5 answers
Savannah
Student
Galesburg, Kansas
1
Question
Asked
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How do I truly know I am getting into the right profession and when should I call it quits if I am no longer interest in my major Also how much money should I save up before attending college for day-to-day living; groceries, gas, and more. ?
(I am a female senior in highschool)
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5 answers
Patrick Meyer
Executive - Data Analytics and AI
1058
Answers
Naperville, Illinois
Updated
Patrick’s Answer
Savannah, you should know that as a high school senior, figuring out if you're choosing the right career path starts with really thinking about what you enjoy, what you're good at, and where you feel most comfortable working. Try to learn more by talking to people who already work in the field you're interested in, getting an internship, job shadowing, or even taking a beginner class or online course to see what the job is really like. If you're only going into a major because of money, pressure from family, or what others expect, and not because you actually like it or are curious about it, that’s a sign you should take a step back and rethink your choice. College is a place to explore and grow, not just follow one straight path. If you’re constantly bored, frustrated, or unmotivated by your classes, even after trying your best—it’s completely okay to change your major. That doesn’t mean you’ve failed; it means you’re being honest with yourself and making a smart choice for your future.
When it comes to money, I told my sons that it’s important to plan ahead for your everyday living costs while you're in college. Besides tuition and housing, aim to save around $2,000 to $3,000 for your first semester to cover things like food (about $50–$75 per week), gas or public transit ($40–$100 per month), toiletries, and a bit extra for unexpected expenses or fun. As with my sons, you should know that having a budget and tracking your spending will help you make your money last longer. As you get older you will realize that knowing where your money is going and how far it can go, will be extremely beneificial and important. If you can, consider getting a part-time job, work-study position, or freelance work to help cover your costs without getting overwhelmed. Being financially prepared helps you stay focused, feel more in control, and gives you the freedom to make the best decisions for yourself as you move through college.
When it comes to money, I told my sons that it’s important to plan ahead for your everyday living costs while you're in college. Besides tuition and housing, aim to save around $2,000 to $3,000 for your first semester to cover things like food (about $50–$75 per week), gas or public transit ($40–$100 per month), toiletries, and a bit extra for unexpected expenses or fun. As with my sons, you should know that having a budget and tracking your spending will help you make your money last longer. As you get older you will realize that knowing where your money is going and how far it can go, will be extremely beneificial and important. If you can, consider getting a part-time job, work-study position, or freelance work to help cover your costs without getting overwhelmed. Being financially prepared helps you stay focused, feel more in control, and gives you the freedom to make the best decisions for yourself as you move through college.
James (AJ) Ureel
Software Engineering Team Leader
7
Answers
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
James (AJ)’s Answer
Savannah these are all good questions and answers will vary. Ultimately you will need to make tough decisions.
Saving is the easy question: save as much as you can. You'll probably still want a part time job to keep debt as low as possible. I recommend spending some time learning about personal finance and creating a budget as you save for college. This will help you build and practice financial habits that will serve you well your whole life.
Getting into the right profession can be difficult. Do some research to explore careers. Attend a career fair, talk to multiple advisors, dream big.
If you find you are losing interest in a field of study, do some introspection. Is it the material? Is it the instructor? Is it some other distraction? Try to recall what made you interested to begin with. Sometimes you might just have hit a wall that you need to refocus and work through. Other times you might find that you weren't really interested in the field or have realized that it will not be fulfilling long term. Another possibility is to slightly alter your course (ie staying in the same field but changing schools or concentrations). At the end of the day, you'll need to make a very personal decision.
Just don't rush it. Think it through. Talk it out. Then make a call and move forward.
Saving is the easy question: save as much as you can. You'll probably still want a part time job to keep debt as low as possible. I recommend spending some time learning about personal finance and creating a budget as you save for college. This will help you build and practice financial habits that will serve you well your whole life.
Getting into the right profession can be difficult. Do some research to explore careers. Attend a career fair, talk to multiple advisors, dream big.
If you find you are losing interest in a field of study, do some introspection. Is it the material? Is it the instructor? Is it some other distraction? Try to recall what made you interested to begin with. Sometimes you might just have hit a wall that you need to refocus and work through. Other times you might find that you weren't really interested in the field or have realized that it will not be fulfilling long term. Another possibility is to slightly alter your course (ie staying in the same field but changing schools or concentrations). At the end of the day, you'll need to make a very personal decision.
Just don't rush it. Think it through. Talk it out. Then make a call and move forward.
Megan Vitagliano
Consultant
6
Answers
Annapolis, Maryland
Updated
Megan’s Answer
Hi Savannah -
Make sure to remember a career is a journey and college is more than just an opportunity to learn things for a specific job. If you are not sure, spend your first year trying different things. Whether it is a class, club or internship, there are so many ways you can narrow down what is interesting to you. Don't put too much pressure on yourself and try to enjoy this exciting time in your life!!
As for expenses, I would take the advice above and think about what you will need and want, and then add some buffer to that :)
Make sure to remember a career is a journey and college is more than just an opportunity to learn things for a specific job. If you are not sure, spend your first year trying different things. Whether it is a class, club or internship, there are so many ways you can narrow down what is interesting to you. Don't put too much pressure on yourself and try to enjoy this exciting time in your life!!
As for expenses, I would take the advice above and think about what you will need and want, and then add some buffer to that :)
Chiquria Willis
Loan Processor - Rocket Mortgage
94
Answers
Dearborn Heights, Michigan
Updated
Chiquria’s Answer
Choosing the right profession might seem like a big task, especially in your senior year of high school, but it's a journey filled with exciting possibilities. Start by thinking about what truly excites and motivates you. What subjects or activities make time fly by? What skills do you naturally shine in? These are great hints about the kinds of jobs you might love in the future. To get a clearer picture, try to gain some first-hand experience through job shadowing, internships, or volunteer work. Talking to people who are already working in the field you're interested in can also give you valuable insights you won’t find in textbooks.
If your interest in your major starts to wane, remember it's perfectly okay to question your path. Many students feel this way. If you often feel uninspired by your classes, can’t see yourself in a future job related to your major, or are drawn to a completely different field, it might be time to explore other options. You don’t have to decide right away. Try taking an introductory course in a new subject, chat with your academic advisor, or explore different elective classes before making a permanent change.
When saving money for college, it’s wise to plan for everyday expenses like groceries, gas, and personal care items. These costs can vary, but a good estimate is between $450 and $950 a month. Having a savings cushion of $2,000 to $5,000 before starting college can make the transition smoother, especially for unexpected expenses. Consider part-time, on-campus jobs or using budgeting tools made for students to help stretch your savings. Most importantly, remember it’s okay not to have everything figured out. Career paths can change, and the best thing you can do now is stay curious, keep exploring, and ask for support when you need it. You've got this!
If your interest in your major starts to wane, remember it's perfectly okay to question your path. Many students feel this way. If you often feel uninspired by your classes, can’t see yourself in a future job related to your major, or are drawn to a completely different field, it might be time to explore other options. You don’t have to decide right away. Try taking an introductory course in a new subject, chat with your academic advisor, or explore different elective classes before making a permanent change.
When saving money for college, it’s wise to plan for everyday expenses like groceries, gas, and personal care items. These costs can vary, but a good estimate is between $450 and $950 a month. Having a savings cushion of $2,000 to $5,000 before starting college can make the transition smoother, especially for unexpected expenses. Consider part-time, on-campus jobs or using budgeting tools made for students to help stretch your savings. Most importantly, remember it’s okay not to have everything figured out. Career paths can change, and the best thing you can do now is stay curious, keep exploring, and ask for support when you need it. You've got this!
Alex Huyghe
Senior Application Engineer
9
Answers
Berkley, Michigan
Updated
Alex’s Answer
This is a really hard question to answer. From my experience many people go to school for something and end up doing something else. I went to school for Business Administration/Marketing and now I work as a software engineer. I love my job now but I started off in a sales job and realized it wasn't for me, I figured this out because my success was put in the hands of other people's decisions. I think you will know if a profession doesn't work for you because you won't like it. Now when you go to school it's harder to maybe choose what to study, but I would say if you are not passionate about what you are learning, then it's probably not right for you.
The best advice I can give is that Community College is way cheaper and sometimes even free for students. It has smaller class sizes and you can transfer credits to a university later. It's the best option for anyone that doesn't have loads of money or hasn't figured out what they want to do yet. You can try out a bunch of subjects to find what you want to do, but I think the most important thing to figure out is what drives you. I like solving problems and that's what any engineer does. Other people like organizing stuff so maybe they would make a good Project Manager. Some people love helping other people so they become nurses. That's what you need to figure out and then you will thrive in whatever you do as long as you put the effort in after that.
For how much money you should save up for expenses it will really depend on how you want to live. Groceries are the best way to go and will cost around $300 a month, $200 for fun money, and if you have other expenses like Gas, phone, ect. The best thing to do is always have a emergency fund that is at least $1000 in case something comes up. I would be working during college as it will allow you to get experience and have fun money.
The best advice I can give is that Community College is way cheaper and sometimes even free for students. It has smaller class sizes and you can transfer credits to a university later. It's the best option for anyone that doesn't have loads of money or hasn't figured out what they want to do yet. You can try out a bunch of subjects to find what you want to do, but I think the most important thing to figure out is what drives you. I like solving problems and that's what any engineer does. Other people like organizing stuff so maybe they would make a good Project Manager. Some people love helping other people so they become nurses. That's what you need to figure out and then you will thrive in whatever you do as long as you put the effort in after that.
For how much money you should save up for expenses it will really depend on how you want to live. Groceries are the best way to go and will cost around $300 a month, $200 for fun money, and if you have other expenses like Gas, phone, ect. The best thing to do is always have a emergency fund that is at least $1000 in case something comes up. I would be working during college as it will allow you to get experience and have fun money.