<p>blossom -- Fair enough.<br>
Yes, the unknown (as in "I have no idea what I want") can be scary for parents and kids alike and we may try to prematurely grasp for certainty.<br>
But I still maintain that looking at certain programs at schools, including the pre-professional ones, can be an important piece of the puzzle for some kids and help them think. And in researching departments and programs, they may find info about what recent grads are doing. You can be sure those grads are not all following the same path.
And you have never implied that accountants have no true intellectual loves or pursuits, but many on these boards have.</p>
<p>You and he might both enjoy looking at some of the positions listed on idealist.org<br>
There are so many options. </p>
<p>My daughter (who wants to work for an NGO - she thinks) just joined the Bridging Disciplines Program at the University of Texas in a track called "Social Entrepreneurship & Non-profits"</p>
<p>
[quote]
The Social Entrepreneurship and Non-profits BDP brings together students who are interested in pursuing a career in the public service sector and expanding their involvement in the community. Non-profit leaders for the 21st century must increasingly understand the blurring of the lines between private, government, and non-profit sectors. The Social Entrepreneurship and Non-profits BDP allows students to tailor their coursework to fit their interests. Possible areas of focus include, but are not limited to:</p>
<pre><code>* Art and Social Change
* Environment
* Health and Health Care
* International Development
* Youth and Family
</code></pre>
<p>The Social Entrepreneurship and Non-profits faculty panel works with students to tailor their coursework to fit their interests, and to identify research and internship opportunities.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Something like this might be helpful to him.
Bridging</a> Disciplines Programs (BDP) | Social Entrepreneurship & Non-profits | Overview</p>
<p>Suggest that he get involved in some activities that allow him to help people. That way, he can find out exactly what kind of helping professions might be suited to his interests. </p>
<p>Virtually any profession can be a helping profession -- including sales -- depending on how one approaches one's job. In any job, some people think only of themselves, and how to get ahead and make money. Others think about how they can use their job to make others' lives better.</p>
<p>My younger S, 20, a college soph also wants to "help people", and is considering a variety of possibilities.</p>
<p>One thing that he found helpful was -- through some kind of vocational interest /personality test -- realizing that he enjoys working directly with the people whom he's helping. Consequently, helping people by, for instance, doing cancer research or building better transportation systems isn't something that he'd enjoy.</p>
<p>Midwestmom, thanks for the link to the Bridging Disciplines program...it sounds really interesting.</p>
<p>What I haven't heard is whether the OP's son is more rewarded (personally) by working directly with people as individuals or working on things that benefit people (indirectly). There are professions and occupations that can be oriented towards direct, indirect or both. Healthcare can goes both ways, depending upon whether it is research or working as a direct provider. </p>
<p>There are those people who love being personally involved in helping others, while there are others who get their reward from the intrinsic value of benefitting others. Once you know what motivates the child, it should steer the career choice (and underlying major).</p>
<p>President ?</p>
<p>I'd like to agree with Northstarmom and suggest that S try something that involves helping people. It wouldn't matter too much what is tried; trying gives experience and something specific to reflect on, a basis for a next step, for a further refinement of one's thinking.</p>
<p>How about an MBA? Then he could become an entrepreneur and create jobs for people. I can't imagine a better way to help people than that.</p>
<p>Many people with Business or Law degrees end up working for non-profits, esp. one that is near/dear to them or their family. Pay may be lower, but job satisfaction for them is higher.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Suggest that he get involved in some activities that allow him to help people. That way, he can find out exactly what kind of helping professions might be suited to his interests.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>
[quote]
What I haven't heard is whether the OP's son is more rewarded (personally) by working directly with people as individuals or working on things that benefit people (indirectly).
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Well at the age of 16, his opportunities are somewhat limited. But, I can report the following...</p>
<p>When the Red Cross announced it needed high schoolers to "work" blood drives he signed-up right away, before even mentioning it to us. This work has become his steady community service activity.</p>
<p>He actually loves giving blood himself. He's glad to be O-neg. Donates promptly at 56 days.</p>
<p>As a 2nd degree black belt, he pitches in with the Ninja Tots class (4's and 5's) where much of the emphasis is honesty, diligence, and stranger-danger.</p>
<p>His only employment so far has been little league ump. So that may not be relevant. Likewise for his next job: Dairy Queen. ;)</p>
<p>Again, thanks for the ideas, everyone. :)</p>
<p>Your son sounds like a wonderful young man! Teaching would be a good match for him, though at this age he may not be able to see that. ;)</p>
<p>Whatever profession he chooses, he can still do "helpful" activities in his off hours--Scout leader, sports coach, Habitat for Humanity vol, etc. etc. etc.</p>
<p>
[quote]
His only employment so far has been little league ump. So that may not be relevant.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I'd say that umpiring is highly relevant.</p>
<p>Calmness. Self-control. Doing what's right regardless of outside pressure. Being prepared. Being quick on your feet. Knowing your role and sticking to that. Exhibiting confidence, gaining the confidence of others. Understanding that there are limits to the desire to help out, that sometimes the best way to help is to expect people to do stuff on their own. </p>
<p>Good for him!</p>
<p>Volunteering and shadowing has helped my D. She also enjoys helping others a lot. The first time she discovered it when other kids asked her to help them academically (explaining some class material). Later she realized that just to lift somebody's spirit makes her very happy. Currently she volunteers at Crisis Center Hot line and greatly enjoys it. She is in college and only one at Crisis center who is non-psych major.</p>
<p>Send him down to your local volunteer fire/rescue department. You'd be amazed what they let 16 year olds do, and the type of responsibility he will quickly be entrusted with. Plus, he'll feel really cool charging out of the house when his pager goes off.</p>
<p>Actually, an Occupational Therapist just needs a Master's. In fact, there are some schools who have an accelerated 5 year Bachelors to Master's program in O.T. USC and Boston University, among others, have this program, as well as regular 2 year grad programs. You can elect to get a OTD, however it's not mandatory at this time. Up until a couple years ago all you need was a Bachelors. My h.s. junior daughter is very interested in Occupational Therapy. It's also supposed to be an up and coming allied health career. I think it would be an ideal field for someone who wants to help make a difference in people's lives. I feel there are so many support-type careers in the health field which are just as important as an MD.</p>
<p>Posted by JustAMomOf4: "He could also think about Occupational therapy or physical therapy. Both of these now require doctoral programs".</p>
<p>My son's in an accelerated physician assistant program, but he was a direct admit as a freshman. He volunteered during 3 summers at a hospital. One of the physicians convinced him that he could help more people by becoming a PA, with less hassles. We're almost at the end of his first semester and I'm happy to report he still likes his major. He took all the regular science and math classes at his high school and pretty much got all A's in them.</p>
<p>toledo, what school(s) have an accelerated PA program? I haven't seen such a major(?) listed by the colleges that fit Son's criteria. thanks.</p>
<p>I am going to reemphasize the idea that most department heads in hospitals and rehab centers are used to teens or college students requesting time to shadow and volunteer. </p>
<p>As a PT, we were required to demonstrate understanding of the profession on our applications and in our interviews, so I do not know another grad of my class who did not spend time in various settings in order to explain why they were applying to those programs. There is alot of flexibility in these fields to work in many environments from teaching hospitals, rehab centers, Out patient clinics, sports med, home care, schools as well as owning your practice. The same applies to OT as well. </p>
<p>Another option would be EMT training that is often available to teens and there are some college campuses where the EMT's are all student volunteers interested in pursuing med school or another health field.</p>
<p>"His only employment so far has been little league ump. So that may not be relevant."</p>
<p>Very relevant and impressive. Demonstrates responsibility, patience, ethics, split second decision making, etc.</p>
<p>I sent you a private message.</p>