https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 12 May 2026 15:09:21 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-parents-steer-you-towardsaway-from-college-majorcareer/page/2#post-2102262 Tue, 10 Mar 2015 11:44:42 +0000 JennyPenny 2102262@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes! When I was younger my mom said I couldn't become a teacher (don't make enough money) or an interior designer (can't have a career that you can get a degree by mail for - yes she said this...) She didn't pick my major exactly, but she did require that I take a computer science course in high school, which I fell in love with and ended up majoring in. And now I have my dream job of making educational software so I get to bring a little of that teaching in :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-parents-steer-you-towardsaway-from-college-majorcareer#post-2102201 Tue, 10 Mar 2015 11:03:47 +0000 Anagram 2102201@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Alivoo01: Well, he ended up marrying another doctor from his residency, so his parents still have their wish--a doctor in the family! haha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-parents-steer-you-towardsaway-from-college-majorcareer#post-2102128 Tue, 10 Mar 2015 10:33:35 +0000 Alivoo01 2102128@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: Dang! As if parenting wasn't hard enough as is, how do you know when to push, keep pushing, push harder, or stop pushing ya know. Life mysteries. lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-parents-steer-you-towardsaway-from-college-majorcareer#post-2101972 Tue, 10 Mar 2015 09:15:26 +0000 Anagram 2101972@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Alivoo01: The exact opposite to your story: I have an Asian friends whose parents basically made him be a doctor. I mean, totally pushed and prodded him into it. When he was in med school, he started getting an inkling he didn't want to do it the rest of his life, but his parents convinced him to go all the way through residency "And then make up his mind". So the guy finishes residency, was like 32 or something, and then went to NYC film school.</p> <p>True story. We've fallen out of touch, but the last I heard, he was filming a medical documentary. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-parents-steer-you-towardsaway-from-college-majorcareer#post-2101894 Tue, 10 Mar 2015 08:37:05 +0000 mediagirl 2101894@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No. They let me choose all the way. They kept any concerns about my communications degree silent but did suggest an emphasis in something like marketing (which I didn't do). </p> <p>My husband's parents made him major in accounting and he hated every minute of it. It was a bad decision. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-parents-steer-you-towardsaway-from-college-majorcareer#post-2101871 Tue, 10 Mar 2015 08:25:13 +0000 Alivoo01 2101871@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yup! I wanted to be a pediatrician, but my parents forbid me from being a doctor of any kind. Asian parent not wanting their kid to be a doctor?? Say what? I know. They said the hours were too demanding and the schooling would take too long. By the time I was all said and done, I'd be "old" and behind the curve on the dating/marriage/baby scene. </p> <p>I ended up majoring in the two majors my parents set for me, and while I'm not in my dream job, where I am in life is a reflection of that; and I'm pretty darn happy with where I am so can't complain too much! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-parents-steer-you-towardsaway-from-college-majorcareer#post-2101828 Tue, 10 Mar 2015 07:58:52 +0000 loki 2101828@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>my parents were very hands off... neither of them pursued post secondary education so it wasn't a priority to them. more than anything i wish they made me go to university... but they didn't. i ended up going to college for dental hygiene but i'm not even practicing anymore... so i wish my parents had more of a hand in guiding me education wise. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-parents-steer-you-towardsaway-from-college-majorcareer#post-2101808 Tue, 10 Mar 2015 07:39:57 +0000 loveisstrange 2101808@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: It absolutely is. Being an actor is all about just having the drive to put yourself out there. Theres a lot you can do with it, but it's not one of those degrees that's like "man, you're going to make money with that!". That's what I meant. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-parents-steer-you-towardsaway-from-college-majorcareer#post-2101800 Tue, 10 Mar 2015 07:33:24 +0000 Anagram 2101800@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@loveisstrange: I really do think it's all about how hard you work. My brother went to a total no-name state school in Texas, but out of his core group of theater-major friends, two are professionals working on Broadway for the last 10 years or so (one in costuming and one in set design), my brother is in TV now, and his other two friends are really happy being High School theater teachers and acting in local theater in their free time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-parents-steer-you-towardsaway-from-college-majorcareer#post-2101789 Tue, 10 Mar 2015 07:28:32 +0000 krispi 2101789@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I was younger, I thought about becoming a teacher. My dad said if that's what I wanted to do, I should get my PhD and teach at the college level. When I entered college, I thought I wanted to go to law school, but I quickly got burnt out on school and just wanted to graduate. I ended up teaching adults in a corporate setting, so it's not too far off from what I originally wanted. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-parents-steer-you-towardsaway-from-college-majorcareer#post-2101660 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 23:36:01 +0000 HLK208 2101660@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes. My parents wanted me to go to college to become a nurse...any other option wasn't good enough or was out of reach. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-parents-steer-you-towardsaway-from-college-majorcareer#post-2101648 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 23:21:33 +0000 loveisstrange 2101648@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: haha. Theatre majors represent!</p> <p>Nope. I started as a history major, then switched to Theatre/Education, ended up with just Theatre. I dont think any parent WANTS their kid to go to college for theatre. rofl. Really, they just wanted me to go. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-parents-steer-you-towardsaway-from-college-majorcareer#post-2101644 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 23:13:42 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2101644@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No - they were happy with my choice to major in Biomedical Engineering. Knowing my parents though, I'm sure we'd have had talks if they though I was choosing a major that wouldn't lead to prospects in life. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-parents-steer-you-towardsaway-from-college-majorcareer#post-2101101 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 16:55:13 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 2101101@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No. It was expected that I go to college but they gave no input (unless I asked for thoughts/advice) on what I should major in. I started out as a commercial music major (which they supported) and then switched to journalism my sophomore year. I'm so glad they let me figure it out on my own. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-parents-steer-you-towardsaway-from-college-majorcareer#post-2101066 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 16:28:13 +0000 erinpye 2101066@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope. And I would have resented the hell out of them trying. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-parents-steer-you-towardsaway-from-college-majorcareer#post-2101064 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 16:26:20 +0000 mrs.shinerbock 2101064@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope, but I was a pretty practical kid and was good at math and science, so I was headed into a field with good prospects. With my sister, they were supportive, but definitely had a few conversations with her about what she wanted to do with a liberal arts degree from a fancy private school. She didn't know at the time, but now is very successful in the non-profit sector, if still paying off student loans. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-parents-steer-you-towardsaway-from-college-majorcareer#post-2101031 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 15:47:34 +0000 Chuckles 2101031@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not exactly, but both my parents have advanced degrees and I went straight to grad school after college to get my PhD in clinical psychology. Partway through my program, I started thinking about leaving to become a special ed teacher. And I distinctly remember one of them saying, you know, you don't have to be *just* a teacher. (which, really, that attitude is half of what's wrong with our education system). I'm glad I didn't listen. I love teaching and wouldn't have been as happy in academia. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-parents-steer-you-towardsaway-from-college-majorcareer#post-2101030 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 15:45:59 +0000 Eko 2101030@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I initially went into college majoring in history, which my dad did not approve. He did not steer me in another direction, he was more concerned because I didn't have a clear idea of what my end goal was, and as a result, tried to get me to think of other another focus. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-parents-steer-you-towardsaway-from-college-majorcareer#post-2101020 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 15:38:23 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2101020@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My parents steered me away from teaching. When I say steered I mean there would have been no financial support in the form of tuition and housing. Even now my favorite aspects of my job involve training others. When I'm with kids people often ask if I'm a teacher. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-parents-steer-you-towardsaway-from-college-majorcareer#post-2100936 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 14:45:59 +0000 lamariniere 2100936@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My parents definitely wanted me to go to college but they didn't steer me at all. Neither of my parents went to college, so they were thrilled that I was going in the first place. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-parents-steer-you-towardsaway-from-college-majorcareer#post-2100935 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 14:45:38 +0000 Mamaof2 2100935@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope - I think they were just thrilled I was going to college! I changed my major my sophomore year and my mom supported me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-parents-steer-you-towardsaway-from-college-majorcareer#post-2100933 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 14:45:08 +0000 Synchronicity 2100933@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope, but with me I likely would have run in the opposite direction of anything that was suggested because I thrived on being independent and making my own choices. It's better that they just let me be! I was told I had to go to university, though, which I did. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-parents-steer-you-towardsaway-from-college-majorcareer#post-2100932 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 14:44:34 +0000 mrscobee 2100932@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mamimami: Haha!! My mom (a teacher) told me the same thing. I listened to her, not because of that, but because, I don't think I have what it takes to be a teacher! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-parents-steer-you-towardsaway-from-college-majorcareer#post-2100926 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 14:41:08 +0000 mamimami 2100926@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes! My mom (a teacher) told me never to become a teacher because I would be poor. After cycling through another couple of low-paying fields, I ended up in teaching. So I guess I was just determined to be poor regardless. HA! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-parents-steer-you-towardsaway-from-college-majorcareer#post-2100918 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 14:38:41 +0000 avivoca 2100918@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No they didn't. The supported what I was interested in. I do wish that I had chosen a different major sometimes, but I'm not great at math so a meteorology degree would have been hard to come by, especially in our state (10 years ago anyway). I like what I do now and I never would have realized that I love working for non-profits if I had gone the other way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-parents-steer-you-towardsaway-from-college-majorcareer#post-2100916 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 14:37:35 +0000 DillonLion 2100916@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine didn't, wish they had because I picked a stupid major. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-parents-steer-you-towardsaway-from-college-majorcareer#post-2100912 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 14:35:28 +0000 lilteacherbee 2100912@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yep, and neither my sister or I listened. My mom really didn't want us to become teachers because we make very little money in our state. Well, I teach pre-k and my sister is a kindergarten teacher, so we were stubborn. I really wish I would've listened, though. If I could go back, I would 100% not go into education. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-parents-steer-you-towardsaway-from-college-majorcareer#post-2100886 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 14:22:15 +0000 catlady 2100886@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, they steered me away from basically all of the liberal arts. At one point, I really wanted to switch to English and they were so hard on me. I ended up finishing my engineering degree but in many ways, I wish they had let me make more of my own choices earlier. After college, I pursued a grad degree in a less technical field and amassed a ton of student debt before eventually landing back in a STEM field. I wish I had done more exploration in college (which is when you really should do it). I probably would have less debt and be in the same place. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-parents-steer-you-towardsaway-from-college-majorcareer#post-2100883 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 14:21:33 +0000 ILoveLettie 2100883@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine didn't and I am very thankful they didn't. I went into college as a theatre major. Both of my parents knew this was not going to be a good decision for me--not onyl is it very hard to find jobs at a theatre major but honestly I didn't have the long-term determination and passion for the field. But my parents knew that if they pushed me away from something I would just become more stubborn and probably pursue it even harder, so they instead simply encouraged me to take a variety of courses and to start thinking about graduate school, telling me that most majors in the liberal arts (which they knew I'd end up in some sort of related field: I've never had any interest in STEM or business) would require some sort of graduate school to have a career. I am really glad that they instead focused on ways that one can pay their bills while still following their passions instead of forcing me into/away from a certain field. Now I'm in a non-lucrative grad program in a field where I know I won't make much money but I'm passionate about it and I know that I can at least get a full-time job that I will love in it supporting myself and my family. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-parents-steer-you-towardsaway-from-college-majorcareer#post-2100870 Mon, 09 Mar 2015 14:16:20 +0000 namaste 2100870@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My mom told me endlessly throughout high school that I was wasting my time in web design/development because both career fields would be dead in few years. :silly: Very glad I didn't listen. </p>