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I don't know your Father, don't know you; but I would suggest that there can be very large pitfalls with accepting Major Help from your Father at this point. As has already been pointed out, you seem to be at a real loss on exactly what you want to do with your life. It's OK, that sort of thing is natural at age nineteen! It might turn out that you really don't want to do this type of work at age twenty-one, or age twenty-eight, etc., etc.. We become very different persons as we grow older, and there is a HUGE Change through our twenties. Education gives you some versatility! What they are really teaching you, (hopefully) is to learn how to think and reason. That is irreplaceable knowledge that applies to almost anything you would care to do with your life.
Second HUGE Problem. As I said, I don't know your Family, but it's been my experience that often, very dynamic Entrepreneurial-Type People can be Very Domineering! Often, for The Children of such individuals it becomes very easy to become just an "extension" of their Parent's Wills. Often, these children become weak, and dependent. Never ever, becoming their own persons! I would suggest that if you want to work with your Father, if you wait for a few years, go out and have some success of your own....then it becomes a lot easier to "be your own person." Actually, if you strike out on your own, and succeed? Just guess which child your Father will respect The Most! Then....if you care to, it will be so much easier to be involved with your Father in business.
Your young! It's scary to go out and survive in The Big, Bad, World these Days. Ah, but if you do; and you become your own successful person.....it is sublime!
Peace and Love, Joanie
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Look at his proposed business like it was coming from someone other than your dad- would it have a real chance of success? Would you be satisfied doing that? Could you at least eventually make good money with it? Don't do it just to make your dad happy. You could go to school & work on doing your online business in your spare time.
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I talked to my dad today and it was a little weird. I told him I wanted to continue on in school because I really want to experience of being in college and it wouldn't hurt to get a degree atleast. He was okay with that, he sounded a little disappointed, but he said he understands and the offer is always on the table and he really would like me to come start taking the reins soon.
I called his business partner, my uncle (not actually related to me, but he has been part of the family way before I was around), to try to get the scoop on why my dad was wanting me to come work all of a sudden. Apparently, my dad is starting to age, after 45 years of backbreaking construction work, combined with stress of business owning and operating many businesses and he is looking to retire as soon as he can, handing his half of everything over to me. I was a little astounded by this. A new stress was put on my shoulders.
I called my dad back. I asked if he really wanted me to come start so he could retire soon, and he said he was happy that I want to do my own thing. His voice told a different story. I told him I would start working with him every summer and on breaks as often as I could, but I need school time to learn and he was happy to hear that. I understand where he comes from though, he has no other kids to, pass the fortune too, I am his only child. So, I feel obligated to take over for him.
I talked it over with my SO, and she was supportive of my decision to go to school and help out whenever possible. I plan on proposing to her in the next year or so, so her thoughts are quite important.
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I do have mixed thoughts about what I want to do in life. It is between 2 options, and 2 options only.
Cabinet maker- my dad, as a carpenter, always was working on a job site, and I always had the most fun installing cabinets. He brought me to our local custom cabinet maker and good friend of the family, dropped me off at noon (mind you I was only 9 or 10 at the time) and picked me up a few hours later. This only drove my love for cabinets even further and made me want to make them ever more. For my 11th birthday, I received a belt sander, wood glue, table router, and joinery clamps. He allowed me to make some cabinets under his supervision and I loved it. Through out high school, it stayed with me. Most boys grow up wanting to be a policeman or fireman, I wanted to be a cabinet maker.
Lawyer- During my senior year, we were required to take part in trials, where we assigned a position and went through a trial. I was good with my teacher and told her I wanted to be in the prosecution. I loved it so much that it has stayed with me and its what I want to do these days. My cabinet making went on hold, because going to law school seems like my calling. If I had the option today to be a cabinet maker or a lawyer, I would pick lawyer. I love all my poli sci classes and plan to continue onto law school. Many of you asked what type of law I want to go into, easy: Estates, Divorce Mediation, and Personal Injury (my economics prof always says "if you can't beat em', join em'"). My hopes are to start a practice here in upstate ny because I am not a city person.
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Maybe I'll do this, or maybe I'll do that, sounds like you are not sure just what you want, knowing your dads business you know the time you have yo put in to get a business off the ground, even in a good economy, much less in this one. Do you want to be a Lawyer, or a cabinet maker, from that, do you really want to run a retail business, or are you just looking for a paycheck? Your young, take from an old retired guy, what ever you choose to do, your going to be at it a long time, make sure it makes you enjoy what your doing, it makes getting though life much easier and a lot more fun.
Tina B.
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Is it your dream to run a business started by your dad or is it your dream to be independent and do it on your own? I would stay in college and get your degree. The economic recovery is dead in the water right now anyway and its no time to try to get a new business off the ground.
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a few years running a business is way more impressive on a resume than a polysci major
wth does a polysci major do for you unless you're going to work on someones campaign or something.
idk.. i am not poly sci. lol.
soo yeah.. there will be thousands of poly sci majors, but how many ppl will there be that had their own business at your age?
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Breaking your back to make your dad happy isn't a good idea ( giving all your free time to him is a version of that ). It sounds like his mortality is being used as a guilt trip. If he can't continue in his business(es), he could sell them & still give you an inheritance.
