Life after highschool.

[h22sparkle]

the only thing i have done since graduating from high school is

-missing my friends
- work
- sit on my ass
-go back to work

Oddly, i'd rather be broke and be stuck in an eternity where it was just high school repeating over and over. I didn't have a care back then and i had a full head of hair.

then why not go to college on campus then with your friends.

[Tnwagn]

I went to college, worked at two different manufacturing companies doing engineering work, lined up a full time job, graduated with 0 debt thanks to scholarships, and have been working in the field for almost a year now and I love it.

I have friends who went to college, didn't do any work, racked up tons of debt, have no career job prospects, who are back living at home with mom and dad working at go-nowhere jobs.

I have friends who didn't go to college, busted their asses at their own jobs they'd held since high school, moved on to management, got married, are making very good money and love their lives with their families.

I have friends who didn't go to college, who have done just enough to scrape by at their dead-end jobs who have no hope or interest in anything.

All that's to say that there is no "right" answer. For some, college works and for some it doesn't make sense. Honestly, I would lean on the side of going only if you can show, with a reasonable amount of certainty, that you will come out ahead in the long run economically. Going to college because "that's what you do to get a good job" is a terrible outlook and will most likely lead you to 4 years of partying followed by decades of crushing debt.

[J-specCb4]

im a very lucky guy. after hs i worked a few random jobs and then after about 2 years got serious about school. i went to columbia to learn photography and about 2 years in got so busy school had to go. im doing pretty well, and a degree in my field doesnt do much for you ive learned. experience is key when it comes to what i do, and my resume/portfolio grows pretty much daily.


I LOVE what i do!

[Leung]

then why not go to college on campus then with your friends.

financial responsibilities, going to an actual campus would not allow me to work full time.

[deevergote]

I went to college, worked at two different manufacturing companies doing engineering work, lined up a full time job, graduated with 0 debt thanks to scholarships, and have been working in the field for almost a year now and I love it.

I have friends who went to college, didn't do any work, racked up tons of debt, have no career job prospects, who are back living at home with mom and dad working at go-nowhere jobs.

I have friends who didn't go to college, busted their asses at their own jobs they'd held since high school, moved on to management, got married, are making very good money and love their lives with their families.

I have friends who didn't go to college, who have done just enough to scrape by at their dead-end jobs who have no hope or interest in anything.

All that's to say that there is no "right" answer. For some, college works and for some it doesn't make sense. Honestly, I would lean on the side of going only if you can show, with a reasonable amount of certainty, that you will come out ahead in the long run economically. Going to college because "that's what you do to get a good job" is a terrible outlook and will most likely lead you to 4 years of partying followed by decades of crushing debt.

Exactly. And if you go to college for something that requires graduate study to do anything worthwhile, be sure you're aware of that when you start. My psychology degree is absolutely worthless without a graduate degree. Grad school was my plan, but I took forever getting out of undergrad (25 years old... I had already been a homeowner for 2 years by then!) Situations changed, and I'm still trying to go back. I'll be 36 or so by the time I finally get my Masters at this rate, and 40ish by the time I get the doctorate... that's half my life gone before I even start my chosen career.
If you want to do grad school, blow straight through. Masters by 24-25. If you choose to go for a doctorate, aim for earning it before you turn 30.

im a very lucky guy. after hs i worked a few random jobs and then after about 2 years got serious about school. i went to columbia to learn photography and about 2 years in got so busy school had to go. im doing pretty well, and a degree in my field doesnt do much for you ive learned. experience is key when it comes to what i do, and my resume/portfolio grows pretty much daily.


I LOVE what i do!

Yeah, any degree in the arts will often land you a very low paying job with little room for advancement, if anything. What you've done could've been done with no degree... but the education you received helped you make the best of your profession. You probably learned plenty of things in your years in school that photographers with no formal education take a decade to figure out!
Your success in the photography field is due mainly to your own drive, self promotion, and talent.

[604CB7]

I figured I might as well chime in with my two cents. I do fully agree with Deev that you should goto college and relax some. Yes, don't get complacent and just goof off but slowly figure out what it is that you wish to do. As long as the time you spend in college is good and it allows you to figure things out, it's not in vain. Working part time is usually needed as you need money to live. If you are interested in business take a few first year courses and see if they are to your liking. If they are then pursue them further. If not, try something else.

Being from the same area, and being a bit older I can tell you that I do know that our area is hard to find a good career. But with a good education, good contacts and a bit of luck, you should be able to find something. Remember, it's all about timing and perseverance.

[crazymikey]

Also, it's not always what you know, but who you know.

That's kinda how I landed my current job.

[10thAnnivCB7]

Go to school for a career and pursue it. I graduated high school in 2011. Started at UTI 3 months after. Finished UTI this january and im a utility clerk at a diesel shop. As soon as a mechanic position is open ill vid for it. $16 an hour is not bad for a 21 year old with barely any bills.

[crazymikey]

Skilled labour and trades are in demand, and the demand is only growing with the aging baby boomer population. Guys are retiring faster than graduates are coming into their fields.

If you want to make good coin quickly, choose a reliable trade, like HVAC gas fitter, plumber, electrician. Choose something which is a service that many people or businesses need. This will guarantee job stability in the field, as there will always be demand for the service.

Previosuly mentioned, I went to school for HVAC. Got trained and certified, yet nobody would hire me because I was under 25 and was right out of trade school with no experience. It was hard to get my foot in the door. The company I did my co-op with hired me full time, which lasted 3 months before 6 guys, including myself were layed off due to a slow season. After that, I moved provinces, where my ticket was not valid, and I never pursued it further because I just wasn't happy in that field of work.

I'm a car guy. I HAVE to work with cars. Any job I've had in the automotive industry has kept me happy and sane.

People will tell you "go to school and get a job so you don't have to be some joe slugging it in a factory for the rest of your life."

You know what? I've worked quite a few factory jobs, and honestly, I enjoyed them. A lot. At times, yes they can become boring and repetitive. But, generally they are safe workplaces that are a pretty stress free environment. You come in every day and know what you have to do. You do your job, put your time in, get paid, go home.

From working factory jobs, I think they have actually made me a better employee for other jobs. Fast paced assembly line work teaches you several things:

1. Efficiency/productivity. You have to work quick, smart and organized to do your tasks in the alotted time. You never stand around idle looking for something to do. You are always busy and always doing something. This translates into every other job I've had. I hate down time. I have to be productive and moving and doing something at all times, unless I'm on my break.

2. Quality Control. Yes, you're working quick, but you also have to put out quality. You become responsible for your work before it creates problems down the line. See Efficiency.

3. Learn on the fly. You need to learn and master tasks quickly. You need to be able to think and make quick decisions

4. Teamwork.

5. Safety. Working factory jobs will make you much more safety conscious, both at work and in your personal life. As many factories put a huge emphasis on safety, it not only becomes part of work, but a lifestyle. Something you do at work as a safety precaution might save your life at home one day.

[toycar]

I personally think that college education is pointless w/out a very specific plan. If you are just flying by the seat of your pants, you could easily waste away 4 years of your life at Wal-Mart and work your way into a 40k/year job as a manager.


Been there, done that.


I did college 2 decades ago, for auto electrical engineering. Had a full ride for athletics for 2 yrs and paid for the other 2. Well, never worked in that field and seriously didn't REALLY make it in life till 10 or so years ago. It certainly wasn't because of my piece of paper degree. It was my ambition and willingness to do anything and everything to make it in life.



The debt is real and if you DONT have some kind of venue into a 70-80k STARTING salary job, I question if its worth it or not. Recently there was a national study that suggested people graduating from community colleges made more money, and even then their meidan income was about 35k.


Thats DICK in the real world. I have recently considered going to college to get a masters, but I now have a resume that says pay this guy to back up that up. A degree isn't enough to walk onto a job and make it in life, and I think that is the illusion of college.


Maybe 1/10 people get that. Another 3/10 fail completely, and the other 6/10 make 30 grand or so a year. Look at your reciept next time you are at Burger king, and you'll see a starting manager makes like $30,000. The local QT gas station advertises starting salaries at 40k.



So, to me, without a specific plan college CAN be a ripoff and it CAN ruine your life.

Look at Deeve(no offense). With a pair of college degrees, he should make 6 figures. Especially with a degree in psychology. He doesn't though. I bet he would be happy to have a m-f job that was 40 hours a week and paid 50-60k/yr.


No offense, not trying to be nosy. Just saying. College isn't what it used to be. Retarded people get accepted to college just the same as brilliant ones. Both of your degree's will say the same shit, from the same place. It is NOT that piece of paper that gets you the job most of the time.