Career advice book for somebody about to graduate college?

[bbb]

My Godson really doesn't know what he wants to do when he graduates with a business degree.  I wish I had explored more things at that age.  I know a book that somebody gave me and I figured it was too late, I was an accounting major so that's what I have to do - I'm 22 and it's too late to turn back now - was What Color is Your Parachute.

 

Is that still a good one to get him.  I know it's on something like it's 35th edition...........Or does somebody have a better suggestion?  Book or otherwise? 

[Jauronimo]

2 minutes ago, bbb said:

My Godson really doesn't know what he wants to do when he graduates with a business degree.  I wish I had explored more things at that age.  I know a book that somebody gave me and I figured it was too late, I was an accounting major so that's what I have to do - I'm 22 and it's too late to turn back now - was What Color is Your Parachute.

 

Is that still a good one to get him.  I know it's on something like it's 35th edition...........Or does somebody have a better suggestion?  Book or otherwise? 

If he doesn't know what he wants to do, like many kids aren't when they graduate, have a frank conversation with him about what kind of life he wants to have.   "Follow your dreams" is terrible advice for most kids.  That's how we get thousands graduating with degrees in graphic design only to find out the market is over-saturated with applicants, these jobs only exist in select markets, they're not nearly as glamorous as you would imagine, and they don't pay dick.

 

If he wants to make some bank and live comfortably, move to a big city.  Any city.  How many hours is he willing to work?  Whats his idea of work life balance? I had no idea what I wanted to do but I always knew what kind of lifestyle I wanted and that I was too competitive to punch the clock and just get by.  Once he knows what he wants and what's important to him, the career choices will narrow down and things will come into focus. 

[Augie]

My wife was a math major and is now a sales manager for a major wealth management institution. I also didn’t work within my degree field. Most people don’t, I think. We wanted our son to  go into engineering, but he insisted on business. We insisted, if you do that, you have to go all in, accounting and financing degrees with a Masters in accounting. He’s a CPA now and the thing he wants most is to get out of being a CPA. THE ONE THING WE PREACH IS KEEP NETWORKING! That’s where the opportunities will come from. Add any designation you can, as it all helps. (He’s passed the first part of the CFA exam as well.) He’s way ahead of most guys in his shoes, because he’s taken concrete networking steps that help him in the real world and on his resume. 

 

Your degree does NOT dictate where you go. Your efforts to develop your skill set, identify where you want to be and network will be the most critical stuff. I’d look for something on networking. That will probably be the most productive for him over time. Best wishes! 

12 minutes ago, Jauronimo said:

If he doesn't know what he wants to do, like many kids aren't when they graduate, have a frank conversation with him about what kind of life he wants to have.   "Follow your dreams" is terrible advice for most kids.  That's how we get thousands graduating with degrees in graphic design only to find out the market is over-saturated with applicants, these jobs only exist in select markets, they're not nearly as glamorous as you would imagine, and they don't pay dick.

 

 If he wants to make some bank and live comfortably, move to a big city.  Any city.  How many hours is he willing to work?  Whats his idea of work life balance? I had no idea what I wanted to do but I always knew what kind of lifestyle I wanted and that I was too competitive to punch the clock and just get by.  Once he knows what he wants and what's important to him, the career choices will narrow down and things will come into focus. 

 

This is great advice. We just happen to be in Atlanta (as my wife had better prospects), but my son has endless avenues as well. If he was back in the town he grew up in, he wouldn’t have 10% of the opportunities and options he has now. He can go from audit to investment banking to advisory to any number of other options. the hardest part is deciding the direction. Where he grew up he’d be out of business because easy tax returns are eliminated by software. 

 

But obviously keep in mind the cost of living! A lot of his friends went to NYC and Chicago. They do 100 hour weeks to afford a shoe box apartment. 

Edited September 20, 2018 by Augie

[Jauronimo]

2 minutes ago, Augie said:

My wife was a math major and is now a sales manager for a major wealth management institution. I also didn’t work within my degree field. Most people don’t, I think. We wanted our son to  go into engineering, but he insisted on business. We insisted, if you do that, you have to go all in, accounting and financing degrees with a Masters in accounting. He’s a CPA now and the thing he wants most is to get out of being a CPA. THE ONE THING WE PREACH IS KEEP NETWORKING! That’s where the opportunities will come from. Add any designation you can, as it all helps. (He’s passed the first part of the CFA exam as well.) He’s way ahead of most guys in his shoes, because he’s taken concrete networking steps that help him in the real world and on his resume. 

 

Your degree does NOT dictate where you go. Your efforts to develop your skill set, identify where you want to be and network will be the most critical stuff. I’d look for something on networking. That will probably be the most productive for him over time. Best wishes! 

Big 4 auditors have great exit opportunities.  Especially after they make manager or higher.  Accounting experience is always in demand.

 

CFA is a nice designation.  I am a Charterholder myself.  It is, however,  of limited applicability.  It helps with entry level buy side gigs (equity analyst, research analyst, etc), corporate FP&A gigs, Big 4 business valuation work.  Its becoming watered down as kids are passing tests but still have no real experience and are unable to put it all together.  Top MBA programs still carry the most weight.     

8 minutes ago, Augie said:

This is great advice. We just happen to be in Atlanta (as my wife had better prospects), but my son has endless avenues as well. If he was back in the town he grew up in, he wouldn’t have 10% of the opportunities and options he has now. He can go from audit to investment banking to advisory to any number of other options. the hardest part is deciding the direction. Where he grew up he’d be out of business because easy tax returns are eliminated by software. 

If he wants to get into IB, CFA doesn't mean that much unfortunately.  They want MBA candidates typically. Something to think about. 

[Rob's House]

At this juncture he needs to understand how to succeed in business, what it means to be a man, and how to find happiness. Give him a different book for each.

 

For business:

https://www.amazon.com/Trump-Art-Deal-Donald-J-ebook/dp/B000SEGE6M

 

To be a man:

https://www.amazon.com/Fifty-Years-Well-All-Chicks/dp/B004AEZ8HC?crid=XUAD9CSRO7YZ&keywords=in+50+years+we'll+all+be+chicks&qid=1537417351&sprefix=in+50&sr=8-3&ref=mp_s_a_1_3

 

For Happiness:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078RG2Y6B/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

[Augie]

I read Henry and the Clubhouse in elementary school, and got to use it for a book report for three straight years. I’m not sure if it will help, or if it’s still in print, but I can look around if you think it might help.   ?

 

I read the parachute stuff, but it was so many years ago I can’t really offer an opinion. I thought it was good then, and doubt it could be bad, but I just don’t know and I’m big on networking. My wife might have better suggestions, but as she’s a productive adult she’s sleeping. She not only reads this stuff, but she’s ballsy enough to call the authors of books she likes. They can talk for hours! 

[KD in CA]

If the kid isn't ready to get a job, tell him to go hike the AT or backpack through Europe, !@#$ a lot of chicks and have fun.  Then when he's ready to grow up, get a job and work your ass off.  People think being successful just falls in certain people's laps in this day and age.  It don't work like that -- you gotta be smart, put yourself in good situations, AND work your ass off.

 

48 minutes ago, Jauronimo said:

If he doesn't know what he wants to do, like many kids aren't when they graduate, have a frank conversation with him about what kind of life he wants to have.   "Follow your dreams" is terrible advice for most kids.  That's how we get thousands graduating with degrees in graphic design only to find out the market is over-saturated with applicants, these jobs only exist in select markets, they're not nearly as glamorous as you would imagine, and they don't pay dick.

 

If he wants to make some bank and live comfortably, move to a big city.  Any city.  How many hours is he willing to work?  Whats his idea of work life balance? I had no idea what I wanted to do but I always knew what kind of lifestyle I wanted and that I was too competitive to punch the clock and just get by.  Once he knows what he wants and what's important to him, the career choices will narrow down and things will come into focus. 

 

The only graphic designer I know is a miserable SOB who bitches about his career on Facebook constantly.

 

35 minutes ago, Jauronimo said:

Big 4 auditors have great exit opportunities.  Especially after they make manager or higher.  Accounting experience is always in demand.

 

 

Yup....my buddies from Big 4 days are doing all sorts of good stuff;  you can take that in a lot of directions.

Edited September 20, 2018 by KD in CA

[bbb]

2 hours ago, Augie said:

I read Henry and the Clubhouse in elementary school, and got to use it for a book report for three straight years. I’m not sure if it will help, or if it’s still in print, but I can look around if you think it might help.   ?

 

I read the parachute stuff, but it was so many years ago I can’t really offer an opinion. I thought it was good then, and doubt it could be bad, but I just don’t know and I’m big on networking. My wife might have better suggestions, but as she’s a productive adult she’s sleeping. She not only reads this stuff, but she’s ballsy enough to call the authors of books she likes. They can talk for hours! 

 

Actually reading the Parachute info on Amazon, it talks alot about networking apparently. 

3 hours ago, Rob's House said:

At this juncture he needs to understand how to succeed in business, what it means to be a man, and how to find happiness. Give him a different book for each.

 

For business:

https://www.amazon.com/Trump-Art-Deal-Donald-J-ebook/dp/B000SEGE6M

 

To be a man:

https://www.amazon.com/Fifty-Years-Well-All-Chicks/dp/B004AEZ8HC?crid=XUAD9CSRO7YZ&keywords=in+50+years+we'll+all+be+chicks&qid=1537417351&sprefix=in+50&sr=8-3&ref=mp_s_a_1_3

 

For Happiness:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078RG2Y6B/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

 

I can give him my copy of Carolla's book.  Very funny book.............He really does well with #3, so I don't think that's anything he needs direction in.

 

I don't know if he's going to be making any business deals at 22! 

[unbillievable]

[/dev/null]

Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marines

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

5 minutes ago, /dev/null said:

Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marines

 

Every young man should have to do this. We'd be a LOT better off as a society if they did because then EVERYONE would have something in common.

 

[mead107]

8 hours ago, bbb said:

My Godson really doesn't know what he wants to do when he graduates with a business degree.  I wish I had explored more things at that age.  I know a book that somebody gave me and I figured it was too late, I was an accounting major so that's what I have to do - I'm 22 and it's too late to turn back now - was What Color is Your Parachute.

 

Is that still a good one to get him.  I know it's on something like it's 35th edition...........Or does somebody have a better suggestion?  Book or otherwise? 

So, have you talked to him about what direction he is leaning towards in business? 

So many different directions.

 I would think he must have some idea? 

Not sure what a book is going to tell anyone what way to head. 

What kind of goal to reach? how high in business management do you want go? Does he just want to push numbers? Does he want to be a business partner with his own goals of having his own business?   

 

Lots of questions if looking for ideas. 

[Augie]

5 hours ago, bbb said:

 

 Actually reading the Parachute info on Amazon, it talks alot about networking apparently. 

 

I can give him my copy of Carolla's book.  Very funny book.............He really does well with #3, so I don't think that's anything he needs direction in.

 

I don't know if he's going to be making any business deals at 22! 

 

That’s great. It’s been so long I really don’t remember any of the content. 

[RochesterRob]

4 hours ago, unbillievable said:

  I wish that this was around when I was coming out of college.  Is being a "kept" husband such a bad thing?  Seriously, I was almost fixed up with one of the Rich (frozen foods) girls back around 1990.  Another time I went out with a sorority girl who really liked me but her dad squashed things with a background check of me.  Then he pointed out that the nice things that she was used to would be a long time waiting to happen with me.  Anyways, this was many years before background checks became common place and part of most peoples' vocabulary.  I would imagine that the background check also showed I was from a family of nut jobs as well.

[row_33]

10 hours ago, bbb said:

My Godson really doesn't know what he wants to do when he graduates with a business degree.  I wish I had explored more things at that age.  I know a book that somebody gave me and I figured it was too late, I was an accounting major so that's what I have to do - I'm 22 and it's too late to turn back now - was What Color is Your Parachute.

 

Is that still a good one to get him.  I know it's on something like it's 35th edition...........Or does somebody have a better suggestion?  Book or otherwise? 

 

Parachute landed me my first accounting job in a highly specified field, never looked back.

 

It teaches you how to find a job when you aren't going to be handed one by luck or family or sucking up to fatcats

 

And everyone is going to get dumped into unemployment at some point in life, might as be ready to combat it at 22 than at 52.

 

Trouble is people want the lazy way of finding a job, when you have to suck it up and network and be creative.

 

So yes, the book is probably more relevant than ever...

 

 

 

 

[plenzmd1]

I have preached this to my kids to the heavens..get your degree...and take off!!!

 

Go be a bartender in Europe and travel all over for 12 months. Teach English as a Second language in Thailand and explore Asia Pac.

 

IN other words  GOOOOOOOOO!!!!

 

I would be in the exact same spot as I am now wealth wise etc, most likely, had I done that..but I can never be 23 with no encumbrances ever again. 

 

And yes, I am dead freaking serious...

[Soda Popinski]

Daughter graduating in December with a degree in accounting.  she interned twice and she's not 100% sure she wants to stay in accounting, i told her once you get a degree, do whatever the hell you want.  I've done my job.   Go be a princess at Disney for all I care go be happy.  But that degree will allow her to earn a good living if she wants.   

[RaoulDuke79]

I read this in college and found it pretty useful. It's one of a couple books that stand out and I can remember reading. 

[Buffalo_Gal]

He could do like my son did when he got his first masters and decided "I don't want to do that for the rest of my life" upon obtaining it - go back to school for another masters. 

 

 

(Thankfully, he he is finished with school now, and gainfully employed.)

[row_33]

1 hour ago, plenzmd1 said:

I have preached this to my kids to the heavens..get your degree...and take off!!!

 

Go be a bartender in Europe and travel all over for 12 months. Teach English as a Second language in Thailand and explore Asia Pac.

 

IN other words  GOOOOOOOOO!!!!

 

I would be in the exact same spot as I am now wealth wise etc, most likely, had I done that..but I can never be 23 with no encumbrances ever again. 

 

And yes, I am dead freaking serious...

 

 

Must be nice to be rich and do this

 

you can't go to Europe on 75 cents a day anymore

 

 

[plenzmd1]

10 minutes ago, row_33 said:

 

 

Must be nice to be rich and do this

 

you can't go to Europe on 75 cents a day anymore

 

 

guess you missed the part where an actual freaking "JOB" was included in every scenario.

 

And in either case, ya don't need to be rich to live like a 23 yr old. Damn, me nephew just spent the better part of 3 months exploring Thailand, Vietnam, Nepal and some other places ..all for less than $2k!!!! Hostels and a tent on your backpack, no cell service, eating street food, making new friends and breaking bread and sleeping in their homes( some even female he tells me!!)....thats what I am talking about.

 

BTW, same kid came home for about two months..and has now gone off to South America and is working on a mushroom farm near Machu Pichu and loving every minute of it. 

 

He is 22..having the time and the experiences of a lifetime..he has 40 more years for a career and saving for retirement...

 

Should also mention every dime that funded these trips he has earned.. MY SIL ain't got a dime extra every week

Edited September 20, 2018 by plenzmd1

[row_33]

24 minutes ago, plenzmd1 said:

guess you missed the part where an actual freaking "JOB" was included in every scenario.

 

And in either case, ya don't need to be rich to live like a 23 yr old. Damn, me nephew just spent the better part of 3 months exploring Thailand, Vietnam, Nepal and some other places ..all for less than $2k!!!! Hostels and a tent on your backpack, no cell service, eating street food, making new friends and breaking bread and sleeping in their homes( some even female he tells me!!)....thats what I am talking about.

 

BTW, same kid came home for about two months..and has now gone off to South America and is working on a mushroom farm near Machu Pichu and loving every minute of it. 

 

He is 22..having the time and the experiences of a lifetime..he has 40 more years for a career and saving for retirement...

 

Should also mention every dime that funded these trips he has earned.. MY SIL ain't got a dime extra every week

 

 

you really are too touchy, ask your Daddy for some soothing

 

 

 

 

 

the question was about a book, you went ahead with an ego-trip about your kid, get over yerself, ask your Daddy

 

[billsfanmiami(oh)]

1 hour ago, plenzmd1 said:

I have preached this to my kids to the heavens..get your degree...and take off!!!

 

Go be a bartender in Europe and travel all over for 12 months. Teach English as a Second language in Thailand and explore Asia Pac.

 

IN other words  GOOOOOOOOO!!!!

 

I would be in the exact same spot as I am now wealth wise etc, most likely, had I done that..but I can never be 23 with no encumbrances ever again. 

 

And yes, I am dead freaking serious...

 

 

My wife and i talk about our biggest regret from our younger days is not doing a semester abroad during undergrad. Miami U had a damn campus in Luxembourg for Christ’s sake in an old castle!  Obviously seamless process for the academic portion since it was really just a branch campus. They also set up class schedules to essentially have 4 day weekends to travel / explore ??‍♂️

[Awwufelloff]

Take off a year and travel the world. That is the best advice someone can give any 20-25 year old post college. 

[teef]

i don't think it really matters what you do, and long as you work your ass off.  with all of the crappy jobs i've had in the past, i just worked as hard at it as i possibly could, and it always opened doors.  no book required.  sometimes you just have to start working and being productive.

 

 

i'm no so sure how easy the travel the world option is for most now.  school loans come calling pretty quick, and  you can only stave those off for so long.  enough finding yourselves...just work.  

[plenzmd1]

1 hour ago, row_33 said:

 

 

you really are too touchy, ask your Daddy for some soothing

 

 

 

 

 

the question was about a book, you went ahead with an ego-trip about your kid, get over yerself, ask your Daddy

 

what did you miss on this from the OP. How me saying "i give my kids this same advice" is an ego trip is beyond me. But you go ahead and make judgements ..all good with me.

 

Quote

.Or does somebody have a better suggestion?  Book or otherwise? 

 

As mentioned, I would advise every single person who is graduating college to take a year and travel and explore and do everything that you will not be able to do when you get older and have obligations.

 

And I have no idea why you have an obsession with my long-dead father. Kinda weird.

Edited September 20, 2018 by plenzmd1

[plenzmd1]

2 hours ago, teef said:

i don't think it really matters what you do, and long as you work your ass off.  with all of the crappy jobs i've had in the past, i just worked as hard at it as i possibly could, and it always opened doors.  no book required.  sometimes you just have to start working and being productive.

 

 

i'm no so sure how easy the travel the world option is for most now.  school loans come calling pretty quick, and  you can only stave those off for so long.  enough finding yourselves...just work.  

What I have preached as well to kids... What college you go to may help land your first job , how hard ya work will determine the next 6 jobs ya get over the next 30 years! 

 

You can defer the the student loans I am pretty sure. I guess I just always look back and say damn, I should have done that. 

[Fadingpain]

No. 1 piece of advice here is to try to pursue what he is passionate about.

 

He may not even know what he is passionate about, but I'm sure there is something.

 

Step 1 is figure out what he loves to do all the time and would continue to do for pleasure if he won $50 million in the lottery.

Step 2 is to take steps toward a career in that area or which takes advantage of that passion in some manner.

 

His passion might be sitting on his ass and greatly enjoying free time, while having no innate ambition to conquer the world.  That's  worth knowing!  A lot of career choices can work in that context.

Then again, he may realize he loves working with his hands and creating things.  IF that's true, work in an office doing abstract professional work is not going to be very satisfying.

 

Then he has to figure out how much $$$ he needs or wants.  A lot of people think they need a lot of money to be happy, but some do not.  Others do.

Figure out which you are b/c if you need a lot of money to get by, you ain't gonna be happy being poor.

 

 

 

[Gray Beard]

Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six MIT Students Who Took Vegas for Millions is a book by Ben Mezrich about a group of MIT card counters commonly known as the MIT Blackjack Team.

[KD in CA]

5 minutes ago, Gray Beard said:

Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six MIT Students Who Took Vegas for Millions is a book by Ben Mezrich about a group of MIT card counters commonly known as the MIT Blackjack Team.

 

That was a pretty entertaining read, even if Mezrich takes wide liberties with the truth.

[Marv's Neighbor]

13 hours ago, /dev/null said:

Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marines

Yeah!  I graduated in '69, and there were no "choices," except for those.  

[mead107]

Has the op cleared up what field of business the godson would like to get into?   

 

HR? Insurance? Asset management? Safty? CPA? 

 

Goverment? 

 

So so much to look at.  My kids all had jobs in December before they graduated.  

Plez has a good idea. Travel go a period of time.  

 

If he has loans? 

https://studentloanhero.com/featured/companies-that-pay-off-student-loans/

[bbb]

5 hours ago, mead107 said:

Has the op cleared up what field of business the godson would like to get into?   

 

 

He doesn't know.  That's why I wanted to give him some ideas. 

 

9 hours ago, Fadingpain said:

 

His passion might be sitting on his ass and greatly enjoying free time, while having no innate ambition to conquer the world.  That's  worth knowing!  A lot of career choices can work in that context.

 

 

The hell with him.  How can I have a career sitting on my ass and enjoying free time? 

16 hours ago, mead107 said:

Not sure what a book is going to tell anyone what way to head. 

 

 

I just wish I had had some better guidance or ideas when I was his age.  I went into accounting because I was good at it and it had a lot of openings every year.................But, I think marketing would have been more fun - but didn't think I could was creative enough.  I found out later that I could be - and that I was a lot better writer than I had thought when I was 22. 

[ExiledInIllinois]

Pick a habit, we got plenty to go around.  Just play this vid for them... I kid, I kid...

 

 

"Ms. Cristina drives a nine four four
Satisfaction oozes from her pores
She keeps rings on her fingers
Marble on her floor
Cocaine on her dresser
Bars on her doors
She keeps her back against the wall
She keeps her back against the wall

So I say 
I say welcome, welcome to the boomtown
Pick a habit 
We got plenty to go around
Welcome, welcome to the boomtown
All that money makes such a succulent sound
Welcome to the boomtown

Handsome Kevin got a little off track
Took a year off of college
And he never went back 
Now he smokes too much 
He's got a permanent hack
Deals dope out of Denny's 
Keeps a table in the back 
He always listens to the ground
Always listens to the ground

So I say 
I say welcome, welcome to the boomtown
Pick a habit 
We got plenty to go around
Welcome, welcome to the boomtown
All that money makes such a succulent sound
Welcome to the boomtown

Well the ambulance arrived too late
I guess she didn't want to wait"

 

[KD in CA]

Just tell him this: