Need some college choices for my 19yr old daughter – how do we decide what she wants to be when she “grows up”?


This Question From Army LPN Programs | 3 Answers


My daughter graduated High School this year, she was supposed to get into LPN school which was only an 11 month program but would be a “safe” career choice for the time being,she could further her education in whatever career choice she wanted from there, but would always have that as a back up. Though she is very smart, she had poor attendance in school. and though she tested very high she wasn’t chosen for the full-time LPN class.
Her brother who is in the army and is trying to get her to choose a 4 year college. Finances are a major issue here and what she chooses has to lead to some kind of a decent career move.
I sent her, and talked myself to her guidance counselor but it seemed pretty pointless. My daughter came back with answers like “photography” etc – and though she is creative,things like this to me are hobbies not careers.

I, myself had gone to talk to a career counselor at Ohio Business College which has 2 year programs and no matter what class I pitched at the counselor she spouted off “35-40k EASY!” – I went home and researched and it would be more like 12 an hour for most. Are all career counselors dishonest and/or commission driven? and do most of the bigger schools charge fees for career planning testing?

She is a good girl, doesn’t drink,smoke and definitely not a sl**.
I don’t want her to wind up in the minimum wage loop like I am, she is much too smart for that.
How do I get her started in the right direction?
lol…while I realize it sounds like I am controlling her, she is looking to me for answers and I don’t even know where to begin to point her on this kind of decision. I am actually trying to “push” her to spread her wings – but I don’t mind her residing here while she gets on track.
oh and my son is in the service and that was suggested to her before but both she and her brother agree that she is “too much of a pacifist”.

3 Comments so far

  1. Sarah B on July 6, 2010 8:16 am

    Don’t try to control her. You’ll ruin your relationship and ruin her life.

    Let her go to an eclectic college and find herself. I always wanted to major in dance and now I”m looking at Dance/Elementary Education/Psych majors. Stop thinking that she won’t do well for herself by exploring her own likes.

  2. Odwin Oddball on July 6, 2010 8:53 am

    Honestly, you need to step back and let her lead her own live.

    If she wants to pursue a career in photography, then that is her choice not yours.

    I know you mean well, but if you continue trying to control your daughters life like this, you will end up driving her away.

  3. Carl P on July 6, 2010 9:06 am

    Without her being personally motivated the odds are poor of finding the career path she will do well at.

    I would almost prefer that she work in the really world to see what she whats to do and if she has what it takes to have a career. I would also consider for her the Military Services, both to get her a rounded experience in the world of business and out of the house. They offer education support, travel and depending on her skill level does not mean she will be sent to a war zone. Support staff all around the world is needed and never needs to carry a gun outside of training camp.

    The downside of a temp career in the world near your home is some people will never break the cycle of boring safe work and go back to school, for a lot of reasons.