MerryAtHope Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 (edited) What do you think of this: Student who still loves Lego and things like Pokemon/Yugioh (into the games and has considered tournament play. He's extremely good at a game we play called Quixx which involves probability--if he's playing the rest of us even in our extended family can almost never beat him). I haven't seen the interest in Lego transfer to machines, but he does love to modify nerf guns, has watched a LOT of videos, takes his guns apart and experiments with different springs and changing things around, cutting parts etc... Doesn't generally like math but seems to have some math aptitude if given enough time (not fast but some good thought processes. Liked Geometry but didn't really like algebra 1 & 2. doesn't want to continue to higher math--well, any higher than he has to, LOL! He knows he'll have to take either statistics or college algebra.) Loves philosophy and history classes but isn't sure he wants to major in either. (I'm not sure if part of the problem is that he isn't sure what he could do if he did major in one of these.) He considered a psychology major because he's always been interested in people's thought patterns, but after a class wasn't as interested--though he hasn't ruled it out. I had him check out Sociology this semester--not sure if it will be a "hit" or "miss." I'd guess he leans more humanities (doesn't like science), but he hates to write and really struggles with it (I'd guess it takes him 3-4 times what most students would need). However, if faced with writing or public speaking, I'm pretty sure he'd choose writing. He has done an aptitude test and several career-interest surveys, spent a semester in high school exploring careers (he was able to find many things he didn't want to do...) He tests as an introverted "specialist"--one who would like to do independent research or be an expert in some area. He likes things to be logical, and he likes structure (hates it when things change, especially last minute). Not interested in computers or programming. If only we knew what that area was, LOL! Sometimes I'm just at a loss as to what to suggest he check out. He's first year college, has time...I try not to worry, LOL! Edited February 13, 2016 by MerryAtHope 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emerald Stoker Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 That's a tricky one! Some (possibly too odd) ideas I had are below: Police detective Private investigator Librarian Archivist Clergy Translator Museum curator Human resources professional Drafting Photographer Special education teacher Occupational therapist Audiologist School counselor 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilltopmom Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 How about other tech stuff, not computers. Not engineering without the upper nath, but maybe engineering tech fields- our CC has wind farm & solar panel tech programs, for example. Maybe not if he doesn't like science, but the taking things apart comment got me thinking that way. Car repair? Small engine work? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 Statistician? Accuary? Jobs for history researchers, and from that same site, links to specific employment advertisements, so you can get a better feel for what work in these areas would be like. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Social Science Research Assistants Survey Researchers -- I just heard an interesting NPR interview with one of the founders of FiveThirtyEight, which is an organization that assesses polls and poll accuracy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janeway Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 Accounting? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerryAtHope Posted February 13, 2016 Author Share Posted February 13, 2016 That's a tricky one! I'm so glad that I'm not the only one who thinks so! Thank you! Appreciating all the suggestions! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerryAtHope Posted February 13, 2016 Author Share Posted February 13, 2016 How about other tech stuff, not computers. Not engineering without the upper nath, but maybe engineering tech fields- our CC has wind farm & solar panel tech programs, for example. Maybe not if he doesn't like science, but the taking things apart comment got me thinking that way. Car repair? Small engine work? Yeah, I keep trying to think if there is a fit somewhere along those lines. Our CC draws people from around the country for it's wind farm program--but no interest because of heights (balance/coordination issues). Sensory issues kind of rule out greasy things like car repair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerryAtHope Posted February 13, 2016 Author Share Posted February 13, 2016 Statistician? Accuary? Jobs for history researchers, and from that same site, links to specific employment advertisements, so you can get a better feel for what work in these areas would be like. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Social Science Research Assistants Survey Researchers -- I just heard an interesting NPR interview with one of the founders of FiveThirtyEight, which is an organization that assesses polls and poll accuracy. I have to say that I've been so interested to see whether he'll like statistics. He hasn't been able to get into the class yet (it fills up really fast here!). I think that will be interesting though. Thanks for all the links. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerryAtHope Posted February 13, 2016 Author Share Posted February 13, 2016 That's a tricky one! Some (possibly too odd) ideas I had are below: Police detective Private investigator Librarian Archivist Clergy Translator Museum curator Human resources professional Drafting Photographer Special education teacher Occupational therapist Audiologist School counselor Interestingly, many of these came up on his combined aptitude/interest survey results (through Latitude.) One that came up on Strong's Inventory that we all loved--Career Counselor! (For the kid who doesn't know what to do--help others discover what they want to do!) 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerryAtHope Posted February 13, 2016 Author Share Posted February 13, 2016 (edited) Accounting? This came out as a good match for him on one of the things we did too (along with IRS agent, but he said people don't like the IRS so he didn't want to consider that...) He showed a small amount of interest in some insurance fields (claims adjustor/examiner). Edited February 13, 2016 by MerryAtHope 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frances Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 (edited) I have to say that I've been so interested to see whether he'll like statistics. He hasn't been able to get into the class yet (it fills up really fast here!). I think that will be interesting though. Thanks for all the links. I'd be somewhat surprised if he did, as statistics very much involves algebra, although intro classes are pretty basic. Also, for a career as a statistician or actuary, lots of higher math and programming would be needed, but not for accounting. To me, his interests in Legos and liking geometry as opposed to algebra would possibly indicate he leans more towards visual/spatial types of interests and careers, although many of them are math and science heavy. Maybe architecture or drafting or similar careers? Edited February 14, 2016 by Frances 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janeway Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 This came out as a good match for him on one of the things we did too (along with IRS agent, but he said people don't like the IRS so he didn't want to consider that...) He showed a small amount of interest in some insurance fields (claims adjustor/examiner). There is a lot more to accounting than taxes. He might want to look again. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 Engineering Technology - not as math intensive as engineering (at least when viewing the program at my school). If writing is a challenge, I would not recommend history - my study is very writing intensive. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quark Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 (edited) One that came up on Strong's Inventory that we all loved--Career Counselor! (For the kid who doesn't know what to do--help others discover what they want to do!) He sounds so much like me in some ways and I've found that although I like to dabble in a lot of things, it's counseling that I seem to really enjoy and excel at. ETA: Game strategy or design for board games/ tabletop games Toy design Ergonomist (related to occupational therapy that someone suggested) Edited February 14, 2016 by quark 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DebbS Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 It sounds like he likes to work with his hands and may be visual/spacial. I'm not sure that purely desk job would be satisfying. He might want to try a design type course or even an art course and see if that sparks an interest. Maybe graphic design, interior architecture, furniture design, 2D or 3D art...something along those lines. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaithManor Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 Aviation mechanic - I think that's a two year degree though I haven't looked at it in a long time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grantmom Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 I second looking into the technical stuff. What about drafting? Architecture? Our local vo-tech place has en engineering technology program, but I think it involves quite a bit of machine work, and you said he doesn't like the grease aspect. Although some of that kind of stuff (milling, etc.) isn't really all that greasy. He might like that. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechWife Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 Buiilding Sciences - Architectural Technology and Design Building Sciences - Construction Management Building Sciences - Sustainable Building Systems (ds' uni says they are placing all of their grads in this field & have been for the past five years) Community and Regional Planning Regional Economic Development Environmental Economics Industrial Design Environmental Policy and Planning Risk Management & Insurance Sustainable Development 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bootsie Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 I, too, would suggest accounting. It would require much less math than actuarial sciences. Not all accounting positions are for introverts, but there are many accounting positions for introverts who like organization and consistency. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aretemama Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 He could look into the GEOINT field. There seems to be a wide range of possibilities in this field. It certainly isn't limited to government intelligence or more mundane business applications. My son's interest in this field came from seeing how geospatial tech is used in augmented reality for video games. Also, it doesn't require as much upper-level math as something like computer science. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerryAtHope Posted February 16, 2016 Author Share Posted February 16, 2016 BTW, his myers briggs is INFJ. I think of "quality control" when I picture what he'd like, but as he says...he'd have to be VERY interested in the product. When he is, he always has ideas on how it's not made well enough and what should be done better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 Do you know what his Holland Code (3 top interest areas, from an interest inventory) is? Take an interest inventory at CA Career Zone here. Then explore suggested careers based on the codes at NY Career Zone here or at CA Career Zone here. More ideas, based on plugging in different Holland Codes ;) : Historian Archivist Anthropologist Political Scientist Geographer Social Science Research Assistant Occupational Health & Safety Specialist Neuropsychologist Biochemist Prosthodontist Biostatistician Materials Scientist Remote Sensing Scientist/Technologist 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DebbS Posted February 18, 2016 Share Posted February 18, 2016 BTW, his myers briggs is INFJ. I think of "quality control" when I picture what he'd like, but as he says...he'd have to be VERY interested in the product. When he is, he always has ideas on how it's not made well enough and what should be done better. That is a very INFJ pov that he's got there. You might want to google "INFJ careers". I'd think that accounting would be unsatisfying in the long run. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerryAtHope Posted February 27, 2016 Author Share Posted February 27, 2016 (edited) Sorry it took me awhile to get back to this--been a bit crazy here! That is a very INFJ pov that he's got there. You might want to google "INFJ careers". I'd think that accounting would be unsatisfying in the long run. LOL! Which part of what I said is very INFJ (the part about quality control or the part about him HAVING to like it--or both?) Do you know what his Holland Code (3 top interest areas, from an interest inventory) is? Take an interest inventory at CA Career Zone here. Then explore suggested careers based on the codes at NY Career Zone here or at CA Career Zone here. His school has Career Cruiser. His code came out SCI. None were "high" though, all 3 were "moderate." A year before this, he took a different assessment and came out CSE. That one actually surprised me though--I expected "I" to be higher, so I tend to think the third letter should be I instead of E. If I had to guess, I'd say that Conventional is likely a bit stronger than Social, so the order of the earlier test might be more on target (If I want to drive him nuts, I drive in the "exit" when we go to a restaurant. But I'm a "P" in Myers Briggs and sometimes I have to do things like that... :driving: ). He's a strong introvert and definitely likes his alone time to recharge, but he also needs to connect with people off and on throughout the day. Thanks for all the ideas! Edited February 27, 2016 by MerryAtHope Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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