90 Days to Give Your Child a Career Edge

With summer on the horizon, your college student is probably enjoying some well-earned downtime. That’s great—but there’s a timely conversation worth having.

We’re living through one of the fastest technological shifts in modern history. Artificial intelligence isn’t a distant trend; it’s already being built into day-to-day work in fields like finance, healthcare, law, marketing, and engineering. While nobody can predict exactly how quickly things will change, many employers are already looking for candidates who can use AI tools responsibly to research, write, analyze, and communicate more effectively.

A Simple Question to Ask

College curriculum cycles can take years to catch up, so some programs may not yet be teaching students how to apply AI in real-world settings.

Ask your student:

• “Is AI being used or discussed in your classes?”
• “Are you learning how to use it appropriately—or just being told not to use it?”
• “Do you feel confident using AI tools to support your work (without cutting corners)?”

If their answers are unclear, that’s not a problem—it’s an opportunity.

Why Summer is a Unique Window

A summer job or internship can be valuable for income, structure, and experience. But pairing that with even a few hours each week of skill-building can be an “investment” in their future earning power.

The goal isn’t to become an AI engineer. For many careers, “AI skills” simply means:

• Knowing how to ask better questions and refine prompts
• Verifying outputs (not blindly trusting results)
• Using AI to summarize long readings, outline papers, brainstorm ideas, or organize research
• Understanding risks: bias, privacy concerns, plagiarism, and misinformation

Low-cost Ways to Get Started

Encourage them to explore free or affordable learning options such as:

• Intro courses on AI basics
• Short tutorials related to their major (business, data, design, coding, communications)
• Workshops from their school’s library or career center

Consistency matters more than intensity. Even 3–5 hours per week can build comfort and confidence over the course of a summer.

The Bigger Picture

Financial planning isn’t only about saving and investing—it’s also about protecting the foundation that supports the plan: the ability to earn, adapt, and stay employable.

If you’d like, I can share a simple checklist to help your student identify which AI skills fit their major and how to build them without overspending or overcommitting.