Search found 4821 matches
- Tue Mar 19, 2024 1:01 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Anybody heard stories of well "prepared" retirees running out of money?
- Replies: 95
- Views: 10921
Re: Anybody heard stories of well "prepared" retirees running out of money?
DW & I ran into an older gentleman at the store a few weeks back. He was standing by the frozen foods and started talking with us. He said that he could barely afford to go shopping anymore. He actually said he saved what he believed was enough for he & his wife to get through retirement. After he was retired a few years, he got cancer. He went into remission & then a few years later the cancer returned. During our conversation with him, he also told us his wife had recently had a stroke & at that point she was in the hospital. I saw him go through the checkout line with very little in his cart. When we finished checking out, I saw him putting his groceries in his car & offered him a little financial assistance. I gave ...
- Sun Mar 17, 2024 10:12 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Asset allocation for "bridge funds" to be used from age 50-59.5?
- Replies: 16
- Views: 1998
Re: Asset allocation for "bridge funds" to be used from age 50-59.5?
This is a great question I’m sure a few of us with similar goals have. Thanks for posting OP. There is the “science” behind this, with optimal tax strategies as above posts detail. Plus the comfort or safety factor that some desire (including me) of having the money accessible easily in taxable accounts. I’m planning on accumulating 2-3 years of CA muni bond funds while working. Perhaps more if we can swing it. Obviously once we stop working we don’t need the munis (and assoc tax benefits) so optimally probably better to shift this money to a different ‘safe’ asset (perhaps TIPs?). Overall targeting a 70-30 AA, perhaps more towards 60-40 at age 50/target retirement age. I think the same AA in taxable brokerage is my target, with those CA mu...
- Sat Mar 16, 2024 6:38 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
- Replies: 111
- Views: 7179
Re: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
So I was like you until I realized (ok, was told) what it was doing to my kid and I stopped. What you are doing is catastrophizing and it is hurting your kid. You want your kid to be excited and hungry not scared. Fear is no way to go through life. People brought up in fear never learn risk taking. Nothing bad will happen if you wait until it's time for your kid to pick colleges and then offer support and encouragement without judgement and pressure. You cannot predict the future any way except poorly. Don't make them fear disappointing you. I am an engineer. Double majors are worthless, MechE and Aerospace are practically the same and everybody knows it. There is no reason to major in both. But none of this is relevant to a HS sophomore. ...
- Sat Mar 16, 2024 12:56 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Retiring Soon-Questions about rollovers
- Replies: 7
- Views: 1214
Re: Retiring Soon-Questions about rollovers
Got it. Thanks lakpr.lakpr wrote: ↑Sat Mar 16, 2024 10:38 amYEP. No difference between a tIRA or rIRA.Wannaretireearly wrote: ↑Sat Mar 16, 2024 9:43 am Following. Are the ‘weak’ rules in CA applicable to both TIRA and Roth IRA?
- Sat Mar 16, 2024 9:43 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Retiring Soon-Questions about rollovers
- Replies: 7
- Views: 1214
Re: Retiring Soon-Questions about rollovers
Following. Are the ‘weak’ rules in CA applicable to both TIRA and Roth IRA?
- Fri Mar 15, 2024 10:40 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: The best game-changing financial advice you ever received (or "discovered")
- Replies: 120
- Views: 11135
Re: The best game-changing financial advice you ever received (or "discovered")
100% agree. Has low adoption from what I’ve seen at my company, puzzling. To be fair, it took me a full year to get my head around doing it.DarkHelmetII wrote: ↑Fri Mar 15, 2024 8:11 am mega back door roth. don't know if it truly qualifies as "game-changing" but I see several high-income people looking for convoluted / 'magical' tax schemes whilst overlooking the $50-$60k (whatever the number is today) you can put into mega back door roth.
in fact several CPA's / tax preparers and financial planners did not proactively mention this. perhaps hyperbolic but to not suggest looking into it for a high income earner is almost malpractice. and testament to the advice acquired through this forum vs 'professionals.'
- Fri Mar 15, 2024 10:29 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
- Replies: 111
- Views: 7179
Re: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
Connections can be key. Nice work getting the kids launched!
- Fri Mar 15, 2024 10:20 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
- Replies: 111
- Views: 7179
Re: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
Going through this with a senior from a typical competitive (borderline toxic imo) bay area high school. One thing I have observed is within engineering disciplines there are wildly different levels of competition for entrance, since most state schools in CA engineering colleges admit by major. The competition in CS admissions (and anything computer related) right now is absurd for all of the UC's as well as many of the CSUs, mechanical engineering and aerospace is a close 2nd followed by bio/biomedical and non-cs EE, then civil. In other disciplines (i.e. industrial, manufacturing, chemical, materials) the competition is less insane. So if your kid ends up applying to one of these most competitive disciplines they should apply broadly and...
- Fri Mar 15, 2024 12:05 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: The best game-changing financial advice you ever received (or "discovered")
- Replies: 120
- Views: 11135
Re: The best game-changing financial advice you ever received (or "discovered")
Advice here:
Backdoor Roth
MBDR
Feel like I’m the one in control of my goal posts.
Enough is within touching distance.
Backdoor Roth
MBDR
Feel like I’m the one in control of my goal posts.
Enough is within touching distance.
- Thu Mar 14, 2024 8:57 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
- Replies: 111
- Views: 7179
Re: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
OP: I appreciate reading about your enthusiasm to help you child explore future options in what may be an area of interest and/or strength. I do think your enthusiasm has you a few steps ahead of where you might be most helpful as a parent.... I can share that my experience as a parent of three, the last about to graduate with a duel degree in 3 years, (albeit in a different but demanding area med bio/bio physics. Shout out to AP classes), the dual major degree isn't all that it seems like it will be on the open market. Often a dual degree means a student has an area of interest outside their major, is told by an advisor or realizes late junior year they could wind up with a second major and schedules senior year of college accordingly. So...
- Thu Mar 14, 2024 12:24 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Where does your [investing] inspiration come from?
- Replies: 31
- Views: 2928
Re: Where does your inspiration come from?
Father in law. Retired at age 49 on a shoestring budget. 25 years+ and still enjoying 100% of his time!
- Thu Mar 14, 2024 12:22 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: "Rich Man's Roth" / 7702
- Replies: 37
- Views: 5439
Re: "Rich Man's Roth" / 7702
We had this option when I first started working a long time ago.
After one or two paychecks I wised up. Likely after reading advice here. I’d almost forgotten this. What a pitfall I luckily got out of early….
After one or two paychecks I wised up. Likely after reading advice here. I’d almost forgotten this. What a pitfall I luckily got out of early….
- Tue Mar 12, 2024 11:58 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
- Replies: 111
- Views: 7179
Re: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
Bay Area double major from a Top 50 school + MBA from Top 3 school. I defaulted into the undergrad double major b/c I couldn't decide and had enough credits for both. In terms of nabbing an interview or hiring, never mattered one iota. Never came up. Not even once. I like Hipcoyote's advice -- look for the best "fit" for your kid. Having the support and camaraderie to navigate the transiton from home to school to career is tremendously important. A place to build an amazing, strong emotional foundation, comfortably dig into their studies and become a well-rounded human being will help your kids thrive. The best thing my parents did was let me follow my interests (despite their worry). They let me play through and were not prescri...
- Tue Mar 12, 2024 9:33 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
- Replies: 111
- Views: 7179
Re: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
Fair points KlangFool. What other majors could be considered if not pure engineering? I don’t know what I don’t know, but folks like you/your son may come up with options for a mechanically minded kid. Can you elaborate on "mechanically-minded"? I'm not very mechanically-minded, but as an EE, I don't need to be. Engineering is heavy on theory and math -- you don't necessarily have to love it, but you do have to have strong math skills, and the tenacity to see it through. If you're thinking about good ROI and something that's hands-on, maybe the trades: HVAC, plumbing, electrician, mechanic. There are also technician (such as electrical soldering), or medical technician roles (learn to be the person operating the MRI, ultrasound, ...
- Tue Mar 12, 2024 9:30 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
- Replies: 111
- Views: 7179
Re: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
Going through this with a senior from a typical competitive (borderline toxic imo) bay area high school. One thing I have observed is within engineering disciplines there are wildly different levels of competition for entrance, since most state schools in CA engineering colleges admit by major. The competition in CS admissions (and anything computer related) right now is absurd for all of the UC's as well as many of the CSUs, mechanical engineering and aerospace is a close 2nd followed by bio/biomedical and non-cs EE, then civil. In other disciplines (i.e. industrial, manufacturing, chemical, materials) the competition is less insane. So if your kid ends up applying to one of these most competitive disciplines they should apply broadly and...
- Tue Mar 12, 2024 9:28 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
- Replies: 111
- Views: 7179
Re: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
Having gone through this recently (and with another child the same age as your oldest) I know exactly how you feel. I don't think you're being a tiger dad. The landscape in front of your kid is very tough to navigate. It's actually much easier for a kid who's a prodigy - they'll be looking at all the famous schools everyone talks about. For your son it'll be tougher to decide where he wants to go. You absolutely shouldn't be forcing him into engineering (and I don't think you are) but helping him research summer programs or extracurricular activities is a good idea. IF (and that's a huge "IF") he really wants to go into engineering, you should start talking to him about potential engineering programs now. Find potential "saf...
- Tue Mar 12, 2024 9:27 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
- Replies: 111
- Views: 7179
Re: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
Lol, love how you’ve written this. Thankstorso2500 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 12, 2024 1:00 pm I think you are getting swept up in the competitive environment surrounding you. I would bet the hand wringing you hear about prestige grads struggling to find jobs actually means they are not all getting the high prestige jobs they've aimed for, not that they are truly failing to find gainful employment. There's a lot more to college and life than this, so my advice is take the good information on engineering degrees (if that's what your child wants to pursue) and leave the hyperbolics of trying to rise to the top in the meritocratic hellscape.
- Tue Mar 12, 2024 9:25 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
- Replies: 111
- Views: 7179
Re: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
There should be a lot of good options in the University of California system for a kid from the Bay area interested in STEM degrees. All 9 of those schools are in the top 100 nationally, with 6 of them in the top 50. Beyond that you've got all the Cal State schools (there are a ton). I can't imagine having to go out of state unless he/she really wants a rare, niche program...or money isn't an issue and just wants the experience - good and bad - of being far from home. Chances are that a kid is going to change his/her mind about an exact major at least once or twice between the ages of 16-21. Avoid getting too hung up on any 1 or 2 specific paths. Come up with several options and go from there. You're doing a good job as a parent helping to...
- Tue Mar 12, 2024 9:21 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
- Replies: 111
- Views: 7179
Re: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
Sigh. I know I come across as the tiger Dad in this thread (and I don’t like that). I dunno, it’s a sign of the times imo. At least in hyper competitive CA Bay Area. There seem so many hoops that HS kids need to jump thru around here :( Having gone through this recently (and with another child the same age as your oldest) I know exactly how you feel. I don't think you're being a tiger dad. The landscape in front of your kid is very tough to navigate. It's actually much easier for a kid who's a prodigy - they'll be looking at all the famous schools everyone talks about. For your son it'll be tougher to decide where he wants to go. You absolutely shouldn't be forcing him into engineering (and I don't think you are) but helping him research s...
- Tue Mar 12, 2024 9:17 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
- Replies: 111
- Views: 7179
Re: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
All good points. Especially social and comms skills.hand wrote: ↑Tue Mar 12, 2024 11:57 am What is the benefit of a double major (especially for someone who is not a top 5% student)?
From a career progression and earnings perspective, most prospective engineers I've met would get get better returns from an increased focus on communication, social skills and teamwork (parties, friends, dating and team sports) than from even more highly specialized domain knowledge that will likely not even be related to the areas future employers care about.
Many on this board struggle with determining what to retire to - it would be a shame to let class time interfere with exposure to something that could end up as a lifelong passion.
- Tue Mar 12, 2024 9:14 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
- Replies: 111
- Views: 7179
Re: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
Thank you for clarifying. Much appreciated.Tirebiter wrote: ↑Tue Mar 12, 2024 7:59 pmThat's the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE). University of Washington is not a participant but Oregon State, Washington State, Colorado State and the University of Utah are (in addition to many other smaller schools). Arizona and Arizona State are not participants but your son could be eligible for scholarships there that bring costs close to UC level, especially if he brings his GPA up.Wannaretireearly wrote: ↑Tue Mar 12, 2024 7:43 pmI believe there are some Unis that provide in state tuition thru some program I can’t recall now. Arizona State and Wash U perhaps. I don’t recall.
- Tue Mar 12, 2024 7:46 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
- Replies: 111
- Views: 7179
Re: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
Fair points KlangFool. What other majors could be considered if not pure engineering? I don’t know what I don’t know, but folks like you/your son may come up with options for a mechanically minded kid. Can you elaborate on "mechanically-minded"? I'm not very mechanically-minded, but as an EE, I don't need to be. Engineering is heavy on theory and math -- you don't necessarily have to love it, but you do have to have strong math skills, and the tenacity to see it through. If you're thinking about good ROI and something that's hands-on, maybe the trades: HVAC, plumbing, electrician, mechanic. There are also technician (such as electrical soldering), or medical technician roles (learn to be the person operating the MRI, ultrasound, ...
- Tue Mar 12, 2024 7:43 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
- Replies: 111
- Views: 7179
Re: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
+1 Not only does the student need to figure this out, but their sophomore year in high school is not anywhere near the deadline for picking a major. This is more exploration in this post, I’m not going to dictate but guide. An example is summer program this year, has been chosen by my son (a cool program at UCLA focused on Mech Eng and building/racing go karts!) Another suggestion to back-off, Dad. Let your kids be kids and good students as they are. Musing what college majors your sophomore and middle school kids should have is way over the top. Sigh. I know I come across as the tiger Dad in this thread (and I don’t like that). I dunno, it’s a sign of the times imo. At least in hyper competitive CA Bay Area. There seem so many hoops that ...
- Tue Mar 12, 2024 7:39 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
- Replies: 111
- Views: 7179
Re: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
Looks like the consensus is that a double major in two closely related fields isn't worth the time and effort. Anyway, I think any reputable ABET accredited school is fine. Check if they have co-op and internship programs. You can apply directly to companies for internships once you are in a college. I guess the biggest in aerospace are Boeing, Lockheed-Martin, and Northrop-Grumman. The NASA centers should be good places, too. If your son has an interest in maritime, the California Maritime Academy is in the Cal State system. I think any Cal State U. is fine, even if not as high in reputation as another. For example, among many Los Angeles area schools, Cal State Northridge seemed rated lower, but I met many good engineers with degrees fro...
- Tue Mar 12, 2024 12:16 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
- Replies: 111
- Views: 7179
Re: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
Fair points KlangFool. What other majors could be considered if not pure engineering? I don’t know what I don’t know, but folks like you/your son may come up with options for a mechanically minded kid. Can you elaborate on "mechanically-minded"? I'm not very mechanically-minded, but as an EE, I don't need to be. Engineering is heavy on theory and math -- you don't necessarily have to love it, but you do have to have strong math skills, and the tenacity to see it through. If you're thinking about good ROI and something that's hands-on, maybe the trades: HVAC, plumbing, electrician, mechanic. There are also technician (such as electrical soldering), or medical technician roles (learn to be the person operating the MRI, ultrasound, ...
- Mon Mar 11, 2024 10:43 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Most practical IT certifications
- Replies: 21
- Views: 2769
Re: Most practical IT certifications
Try learning some Machine Learning/Data Science thru online courses. I think I could get into this, after being a DB/Data/PLSQL developer a generation ago.
- Mon Mar 11, 2024 10:39 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Want to leave the California bay area. Where to live?
- Replies: 63
- Views: 5616
Re: Want to leave the California bay area. Where to live?
[Moved into a new thread from: Is Calif Really That Expensive - Or Am I Missing Something? --admin LadyGeek] Not to take things off-topic but - if you were mid 30's with 200k income and wanted to leave the bay area - where would you live? The climate in the SF bay area is almost incomparable to any where in the world. Thoughts? I’ve lived in the Bay Area for 20+ years. Choices within NorCal CA: Half Moon bay, Santa Cruz, Pismo beach (far). None of these cheap, but likely cheaper than Bay Area proper. Other places in US: we like Florida. Fort Lauderdale and other coastal areas. Perhaps Gulf coast, Tampa, Clearwater. Outside US: Barcelona or Phuket, Thailand. HMB is not cheaper than the BA proper. Santa Cruz has some real problems as another...
- Mon Mar 11, 2024 10:13 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
- Replies: 111
- Views: 7179
Re: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
Fair points KlangFool. What other majors could be considered if not pure engineering? I don’t know what I don’t know, but folks like you/your son may come up with options for a mechanically minded kid. Wannaretireearly, It is too early to tell at this stage. But, please keep an open mind and there are many roads to be successful. So, going to a big state university like University of Florida and explore the options. But, please note that in many colleges, you have to apply and get admitted into the engineering college first. It is easy to get out of engineering. But, if you do not apply and admit into engineering, you cannot transfer in or change your major into engineering. KlangFool Fair point. Thanks. Appreciate all the posts here. I’ll...
- Mon Mar 11, 2024 10:10 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Want to leave the California bay area. Where to live?
- Replies: 63
- Views: 5616
Re: Want to leave the California bay area. Where to live?
I’ve lived in the Bay Area for 20+ years.trojans10 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 10, 2024 10:43 pm [Moved into a new thread from: Is Calif Really That Expensive - Or Am I Missing Something? --admin LadyGeek]
Not to take things off-topic but - if you were mid 30's with 200k income and wanted to leave the bay area - where would you live? The climate in the SF bay area is almost incomparable to any where in the world. Thoughts?
Choices within NorCal CA: Half Moon bay, Santa Cruz, Pismo beach (far). None of these cheap, but likely cheaper than Bay Area proper.
Other places in US: we like Florida. Fort Lauderdale and other coastal areas. Perhaps Gulf coast, Tampa, Clearwater.
Outside US: Barcelona or Phuket, Thailand.
- Mon Mar 11, 2024 9:50 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
- Replies: 111
- Views: 7179
Re: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
OP, https://www.collegefactual.com/colleges/university-of-florida/academic-life/graduation-and-retention/ University of Florida's 4 years graduation rate is 71%. And, this is for all degrees. Engineering number will be lowered. My son graduated Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech in 4 years. Many of his college mates took more than 4 years to graduate. In summary, A) Your son may not be admitted to University of Florida. B) Even if your son admitted to the University of Florida, he may not be admitted to engineering major. Usually, it is a separate or additional application. C) Even if your son admitted to engineering, he may not be graduating in 4 years. D) Not all admitted to the engineering majors graduated with the engineering de...
- Mon Mar 11, 2024 2:57 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
- Replies: 111
- Views: 7179
Re: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
Hear ya!WhitePuma wrote: ↑Mon Mar 11, 2024 2:45 pm Will you be joining the fraternity parties and participating in keg stands too?
I suggest you encourage them to explore opportunities to learn their interests, but otherwise not interfere with the natural progression of discovery.
Many college freshmen don’t even know what they want to major in.
- Mon Mar 11, 2024 2:55 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
- Replies: 111
- Views: 7179
Re: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
Gainesville, FL is a really long way to go straight out of high school from the SF Bay Area. Some kids want to go far away and can handle it. Most kids don't want that or can't handle it. It's a serious challenge for most 18 year olds to go just an hour or two away from home. How much time has your kid spent away from home without family around? How mature are they emotionally and socially? Every family (and kid) is different but in general, most should probably start by researching in-state public schools and fields of study. Later on, branch out to researching private and out-of-state schools if needed/desired. And the only thing I'd consider right now with regards to the 7th grader is that I would want my spending on each kid to end up ...
- Mon Mar 11, 2024 2:30 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
- Replies: 111
- Views: 7179
Re: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
Engineering programs at good colleges, including many flagship publics, are challenging to get into. Keep in mind that posted stats for typical accepted students (25th/75th ranges, etc.) tend to be university-wide. But degree of difficulty of admission can be MUCH harder if your kid is * out-of-state and/or * applying to a desireable, technical major (typically Comp Sci and Engineering, among others) My son was rejected/waitlisted at Ga Tech and UMich (OOS & engineering at both) with a much higher GPA, near perfect ACT, and lots of APs with good scores. === In contrast to some other posters, I think it's fine for you and your oldest to be researching and considering options during HS Sophomore year. We did our first big college tour tr...
- Mon Mar 11, 2024 2:28 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
- Replies: 111
- Views: 7179
Re: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
Fair comments. But, things have changed since we went to college. Examples: grads from top uni’s (Berkeley) not finding jobs, cost regardless of private or public being in the low to mid 6 figures. The ‘cost’ of choosing the wrong major/path is exponentially higher than when we went to college. Why do you think this? The unemployment rate for 20-24 year olds with a bachelors is….wait for it…less than 5% https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/CGBD2024 If Berkeley grads aren’t finding jobs it cause they aren’t trying either very hard or for very long Ha, from what i remember in Macro-Econ we can discount almost all unemployment stats ;) Point taken, although full employment in desired career is a lot different to any job to pay the bills...
- Mon Mar 11, 2024 2:26 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
- Replies: 111
- Views: 7179
Re: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
Similarly, the more I learn about mech eng, it will be a lot of math and physics theory in the first 2-3 years. Now, I may know this, but I don’t know how we expect kids to know this without some help, summer programs etc. Most universities have four-year plans or similar on the department website or university catalog. This is actually pretty easy to figure out. E.g. https://catalog.sjsu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=10&poid=2933 What's difficult is knowing what it is like to actually work as a mechanical engineer. I don't have an answer for you there. High school internship/mentorship opportunities aren't common but could help if you were able to find one. Or lean on your friends/colleagues or the parents of your kid's friends. Good...
- Sun Mar 10, 2024 11:50 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
- Replies: 111
- Views: 7179
Re: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
Thank you, cheese breath.cheese_breath wrote: ↑Sun Mar 10, 2024 11:37 pm#1 MilitaryWannaretireearly wrote: ↑Sun Mar 10, 2024 11:32 pmNot directly relevant, but mind sharing the two you started and where you ended up? Curious!cheese_breath wrote: ↑Sun Mar 10, 2024 11:30 pm I think you're getting way ahead of the game. Give them some time in college to discover their interests and options. I changed my career aspirations twice from the time I entered college until I graduated, and ended up in a career that wasn't either of them.
#2 Ministry
Final Information Technology (or as we called it in those days, data processing)
- Sun Mar 10, 2024 11:32 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
- Replies: 111
- Views: 7179
Re: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
Not directly relevant, but mind sharing the two you started and where you ended up? Curious!cheese_breath wrote: ↑Sun Mar 10, 2024 11:30 pm I think you're getting way ahead of the game. Give them some time in college to discover their interests and options. I changed my career aspirations twice from the time I entered college until I graduated, and ended up in a career that wasn't either of them.
- Sun Mar 10, 2024 11:29 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
- Replies: 111
- Views: 7179
Re: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
A two part question for my teenage kids. Trying to get some thinking going before we need to firm up college application decisions in one to three years. Creating a new thread given things change rapidly with majors, jobs and careers. DW and I did not go to college in this country! Thoughts? My thought is that you're not the one going to college. I'm all for parents providing some guidance, but this seems over the top. +1 Not only does the student need to figure this out, but their sophomore year in high school is not anywhere near the deadline for picking a major. This is more exploration in this post, I’m not going to dictate but guide. An example is summer program this year, has been chosen by my son (a cool program at UCLA focused on M...
- Sun Mar 10, 2024 11:26 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
- Replies: 111
- Views: 7179
Re: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
Kid one (HS Sophomore): definitely on a mech Eng or aerospace or robotics track. Not on the top GPA track. Think unweighted 3.5 ish. How about doing dual majors (aero plus mech) such as at a college like University of Florida? Top colleges are out of the question I think. You need a reality check. You say that you do not think your kid will up for a top college but then you say that you expect for them to get a double major????? That does not sound realistic since if they were a good candidate for getting a double major then they could likely get into a top college. I would suspect that the pressure would risk them not graduating at all. Your other 7th grader is way to young to be thinking about their major right now other than to help the...
- Sun Mar 10, 2024 11:20 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
- Replies: 111
- Views: 7179
- Sun Mar 10, 2024 11:19 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
- Replies: 111
- Views: 7179
Re: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
Look at what is required for a dual major. For Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, there will be a lot of common courses. Of course the math, hard science, Humanities and basic engineering courses and likely a bunch of advanced engineering courses. Are there electives? Any requirements on the electives? When I was in my undergrad EE curriculum, every elective I chose was a computer programming course. For a required project, I taught the Basic language to a high school class for a semester. My co-op was writing DVT code (design verification testing) for a new board being developed for a lab instrument. I had no desire for a double major, just an interest in computer programming. I would think that today, this could still be done. Without...
- Sun Mar 10, 2024 11:18 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
- Replies: 111
- Views: 7179
Re: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
Double majors don't mean much, in my opinion. When I'm interviewing, I am looking for: - Did the student nail their core academic track? (good grades, good courses, enthusiasm) - Did the student look like they were interested in a job when they graduate? (summer internships or part-time work that over time appeared to be relevant to their career. What they did in their freshman/sophomore year doesn't matter that much, but by the time they were junior/senior, were they starting to explore their chosen career?) - Did the student explore leadership or problem solving in any other way? (it's a plus if the student was involved in campus activities or clubs, worked at a non-profit, etc. they don't have to be president of anything, but maybe they...
- Sun Mar 10, 2024 11:11 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
- Replies: 111
- Views: 7179
- Sun Mar 10, 2024 11:09 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
- Replies: 111
- Views: 7179
Re: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
Fair point. This thread has confirmed a double major is like not a good path for us. Perhaps a major/minor. Like I said, I’m new to the entire college experience in the US. Thank for your post!
- Sun Mar 10, 2024 11:07 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
- Replies: 111
- Views: 7179
Re: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
Thanks. Perhaps I came across as dictating in my OP.tashnewbie wrote: ↑Sun Mar 10, 2024 4:43 pm I agree that this is probably not the right strategy to help your kids with college planning.
I would encourage and support them in getting the best grades they can and having the best enrichment opportunities. I think that’ll put them in the best position to attend better schools.
They’ll narrow their interests as they get closer to college.
And UF is probably a tier one school; definitely top 50.
All I’m trying to do is understand the various options, pros/cons, and be well informed to help the decisions my son will make.
- Sun Mar 10, 2024 11:05 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
- Replies: 111
- Views: 7179
Re: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
How about doing dual majors (aero plus mech) such as at a college like University of Florida? What about mechatronics or Robotics specific major? Wannaretireearly, "How about doing dual majors (aero plus mech) such as at a college like University of Florida? " Bad idea! Stick with Mech Engineering. The amount of time and effort for double majors is the same as a Bachelor Degree plus a Master degree. So, why do a double majors when someone can do a Bachelor degree and take some graduate classes in some specific area and get a master. "What about mechatronics or Robotics specific major? " Bad Idea! Stick with Mech Engineering. A) The Mech Eng student can take any mechatronic and robotic jobs. B) But, the mechatronic and r...
- Sun Mar 10, 2024 11:03 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
- Replies: 111
- Views: 7179
Re: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
Fair comments. But, things have changed since we went to college. Examples: grads from top uni’s (Berkeley) not finding jobs, cost regardless of private or public being in the low to mid 6 figures. The ‘cost’ of choosing the wrong major/path is exponentially higher than when we went to college. The goal is to have more information to discuss with the kids at this point. Think about it. 3k colleges in the US. 500 good ones. Just trying to get better ideas to discuss with the family at this point. Most kids have no clue what options are out there. Heck, neither do most parents…. Grads not finding jobs isn't a problem that is solved by their parents starting research 5 years earlier. Having difficulty recognizing the "good" colleges...
- Sun Mar 10, 2024 10:56 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
- Replies: 111
- Views: 7179
Re: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
Yep, agreed. A summer program in Mech Eng is in the works!Northern Flicker wrote: ↑Sun Mar 10, 2024 3:49 pm The best thing you can offer a HS sophomore is the support to help them find their own interest. If the student is interested in STEM, see if there are any summer programs for high school students at local universities.
- Sun Mar 10, 2024 10:55 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
- Replies: 111
- Views: 7179
- Sun Mar 10, 2024 10:54 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
- Replies: 111
- Views: 7179
Re: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
A two part question for my teenage kids. Trying to get some thinking going before we need to firm up college application decisions in one to three years. Creating a new thread given things change rapidly with majors, jobs and careers. DW and I did not go to college in this country! Thoughts? My thought is that you're not the one going to college. I'm all for parents providing some guidance, but this seems over the top. +1 Not only does the student need to figure this out, but their sophomore year in high school is not anywhere near the deadline for picking a major. This is more exploration in this post, I’m not going to dictate but guide. An example is summer program this year, has been chosen by my son (a cool program at UCLA focused on M...