redwood13 Posted January 14 Posted January 14 My Grandson has had the same two room mates at university since they all started in 2023. He's doing a business course (major) whereas they were doing computer science. Given the shit job market I asked him what his roomies thoughts were on their job prospects. #1 Has switched from CS to Business. #2 Has dropped out and is now buying and selling used cars! Just got his California dealer's license so he'll be able to deal at the auction sales. 2 1
forcebwithu Posted January 14 Posted January 14 I've been a computer nerd since my high school days. Looking back though I'm really glad I opted to go for a business degree with a major in accounting rather than a comp sci degree. That business degree opens up so many more doors; even better if your grandson also does a minor in comp sci. If he can, look for intern positions while still in school as there is truth to the saying, it's not what you know, but who you know for a successful career. Another foot in the door tactic is involvement in one of the business fraternities. In my case serving on the Beta Alpha Psi committee qualified me for one interview at each of the Big 6 accounting firms, now Big 4. That ultimately led to a hire by E&Y which was a great kickstart for my professional career. 1 3 3
lazarus Posted January 14 Posted January 14 7 hours ago, redwood13 said: #2 Has dropped out and is now buying and selling used cars! Just got his California dealer's license so he'll be able to deal at the auction sales. My cousin's son just finished a MS in Biosciences at Colorado State... After looking for a position in his field and not getting any bites, he took a sales job at the local Porsche dealership. No worries as he's a 'car guy', is happy, and probably will make a fair bit of $$$. 4
fforest Posted January 14 Posted January 14 (edited) 8 hours ago, redwood13 said: #2 Has dropped out and is now buying and selling used cars! Just got his California dealer's license so he'll be able to deal at the auction sales. Sure this sounds like easy money....Except, unfortunately its not an easy way to make money...If you're a good mechanic with a shop,and you know what problems to look for in a used car... Maybe... Edited January 14 by fforest 1
redwood13 Posted January 15 Author Posted January 15 20 hours ago, fforest said: Sure this sounds like easy money....Except, unfortunately its not an easy way to make money...If you're a good mechanic with a shop,and you know what problems to look for in a used car... Maybe... I think he's buying cars from private parties and reselling to same. If he's using all his time to scout for bargains he should do ok for awhile. Right now prices for used cars in the greater Los Angeles and Orange Counties are very high. But this is not likely to be a long term career, but rather a stopgap until he can reset himself.
redwood13 Posted January 15 Author Posted January 15 21 hours ago, lazarus said: My cousin's son just finished a MS in Biosciences at Colorado State... After looking for a position in his field and not getting any bites, he took a sales job at the local Porsche dealership. No worries as he's a 'car guy', is happy, and probably will make a fair bit of $$$. On 1/13/2026 at 8:47 PM, forcebwithu said: I've been a computer nerd since my high school days. Looking back though I'm really glad I opted to go for a business degree with a major in accounting rather than a comp sci degree. That business degree opens up so many more doors; even better if your grandson also does a minor in comp sci. If he can, look for intern positions while still in school as there is truth to the saying, it's not what you know, but who you know for a successful career. Another foot in the door tactic is involvement in one of the business fraternities. In my case serving on the Beta Alpha Psi committee qualified me for one interview at each of the Big 6 accounting firms, now Big 4. That ultimately led to a hire by E&Y which was a great kickstart for my professional career. He didn't want to do the heavy math required for CS, so he's doing an information systems and marketing specialization. His dad is programmer and my daughter who has a degree from UC (Irvine) in Classical Civilization(!) markets software specializing in heavy construction companies. And though I've had a computer for about 30 years I still can't do some of the basics that most would take for granted. Yeah, goes without saying that an having an internship is almost a prerequisite now to be considered for a job. And those are really in high demand and very competitive. He was never interested in fraternity life, though I know for many it's very beneficial. 1
forcebwithu Posted January 16 Posted January 16 14 hours ago, redwood13 said: He didn't want to do the heavy math required for CS, so he's doing an information systems and marketing specialization. His dad is programmer and my daughter who has a degree from UC (Irvine) in Classical Civilization(!) markets software specializing in heavy construction companies. And though I've had a computer for about 30 years I still can't do some of the basics that most would take for granted. Yeah, goes without saying that an having an internship is almost a prerequisite now to be considered for a job. And those are really in high demand and very competitive. He was never interested in fraternity life, though I know for many it's very beneficial. I wasn't interested in the frat life either. The business frats are quite different than the social frats. Business frats are more about seminars and connecting with others in the business world.
Toy Boy Posted January 16 Posted January 16 My grandniece in South Wales started doing A-levels that would eventually allow her to go to university and study to be an architect. She didn't like any of it, though, and became very depressed suffering from bulimia at 16 years old. The family was frantic about her future but she found an unpaid part-time job looking after the dairy herd on a local farm. https://tytanglwystdairy.com/ She's very happy doing that and now had a paid job there and is working more shifts. The money's not brilliant but more than enough for a live-at-home teenager. The plan now is to try and support her to get wider experience in farming and maybe a qualification, though it will be left entirely to her to decide what, when and where. We're all just happy that the bulimia has stopped and she's content with her lot. 1 2
Recommended Posts