Glenn Said:

What college degree will provide the most career options?

We Answered:

Engineering is probably the most flexible degree. Engineers can do everything from Teaching to R&D.

BS-Industrial Technlogy is a rival for "most flexible degree". The BSIT is in the midst of changing from being labelled a degree in "Industrial Technology", to being a degree for Industrial Management.

The BSET grad will be school in some Technology, Computers, Electronics, Textile, but also will have a number of Management/Business courses. Well rounded, and like an Engineer can step into almost anything, from Teaching to Manufacturing.

Renee Said:

What professional career options are available for a former felon in California?

We Answered:

It's so hard. He's going to be up against a lot. Some employers won't hire him, because he's a felon, no matter what. Others will, but as you noted, certain fields may be closed to him because in CA, felons can't be licensed to practice those fields.

Whether or not a felon can be licensed as a nurse varies by state. I'm not sure of the rules of CA - you can check with the CA state nursing board. They may even have it on their website.

To increase his chances of employability, he may want to major in something that's unrelated to his felony. For example, if he's in for embezzlement, he should *not* major in accounting, because he will not be hired. If possible, he may want to major in something that's in EXTREMELY high demand in CA, so that he has the greatest chance possible of getting a job when he graduates. He could also consider focusing on a field where he can be self employed, if he finds difficulty finding a job due to his felony.

For example, computer science. He could major in CS, and CS grads are in huge demand in most of the US. Many CS jobs go unfilled, due to lack of qualified applicants. But if he can't get a job in CS due to his felony, he could become an independent contractor - work for himself - and work on projects as a consultant. That's just one example.

Another option, for him, might be to work with former felons who had the same issues that he did. For example, if drugs and alcohol were/are an issue, he could become a drug and alcohol counsellor. There, his being a felon might be an asset with the people he's working with, rather than being a drawback.

But do look into the realities of nursing for him in CA. As I said, in some states, he might be able to be licensed, depending on what his felony was. Check the rules in CA.