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Not really! They were pretty relaxed/hands-off, plus I didn't go with anything weird or crazy anyway.

Nope! I majored in English lit and then the last semester, suddenly tacked on a teaching minor.

Annnnd....now I'm a school librarian, and I love it, so it all worked out. I had no clue in college that I wanted to be a school librarian, though. I taught English for 5 years and then got my master's in Library Sci.

Yep...they did, and I am glad we had that conversation.

I should add....none of my siblings majored in anything particularly lucrative, but we are all financially independent adults who take care of ourselves. I have a brother that majored in Theater--and I'm sure a lot of people would wonder what you do with a degree like that. Well, he became a theater teacher first--then, he started directing local plays, then he moved to producing---then he moved into TV and started directing TV segments for a cable network. Now he owns his own small tv production company.

I have a sister who majored in Psychology (like millions of other people). But now she co-owns her own successful clinic and the subcontract with the military, so they get a TON of clients for court-ordered PTSD therapy, family therapy for domestic abuse situations, etc. Since she's a co-owner, she sets her own hours and only works 30 hours a week.

I do think if you are passionate about what you do, the money will come (I mean, if you work hard of course!).

Yes, they steered me away from English and towards Engineering and I'm soooooooo thankful!!

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. Very glad I didn't listen.

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.

Mine didn't, wish they had because I picked a stupid major.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

@Anagram: haha. Theatre majors represent!

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.

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.

@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.

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.

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!

@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.

True story. We've fallen out of touch, but the last I heard, he was filming a medical documentary.

@Alivoo01: Well, he ended up marrying another doctor from his residency, so his parents still have their wish--a doctor in the family! haha.