Posted on Aug 15, 2014
MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
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I'm about to reach that point in my life where I'll be doing just that, my oldest is a year away from high school. Given the economy, the state of the country, the cost of post-secondary education and other factors, What direction would you steer your kids towards - degree, trade, military, medical, technology...
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Responses: 8
SPC James Mcneil
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My children's career is not mine to choose. What do they enjoy doing? What are they good at doing? I do not see the advantage of pushing them toward a career they would hate and subsequently not spend much time actually doing, when their talents and desires lead them elsewhere.
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SSG Ralph Innes
SSG Ralph Innes
>1 y
I couldn't agree more. At that age, I thought I knew everything anyway, so it didn't make any difference what direction my parents attempted to steer me. I have an advanced degree, but it isn't for everyone. In addition, I don't think most 18 year olds know what they want to do for the rest of their lives. I think the best advice is to have them figure out what they love to do and encourage them to go conquer it.
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PV2 Senior Web Designer, Web Team Lead
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I would say if the degree is useful college. My son graduated college in May. He got his degree in Operations Management Information Systems (OMIS) He does Operations and Logistics for Sears Corporate in Chicago. The nice thing about his degree is that Logistics is everything these days, and he'll be able to go elsewhere.
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PV2 Senior Web Designer, Web Team Lead
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>1 y
My son went to NIU. He graduated in May. He had the job lined up a month before graduation. He likes it there.
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MAJ Division Executive Officer
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I started steering my oldest towards entrepreneurial endeavors by my example outside of the military. He has already sold cookies to raise funds for Haiti, recently washed cars and did door to door sales all before 11 years old. Entrepreneurs are what built this nation's economy, ever since the farming/craftsman days. More people that steer their kids towards this mindset will only empower them, even if they decide to earn a living in the traditional manner.
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