College degree ?'s

My advice would be to pick a university with a good diverse curriculum or a liberal arts college with the same and start on the core classes. Majors she could consider to become a realtor but also have a foundation for something else would be things like marketing and business. But she could start and explore in those first two years and then complete her major in the second two years. That buys her some time where she doesn't have to have everything mapped out just so.

My experience with my job searching over the years is that jobs that didn't require a bachelors degree before do now. I assume that most people need a college degree or specialty training. So that is the assumption I am starting with. $13/hr admin assistants need college degrees now. There's nothing wrong with hostessing but most jobs beyond that will require a degree. Even restaurant management does now, in some places. Without it you just limit yourself is all.

I agree with everyone that a college degree is not something everyone needs, especially if it is going to give you debt and not get you a good job that you enjoy.
However, as a grandmother of a 20 yo Young woman, I understand your mother's worry. I wish my gd would go to college, too and prepare to support a family if she ever needs to. I hope she doesn't, but I have seen too many single mothers struggling because they were not prepared to make a living. I try not to nag her or her mother about it, but if they bring the subject up, I let them know how I feel.

Not every person or every career needs a college degree. If your older DD is happy at what she does and can support herself, great!! If at any time she feels she wants to go back to school with a focus, great!!! I do not think it is a good idea to get a degree, just to get a degree. That is a lot of time and money that will most likely be wasted.

For your younger DD, I can't really give advice to what courses she should take. Yeah, that she has an idea od what she wants to do.

Sounds like you have two pretty smart young ladies.

I think you've gotten good responses so far. I agree that if somebody is not interested in college, then pressuring them to go is not useful. If your older daughter decides she wants to pursue it at some point, it will be more worthwhile for her. There are multiple paths to happiness and if what she is doing works for her now, that's great.

One thing I thought about - your older daughter enjoys waitressing and hostessing and the money she makes. What kind of benefits does she have? Is she paying for health insurance or saving for retirement and does her employer offer any kind of retirement plans? Often jobs you can get with a college degree will offer these kinds of benefits that in long term will differentiate from a job that you get without a degree. I think it's just food for thought if she ever brings up the subject with you.

I agree with the others that maybe guiding your older dd to think about a life beyond waitressing would be helpful. People with a college degree make a whole lot more money over their lifetimes than people without. And the benefits issue is a real one. But again, paying for college when you aren't sure what you want to do and don't even want to be there is a colossal waste of money. She has to reach that point herself.

I also agree with most of the posts above.  I would suggest core classes at a community college if nothing else for your younger daughter. Right now, Real Estate seems the most interesting to her, but at her age and level of life experience, she really has no idea what else is out there in the world. She may end up in that field after all, and if so, she'll be more prepared for it and definitely more marketable.

Your older daughter has the perfect opportunity right now to take a part time schedule of morning classes at a community college. Even one at a time would give her a taste of what else is out there. With a hostess's schedule, she likely works late afternoons and evenings, so I would imagine her mornings are pretty open. What a great chance to fill in her day with some college level courses, just in case.

It's hard to find the balance between letting them do their own thing and making their own choices. You seem like you're great at that, and you'll be a good support to them as they navigate this big world. Good luck!

Keep in mind if your daughter decides to go into the real estate world, she will be self employed. She can work with an agency, but the agency isn't going to look whether or not she has a degree. But, she really should take business classes. Running your own business can be daunting but rewarding.

For the younger dd, an associates degree in business and marketing from a community college would be a good background for a real estate agent. She would go into the job knowing how to run her business and what marketing works and what doesn't. It won't replace a good mentor when she enters the field, but it will help. It will also help her gain some maturity and understanding before she enters the real estate world.

For the older dd, if she's happy where she is, that's great. If she would like to do some college classes just to expand her knowledge and to prepare for just in case, I would suggest nothing more than an associate's degree in something generic like General Education or Business. (Business is the better choice because it's more marketable as an employee.) Once she decides on a career, she's already got 2 years under her belt and can get her BA or BS much more quickly and cheaply. However, I wouldn't go around thinking "she's not going to like restaurants forever." it's entirely possible she's fallen in love with the hospitality industry and a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management would help her move up in the restaurant world.

All that said, neither of your dd's should be pushed to get a degree they do not want. It's a waste of time and money for them. If they think a degree will help them and they want it, great. If not, they are fine and have great goals for their future as it is. Grandma just worries about her granddaughters, and that's ok. But she might be helped by the girls talking to her about their future plans so Grandma can understand that they aren't aimless and they do have plans for a career.

I have a 4yr degree and hubby has a masters. You know who makes more than both of us? The guy who took an 8 week course to drive heavy equipment in a union job.

My job is assisting people with career help. There are many trade certificates available that go along with well-paying careers. I recommend training of some kind because that's what increases earning potential.

One of our local community colleges has an AA program in Real Estate so have your daughter take a look at what is available in your area. As others have said, classes in business, sales & marketing are all really useful for a real estate career. I'd also encourage her to contact local realtors or industry group and talk to professionals about their career paths.

I would not pressure your older DD to complete a degree. My perspective on the restaurant business is a little different with DH's family being in the industry, but experience is more valued and valuable than a degree. It your DD was interested in a broader hospitality industry career I would steer her towards Restaurant & Hotel Managment only if she wants to work her way up through a big, higher end hotel group (with great opportunities for international work & travel). 

I think we do a huge disservice to our kids when we push them to go to college without a clear goal. 

The guy that does this will never make more than the union max and can only move to certain jobs depending what book he is on. ( an operator can not do a laborer's job or a teamster job).

My point is that there are many jobs that make excellent money without a four year degree. The belief that everyone must go to college is ludicrous.

I think a business or finance degree would be good for your daughter that wants to be a real estate agent.

I do agree that college is not for everybody but with that being said...the only thing I would worry about for my oldest DD is health insurance, retirement. I wouldn't think restaurants would offer things like that.

College isn't for everyone, maybe a Certificate program at a community college would be good for her and Ive seen some involving real estate