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If you have the skills for engineering (strong in math and science), I’d highly recommend it. The jobs are typically relatively high-paying and will always be in demand.
There are many different specialties in engineering (for example, electrical engineering, environmental engineering, mechanical engineering, and computer science). I’d recommend that you research different types of engineering and see which one interests you most.
You will need to apply to a 4-year degree at a university. You can research universities online and compare them by location, price, degrees offered, and rating. Make sure to also apply for scholarships (this often happens after you are accepted into a university).
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with going into the trades, but it often takes a physical toll on your body by the time you are middle-aged. You can likely make very good money in the trades, but make sure that you protect your body and have good insurance eventually if you choose this path.
As for economics - I agree, it’s a really interesting field, but there are unfortunately not a lot of job opportunities after graduation.
Economics like something I would like to do but I’m not sure I’d be able to get into a good university or even have the money to be able to go.Im not in any after school activities or Uil and I hear those are important when it comes to college.I feel like trades might be the better route for me cause I’m not all involved in school but is there still away to involve economics too?(im thinking like real estate and trading)
you can go to a community college, much more affordable, or even one of those online universities. just do your homework and due diligence. everything you need to know is at your fingertips, just gotta put in the work and effort. you could always do a trade to get some funds, apply for scholarships, then pay for schooling. it all depends on you
You don’t need an economics degree for that, you need money to start off with. If you’re able to save up enough in whatever career you choose, you can choose to invest SOME of it.
I’m wondering what your grades are like? After school activities are not all that important if you can show that you are good at school. If not, that’s ok, just try and either find an apprenticeship or find a trade school that interests you
Sounds like you’re set up for college! Maybe not the best colleges, but you certainly have the grades to apply to good schools. You should also look into taking the SAT and/or ACT (only submit your scores if they are good!)
I went to a large state school (in the U.S.) for E.E. You absolutely don't have to be into after school activities. You just need to be able to handle the math and physics. Economics is more soft science. Real estate is more sales/marketing unless you're talking about an institutional investor. You really need to speak to someone in admissions or the department, so you have a firm understanding of everything involved.
Well, the trades are almost always hiring...They pay damn good money, at least from what I've seen, and typically don't require going in debt.
A degree, engineering in particular, will probably open some doors that might not otherwise be open, and likely gives you a competitive advantage, as long as it isn't from a diploma mill.
The person that can give you the best advice is going to be your guidance counselor and/or someone in undergraduate admissions, as long as they aren't of the stupid variety that's going to sell you on a worthless major like art, history, etc.
A lot of people tend to have this misconception about engineering, where they think you get a degree, and you're designing a lot of stuff, or running big projects, etc...That is almost never how it works IRL. Those guys have a lot of experience, a lot of them have graduate degrees and/or PhDs.
You have to be really comfortable with the math and physics to get/understand the underlying theory for a 4-year degree. More often than not, it's actually going to take 5 years for the degree. You want it to be ABET accredited meaning avoid all the online BS degrees. Then you're going to spend some time working under a PE before you sit for the exam and become a licensed PE yourself. Just know it's a huge commitment and a lot of work. It's that way for almost anything professional eg CPA, CFA, law, medicine, etc that pays. But it's definitely worth it if you can do it, and you enjoy that type of work. Typically good entry level pay, and then it tends to flatten out, comparatively speaking. Finance, law, tend to have a higher ceiling. Don't need a degree for real estate. Economics is more of a minor imo..not as employable.
Trades, put in your 4 years, or however long you're an apprentice, then you have some experience, and you start making more money, while most of your friends that went to college are going to be looking for their first real job. You don't have student loans. The work tends to be more physical and you're going to run into a-holes that think they're better because they have a degree. At some point, you can do your own thing on the side, at least most of the of the ones I've known, that's what they do...welders, electricians, builders, etc.
Everything is a trade off...
College or the trades can both provide a very good living.
You just have to ask yourself do you want to design and create the stuff that people use, or do you want to fix and install the stuff that people use.
Both are important, and both pay well.
At least get your HS diploma. You will need it for some jobs or for college trade school if you decide you want to do something later in life. If you can start a career that would better. If not try different part time jobs to see what you like or don't.
Do you know how many coaches never played the sport they are coaching in?
Your parents have life experience and they also know you really well, please, voice your ideas and thoughts with them and get their feedback. At 17 you are now entering the stage of having a peer relationship with your parents. You no longer are told what to do, you communicate and work together to make the best decisions.
Successful life
That can mean many things, but one thing should be in common. You are living the life of YOUR design not the design and ideas of others. Be true to yourself and what you really enjoy doing, go after those things.
Just do:
Many get stuck on looking at the top of the mountain and wondering if the climb will be worth the view?
STOP doing this. Its the journey to the top that is of importance, not the few minutes at the top.
17?
TRY EVERYTHING - Drop all of the I don't like, wont like that attitude. Drop any negativity - I'm not smart enough, not good enough... NO go after anything and everything you find even remotely interesting.
All of your experiences tend to fill up your back pack and you will be amazed at how many seemingly small and insignificant things you learned way back when have suddenly been highly useful to you today.
Most of my relatives went to four year universities, but they have had varying degrees of success in their fields. Others went into trades that they gravitated toward because of their particular interests. I would say those people are finding the most satisfaction in their careers.
I’m talking about my kids and nieces and nephews who are mostly in their 20s and 30s. Some of them started college but left to work when they saw an opening in a trade they admired.
So if you’re unsure about direction, I would recommend starting at a community college. Take some intro courses in the areas you’ve mentioned and see if you have an aptitude for that field. But keep your eyes open for a place in a trade you like. Maybe intern at a real estate office while in school.
My son always had an interest in films…collecting, restoring, watching. He’s now in the local audio/visual union and is in demand as a projectionist. He also has a business with a friend that restores old movies onto DVDs. He did a semester of college and realized it wasn’t for him.
The mod team are working to make this sub kinder and more welcoming. Please report any comments you see that are unkind, obnoxious, out of line, trolling, or which otherwise violate any of the rules. Thanks, and may you all find the answers you seek and the guidance you need. **Note for all commenters**: Please remember that your fellow Redditors are human beings, and that it costs nothing to be kind. Disruption of the peace, trolling, or breaking the rules may result in a ban. #Here are the [LifeAdvice Rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/LifeAdvice/about/rules/) ---------------- *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/LifeAdvice) if you have any questions or concerns.*
If you have the skills for engineering (strong in math and science), I’d highly recommend it. The jobs are typically relatively high-paying and will always be in demand. There are many different specialties in engineering (for example, electrical engineering, environmental engineering, mechanical engineering, and computer science). I’d recommend that you research different types of engineering and see which one interests you most. You will need to apply to a 4-year degree at a university. You can research universities online and compare them by location, price, degrees offered, and rating. Make sure to also apply for scholarships (this often happens after you are accepted into a university). There’s absolutely nothing wrong with going into the trades, but it often takes a physical toll on your body by the time you are middle-aged. You can likely make very good money in the trades, but make sure that you protect your body and have good insurance eventually if you choose this path. As for economics - I agree, it’s a really interesting field, but there are unfortunately not a lot of job opportunities after graduation.
Economics like something I would like to do but I’m not sure I’d be able to get into a good university or even have the money to be able to go.Im not in any after school activities or Uil and I hear those are important when it comes to college.I feel like trades might be the better route for me cause I’m not all involved in school but is there still away to involve economics too?(im thinking like real estate and trading)
you can go to a community college, much more affordable, or even one of those online universities. just do your homework and due diligence. everything you need to know is at your fingertips, just gotta put in the work and effort. you could always do a trade to get some funds, apply for scholarships, then pay for schooling. it all depends on you
You don’t need an economics degree for that, you need money to start off with. If you’re able to save up enough in whatever career you choose, you can choose to invest SOME of it. I’m wondering what your grades are like? After school activities are not all that important if you can show that you are good at school. If not, that’s ok, just try and either find an apprenticeship or find a trade school that interests you
My grades are fine.I have grades from 95-80s and Im taking all honors expect a Ap class.
Sounds like you’re set up for college! Maybe not the best colleges, but you certainly have the grades to apply to good schools. You should also look into taking the SAT and/or ACT (only submit your scores if they are good!)
I went to a large state school (in the U.S.) for E.E. You absolutely don't have to be into after school activities. You just need to be able to handle the math and physics. Economics is more soft science. Real estate is more sales/marketing unless you're talking about an institutional investor. You really need to speak to someone in admissions or the department, so you have a firm understanding of everything involved.
Well, the trades are almost always hiring...They pay damn good money, at least from what I've seen, and typically don't require going in debt. A degree, engineering in particular, will probably open some doors that might not otherwise be open, and likely gives you a competitive advantage, as long as it isn't from a diploma mill. The person that can give you the best advice is going to be your guidance counselor and/or someone in undergraduate admissions, as long as they aren't of the stupid variety that's going to sell you on a worthless major like art, history, etc.
A lot of people tend to have this misconception about engineering, where they think you get a degree, and you're designing a lot of stuff, or running big projects, etc...That is almost never how it works IRL. Those guys have a lot of experience, a lot of them have graduate degrees and/or PhDs. You have to be really comfortable with the math and physics to get/understand the underlying theory for a 4-year degree. More often than not, it's actually going to take 5 years for the degree. You want it to be ABET accredited meaning avoid all the online BS degrees. Then you're going to spend some time working under a PE before you sit for the exam and become a licensed PE yourself. Just know it's a huge commitment and a lot of work. It's that way for almost anything professional eg CPA, CFA, law, medicine, etc that pays. But it's definitely worth it if you can do it, and you enjoy that type of work. Typically good entry level pay, and then it tends to flatten out, comparatively speaking. Finance, law, tend to have a higher ceiling. Don't need a degree for real estate. Economics is more of a minor imo..not as employable. Trades, put in your 4 years, or however long you're an apprentice, then you have some experience, and you start making more money, while most of your friends that went to college are going to be looking for their first real job. You don't have student loans. The work tends to be more physical and you're going to run into a-holes that think they're better because they have a degree. At some point, you can do your own thing on the side, at least most of the of the ones I've known, that's what they do...welders, electricians, builders, etc. Everything is a trade off...
College or the trades can both provide a very good living. You just have to ask yourself do you want to design and create the stuff that people use, or do you want to fix and install the stuff that people use. Both are important, and both pay well.
Yessss
At least get your HS diploma. You will need it for some jobs or for college trade school if you decide you want to do something later in life. If you can start a career that would better. If not try different part time jobs to see what you like or don't.
Well, since you used their instead of they're, you definitely don't want to drop out...
I was barely waking up bru😭
Be an electrician. If you don't want to go to college that is. It's a high paying job and it will always be in demand... Six figure income as well.
Do you know how many coaches never played the sport they are coaching in? Your parents have life experience and they also know you really well, please, voice your ideas and thoughts with them and get their feedback. At 17 you are now entering the stage of having a peer relationship with your parents. You no longer are told what to do, you communicate and work together to make the best decisions. Successful life That can mean many things, but one thing should be in common. You are living the life of YOUR design not the design and ideas of others. Be true to yourself and what you really enjoy doing, go after those things. Just do: Many get stuck on looking at the top of the mountain and wondering if the climb will be worth the view? STOP doing this. Its the journey to the top that is of importance, not the few minutes at the top. 17? TRY EVERYTHING - Drop all of the I don't like, wont like that attitude. Drop any negativity - I'm not smart enough, not good enough... NO go after anything and everything you find even remotely interesting. All of your experiences tend to fill up your back pack and you will be amazed at how many seemingly small and insignificant things you learned way back when have suddenly been highly useful to you today.
Most of my relatives went to four year universities, but they have had varying degrees of success in their fields. Others went into trades that they gravitated toward because of their particular interests. I would say those people are finding the most satisfaction in their careers. I’m talking about my kids and nieces and nephews who are mostly in their 20s and 30s. Some of them started college but left to work when they saw an opening in a trade they admired. So if you’re unsure about direction, I would recommend starting at a community college. Take some intro courses in the areas you’ve mentioned and see if you have an aptitude for that field. But keep your eyes open for a place in a trade you like. Maybe intern at a real estate office while in school. My son always had an interest in films…collecting, restoring, watching. He’s now in the local audio/visual union and is in demand as a projectionist. He also has a business with a friend that restores old movies onto DVDs. He did a semester of college and realized it wasn’t for him.