OT: Career advice for 30-something brother-in-law who dropped out of LSA?
Youngest sister got pregnant during undergrad and ended up marrying the father. She plowed through undergrad and medical school, he's been a stay-at-home father to their children. Kids are now all in school and he's jonesing to get some kind of career going. But I can tell he's insecure about what to do, re-entering college, major, ageism, empty resume, career arc over the next 30 years. He's a nice personable clever guy, he cherishes my sister and nieces, so it's a real bummer he's unfulfilled professionally. We'll be spending time with them this weekend, what advice would you give him? All I know about his undergrad tenure was his marks were iffy and he's got two years of random LSA core. Should he just focus on finishing a BA, any BA, quickly as possible or pursue a path that could take a little longer, that's more favorable to his unique non-traditional bio?
February 5th, 2019 at 4:05 PM ^
Not enough info.
At 30+, not having gone a traditional route, I'd say identify one thing he loves to do that is reasonably marketable and deep dive into that.
Passion knows no age limit and doesn't have an expiration date.
February 5th, 2019 at 4:07 PM ^
Does he like to hunt or fish? Or some hobby like that? Maybe try starting a YouTube channel, if you find the right niche it can be fun and rewarding.
February 5th, 2019 at 4:22 PM ^
A couple of comments suggested law as a possibility. A career in the law presents significant challenges and expenses.
Getting a law degree would likely require two more years of college and then an additional three years of law school. Tuition at many law schools will exceed $50K per year. U of M law school is currently $57K for in-state tuition. So tuition to complete college and law school alone may cost over $200K.
Admission to a top tier law school is very competitive. Unless the applicant is in the top 10% in LSAT score and GPA from a well-regarded university, admission to a top law school is unlikely. Graduates from lower tier law schools have limited job prospects. Pass rates for state bar exams from some law schools fall below fifty percent.
Compensation for new attorneys varies widely. For every well-compensated, new associate at a large law firm there may be ten recent law school graduates scrambling to find positions. Associates at top law firms may be expected to work more than 60 hours per week, which strains work-life balance. Studies suggest less than a quarter of law school graduates go to work for large firms. Up to half the law school graduates do not pursue a career practicing law in the long term.
February 5th, 2019 at 4:52 PM ^
Yeah, going to law school would be a pretty massive waste of time for this guy. At best he'd be a near 40-year-old junior associate at a firm or a guy trying to work as a solo practitioner with no real network for business.
February 5th, 2019 at 4:26 PM ^
There are a lot of programming boot camp courses that have popped up, both live and online that teach website development, iOS app development, etc in 3-6 months. Some don't charge tuition and will take their fees out of the first job the student lands. If your BIL has any interest in computers and programming, something to look into.
February 5th, 2019 at 4:38 PM ^
It would depend on his passions, but I've seen a fair number of people give software development a shot by taking one of those intensive courses. It won't replace a more formal education, but if he's willing to swallow his pride places might like an older person with some coding experience for generally entry-level positions that will still pay decently.
The ageism thing is real but also a bit overblown; his problem is less his age and more his lack of work experience. He can lean into his child rearing and point out the skills he picked up there, but it's going to be a bit bumpy.
February 5th, 2019 at 4:55 PM ^
Honestly? Union electrician.
My older brother got bored as an engineer and in 4 years (starting next summer) he'll not only get his journeyman's card but also be a master electrician, whatever that means (I guess he doubled up on classes etc.).
I do know it means with some side jobs here and there he can pretty easily pull $100k a year with only a bit of overtime here and there.
February 5th, 2019 at 4:57 PM ^
I really need someone to get some damn squirrels out of my attic. Pays well.
February 5th, 2019 at 5:02 PM ^
Be a truck driver. You get paid well and you get to listen to music all day
February 5th, 2019 at 5:11 PM ^
I retired from one of the electric companies here in MI and if I had to do it all over again, I would. If I were him, I’d look into going to the line worker school here in MI. Get done, do the apprenticeship time with one of the contractors who do work for Consumers or DTE and get his journeyman card and honestly, the sky is the limit.
Utilities like Consumers & DTE are ALWAYS looking for lineman (OK, I’m an old timer... I mean line workers) and it’s a very, very good job now days. I wouldn’t have traded my job for anyone else’s. Tremendous pay and benefits like you don’t find anyplace else any more.
Best wishes to him in his pursuit to find something truly rewarding!
https://www.consumersenergy.com/company/careers/school-to-work-programs
February 5th, 2019 at 5:13 PM ^
Two words for this man: status quo
Maintain it.
February 5th, 2019 at 5:17 PM ^
Slightly late to the game - but if he's willing to spend some time on education, network security is huge and growing. Certifications can be had through self-study or online courses and a reasonable exam. CCNA, CCNA-Security, Fortigate, Barracuda, etc.
I've been a network engineer since leaving UM with a BA in economics. I love it!
February 5th, 2019 at 5:35 PM ^
I don't know anyone that's tried it but Lambda school looks interesting. They offer free intro courses that could give him insight into whether or not any of the topics pique his interest.
February 5th, 2019 at 5:52 PM ^
I’d say get a degree then volunteer somewhere to build up the resume with the goal of attaining a paid position somewhere.
Its going to be near impossible to get a job that isn’t entry level, but everyone has to start somewhere. Heck...I have close to 20 years experience, but none as a supervisor, so finding a role with reports is still very elusive for me.
February 5th, 2019 at 5:59 PM ^
Super late to this but I would recommend a BS/BA in statistics. You learn very important and marketable analytics skills and most programs teach you some coding language (probably SAS or R) so your BIL can also develop the beginning tools for web-based coding skills as well (Python and R are VERY similar in syntax). Plus, Masters programs can offer a leg up and he can work in a variety of industries from pharmaceutical, sports, or even sales. Every one needs a statistician/analytics. You even learn some general design as creating plots and interfaces goes hand in hand with statistics and analytics.
This is in the same vein as accounting, though, where stats is not everyone's cup of tea. I was originally pre-med and like you BIL i struggled (i.e. partied too much/didn't pay enough attention) but went back for my masters in statistics and have started a career. I'm 29 and just got my masters last year so i get his feeling although I am not married and have no children.
One last point for statistics, depending on the job and industry, since you would be working primarily on a computer, there are a lot of "remote" based jobs or at least some remote options. I get to work from home 1 day a week!
February 5th, 2019 at 6:17 PM ^
You've gotten a lot of good advice:
1. See what he really wants to do. The advice up stream about explaining why he has a long gap in his CV is all explainable.
2. If he is clever AND interested - the school teaching idea isn't a bad one - but I'd suggest that if he is good with math or science, he'd have a niche ready - many schools lack people who are interested.
3. Your sister sounds very determined - so she might have some insights as well. It sounds from your note that he has given vibes about wanting to finish his BA and/or do something the reflects some his true skills. He just doesn't want a job as much as a career other than a homemaker. (not using that term in any negative way but he did help create a home for the kids)
4. Good luck.
February 5th, 2019 at 6:24 PM ^
My advice: There are three routes here.
1. Pick a degree he's really passionate about that will also produce career opportunities. Go to a local college and get a two-year associates degree. Not some lame subject like Literature or History. Something that will lead to job opportunities. like business or communications etc.
2. Pick a profession he likes and just start getting freelance jobs doing it. Anything in the field will do, no matter the level. Surround yourself with the people who are doing it. Take classes online or locally here and there to develop specific skills in that field.
3. Start his own small business. Dive into educating himself on operating a small business, including marketing, accounting/taxes, hiring, sales, etc. This will be his education, most of which he can do without taking any college classes, although those can be helpful too.. The key here, however, is to pick a business that will immediately start making money, not some pie in the sky idea he's dreaming about.
Personally, it took me 14 years to complete my undergrad degree. Instead at age 23 I did #2 by getting writing and editing jobs and then at 30 I did #3 by starting my own writing agency.
Whatever he does, do it really well at all levels and educate yourself so you eventually become skilled.
February 5th, 2019 at 6:43 PM ^
Sales. Degree is nice, not necessary. Charismatic and clever? Sales.
Financial Services is great for money, flexibility, and respected. Easy to get into hard to succeed. Only know 8d he tries.
Real estate and other businesses are also good.
Earning money is nice, but probably not his top priority.
Good luck.
February 5th, 2019 at 6:56 PM ^
Get the BA. That will give him the credential but more importantly, it will re-enter him into the world of work and thought, expanding his sense of what options are available.
Many (most) of the posts assume he should make a choice and then go for it. But those sports metaphors — see it, work hard, and it will happen — assume a clear path, and someone clear about which to take. From your description, he's unsure — understandably so — about what paths there are, much less which one he should choose.
February 5th, 2019 at 7:33 PM ^
Couple ideas:
is he in shape? Like the gym?
1. Personal trainer
does he enjoy art? Photography?
2. Pro photographer
is he into computers?
3. Build PC’s for people
Is he mechanically inclined?
4. Fix peoples cars for them / random handyman jobs
is he personable?
5. Sales / mid level marketing (DoTerra etc).
no skills? Just Blah?
6. Start a stay at home dad podcast/ YouTube channel and gripe about the vicissitudes of stay at home dad life
———-
all these are great ways to get into the small business platform which is great for someone without a degree. It fulfills one in a way that being a stay at home dad doesn’t and makes people happy.
if he got into Michigan he’s more than capable of starting a small business - or at least smart enough to partner with someone who can.
His wife’s position will be great to market his small business to her associaiates. Also, mom/dad’s groups will be prime clientele to his small business.
good on you for being concerned and wanting to help him out.
February 5th, 2019 at 7:34 PM ^
I’d normally say that nursing would be perfect here... all sorts of low-cost/efficient options to get the degree, very flexible schedule/high demand, many upward paths (Nurse-anes, Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Admin, Pharma etc.).
But with a MD wife, he has obviously thought about it and rejected that idea. Maybe because that’s not his thing...but maybe also because of the “optics”.
As a physician myself, I can guess his social circle. Frankly, I’d love to have a dude like in my social circle, probably has lots of interesting non-medical/lawyer things to discuss.
But I also sympathize about his discomfort as being out of place.
If he is bright, logical, detail-oriented, biomedical research would be a good direction (I’m a scientist too). 9-5, probably flexibility in his schedule, meaningful. Surprisingly social.
He could (maybe thru wife’s network) volunteer in a lab to see if he liked it. Then get the quickest degree possible (or part-time). After he gets his foot in an academic lab, he has job security for life. Only 33K to start with ceiling of 60K but, if he is in a city with biotech/pharma you can get to 100K with some jumping around and time if he is good.
February 6th, 2019 at 3:28 AM ^
I know a couple of people that had kids too young, went back to finish college older, and are very hard workers and very successful. One also went on to law school at night while raising a son
He should finish school. Schools like older students because they are more mature and serious about the course work. He’s still very young.
Try software development. It's in demand nowadays. Maintaining a project during its lifecycle is as important and difficult as developing it. And many people don't take it into account. For instance, when I was building software I decided to hire a software outsourcing company because I knew I won't be able to test and maintain my project at high-level. Such specialists are required, get high salary, and have interesting tasks.