My father was an artist, and was completely clueless about what I was doing, but was very supportive. He was not an outgoing person, but later got into local politics, and that experience taught me a lot about people (and ethics). No matter what I was doing, or you will be doing, really basic psychology is at work, as in communication and persuasion. He also got me started in music, which has been a wonderful hobby all my life. For all I know, specific career advice might be rare. He wanted me to be a dentist. I found science and tech more appealing!
And things change! My Dad grew up in a world of newspapers (He was a commercial artist) and telephones pre-dating rotary dials, vacuum tubes and no transistors and such. Things really change, even over a short period, as you note.
My own college education was in physics, which essentially prepares you for every job other than physics. And since service intervened, I hopped on the aerospace job train, in optics, electronic engineering and eventually, computing, around the time when you could actually build and own your own.
I never had any mentor, so to speak, and I understand your desire for one. I hope you do find one, because a mentor can share experience and wisdom that you would otherwise learn the hard way. I sure did.
But ask what is enduring in all this change. I tell young people to become electricians, because power generation and distribution are essential. In your case, electrical engineering. and since computers run everything, your interest in computing will be important. I needn't remind anyone how vulnerable power control systems are when sloppily programmed.
And if it all falls apart, people in remote communities will always need electricity from solar or whatever, and cost-effective, reliable systems.
Here in California, communities who didn't long ago set up their own power companies, negotiating with suppliers directly, are paying a terrible price for the monopoly or duopoly which burned entire communities with outdated equipment and forged safety records. We are paying for the renewed infrastructure whose budget went to shareholders and executives instead. Unfortunately, switchover takes time, and it's just too late for many. Nearby Fresno has the highest total electrical costs in the U.S. [0]
Well, just my two cents. To be honest, I was (and still am) a Jack of all trades, adapting to various job opportunities, from aerospace, to education, finance, sales engineering, and whatnot.
Seek good advice, and build your basic competence (as I did with physics) and confidence. We are all problem-solvers, and the ability to bring in ideas from outside a specialty can pay handsomely.
And avoid forums other than Hacker News. They are overrun by bots.
[0] https://gvwire.com/2025/05/09/fresno-pays-the-most-for-elect...