Stable Job or Volatile Business?

[vladtess]

Hey guys! By reading few threads I noticed that most of you are very experienced and vivid people.

I recently read the book that you may all know, "Rich dad, poor dad" and it moved me. I decided to alter my career from being a nurse to opening my own business in future.

At the moment, I am 18 and planning to go to college for Computer Systems Technology (BA) and probably run for Business as MBA later on.

I just adore computers -- to be specific, i love to dig in linux scripts and create simple programs for windows in C++ and designing web pages. As a matter of fact, I run a website for one of non-profit organizations (explorerpost2060.org, if you care).

But here is the problem: My parents aren't so rich, and they desire me to have a stable job with a nice income. They inspire me to go for a nurse and then for a doctor. I took AP Bio in my Junior year, and I, to be honest, didn't like it: I freaked out when they brought a dead pig to my class to cut.

I feel very... pressured... I don't know what I should follow. My mom says that she doesn't want me to "... work for the computer...". My dad is worried that business is too risky. They also say that the computer people will lose vast amounts of jobs in later years and I won't be able to find a job. She also says that in order to have a successful business you need lots of connections with rich people.

Its time for me to pick college. I don't know what I should do... go for nursing or start a business after getting college in Computer Systems. I know I can do both, since I did pretty well in high school, even in AP bio.

I am really worried about this and don't know what I should do - I don't know if I'll be successful in business or if I'll love nursing. Please help, or just write an opinion of what you would do.

Thanks in advance.

[homeboy]

Take this from someone who just graduated in a major they do not like very well, just do what you want to do. Major in whatever you want to major in. I have a Computer Science degree and I can tell you that although your business may be volatile there is will always be a need for computer programmers, analysts etc so it's also stable. Don't listen to what anyone else tells you (even me if it comes down to it) just do what you feel you want to do.

[vladtess]

Originally Posted by homeboy

Take this from someone who just graduated in a major they do not like very well, just do what you want to do. Major in whatever you want to major in. I have a Computer Science degree and I can tell you that although your business may be volatile there is will always be a need for computer programmers, analysts etc so it's also stable. Don't listen to what anyone else tells you (even me if it comes down to it) just do what you feel you want to do.

Thanks homeboy; You know... one thing my mom stresses as well is that it may be only my current hobby, premising that I may dislike computers later on.

[JiriNovotny]

You might dislike being a doctor later on as well.

There will always be demand for programmers (at least in the upcoming decade). Companies are recruiting like crazy. It's a highly competitive field, but hey, that makes it fun, especially if you are a geek

Look, I make enough online to support myself and my potential family - AND my "official" education doesn't matter at all. Just get it going NOW. Start making money online NOW. That's what I would do. You do not have to quit your school, but get your business started - NOW. You do not have to get it right, you just have to get it going. That's all you have to do. Your parents may whine even if you will start to get a nice check every month, but that's their problem. Look at it this way: Isn't it probable they do not know a thing about computers and online business? The only thing that matters is if it works and if you enjoy the ride.

[vladtess]

uh.. JiriNovotny, don't I need an initial capital to start a business? If I take out a loan and my business fails (as far as I know 50% fail in a first year) I'll owe the bank. I need to have assets on hand that I can lose. Don't I? I mean, i may not know a lot, but I've read few things. Yea, my parents aren't into computers, in fact they barely know about 'em.

Thanks

[Kiba]

Originally Posted by vladtess

uh.. JiriNovotny, don't I need an initial capital to start a business? If I take out a loan and my business fails (as far as I know 50% fail in a first year) I'll owe the bank. I need to have assets on hand that I can lose. Don't I? I mean, i may not know a lot, but I've read few things. Yea, my parents aren't into computers, in fact they barely know about 'em.

Thanks

You do not need a loan to start your own online business. In fact, you could probably start a business for free or for what you have in the pocket(with the exception of computer hardware and internet connection).

Web hosting companies compete with each other in a really cutthroat environment making it possible for you to find great deal with unbeatable price. For example, dreamhost.com offer you TB of bandwidth, ton of features, and ton of space.

For example, I operate two sites. Once I got ads going, I operate practically in the positive. I didn't even have expenses. Although it is a really good idea to get domain name and proper hosting, but I won't be getting them until I earned enough money.

It is very cheap to start a business these day if you know what you're doing.

Of course, I am only making cents but I hope that will change soon as I expand my revenue source and traffic.

[UHF]

Hello vladtess.

Your parents want you to take what they think is a safe option that will 'guarantee' a steady, stable job with a future. Parents who have to count the pennies each month often feel this way and assume their children will face life in the same manner they do. Mine did too. There are no guarantees in life other than death. There are no guarantees where any job is concerned. It comes as a shock to discover as you become an adult, that your parents really aren't the experts on life that you might have thought.

Your post really boils down to this:

'I just adore computers' ... 'I run a website for one of non-profit organizations...'

versus:

'I took AP Bio in my Junior year, and I, to be honest, didn't like it...'

If it's guidance on what to do, then my opinion from the above is to go for computing. Don't try and do everything and then opt for the one that looks better at some non-specific point in the future. Concentrate on what you love doing.

'I don't know if I'll be successful in business' You'll have to find out for yourself. This will not kill, bankrupt or ruin you. Try and find out more about the business you want to eventually start, perhaps go and work for one, even part-time whilst at college is fine. You'll probably meet like-mined people at college. They may even become your business co-founders. You don't need bank loans etc to start a business, you may need a job in order to fund your business before it gets started. Businesses really aren't like roulette where there is some totally uncontrollable chance of failure. They're not all or nothing.

Don't waste time appeasing parents/career guidance counselors/others, just to allay their fears. Your 18, you must make what is an important decision yourself and take the flak, the moaning, the upset etc that you will be given. Parents upsets don't last for long. They just want you to be happy really. If at some point in the future you go off computing or decide that it's not for you, then you will have made this decision yourself. Too many people end up wasting years of their lives doing the 'safe' option that they were told was the best. At 18, it's difficult to make informed decisions about your future and somewhat frightening, but it's not going to ruin your life if it's the wrong decision.

Plenty of people on this forum will tell you that doing what you love is the key to success, not chasing 'safe' options. There are no safe options. Do what you love to do and if you know it's computing, then your halfway to success.

Good luck and trust your own judgment - as you get older you will realise this yourself.

[lizthefair]

It's your parent's job to worry about you--and that can lead to conservative thinking. It's much easier to be the one taking risks than the one watching risks being taken.

That having been said it's quite possible that their advice is actually more risky.

Daniel Pink explains it best in his book A Whole new Mind but the basic idea is that the world is changing and the "stable" careers of the past will not be the stable careers of the future.

I really recommend this book especially for people starting out. I hope you'll find time to read it.

[vladtess]

Thank you guys so much -- lizthefair, Kiba, and especially UHF. You guys made me feel much better, since I didn't know what I should pick. I'm going to read more about business and will peruse my dream.

[fieldsofgold]

vladtess,

It seems as though your parents are acting as the Poor Dad did in the book and as others have said they believe they are acting in your best interests.

When it comes down to it there is only one person on this earth that can really act in YOUR best interest and that is...YOU

You already have skills that are in demand, check out sites where you can offer your services on a freelance basis and fit it around the study you need. As you are only young you have the luxury of making mistakes and learning from them to take you further.

Talk to your parents calmly and explain why their chosen route is not for you but that you thank them very much for caring about you so much that they want to help (many don't).

[PMcDonald]

The words "stable" and "job" have no place being in the same sentence together. I used to think that a job was security, however I now know better. A job allows you to be controlled completely by someone else - when you work, how much you work, what you are worth, when you can vacation, when and if you can take time off for emergencies, and whether or not you stay employed and get paid. Having all of these things completely beyond your control is no way to find stability.

Stability is having a complete belief in yourself and your abilities to become whatever you aspire to be. Stability is knowing that you, and only you, have complete control over your income and your life.

My parents fed me the same crap when I started my business. They thought they were doing me a favor, but in reality all they were doing was holding me back. I love them dearly but here's my take - if I wanted to become a successful business owner and become wealthy, should I take advice from people who have already gotten to where I want to be or people who are nowhere close to where I want to be?

Pretty obvious.

Don't let anyone hold you back, because the reality is that the people who are trying to advise you do the safe thing are scared that you will succeed because it will force them to take a hard look in the mirror at why they never had the guts to pursue their dreams.

Go for it!!!

[finandom]

Stable Job or Volatile Business?

I rejected to go University in the age of 19 and I want to start and learn how to build a business. At that moment my parent also worry about me and my future. They just feel that it is not secure without having any degrees.

So I quickly sit down and explain to them my thought and my vision. Stable Job or Volatile Business? I tell them that Stable Job is dangerous. In my country, Malaysia, average people with average income cannot even afford 1 family alone! I showed them that there are a lot of stories around our friends, relatives and even neighbours that income from a stable job is not enough to survive.

I always want to give a better life for them and my family especially the time my parent retires. So I have no choice but have to go the other way round and start a so called risky business. I want to learn how to make more money from business because business has its own potential to grow and make more money than a stable job. Maybe it is volatile and risky, but I believe I can learn the skill to reduce both of them in my business.

So far, they are starting compromise and agree with me and support me to run business. Of course, you have to do some results to show them.

So find a right time, sit down and discuss with them about your dreams, your ambitious and your plans with your parent.

[falcan]

Don't know what else to add, most of things was already said here, just to add another vote for the "what you love" way. Really it's so much important to do what you like, vs. what you (or worst - other) think it's safe. Even they are your parents, they are only people and I suppose they don't own a business, so they can't really know how a business works. I wasn't really sucessfull until I dropped out of college few years ago and started to do what I loved.

About the 50% business failing..don't start a business if you believe you will fail. Just trust yourself. (Btw., I started my business with zero money too).

[vladtess]

thanks again you guys. I now feel even more confident about what I am doing.

[finandom]

Originally Posted by vladtess

thanks again you guys. I now feel even more confident about what I am doing.

Hey, it is great to hear that you feel more better and confident. Hope to hear from you soon and of course good luck to you and me who fight for our future in the earlier life