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Your advice for a high school student


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2021 May 19, 4:35am   6,929 views  63 comments

by gabbar   ➕follow (1)   💰tip   ignore  

There are many astute patrick netters. So, seeking your recommendations for a high school student getting ready to apply for colleges.
The student in Ohio
1. Perfect ACT score
2. Excellent GPA
3. Likes STEM, loves math, chemistry, programming.
4. Has 9 months of research work experience at a university. Volunteer experience
5. One technical publication in a national journal
6. Hoping to keep undergraduate costs to 100k since student is likely to pursue graduate school.
Thank you.

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43   gabbar   2021 May 20, 8:14am  

KgK one says
Jobs n major that fit your personality are better.

Straight high $ and job growth

Pre med , healthcare
compsci
Some enginerring computer , electrical n Chem E

Shane has best vids on career
https://youtu.be/ajfDWlU138Y


I will check out Shane Hummus's video.
44   zzyzzx   2021 May 20, 8:14am  

WineHorror1 says
If the 2 grocery conglomerates in my area (Giant and Safeway) decide to mask their customers forever, I have little other choices.


No WalMart, Aldi, or Target? All are maskless if you identify as vaxxed. I only go to Giant or Safeway to buy items that are on sale.
45   FortwayeAsFuckJoeBiden   2021 May 20, 8:25am  

zzyzzx says
Identify as a lesbian black woman for the purposes of college admissions and employment.


Add trans in there somewhere, it’s the latest crave by leftists.
46   FortwayeAsFuckJoeBiden   2021 May 20, 8:27am  

Degree is for getting a job in various sectors that require it. If you aren’t going to top school to network with elites, then go to cheap one.
47   gabbar   2021 May 20, 8:49am  

Fortwaynemobile says
Degree is for getting a job in various sectors that require it. If you aren’t going to top school to network with elites, then go to cheap one.


My understanding is that at top schools, the rich hobnob with the rich outside the school in clubs; the poor are not invited.
48   mostly reader   2021 May 20, 1:09pm  

gabbar says
Any thoughts about Systems Architecture or becoming a Chief Technology Officer for a major corporation or Network engineering? There is a new major called Healthcare Engineering too.
Being a CTO is a good life for a bright person. Good CTO is hard to replace, while they have less stress than, say, VP of Eng. It's also true for anything "Architect"
IMHO, Network Engineer is harder as a lifestyle. Infinite hours in a lab, lots of low level details, repetitive work. I've known some super bright people who were/are Network Engineers, but - imho, yet again - a less bright person could also be a successful one if they are willing to bite the bullet and keep biting it for years. I'm not sure about NE as a career path because there's a strong push in the industry to solve those problems on a different level, and that skill set is becoming somewhat of a commodity. Network Architects are a different story; that career usually involves spending time as NE and biting lots of those proverbial bullets.
Can't comment on Healthcare Engineering, don't know much about it.

In terms of small steps, I'd say that it almost doesn't matter at this point. What does matter is that the person also develops social engineering and communication skills if they are not born with them. All top level positions demand that, and it's not something that someone without predisposition can learn overnight.
49   Ceffer   2021 May 20, 1:18pm  

Delayed gratification sucks.
50   gabbar   2021 May 20, 2:03pm  

mostly reader says
gabbar says
Any thoughts about Systems Architecture or becoming a Chief Technology Officer for a major corporation or Network engineering? There is a new major called Healthcare Engineering too.
Being a CTO is a good life for a bright person. Good CTO is hard to replace, while they have less stress than, say, VP of Eng. It's also true for anything "Architect".
IMHO, Network Engineer is harder as a lifestyle. Infinite hours in a lab, lots of low level details, repetitive work. I've known some super bright people who were/are Network Engineers, but - imho, yet again - a less bright person could also be a successful one if they are willing to bite the bullet and keep biting it for years. I'm not sure about NE as a career path because there's a strong push in the industry to solve those problems on a different level, and that skill set is becoming somewhat of a commodity. Network Architects are a differe...


What are the steps necessary to reach the level of CTO?

I copied your reference regarding social engineering and communication skills to serve as a reminder for the student, thank you very much.
51   mostly reader   2021 May 20, 2:15pm  

gabbar says
What are the steps necessary to reach the level of CTO?
I edited my prior post, removed that edit and now posting it here because it sorta gives a direction to answering your question (admittedly without answering it).

-- start
Apart from focusing on technical side (in general) and on communication (in general), I'd keep it open and not split hairs. Birds eye point of view is good enough. Changing tack is normal, some lucrative corporate careers aren't even taught in colleges. Product Management is one example. College can teach CS (as a general concept) or Math (as a general concept), or Biology (same). But Product Management requires little reusable skill, yet a lot of industry-specific knowledge, so how do you teach that? Product Managers, BusDev, HiTech Sales - these kinds may emerge from other specialties. You kid may surprise you.
-- end

As for your specific question - "how to become a CTO" - I don't know if there is a recipe. We are talking about decades of personal and professional development in which next step depends on the lessons learned in the step before that. Some thoughts come to mind but they can't be a guidance because they are too open-ended.
52   GNL   2021 May 21, 3:05am  

zzyzzx says
WineHorror1 says
If the 2 grocery conglomerates in my area (Giant and Safeway) decide to mask their customers forever, I have little other choices.


No WalMart, Aldi, or Target? All are maskless if you identify as vaxxed. I only go to Giant or Safeway to buy items that are on sale.

You're right. I'm just looking to take out my anger about masking on the grocery stores near me. Funny thing is, I haven't worn a mask even once in a grocery store (self checkout). I still think America would be much better off with more independently owned businesses of all types. Government loves big business and supports them over every other business. Why? Because it's much easier to control them.
53   PeopleUnited   2021 May 21, 4:51am  

WineHorror1 says
Government loves big business and supports them over every other business. Why? Because it's much easier to control them.


Aren’t you saying it backwards?

Big businesses love big government because that way they can write laws to favor big business. Also since money rules politics, big businesses have more lobbyists and exert more force with getting their way with politicians than small businesses.
54   gabbar   2021 May 21, 4:53am  

Zak says
NuttBoxer says
You can never go wrong pursuing what you love.


Oh how wrong you are. You can absolutely go wrong pursuing what you love. Especially if what you love is economically stupid. This is why hobbies are a thing, and there are a ton of actors and actresses who happen to have. aside barista job(or worse).


We are not rich people, so it is important for us to pursue a major that has a high probability of a stable job. Kid love playing piano and is good at it but people don't pay for this skill. So student will likely pursue a skill for which employers are willing to pay well.
55   gabbar   2021 May 21, 4:57am  

mostly reader says
gabbar says
What are the steps necessary to reach the level of CTO?
I edited my prior post, removed that edit and now posting it here because it sorta gives a direction to answering your question (admittedly without answering it).

-- start
Apart from focusing on technical side (in general) and on communication (in general), I'd keep it open and not split hairs. Birds eye point of view is good enough. Changing tack is normal, some lucrative corporate careers aren't even taught in colleges. Product Management is one example. College can teach CS (as a general concept) or Math (as a general concept), or Biology (same). But Product Management requires little reusable skill, yet a lot of industry-specific knowledge, so how do you teach that? Product Managers, BusDev, HiTech Sales - these kinds may emerge from other specialties. You kid may surprise you.
-- end

As for your specific ques...


A cousin is an engineer and sells for Cisco, I never thought that she had that in her. And you are right, a birds eye view is good enough, at 17 years. Thanks for the very helpful comments. I appreciate it.
57   Patrick   2021 May 22, 2:54pm  

https://science.sciencemag.org/content/372/6544/874

The problem with ‘follow your dream’

Finally, I went to my adviser for help. We hadn't talked much about my career plans over the years, but I felt I needed a new perspective from someone who knew me well. When he offered his advice, I was taken aback at first. What happened to “if you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life”? My adviser assured me there is seldom such a job. Every job has its ugly bits. But as long as you're happy most of the time, you can struggle through the parts you don't like. He also said it was important to find a job I was good at, especially because my visa applications required me to make the case that I would benefit the country.
58   Shaman   2021 May 22, 3:51pm  

Just as a FYI... my apprentice is a 21 year old, went to community college to learn welding and electronic control and PLCs (and a few other classes), then got a job doing relevant work. Finally he was ready to apply to be an apprentice. He’s making $32/hour and in four years he will be skilled and knowledgeable in a very lucrative and in-demand trade that makes minimum $150k/year with benefits most people never see. The job is difficult and dangerous and often dirty, but he has zero college debt and he will be making more than most engineers when he’s a journeyman.
59   gabbar   2021 May 24, 3:05am  

Patrick says
https://science.sciencemag.org/content/372/6544/874

The problem with ‘follow your dream’

Finally, I went to my adviser for help. We hadn't talked much about my career plans over the years, but I felt I needed a new perspective from someone who knew me well. When he offered his advice, I was taken aback at first. What happened to “if you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life”? My adviser assured me there is seldom such a job. Every job has its ugly bits. But as long as you're happy most of the time, you can struggle through the parts you don't like. He also said it was important to find a job I was good at, especially because my visa applications required me to make the case that I would benefit the country.


I hope that the student will choose a major that will lead to a high paying job and develop the higher threshold of pain to handle it. The local school has prepared the student quite well and we are grateful for this.
60   GreaterNYCDude   2021 May 24, 8:53am  

gabbar says
1. Perfect ACT score
2. Excellent GPA
3. Likes STEM, loves math, chemistry, programming.
4. Has 9 months of research work experience at a university. Volunteer experience
5. One technical publication in a national journal
6. Hoping to keep undergraduate costs to 100k since student is likely to pursue graduate school.


It has probably changed somewhat, but a state school will probably offer a decent scholarship package. Apply to several places so you can negotiate the best package possible. Community College then transferring is more of an option now than it was 20 years ago. I know my local CC offers an associates in engineering. It's reasonably priced and the level of instruction is decent. Student could probably still work while going to school at least foe the first two years.

Have they considered Chemical Engineering? The world could use a few more good controls engineers who know both programming and process equipment.
61   gabbar   2021 May 24, 9:27am  

GreaterNYCDude says
gabbar says
1. Perfect ACT score
2. Excellent GPA
3. Likes STEM, loves math, chemistry, programming.
4. Has 9 months of research work experience at a university. Volunteer experience
5. One technical publication in a national journal
6. Hoping to keep undergraduate costs to 100k since student is likely to pursue graduate school.


It has probably changed somewhat, but a state school will probably offer a decent scholarship package. Apply to several places so you can negotiate the best package possible. Community College then transferring is more of an option now than it was 20 years ago. I know my local CC offers an associates in engineering. It's reasonably priced and the level of instruction is decent. Student could probably still work while going to school at least foe the first two years.

Have they considered Chemical Engineering? The world could use a few more good controls engineers who know both ...


One or more decent scholarships at top state schools is likely. National Merit Scholarship is probable. Chemical Engineering is definitely an option. Chemistry teacher called the student a chemistry robot!
62   Patrick   2022 Dec 28, 7:56pm  

gabbar says


National Merit Scholarship is probable.


But only if your school does not hide the award from you in the name of "equity":

https://notthebee.com/article/one-of-the-uss-top-high-schools-hid-students-academic-awards-in-name-of-equity


Asra Nomani
@AsraNomani
·
EXCLUSIVE @IWN @CityJournal: @TJHSST_Official principal @TJAnnB has withheld news of @NationalMerit awards from TJ families, most of them Asian, denying students the right to use the award to boost their college-admission prospects and earn scholarships. ...

Why did the school withhold the news?

The director of student services at Thomas Jefferson said,

"We want to recognize students for who they are as individuals, not focus on their achievements," claiming that he and the principal didn't want to "hurt" the feelings of students who didn't get the award.
63   Patrick   2023 Jan 8, 8:51pm  

Patrick says


gabbar says


National Merit Scholarship is probable.


But only if your school does not hide the award from you in the name of "equity":

https://notthebee.com/article/one-of-the-uss-top-high-schools-hid-students-academic-awards-in-name-of-equity


Asra Nomani
AsraNomani
·
EXCLUSIVE IWN CityJournal: TJHSST_Official principal TJAnnB has withheld news of NationalMerit awards from TJ families, most of them Asian, denying students the right to use the award to boost their college-admission prospects and earn scholarships. ...

Why did the school withhold the news?

The director of student services at Thomas Jefferson said,

"We want to recognize students for who they are ...


More about this:

https://www.fairfaxtimes.com/articles/fairfax_county/fcps-withholds-awards-pays-455-000-for-equity-contractor/article_0bb6c642-86c9-11ed-abbf-cb802353dab6.html

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