Need college/career advice for Jr. Critter

My Daddy always said 'you need to learn a trade'. He was a welder for 40 years and made very good money. Maybe at this age, your son would be better suited for trade school to learn how to do something to make money. Then when he figures out he wants to further that, he can make a better informed decision and be more focused about higher education. :wave:

Engineering technology's a 2 year community college/tech school program. Some info on the field:

Engineering Technicians

Thank you both for your input. :wave:

SSB, my daddy made a very nice living as a certified aircraft mechanic for an oil company; plus had his own business as a swimming pool contractor on the side, so I agree wholeheartedly. My son seems to have inherited his aptitude for all things mechanical.

Beachmouse, thanks for the link. I was unaware of the engineering technology program. Sounds like a good fit.

Industrial design might be a good fit for someone with his creativity - but it's not for slackers either.

Scooterbro is exactly the same way - very bright and creative outside the classroom, but not a good student unless he is interested in the subject (and with no use for the BS of busy work and required classes).

I think an apprenticeship, job, or 2 year community college program might be a good idea to help him figure stuff out or get motivated.

I had no freaking clue what I wanted to major in - quite common, which is why my college actually forbid students to choose a major before the end of their sophomore year.

Have you asked Jr. what kind of career he'd like?

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Do I hear the music from Risky Business playing in the background???

Have you asked Jr. what kind of career he'd like?

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Yes, but I'm unaware of any schools with a "lotter winner" curriculum. :lol: Seriously, he knows what he likes, but is unsure as to how to translate it into a career, mainly because he doesn't know what's out there. (Neither do I, obviously.) I'm hoping for something to pique his interest and give him something to aim toward.

SB, I'm thinking the two-year program or trade school is his best bet after high school. He sounds a lot like your brother. Lord knows I didn't know what I wanted to be as a college freshman (still don't, truth be told), but still managed to get my undergraduate degree in only five short years.

Trade school may be the way to go. He doesn't even have to stop at one degree, based on the description above it sounds like he'd have a blast in auto-mechanics, welding, and small engine repair.

Whatever you do, don't go the route of some expensive goofy private trade school ala ITT Tech. The local trade schools are just as good and in many cases more effective. Not sure about ones to the West, but Haney Technical in Bay County has a variety of programs.

If he thinks engineering might be for him have him take the electronics class at Haney. If he likes he, he just needs to make the decision that 100 times the work and about 5 years will get him a licensed degree.

If he thinks engineering might be for him have him take the electronics class at Haney. If he likes he, he just needs to make the decision that 100 times the work [That'll scare him off, for sure!] and about 5 years will get him a licensed degree.

We looked at the auto mechanics program offered through the school system, but since we didn't know about it until late last year, he'd have been starting late. Also, he wasn't crazy about the 30+ mile bus ride each way, and not participating in afternoon goings on at SWHS. Thanks for the advice about ITT, SWGB. I will check out Haney in Bay.

Please please please just encourage him to do what he loves. He doesn't need to know all the answers now. And he definitely doesn't need to follow rules/conventions like-

Go to college, get good grades, get a job so that you can use to get another job so that you can make a lot of money so you can buy stuff.

Please please please just encourage him to do what he loves. He doesn't need to know all the answers now. And he definitely doesn't need to follow rules/conventions like-

Go to college, get good grades, get a job so that you can use to get another job so that you can make a lot of money so you can buy stuff.

That's my goal, Geo. That he does what he loves. Still, I'd like to maximize the earning potential of doing what he loves. While money most certainly does not buy happiness, it does buy groceries, electricity, a comfortable place to live, reliable transportation. . . . you get my point.

Anyway, who has the same career throughout adulthood anymore? Practically no one. And lord knows my ancient undergrad degree ain't exactly opening doors these days. Whether it's college or junior college or trade school, I just want to give him the opportunity to excel at something he loves. A launching point, I guess.

how about a couple years in the military?

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how about a couple years in the military?

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Don't people shoot at you? Welding is about as much danger as I'm willing to risk with him. He's an only child. :roll: [Not to imply that moms of multiples are any more eager to risk their kids.]

Actually, a part time service organization might be a better fit - I am sure they would love to put his ingenuity to work and it doesn't sound like he would respond well to a regimented environment.

He seems to respond well to set challenges - I am sure there must be a variety of competitions (and scholarships) you could find online that could occupy him and possible help him focus on what he wants to do.

If you do go the college route, make sure he goes to a small liberal arts school with a wide variety of course types. Not a guarantee he won't slip through the cracks, but the odds are much better than at a giant state school. A good solid education base will serve him well whatever field he chooses or works in.

That's my goal, Geo. That he does what he loves. Still, I'd like to maximize the earning potential of doing what he loves. While money most certainly does not buy happiness, it does buy groceries, electricity, a comfortable place to live, reliable transportation. . . . you get my point.

Anyway, who has the same career throughout adulthood anymore? Practically no one. And lord knows my ancient undergrad degree ain't exactly opening doors these days. Whether it's college or junior college or trade school, I just want to give him the opportunity to excel at something he loves. A launching point, I guess.

You sound like you are a great mom. Boys are hard little critters to raise and some need more than others. I think you are on top of this and believe it or not your son will turn out to be a fine young man.

He sounds like an amazing family member to have around. My husband is an engineer and he's also handy with mechanical things. I asked him what he thought about your question. He suggested an internship or work/study with a factory where they are looking for solutions to problems. I couldn't get him to be much more specific than that. (He got good grades in college without studying much, mostly listening to the lectures, although he wishes now that he had studied more.)

There's the plastics plant in Freeport. Not many businesses turn down slaves er, interns.

less-than-motivated for college

Hi folks--haven't posted in some time, but since I'm a Vice President for Academic Affairs at a liberal arts college, thought I'd chime in with some thoughts. First, many young men at age 17 are still very immature, so working hard and academic drive will come, eventually. An engineering tech program is not a bad option, but you want to ensure that he could transfer to a four-year program. (My liberal arts college, located in So Calif near LA, accepts transfer students from ccmmunity colleges--we get excellent students) but not all cc prepare students for transfer. Be sure your son takes lots of math courses--any kind of engineering program depends on having a good math preparation, and the saddest thing I've found is when kids who think they like technology or science have not pushed themselves with math. Think about a school that does lots with internships--many liberal arts colleges like mine are pushing our students to do multiple internships. If he goes to a 4-year school--ask what their **4-yr** graduation rate is--many public universities now have abandoned graduation in 4 years. Private schools cost a little more but we graduate our students in four years.
I can add more--but good luck. This is an exciting time for him, and for your and your family. That's why I love college teaching and administration.:clap:

Certainly wasn't suggesting slavery or drudgery, SWGB. I was afraid that saying "factory" might be taken wrong. We had a friend who worked for a juice bottling plant part time and they really relied on him to work out problems and come up with solutions for their operation. He had a natural mechanical gift that I think must be similar to what MC was describing. He did that and got good pay and was able to play with a band on the side, which he loved. The suggestion was in that vein.

Certainly wasn't suggesting slavery or drudgery, SWGB. I was afraid that saying "factory" might be taken wrong. We had a friend who worked for a juice bottling plant part time and they really relied on him to work out problems and come up with solutions for their operation. He had a natural mechanical gift that I think must be similar to what MC was describing. He did that and got good pay and was able to play with a band on the side, which he loved. The suggestion was in that vein.

Sorry, I was kidding. Every job I've ever had we've joked about interns. When I worked at FSU we had students who's job classification was OPS. It stood for "Other Personnel Status", but we referred to it as "Other Peoples Slaves". :wave:

Ah, interns. I know what you mean. The ones we get where I work do tend to get a lot of work piled on them.

Wow, such great ideas! They've even piqued Jr.'s interest. Thanks for your input newyorker. Despite his mechanical aptitude, Jr. has always struggled with math, which is why the engineering route may prove to rigorous. It's always nice to have options, though. I may be wrong, but I believe that in Florida community college credits transfer to state colleges (with some stipulations, I'm sure). If you can get young men to focus on their studies while living in LA, then you are certainly doing something right. ;-) And I greatly admire your enthusiasm for education.

I think internships are great, and I'd guess they've become even more desirable given the competitive job market.

Thanks, all. My liberal arts brain appreciates your insight! :wave:

How 'bout biomechanics, robotics, or prosthetics. I can remove body parts but I can't help think that being a part of restoring function or replacement parts for the most amazing machine ever created would be very satisfying.