OT - Career suggestions for son! :)

[gauge22-v2]

Why am I asking PM about this? Well I actually trust the opinions here.

He is 20 and a bit aimless. Working in a cell phone shop.

He is amazingly brilliant with math, physics etc. He is rebuilding laptops (old chasis making them "sleeper" laptops).

He is a geek at heart, regardless of playing football for 10 years. Yes, he works out!

Things I have suggested:
- CFA
- Internet security
- Electrician

Any suggestions that might be a fit? Any experience that you have had that led you into a lucrative/rewarding career?

BTW - he has VERY little interest in taking traditional university.

 

[gib68sg]

Civil service. I’m in the back half of my career as a firefighter and I’m in my early 30’s. 25 years and out with a pension and healthcare. I work 2 24’s a week and at least in my part of the country the pay is worth it. As an officer I’m pushing $200k without OT. It’s fun and rewarding as well.

Edit: I went to college, but it wasn’t necessary lol. Thank god for public service loan forgiveness as after 10 years I had about $50k in student loans forgiven.

 

[control]

He could join the Air Force (would not recommend any other branch). The Air Force has a ton of computer-related jobs (including cyber security).
He would have a chance to get stationed in Japan, Korea, Germany, Hawaii (or he get stuck in Oklahoma, lol).

If he loves it, he can retire when he's 40. If he hates it, he can get out after 4 years and be 24 with the GI Bill which is free college + a housing allowance (he might change his mind about college by then). He'll also have his VA loan which he can use to buy a house with no money down.

Air Force is a good alternative to college

 

[Heath82]

If he doesn’t mind blue collar hard work, get certified as a welder. Doesn’t take long and big money if you follow the pipelines

 

[solarsentinel1]

Since he already has demonstrated an aptitude for information technology, pursuing a career in the field is a sound decision (particularly in cybersecurity). I am a Defense Contractor in the security field (cyber, physical, critical infrastructure, supply chain). PM me, brother....happy to help by suggesting some quick hit boot camps to get him the right entry level certifications quickly and relatively inexpensively.

 

[gauge22-v2]

He could join the Air Force (would not recommend any other branch). The Air Force has a ton of computer-related jobs (including cyber security).
He would have a chance to get stationed in Japan, Korea, Germany, Hawaii (or he get stuck in Oklahoma, lol).

If he loves it, he can retire when he's 40. If he hates it, he can get out after 4 years and be 24 with the GI Bill which is free college + a housing allowance (he might change his mind about college by then). He'll also have his VA loan which he can use to buy a house with no money down.

Air Force is a good alternative to college

I would suggest that, but we are in Canada.....I would never suggest he goes into the CAD military as shit we even rent C130s from Nato members.... hahhaha

 

[ape1nope]

If I could go back, I’d gone to college for a different major or military. I was young and naive. Luckily, I graduated with no debt…BUT my current (well-paying, 6 figure) career didn't require my degree. Just added a pay bump.

My wife didn’t even graduate high school and she gets paid three time what I do cuz she had the most ruthless ambition of anyone I’ve ever met.

Ambition and purpose is not something college or even trade schools can teach.

I’ve hinted to my son he should go into military after high school. The hope is he can find ambition and purpose there. It would hopefully provide a springboard into either college or another career.

 

[danieltx]

If he truly has an aptitude for IT then try web development - developers are the highest paid people in tech. Job security isn't what it was five years ago but it's much better than most fields given systems will never regress in complexity.

 

[A50#]

Lots of blue collar work in demand right now. Plumbers, electricians, HVAC, Welders.... All things u can also do on the side after hours for extra money for cash as well.

 

[EnhancedFatGrappler]

A smart dude can get really far in trades, with the right mindset and ambition. For example, Welding has lots of opportunities for growth. Start as a welder, and get certified and experienced along the way, so you can be a welding engineer/technician down the road, or go in the QA Direction.

 

[fatman81322]

Why am I asking PM about this? Well I actually trust the opinions here.

He is 20 and a bit aimless. Working in a cell phone shop.

He is amazingly brilliant with math, physics etc. He is rebuilding laptops (old chasis making them "sleeper" laptops).

He is a geek at heart, regardless of playing football for 10 years. Yes, he works out!

Things I have suggested:
- CFA
- Internet security
- Electrician

Any suggestions that might be a fit? Any experience that you have had that led you into a lucrative/rewarding career?

BTW - he has VERY little interest in taking traditional university.

 

[qbkilla]

If he doesn’t mind blue collar hard work, get certified as a welder. Doesn’t take long and big money if you follow the pipelines

This is a good one...the trades. Other options could be cyber security and medical.

 

[fatman81322]

If he is that good with math/physics and hates the structure of university...teach him how to trade the markets. I'm serious. At his young age and if he's that intelligent - he'll be a millionaire by the time that he is 30. Im not talking about crypto, I'm talking about trading the big boy markets. Feel free to message me if you have any questions.

 

[danieltx]

This is a good one...the trades. Other options could be cyber security and medical.

It really shows the caliber of the board that guys are recommending trades above IT and cyber security.

 

[fatman81322]

If he is that good with math/physics and hates the structure of university...teach him how to trade the markets. I'm serious. At his young age and if he's that intelligent - he'll be a millionaire by the time that he is 30. Im not talking about crypto, I'm talking about trading the big boy markets. Feel free to message me if you have any questions.

Ps- Imagine being in your very early 20s, extremely smart, and learning how to read the D.OM.! And also understanding how markets flow. JFC!

 

[headtrainer]

If he’s very good in math and physics I’d recommend some kind of engineer.

 

[steve0691]

I worked in public utilities, specifically natural gas for many years. Great benefits and job security. When I worked up north in a union friendly state, the workload was reasonable and overtime was unlimited. Gas and electric utilities are great if you can get in. Talk to ppl you know, someone might be able to get him in. Many of the young guys that came in throughout my time there seemed to be a little lost career wise but getting into a place with great benefits, good pay, down to earth co workers and stability is why not many leave. Not all utilities are great but many are and definitely worth considering.

 

[TomJ]

He could join the Air Force (would not recommend any other branch). The Air Force has a ton of computer-related jobs (including cyber security).
He would have a chance to get stationed in Japan, Korea, Germany, Hawaii (or he get stuck in Oklahoma, lol).

If he loves it, he can retire when he's 40. If he hates it, he can get out after 4 years and be 24 with the GI Bill which is free college + a housing allowance (he might change his mind about college by then). He'll also have his VA loan which he can use to buy a house with no money down.

Air Force is a good alternative to college

Another vote for the air force, especially if they are aimless.
Opens a lot of doors while still leaving the option of higher education later down the road.

And nothing for nothing, but military base pay and benefits are pretty desirable, all things considered

 

[FrancisK]

If you're starting from 0 and young enough to have a bit of time on your side I would learn a skilled labor trade and eventually start my own company in that trade and be off to the races....

Not trying to be rude about this in any way just trying to give good realistic advice, I'm very sure your kid is very smart and I'm sure you raised a good kid who will be a good man but half the 20 years on the planet are "geeks" and into tech stuff doing computer hardware stuff for fun. I wouldn't pursue something in that, instead use the tech aspect to help with furthering the trade.

 

[NorwegianMuscle]

It sounds like he would be perfect as an IT technician. He already has a passion for the profession working on computers. Get a certificate or a degree and I think he's golden.