are other options. Depending on the trade school you can't change directions. How sure is he of what he wants to do?
Good luck
