career paths and college suggestions for the undecided

<p>As D2 goes into Junior year, we starting to explore colleges. One of the issues that concerns me is that she has always lost interest in her "passions" after a few months. The only thing that has kept her interest is working with horses. She volunteers helping with lessons at an equestrian therapy center. It is hard work but she enjoys it. We discussed this but she would not know what to do career wise with this, except become veterinarian which she does not want to do.</p>

<p>She is currently being sent invitations to visit schools (e.g, John Hopkins and U of Chicago) for their science and writing programs. Academic wise, she does very well but does lean towards the arts. She has told me she has an interest in film. However, I know this is a very difficult path that would require a lot of passion and dedication. I would hate for her to go to film school and then decide she does not like it anymore. We have visited Syracuse and Ithaca College and she really liked the film programs there. The hands on style was very persuasive. </p>

<p>Anyhow, the practical me wants to push her towards a liberal arts school where she could get into a business program (marketing, communications,etc), which would give her a business base and a broader field to experiment with and find her niche. I am leaning towards having her look at Boston U, Northeastern.</p>

<p>Would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions, especially if you have a similar child.</p>

<p>If you have the money, then having her get a college degree (business, English, communications, something reasonably useful) is beneficial. Now is the time to do that.</p>

<p>If horses are her passion (and does not want to be a vet), have her talk with racing horse owners/trainers, and see what job opportunities there are.</p>

<p>I know of a horse enthusiast who went to Wellesley. 10 years later she is teaching riding, doing some tutoring and very happy with her life. I know another woman who ended up running her own barn, and still another who wound up as a farrier. </p>

<p>Horses are big business, and there are plenty of jobs in related industries–communications, event planning, retail etc. etc. any of which offer acceptable entry level jobs for smart BAs. If she likes the therapy aspect, there are also many professional fields in that area. She’s got some time to explore, and I wouldn’t worry if a 15 year old didn’t know what she wanted to do for the rest of her life. She doesn’t have to enter college with a major and career picked out.</p>

<p>There are many threads on CC arguing whether college should be for personal growth or vocational training. It is definitely possible to lead a successful and happy life having done it either way, but you should think about where you sit on that spectrum.</p>

<p>Mount Holyoke has an equestrian center and also film studies major and minor - and of course liberal arts for exploring.</p>

<p>My son loved his experience at American University…you are accepted into the university as a whole, and can take any classes you want in any of the individual schools–a great way to get exposure to all kinds of possibilities to see what might kindle that passion. Also, being able to take on all kinds of internships (very few of the get coffee/make copies variety) gives valuable insight into the real world of real work and helps the student develop a valuable network.</p>

<p>If she enjoys work at the equestrian therapy center, she might enjoy other therapy jobs such as occupational therapy or physical therapy. These are graduate degrees however. They don’t have required undergraduate majors, but do have required prerequisite classes which are taken during the undergrad years. Some colleges do offer direct entry programs for freshmen where they can save a year or more off the total time for a degree. I think Ithaca College is one of them.</p>

<p>My D is also an equestrian, but I’ve discouraged her from pursuing a horse-related career, since it is hard to make a living at it, according to advice from her trainer. She is uncertain about her major but is leaning towards psychology and will attend a LAC, starting this fall. She is potentially interested in a therapy-type career (OT, PT, Speech Therapy, etc.), but isn’t certain enough to do one of the direct entry programs.</p>

<p>I regard the whole question of education vs vocation as a false dichotomy. College education should be the preparation necessary to lead a purposeful career and life. I personally wish I had taken the time, before going to college, to find out what I would be purposive in so that I wouldn’t have to endure the mid-career transitions that I had to in order to live my passion. Sending your child to college without a clue what she’d be doing there is IMO not such a great idea. If you can afford to, give her 6 months to 12 months to explore anything related to horses. Ask her what she would do after shopping, travelling, and partying if she had $10 million and only 10 years to live. Ask her to start with a blank piece of paper and write out what she would want to say about her life purpose when she’s in her death bed. Intense, I know but it can mean the difference between a life of accomplishments and joy and many wasted years and regrets.</p>

<p>Thank you everyone for interesting responses and suggestions. Personally, I started out with a degree in Business, majoring in information systems, which I hated in the real world but loved in the classroom. My first job opened the door to another by now I have done about four different things and have enjoyed each of them. Interestingly enough, the common denominator in all my transitions was speaking a second language and not my original degree. Also, the problem solving skills I honed while writing programs also helped. This is why I think in her case, something general might work better.</p>

<p>Have you thought about visiting schools that have a farm as part of their department of animal sciences or a stable as part of their academic or athletic programs? That way she can continue to pursue her interest while exploring related and unrelated careers and studies.</p>

<p>In this day and age, with tuitions high, loans high, and a recent recession, it is only natural that many view college as preparation for a career, but it is also true that college was originally meant for exploration and intellectual growth, with both breadth and depth, the latter through a major.</p>

<p>It is still true that a bachelor’s in any subject gives access to jobs that require a bachelor’s, and to grad and professional schools.</p>

<p>For some people, turning a passion into an area of study and/or career can ruin the passion. For others, it is the natural thing to do. You know your daughter.</p>

<p>BU has a school of allied health that might interest her: there are others, that is just one I know of, that offers PT as a major. Lesley in Cambridge MA and Clark U. in Worcester are both excellent with psychology≥ Lesley has a unique holistic psychology major with lots of opportunities for practical experience.</p>

<p>But your daughter can continue her love of horses and her volunteering even if she studies geology or anthropology. She can go to college undecided and try a lot of classes out and settle on something after a couple of years. As you know…</p>

<p>How about a BS in Recreational Therapy?</p>

<p>I have always told my kids that if they are passionate about a subject, willing to work hard and strive to be the best, I would support them no matter what the subject. However, if they are unsure, then engineering is a great way to go.</p>

<p>First, while in school, engineering students are generally able to transfer out much more easily to other majors if they find their passion than others are able to transfer in. Also, upon graduation, an engineering student’s options are far more diverse than a typical liberal arts/business major.</p>

<p>I am making a list of these college suggestions for summer and fall visits. Interesting about the Recreational Therapy. Will do some research on that. Also interesting about BU allied health. Lot’s of great info. Thank you!</p>