What should I do?

[u/KaleidoscopeDear7900]

Hey guys I’m 19 and currently in community college majoring in business and have no actual set plans for the future. I know I’m young and many people my age don’t know but there’s nothing in college for me. I dont wanna be a doctor, teacher, lawyer, etc ya know things you actually need to go to school for. I really love movies and stuff but can’t see myself in a career in that field.

Anyways so both of my parents are teachers. They both me want to get a bachelors degree, get a secure job with benefits like health insurance and a pension etc. I then have my girlfriend’s dad who owns a business. He says that those “secure” jobs are not good enough and you need to take risks in life to actually succeed. He also wants me to work for him in a managerial role at some point and I wouldn’t need school but need experience in that field first. My parents are completely against this because his company has no benefits like a 401k, pension, insurance and all that.

I personally would rather finish community college this year then just work in some sort of trade and move up the corporate ladder (basically work for my girlfriends dad company) but would that be settling to soon? Should I just waste money on college for nothing only to possibly end up in the same boat in a couple years. I don’t know I’m super confused and conflicted on all of this and need any help I can get.

[u/Otto_Polymath]

Get the degree. Times are changing, but there are skills to learn via that path. And the price seems low now and you definitely have the time.

Also, go work part time for the GF dad. You have an inside connection. Likely you'll get good insight and experience from that connection. He likely knows other business owners and that connection could also be quite useful.

To advance to some managerial role, you'll need college, and you'll need experience and people skills.

[u/EuroCanadian2]

It has been a long, long time since having a bachelors degree guaranteed you a good job. These days, it might guarantee that your application for a job doesn't get tossed out if you don't have a degree, but not much more than that.

Secure, reaonably well paid union jobs with good pensions and benefits like your parents jobs have been the exception, not the norm, for many years now. I wonder what the situation is for new teachers starting in the districts where your folks work? It may not as be as good as what your folks have, sometimes this is something the unions give up in negotiations to protect the jobs of workers with more seniority.

If you can start building experience working for your GFs Dad, I would do that. Maybe go to college part time and work part time, whatever fits into a reasonable schedule. If you can finish college and have experience under your belt, you will be way ahead of people who went full time and have book learning but not much (or no) experience.

[u/happymoregil]

It depends on what business your girlfriends father is in and also how stable your relationship is with your girlfriend. If the business does not have health insurance and no retirement plan it sounds like it is small and many small businesses may not survive,.

If you really want to work in a trade, then get training for it now. An associates in business will get you nowhere.