'Back in the day' being an accounting major, being in the top 10% of your class, you could pick your firm - they were all after the same students. Being a CPA was kind of like being an FBI agent, so yes, you're right, it did have cache!
I guess all this works for now but I do worry about lost knowledge in the future. There will be a gap - not so many who have worked their way up from mailroom to CEO. I think those days are over.
Thinking longterm, I don't think 'the world is flat' mentality is good for the USA.
My daughter is a nursing major and my son is like your son - kind of clueless at 14. We'd be happy if he showed some handiness - always room for a good plumber or electrician. All I know is he has to have a college education because that's requisite - and hopefully something will jump out at him.
We have a friend who owns a sheetrock business - he learned as a kid when his father started up the business and then he and his brother took it over when the dad died. He hires Americans - pays them $15 to $20 an hour (not get rich money as we live in Ma) but lately he cannot keep up with other sheetrock companies as they are hiring either illegals or new immigrants and paying them $5 - $8 per hour.
I don't know what all this means but globalism definitely has 'moved our cheese' and you can no longer assume you'll be able to make a living at doing sort of the same thing for most of your life - and continuing ed is something that is important (sort of hard to save for lifelong education and save for the kids education as well). OK for chiefs I guess, but the Indians are sure gonna suffer.
Good luck in your new job!
I also did not have clue as what I would do post HS.
Junior college for 2+yrs, while holding full time job. Trade school 3 yrs. Worked 8 yrs in trade, moved to another part of trade for 4yrs.
Then into computers, no previous experience,4yrs. Then into IT for major Co.
Still in IT 9yrs later.
Amongst friends and family can name only 3 or 4 that are doing what they trained for in College.
My point to this long explanation is that with some knowledge, basic problem solving skills and good work ethic someone should be able to find employment.
May not be what you want but while paycheck is coming in , one can look for something more to his/her liking, or better payscale.