A question about college majors (1 Viewer)

[NewlyRetired]

Looking at my immediate family, we have a very high concentration of knowledge in one area.

My dad was an engineer

My two brothers are engineers

Me and my wife were engineers

The first 3 nieces/nephews are going into engineering/science

The next nephew in line is looking into robotics/engineering

Then comes my daughter. Her grades are very well balanced across the board and are excellent (she is either the #1 or #2 student in her class).

She has almost zero activities as school work and pleasure reading/writing are all she really does.

She won't start SAT's/ACT's etc until next year so I am unsure what those will indicate for her future.

She does not enjoy either math or science courses even with the high grades. She seems to really enjoy creative writing. She spends a lot of time writing on fan fiction type sites.

With our limited knowledge of other fields and majors, what should we be pointing her towards that 1) could be something she would like and 2) she could earn a living at?

Should we be looking into what major ties into editing and publishing?

I am secretly hoping she really enjoys her AP biology next year as at least with that I can give some good guidance. I am torn between wanting her to enjoy her eventual major/field with worrying about if she will be able to get a decent paying job.

 

[dparker713]

The editing and publishing field is brutal. Low wages, extreme competition, little chance of advancement.

 

[El Floppo]

Soccer management. FIFA exectutive.

She's still young; do you really need to "point" her into anything? A lot of kids do best finding their own way in college- even if it means picking a major late.

 

[NewlyRetired]

She's still young; do you really need to "point" her into anything? A lot of kids do best finding their own way in college- even if it means picking a major late.

I just can't get past the thought that with college likely to run in the $240k range depending on merit scholarships she gets, that it is irresponsible to not have a decent game plan going in.

If the education cost say $50k, then I guess I could see letting them find their way as they go but I struggle with the balance especially as we see all our immediate family's kids have very solid game plans that will see them getting careers that will justify the cost of college.

 

[NewlyRetired]

The editing and publishing field is brutal. Low wages, extreme competition, little chance of advancement.

that is what I figured. this is going to be a brutal couple of years trying to help guide her.

 

[glock]

She's still young; do you really need to "point" her into anything? A lot of kids do best finding their own way in college- even if it means picking a major late.

I just can't get past the thought that with college likely to run in the $240k range depending on merit scholarships she gets, that it is irresponsible to not have a decent game plan going in.

If the education cost say $50k, then I guess I could see letting them find their way as they go but I struggle with the balance especially as we see all our immediate family's kids have very solid game plans that will see them getting careers that will justify the cost of college.

Where are you getting your figures?

 

[glock]

The editing and publishing field is brutal. Low wages, extreme competition, little chance of advancement.

that is what I figured. this is going to be a brutal couple of years trying to help guide her.

You don't sound like you are looking to "guide" her.

One of my son's set out to a four year college as a creative wring major/psychology minor. After a year of watching others in his major write all the time and wonder what was wrong with him, he switched over to psychology major/music technology minor. That is what a liberal arts college education is about.

He is currently wrapping up a masters in music therapy. His Mom and I guided him by listening to him sort it out.

 

[El Floppo]

She's still young; do you really need to "point" her into anything? A lot of kids do best finding their own way in college- even if it means picking a major late.

I just can't get past the thought that with college likely to run in the $240k range depending on merit scholarships she gets, that it is irresponsible to not have a decent game plan going in.

If the education cost say $50k, then I guess I could see letting them find their way as they go but I struggle with the balance especially as we see all our immediate family's kids have very solid game plans that will see them getting careers that will justify the cost of college.

FIFA executive it is then.

I'm not saying to go in blind and just wing it... but there's a lot of room inbetween. Game-planning is great- as long as there are plans B-Z in play that allows for her to adjust (intelligently- which sounds like an obvious direction with this girl) as she goes along. IMHO.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Soccer management. FIFA exectutive.

She's still young; do you really need to "point" her into anything? A lot of kids do best finding their own way in college- even if it means picking a major late.

What he said. If you really think she needs some assistance, find a career counselor.

 

[Fat Nick]

She's still young; do you really need to "point" her into anything? A lot of kids do best finding their own way in college- even if it means picking a major late.

If it were my kid, I'd go this route...undecided. I went in as an engineering major, changed late to business, but then didn't get into the business program, and ended up with an Econ degree. Not what I wanted, but what I could've graduated with. If there's a way to start out with a more general curriculum that won't "waste" your first year, I think that's ideal.

In my case, my 1st year of brutal engineering coursework basically wrecked my chances at anything else if I still wanted to graduate on time. Colleges that force kids into highly major-specific coursework in the first semester are really doing kids a disservice.

 

[eoMMan]

The first question should be what does she want to do as a career and work her way backwards to the major. It makes no sense going to college and not having that degree translate to a worthwhile job. If she really is absolutely clueless, I would suggest general business classes but to figure out what she wants to do asap. Meet with people, do internships, research, etc. It'll save money and hassle later.

 

[Guest]

Somewhat started this process with my HS sophomore daughter. Unless something drastically changes, she should finish in the top 4 of her class. By "somewhat started" I mean dropping hints based on her interests. Who knows?

My college sophomore son started as pre-med. He's now changed his major to marketing.

 

[johnnycakes]

Say no more. Law school is in her future.

 

[cstu]

The first question should be what does she want to do as a career and work her way backwards to the major. It makes no sense going to college and not having that degree translate to a worthwhile job. If she really is absolutely clueless, I would suggest general business classes but to figure out what she wants to do asap. Meet with people, do internships, research, etc. It'll save money and hassle later.

Disagree, it will get her better marriage prospects.

 

[Cjw_55106]

When in doubt, gravitate towards computer science. She should always be able to get a job. Project managers also seem to always be in demand.

 

[Quint]

She's still young; do you really need to "point" her into anything? A lot of kids do best finding their own way in college- even if it means picking a major late.

I just can't get past the thought that with college likely to run in the $240k range depending on merit scholarships she gets, that it is irresponsible to not have a decent game plan going in.

If the education cost say $50k, then I guess I could see letting them find their way as they go but I struggle with the balance especially as we see all our immediate family's kids have very solid game plans that will see them getting careers that will justify the cost of college.

i'm sure she'll be able to get a perfectly acceptable [liberal arts] college education for $50k or less.

as for copy writing/editing, there are a couple of ways to go if she wants to pursue that career: writing technical manuals is one where the income can be above average (depending on the company she hooks up with), and if she wants to do more creative stuff then i would recommend taking some design classes as well to bolster her resume.

in the copy writing/editing world, the name of the school isn't as important as having the piece of paper. and if she could do an internship in this field while in school, that foot-in-the-door will help tremendously after graduation.

 

[jon_mx]

Say no more. Law school is in her future.

I think by creative writing she meant it in the artistic sense, not deceptive.

 

[NewlyRetired]

She's still young; do you really need to "point" her into anything? A lot of kids do best finding their own way in college- even if it means picking a major late.

I just can't get past the thought that with college likely to run in the $240k range depending on merit scholarships she gets, that it is irresponsible to not have a decent game plan going in.

If the education cost say $50k, then I guess I could see letting them find their way as they go but I struggle with the balance especially as we see all our immediate family's kids have very solid game plans that will see them getting careers that will justify the cost of college.

Where are you getting your figures?

from the colleges we have visited so far (Babson, Brown, BU, Bentley and WPI)

 

[NewlyRetired]

The editing and publishing field is brutal. Low wages, extreme competition, little chance of advancement.

that is what I figured. this is going to be a brutal couple of years trying to help guide her.

You don't sound like you are looking to "guide" her.

thanks, that is very helpful.

 

[NewlyRetired]

When in doubt, gravitate towards computer science. She should always be able to get a job. Project managers also seem to always be in demand.

She has not been exposed to any computer languages yet but is thinking about taking a Java class this summer to get some exposure.

I know she is young so I hope the more she gets exposed to different items, the more likely she is to find a major that will both interest her and have a decent job that is attainable when she gets out.

 

[johnnycakes]

Say no more. Law school is in her future.

I think by creative writing she meant it in the artistic sense, not deceptive.

Lawyers use artistic license all the time.

 

[butcher boy]

maybe she could be the general manager of a baseball team?

 

[NewlyRetired]

The first question should be what does she want to do as a career and work her way backwards to the major. It makes no sense going to college and not having that degree translate to a worthwhile job.

This is how I was brought up by my parents and how both my brothers have guided their kids. It certainly worked for my parents but it is way too early to know if this will work for the next generation yet as they are early in their college careers.

I know this is not how everyone views college education, but hopefully those that don't can understand/acknowledge there are a lot of us who do view it this way.

 

[glock]

She's still young; do you really need to "point" her into anything? A lot of kids do best finding their own way in college- even if it means picking a major late.

I just can't get past the thought that with college likely to run in the $240k range depending on merit scholarships she gets, that it is irresponsible to not have a decent game plan going in.

If the education cost say $50k, then I guess I could see letting them find their way as they go but I struggle with the balance especially as we see all our immediate family's kids have very solid game plans that will see them getting careers that will justify the cost of college.

Where are you getting your figures?

from the colleges we have visited so far (Babson, Brown, BU, Bentley and WPI)

Okay. One of my boys went to Babson. He was a business major, graduated summa cum laude and went on to a challenging, but VERY financially rewarding career to date in finance. He lrft with a small amount of debt because of his grades coming in and need. You sound like you are planning on having to pay the full tab. You make the kind of money that you have to??

Why would your creative writing inspired daughter go to Babson?

Edited to add: I put together a site for a local financial planner- some good info on this page.

 

[glock]

Go here to get info on schools that have pledged to seriously curtail student debt.

Edited to add: for starters-scroll down to Brown.

 

[Tiger Fan]

Have you already told her that you will be footing the bill?

 

[NewlyRetired]

She's still young; do you really need to "point" her into anything? A lot of kids do best finding their own way in college- even if it means picking a major late.

I just can't get past the thought that with college likely to run in the $240k range depending on merit scholarships she gets, that it is irresponsible to not have a decent game plan going in.

If the education cost say $50k, then I guess I could see letting them find their way as they go but I struggle with the balance especially as we see all our immediate family's kids have very solid game plans that will see them getting careers that will justify the cost of college.

Where are you getting your figures?

from the colleges we have visited so far (Babson, Brown, BU, Bentley and WPI)

Okay. One of my boys went to Babson. He was a business major, graduated summa cum laude and went on to a challenging, but VERY financially rewarding career to date in finance. He lrft with a small amount of debt because of his grades coming in and need. You sound like you are planning on having to pay the full tab. You make the kind of money that you have to??

Why would your creative writing inspired daughter go to Babson?

she is young and has some issues with change. So we find with her it is best to introduce her to the new idea as early as possible so that she can absorb it and accept it.

As such with college, we figured if we just visited a bunch of different types, she would get a feel for suburb schools vs city schools, small vs big, schools that teach mostly by lecture vs schools that teach by group work, coop vs straight schooling etc.

We are not really focusing on majors at all since she has no idea yet. So we try and choose schools to visit early that give her a different view so that if and when she decides on a major it will be easier for her to focus in on the type of school she likes to fit that major.

Yes we are expecting to pay for the entire tab less what ever she can get in merit scholarships and as for if we make enough money, we don't make any real money (I make $92 a week before tax ) but yes we can afford it.

 

[eoMMan]

Are these schools in state? I would steer her towards the instate route.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Have you already told her that you will be footing the bill?

she knows she has a 529 plan if that is what you mean.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Are these schools in state? I would steer her towards the instate route.

Everyone we visited was in state outside of Brown which was just in Providence (as close to where we live as Boston schools). We did not visit them as perspective schools, but more as examples of the type of schools she could look into.

She knows there are a ton of good schools in the Mass/NE area so I am almost certain she will end up close unless she finds a major that is not supported by any local school.

 

[glock]

She's still young; do you really need to "point" her into anything? A lot of kids do best finding their own way in college- even if it means picking a major late.

I just can't get past the thought that with college likely to run in the $240k range depending on merit scholarships she gets, that it is irresponsible to not have a decent game plan going in.

If the education cost say $50k, then I guess I could see letting them find their way as they go but I struggle with the balance especially as we see all our immediate family's kids have very solid game plans that will see them getting careers that will justify the cost of college.

Where are you getting your figures?

from the colleges we have visited so far (Babson, Brown, BU, Bentley and WPI)

Okay. One of my boys went to Babson. He was a business major, graduated summa cum laude and went on to a challenging, but VERY financially rewarding career to date in finance. He lrft with a small amount of debt because of his grades coming in and need. You sound like you are planning on having to pay the full tab. You make the kind of money that you have to??

Why would your creative writing inspired daughter go to Babson?

she is young and has some issues with change. So we find with her it is best to introduce her to the new idea as early as possible so that she can absorb it and accept it.

As such with college, we figured if we just visited a bunch of different types, she would get a feel for suburb schools vs city schools, small vs big, schools that teach mostly by lecture vs schools that teach by group work, coop vs straight schooling etc.

We are not really focusing on majors at all since she has no idea yet. So we try and choose schools to visit early that give her a different view so that if and when she decides on a major it will be easier for her to focus in on the type of school she likes to fit that major.

Yes we are expecting to pay for the entire tab less what ever she can get in merit scholarships and as for if we make enough money, we don't make any real money (I make $92 a week before tax ) but yes we can afford it.

Well, good for you then. Disregard my links regarding saving money.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

For the record, I'm in the "let your kid find her own way" boat, but I get that you're not.

If your daughter is the creative type, you might have her consider marketing/advertising. I'm not a fan of business degrees, but there's no doubt that they tend to open up more employment opportunities upon graduation than humanities and social science degrees (other than economics). This one might appeal to somebody who wants to work in a somewhat creative area as opposed to something like accounting. With a little luck, she'll like the quantitative side of marketing when she gets exposed to it, and that would make her even more employable after she picks up some statistics.

Just my two cents. You mentioned that she's taking an AP Biology class and you were hoping that would appeal. You might want to check out the job prospects for Biology majors. They're roughly equivalent to those of History majors. Not all STEM fields lead to lucrative employment after graduation.

 

[mr roboto]

I graduated with a Business Marketing and Finance degree. Marketing degrees are a dime a dozen and it seems finance wouldnt interest her much but if she is a good communicator in writing and in person I could see her being happy in the marketing/sales field.

Other direction would be teaching.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Just my two cents. You mentioned that she's taking an AP Biology class and you were hoping that would appeal. You might want to check out the job prospects for Biology majors. They're roughly equivalent to those of History majors. Not all STEM fields lead to lucrative employment after graduation.

I did not mean to say I wanted her to be a Biology major specifically but something in the math/sciences/engineering/software/medical/business area I think we offer us some general direction instead of just winging it and hoping they figure it out.

I fully acknowledge that there are plenty of majors that won't lead to a decent job directly out of school.

 

[Al O'Pecia]

My dad was an engineer

My two brothers are engineers

Me and my wife were engineers

The first 3 nieces/nephews are going into engineering/science

The next nephew in line is looking into robotics/engineering

You're Asian?

 

[NewlyRetired]

She's still young; do you really need to "point" her into anything? A lot of kids do best finding their own way in college- even if it means picking a major late.

I just can't get past the thought that with college likely to run in the $240k range depending on merit scholarships she gets, that it is irresponsible to not have a decent game plan going in.

If the education cost say $50k, then I guess I could see letting them find their way as they go but I struggle with the balance especially as we see all our immediate family's kids have very solid game plans that will see them getting careers that will justify the cost of college.

Where are you getting your figures?

from the colleges we have visited so far (Babson, Brown, BU, Bentley and WPI)

Okay. One of my boys went to Babson. He was a business major, graduated summa cum laude and went on to a challenging, but VERY financially rewarding career to date in finance. He lrft with a small amount of debt because of his grades coming in and need. You sound like you are planning on having to pay the full tab. You make the kind of money that you have to??

Why would your creative writing inspired daughter go to Babson?

she is young and has some issues with change. So we find with her it is best to introduce her to the new idea as early as possible so that she can absorb it and accept it.

As such with college, we figured if we just visited a bunch of different types, she would get a feel for suburb schools vs city schools, small vs big, schools that teach mostly by lecture vs schools that teach by group work, coop vs straight schooling etc.

We are not really focusing on majors at all since she has no idea yet. So we try and choose schools to visit early that give her a different view so that if and when she decides on a major it will be easier for her to focus in on the type of school she likes to fit that major.

Yes we are expecting to pay for the entire tab less what ever she can get in merit scholarships and as for if we make enough money, we don't make any real money (I make $92 a week before tax ) but yes we can afford it.

Well, good for you then. Disregard my links regarding saving money.

if the schools formulas are based heavily on income, we will get some aid

If the schools formulas are based equally on income and means, we will get zip

I am pretty much expecting zip, outside of what ever she can grab for merit.

 

[cstu]

She does not enjoy either math or science courses even with the high grades. She seems to really enjoy creative writing. She spends a lot of time writing on fan fiction type sites.

It sounds like you are trying to force into something she doesn't like.

Assuming she doesn't take your advice, are you going to pay for college?

 

[NewlyRetired]

She does not enjoy either math or science courses even with the high grades. She seems to really enjoy creative writing. She spends a lot of time writing on fan fiction type sites.

It sounds like you are trying to force into something she doesn't like.

Assuming she doesn't take your advice, are you going to pay for college?

I am not trying to force her into anything outside of hoping she can come out of college with a chance at getting a decent job.

If she chooses a major that has a near 0% chance of getting a job, we will still pay for college but probably would not make sense to pay for a full blown private education at that point and just steer her towards more of a state school.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

She does not enjoy either math or science courses even with the high grades. She seems to really enjoy creative writing. She spends a lot of time writing on fan fiction type sites.

It sounds like you are trying to force into something she doesn't like.

Assuming she doesn't take your advice, are you going to pay for college?

I am not trying to force her into anything outside of hoping she can come out of college with a chance at getting a decent job.

If she chooses a major that has a near 0% chance of getting a job, we will still pay for college but probably would not make sense to pay for a full blown private education at that point and just steer her towards more of a state school.

Keep in mind that liberal arts grads from good private colleges go on to have perfectly fine careers -- they're not sitting at home unemployed. It takes them longer to get their career going compared to people who major in well-defined vocational fields like engineering, pharmacy, pre-med, etc., but they do catch up. Bright people who can communicate well and learn things quickly will succeed even if they don't graduate and go directly onto the line at the local Psychology factory.

 

[El Floppo]

She does not enjoy either math or science courses even with the high grades. She seems to really enjoy creative writing. She spends a lot of time writing on fan fiction type sites.

It sounds like you are trying to force into something she doesn't like.

Assuming she doesn't take your advice, are you going to pay for college?

I am not trying to force her into anything outside of hoping she can come out of college with a chance at getting a decent job.

If she chooses a major that has a near 0% chance of getting a job, we will still pay for college but probably would not make sense to pay for a full blown private education at that point and just steer her towards more of a state school.

she can get a job right out of HS and skip college too.

your daughter already sounds like an impressive young woman- I would trust that she'll continue being impressive whether she majors in Moroccan art history or Pre-med

 

[NewlyRetired]

She does not enjoy either math or science courses even with the high grades. She seems to really enjoy creative writing. She spends a lot of time writing on fan fiction type sites.

It sounds like you are trying to force into something she doesn't like.

Assuming she doesn't take your advice, are you going to pay for college?

I am not trying to force her into anything outside of hoping she can come out of college with a chance at getting a decent job.

If she chooses a major that has a near 0% chance of getting a job, we will still pay for college but probably would not make sense to pay for a full blown private education at that point and just steer her towards more of a state school.

Keep in mind that liberal arts grads from good private colleges go on to have perfectly fine careers -- they're not sitting at home unemployed. It takes them longer to get their career going compared to people who major in well-defined vocational fields like engineering, pharmacy, pre-med, etc., but they do catch up. Bright people who can communicate well and learn things quickly will succeed even if they don't graduate and go directly onto the line at the local Psychology factory.

This makes sense but it is my own ignorance of these type of career paths that cause my concerns.

 

[fatguyinalittlecoat]

If she chooses a major that has a near 0% chance of getting a job

Does this mean, like, ever? Or right after undergrad? Pretty much any major can go on to law school and then get a job. Not that I'm recommending her being a lawyer, but it seems to me that there are a lot of different paths to employment that you don't really seem to be thinking about.

 

[njherdfan]

She's still young; do you really need to "point" her into anything? A lot of kids do best finding their own way in college- even if it means picking a major late.

I just can't get past the thought that with college likely to run in the $240k range depending on merit scholarships she gets, that it is irresponsible to not have a decent game plan going in.

If the education cost say $50k, then I guess I could see letting them find their way as they go but I struggle with the balance especially as we see all our immediate family's kids have very solid game plans that will see them getting careers that will justify the cost of college.

Where are you getting your figures?

from the colleges we have visited so far (Babson, Brown, BU, Bentley and WPI)

Just out of curiosity, if she doesn't want to be an engineer, why would you visit WPI?

 

[NewlyRetired]

If she chooses a major that has a near 0% chance of getting a job

Does this mean, like, ever? Or right after undergrad? Pretty much any major can go on to law school and then get a job. Not that I'm recommending her being a lawyer, but it seems to me that there are a lot of different paths to employment that you don't really seem to be thinking about.

pre law and pre med fit into the way I look at things.

 

[jon_mx]

She's still young; do you really need to "point" her into anything? A lot of kids do best finding their own way in college- even if it means picking a major late.

I just can't get past the thought that with college likely to run in the $240k range depending on merit scholarships she gets, that it is irresponsible to not have a decent game plan going in.

If the education cost say $50k, then I guess I could see letting them find their way as they go but I struggle with the balance especially as we see all our immediate family's kids have very solid game plans that will see them getting careers that will justify the cost of college.

Where are you getting your figures?

from the colleges we have visited so far (Babson, Brown, BU, Bentley and WPI)

Just out of curiosity, if she doesn't want to be an engineer, why would you visit WPI?

Well my father was a mechanic. His father was a mechanic. My mother's father was a mechanic. My three brothers are mechanics. Four uncles on my father's side are mechanics --

 

[NewlyRetired]

She's still young; do you really need to "point" her into anything? A lot of kids do best finding their own way in college- even if it means picking a major late.

I just can't get past the thought that with college likely to run in the $240k range depending on merit scholarships she gets, that it is irresponsible to not have a decent game plan going in.

If the education cost say $50k, then I guess I could see letting them find their way as they go but I struggle with the balance especially as we see all our immediate family's kids have very solid game plans that will see them getting careers that will justify the cost of college.

Where are you getting your figures?

from the colleges we have visited so far (Babson, Brown, BU, Bentley and WPI)

Just out of curiosity, if she doesn't want to be an engineer, why would you visit WPI?

See this post as I tried to explain it here. We are not visiting colleges based on majors since she has no major in mind yet. We are visiting schools so that she can see style of school

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=722874&p=17584712

 

[fatguyinalittlecoat]

If she chooses a major that has a near 0% chance of getting a job

Does this mean, like, ever? Or right after undergrad? Pretty much any major can go on to law school and then get a job. Not that I'm recommending her being a lawyer, but it seems to me that there are a lot of different paths to employment that you don't really seem to be thinking about.

pre law and pre med fit into the way I look at things.

The type of schools she's looking at don't have anything called "pre-law." She can major in anything she wants and go to law school, if that's what she was interested in.

But hopefully she'll do something better.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Well my father was a mechanic. His father was a mechanic. My mother's father was a mechanic. My three brothers are mechanics. Four uncles on my father's side are mechanics --

yeah, that is why exactly.

It has nothing to do with exposing her to a smaller city school that still has a suburban feel that offers students the choice of coop or straight education of course so that if and when she chooses a major it can help her decide what type of school she likes.

 

[NewlyRetired]

If she chooses a major that has a near 0% chance of getting a job

Does this mean, like, ever? Or right after undergrad? Pretty much any major can go on to law school and then get a job. Not that I'm recommending her being a lawyer, but it seems to me that there are a lot of different paths to employment that you don't really seem to be thinking about.

pre law and pre med fit into the way I look at things.

The type of schools she's looking at don't have.......

I give up :(

 

[Tiger Fan]

Have you already told her that you will be footing the bill?

she knows she has a 529 plan if that is what you mean.

Yes. I was going to go the route of her understanding the cost of college, responsibility, etc. But there are obvious other was to teach that. I think the route of your concern has a lot of merit....you want to make sure that your daughter will have the financial means to "make it" in today's society with the likely comforts that you have. And it's difficult to see that with her current interests. I'm going to play armchair QB here from the limited information I have. I could be right, I could be wrong....but let me just ramble for a bit.

You're approaching this "solution" like an engineer would, which is how you're wired. It appears to me that she's not wired this way, but that's ok. You said it yourself, she's one of the smartest people in her class....let's say she decides to major in creative writing...at some point, she's going to have a realization about what she wants out of life. Maybe her creative writing degree will be enough for that....or maybe it won't. If she's creative, than there are many other routes...sales, entrepreneurship, etc.

I do a decent amount of college recruiting (for an engineering company) and read a lot bout the younger generation. They're entrepreneurs in the truest sense of the word. They find creative solutions to problems and exploit them.

You're a very bright guy (I value alot of what you've posted wrt retirement and finances)...I'm sure the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. I would express your concern to her, but don't push her in any way...I'm sure she'll be fine

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Now I type all that b/c I have a similar personality as you and would be expressing all of the similar concerns...so I know how hard it could be to "let go" in that sense, especially when you have modeled your entire life to make sure that you and your family are taken care of financially.

Best of luck