Joined: Apr 08, 2006 Posts: 1239 Location: Somewhere there
Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 2:38 pm Post subject: Re: Planning for my daughter
Cog wrote:
Pretorian wrote:
just marry her off cog. Find her a good family-oriented guy with good genes ( to save on healthcare@burial expences in the future) and marry her off.
I had a good laugh on this one. What do you think a fair bride price is in gallons of gasoline or pounds of wheat?
well now its my turn to have a good laugh. You thought you'll get something? Noo, its you who is going to pay, and quite a lot, actually. Ever heard of a dowry? so unless you are moving to a muslim country or to Africa where they trade women as cattle, there is a major expense on the way.
PS btw, does anyone has any ideas why such a nice concept had disappeared almost everywhere?
Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 6:28 pm Post subject: Re: Planning for my daughter
You're welcome for my help. Joking aside, right now I do agree with others that it is a good idea for her to gain lots and lots of non-chemistry experience on top of her education just in case.
Right now, the trends in chemistry with the exception of in the energy sector and maybe "green chemistry" development are not all that favorable. Honestly, I don't see it getting much, if at all, better. (I'm a Long Emergency Doomer). I am trying to segue into other careers myself.
Most chemists in the U.S. are/were members of the American Chemical Society. You can check out the site here: www.acs.org. It has some decent overviews of what being/becoming a chemist is all about.
Dues are pricey, but I believe they give discounts for high schoolers. If not, I found their best "perq" was their "free" subscription to "C&E (Chemical and Engineering) News", a weekly publication highlighting current research in chemistry, government news relating to the sciences, and business and educational trends in the subject. You can likely find this magazine at your local library.
Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 8:55 am Post subject: Re: Planning for my daughter
I told my daughters it did not matter what they chose for a career, as long as it produced a tangible result, and was of practical need to the world. One has an Electrical Engineering degree, with communications specialty. The other has a Chemistry degree, with a minor in German for research purposes. Both worked in their field for a few years and both quit because of the workplace treatment of women. They are ages 39 and 41, respectively.
The first is now helping her husband with editting a movie, and the other works in our machine shop part time, and helps her husband build their off-grid homestead.
I don't think that choice of degree objective is terribly crucial, but learning to THINK is very important. The degree may have some value as a door opener. Most people change careers many times in their life, for many reasons. My wife has a nursing degree, but quit that years ago for the same reason as the kids-she got treated badly. The workplace has changed a lot, and the treatment of women has maybe improved somewhat, yet I think the problems have largely just gone underground. Hate to say it, but that's what I see. _________________ Local fix-it guy..
Joined: Oct 16, 2004 Posts: 1379 Location: Appalachian Foothills of Virginia
Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 10:35 am Post subject: Re: Planning for my daughter
Since your daughter seems math and science-minded, I would suggest considering electro-mechanical engineering. There will be a high demand for people to design and oversee installation of solar arrays of all kinds, wind turbine farms, geothermal power plants, hydropower, tidal and wave power systems, etc. There will also be a high demand for design skill for hybrid and electric cars/buses/trucks, light and heavy rail systems, electric bikes/scooters/motorcycles, and so forth. The mechanical skill can always be handy for designing any physical component (doesn't have to be electrical in nature).
Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 10:52 am Post subject: Re: Planning for my daughter
skyemoor wrote:
But more importantly, what does she want to do and where do her interests reside? Is she set on chemistry or is that your preference?
I have no preference. Both her mother and I were science majors and we imparted our love of science to her. She came to her interest in chemistry through a very talented chemistry teacher in high school. Her talent in math did not come from either one of us, as we both did just enough math in college to meet the requirements of our majors (Geology and Earth Science)
My main interest in all this is for her to be happy in whatever she chooses to do. The knowledge that PO will dramatically effect all of our lives and careers is leading me to research and advise her on careers that might weather the PO storm which I believe is soon to be on us. She is very strong-headed, which is exactly the way I raised her. Not your typical girl. ( I know that sounds very sexist but that is the only way this Cro-Mag can describe her)
She is interested in pure research in a lab setting. I'm just not sure that post-PO that will be an industry that survives. Your ideas of more of a bent towards engineering instead of chemistry makes some sense to me. But in the end I can only advise and not force her in a certain direction.
All times are GMT - 6 Hours Goto page Previous1, 2
Page 2 of 2
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
News
Discussions
Resources
Members
Forum FAQ
Search
Usergroups
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
