Yippee!!I

wil

wil

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My twins have taken their last final as undergrads! They are done with college (sort of).

In less than two weeks they will both have graduated....both accomplished something their dad never did. (I am exceedingly proud).

My daughter a degree in Criminology with a minor in Forensics, my son a Biology degree and teacher's certificate and going on for a Masters in Education prior to going back to teach Biology in the very room he first took biology...

I did not have the gumption, drive, fortitude or smarts for college (no surprise there eh?) but am thankful I was in a position to help insure my children got that head start in life... (so they can take care of their old man in his waning years).

Seriously....just a proud dad rant. Both my children were raised with an open mind regarding religion, my son got earned Eagle Scout with the claim that he was currently agnostic...but in his board of review, he presented his case to an Episcopalian Priest, a devout Catholic, and four other believers to satisfy their reverence requirement... I'll be interested in seeing what comes next.
 
Well they've both donned the gowns and crossed the stages and got their empty diploma folders. My daughter struggled with the freedom of college...it took her two and a half years to get her act together, lost and regained her scholarship twice, but the last three semesters, only got two B's. Both already have jobs, not their permanent jobs, but something for the summer while my daughter applies for more and my son goes back to start his masters midsummer.

Yup, the mother's curse "I hope your kids are as rotten as you were" did not land on me.... proud Dad, two great kids.
 
My youngest daughter took advantage of 'women in trades' program here. She is a third year apprentice electrician, and intends to follow it through to journeyman, and then Master electrician. She's handy to have around. It goes much further than changing a light bulb.

So personally, although I have other kids with engineering degrees, I like to speak proudly of this, as the trades are often looked down upon as inferiour. It depends on each kid's personality. I'm happy if they're independent, healthy, and capable of supporting themselves.
 
I'm thrilled for you both. Senthil, I particularly agree with your sentiment that the trades are looked down upon when they shouldn't be. In the US at least, most people who end up in the trades will find more stable employment than those who were forced to acquire a university degree in a subject they don't like. It is all about following your passions and interests. Wil, sounds like your kids are certainly on the track of pursuing careers they're passionate about.
 
Steve, I'm probably more aware than most as I'm personally integrated into the Indian community here, where if you're not a doctor or engineer, you're nothing. It's sad, particularly for the hands-on style of personality/learning. A lot of unhappy people wishing they could have been car mechanics. Of course there are many who are cut out to be doctors. In this community, it's the pendulum effect from observing outright brutal poverty.
 
That makes perfect sense. What always stood out to me at university were friends whose parents were in engineering and finance, who made a lot of money but hated their jobs, who tried to convince their children to not study philosophy, history, or religion and instead study business or the sciences. For those situations, I think it was less about the financial necessities and more the parents didn't want their children to do "worse" in life by taking degrees in fields that the parents deemed less prestigious and worthwhile, even if that's what the kids wanted.
 
The trades will be more and more in demand..that is until robots do it all...then robotic design and repair will be big...until the robots do that.

My son knows what he wants...he wants to teach...my daughter not so much....

Me, I was a carpenter, then a foreman, then a superintendent, then project manager...now without a college degree and only 35 years experience in the industry with the green movement, and changing tech...they want degrees...and kids with construction management degrees are more than happy to work for less to get a job out of college... me with no piece of paper...I encouraged my kids to at least have a piece of paper...

the trade industry isn't easy....the unions aren't as strong or as beneficial as they used to be.... and the arguments, legal issues, of handling millions of dollars in management to build buildings just doesn't interest me as much as it did...
 
Shoot, I've got all the papers. A major in automotive engineering and design with minors in English, Sociology and Art. What did I do when I graduated? Worked in retail management and as a tire salesman for 17 years! Made lots of money, but I could have done that with a GED. Went into business for myself after that in a completely unrelated field. Made half the money and was twice as happy!
 
exactly...tis the case....but the piece of paper has value....as does proving you can jump through hoops for 4 years to attain a goal...

I think the stat is that 80% of the populace does not work in their degreed field...
 
Actually, I did it in 3 with a 3.6 grade average. At that time though unemployment was high and a lot of employers would specify college even for relatively menial jobs just to weed out the number of applicants. My college buddies used to joke, we're only going to college because it's better to be an unemployed engineer than an unemployed ditch digger.
 
congrats...and that is a fact...

HS ed vs some college vs college ed vs grad school.....each level of education will raise your chances of a success in the outside world....there are exceptions to everything...but the averages don't lie.
 
wil said:
I think the stat is that 80% of the populace does not work in their degreed field...
Click to expand...

I hadn't heard that statistic. Helps explain why a former colleague of mine had his PhD in Gregorian Chant...and worked as a credit analyst.
 
Ref: #11
Without a doubt. For me though, that success didn't equate to happiness. I went where I thought the money was instead of following my heart.
 
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StevePame said:
I hadn't heard that statistic. Helps explain why a former colleague of mine had his PhD in Gregorian Chant...and worked as a credit analyst.
Click to expand...
I think the stat is 98% for those with PHDs in Gregorian Chant...
Namaste Jesus said:
Ref: #11
Without a doubt. For me though, that success didn't equate to happiness. I went where I thought the money was instead of following my heart.
Click to expand...
But you eventually followed your heart eh?
 
wil said:
I think the stat is 98% for those with PHDs in Gregorian Chant...
Click to expand...
Haha. I'd love to verify that stat, but I doubt I'll encounter another person with the same background.

Namaste Jesus said:
Yes, albeit rather late.
Click to expand...
But do you think without having gone down the other path first that you would have such an appreciation now, having followed your heart?
 
The way things go....who knows if you would have at all should you taken another path....

Best thing abut paths....they got us to where we are...
 
StevePame said:
But do you think without having gone down the other path first that you would have such an appreciation now, having followed your heart?
Click to expand...
In my case, it's what I wanted to do in the first place. I just thought I'd make more money doing something else. Which I did... which made me miserable.
 
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