AIBU to try to steer my DS into a well paid career against his dreams

[Putneydad7]

My wife and I both came from humble backgrounds but have done well in our careers and earned good money. My DS is very academic, great A levels, just started his second year at a good Uni.
We are both pushing him to apply for internships in banks/consultancies/law firms next summer so that his job opportunities will be maximised after Uni.
HOWEVER
He really loves theatre, acting and directing. He wants to spend next summer taking a production to the fringe with some friends, sofa surfing and having a laugh. He also is thinking about theatre directing as a potential career path.

I feel so evil that I am steering him away from that as I know it is a path strewn with poverty and failure, sure some succeed, a few have a great career, but most give it up after 5-10 years and I guess find an alternative career.
His asset is his brain and I'm trying to get him to maximise his income over perhaps his happiness, oh I'm so dilemma'd (I know, made up term).
What do you think, AIBU, should I back off and let him make his own way/mistakes or otherwise?

This.

He could end up resenting you if you push too hard. Nothing wrong with discussing your thoughts with him though.

The deferred job offer is the holy grail, I got a 1 year deferred offer after uni and went travelling safe in the knowledge I had a job to return to, racked up some debt and had the best year ever! Thanks for your post.

My dc earned 20k on a summer internship

@Goldfsh 20K for 3 months? Wow please tell us what internship that is.

City internship - lots offer big money to students, especially with a financial degree and focus.

@Putneydad7 My DD (20) did the same last year and it brought home to her the realities of working long hours for quite a reasonable wage given her lack of qualifications- but she realized that it wouldn’t go far if she had to pay household bills with it. It’s motivated her to keep working hard to get her qualifications and hopefully have job choice in the future.

The basic for the summer was 15k plus accomodation and meals were all paid. The work was essentially 6am through to 2am so it was very intense indeed. But then again, it's the equivalent of 6-9 months "real" work in 3 months at those hours!

6 am to 2 am is 4 hours' sleep! It does brings home the brutality and relentlessness of certain city finance jobs. Looks like you need not just smarts and ambition but also sheer physical and mental resilience.

I don't think corporate law is as bad but there will be pockets like this.

Another way for OP's ds to cut his teeth (alongside giving theatre a go) whether the money is worth it. Some people thrive on it.

Two contrasting experiences to choose from.

Yes it was shocking to me as I thought these types of practices were from the 1980s, but brought home the reality of the 'city' career and what this means. (Including that my DC did not want to do it!)

6 am to 2 am is 4 hours' sleep! It does brings home the brutality and relentlessness of certain city finance jobs. Looks like you need not just smarts and ambition but also sheer physical and mental resilience.

And a regular supply of cocaine?

Wow, i work in farming but this regime would end me 🤣

How about a compromise? Surely there must be degrees in theatre and business or theatre and management which give options.

And if you have done well, put some funds aside to allow a future change of direction, if following his passion doesn't work out. What's the point in you doing well if it doesn't buy your family freedom?

I know several well paid bankers, IT professionals and lawyers who are in amateur dramatics and bands or who do photography at the weekends. It works for them and it's the best of both worlds in some ways.

You can't stop or force your son in any way but he needs to own his choices and if he doesn't do well financially from what he chooses he has to cut his cloth accordingly. As long as he knows this, he should be free to make his own choices.

I don't think AI will decimate these industries. That is too simplistic. it will make it a lot harder to enter but once in, someone has got to steer the AI and use it as a v clever team mate to help them achieve a goal.