My life

[JoshM]

Go to college. Even a 2 year degree in something worthwhile is better than nothing.

As Geoff highlighted:
I got a 2 year degree in Criminal Justice. Why? It was easy. What am I doing with it? Nothing at all.
I wasted money and years in college for nothing. Sure I got drunk a lot for free, and met my wife, but the degree isn't helping me now. All I can do with it in my immediate area is become a cop. Fuck that... I could have done that without wasting money in college.



Starting this fall I'm going back to a tech school for either a Surgical Tech or Radiation Tech. 1-2 years of school, making $40-$60k a year... much better than the $25k I'm making now.

[XcluziveAZN]

When i graduated from high school. I was like I know everything about computer and why do i need a B.S. degree in Computer....try getting a job in computer field without BS degree or experience other than bestbuy and circuity city and you will see how hard it is.

I started as a intern for a company getting minimum wage then I went to college and get computer job within school for $10/hr and graduated with BS degree in CIS and now making $50K + full benefit. 50K might not be much to some but at 24 and living at home and no debt....that is more than enough for me. I no longer stress out about money issue unlike before. I live a happier life now than before.

I'm telling you I learned so much in college and til today i use everything i learn in my job.

Why do you want to work so hard. Life is short damn it! you have to enjoy every single of it.

I see people in college in their 40s and 50s going back to college so that they don't have to work hard for minimal

Please go to college if you can now. You won't regret it later trust me. It will open up you mind. Computer Science is a great degree to get and you can work any where! just don't get degree in history....

if you are a smart kid why don't you go and be a smarter kid. Don't settle for less!

[cb7_with_snail]

JoshM beat him to it. I agree with everyone else kid. I did 2 yeasrs at pitt state knocked up my woman and dropped out. Yea I make 40k a year now. But man what I could have done if I stayed. Its ur future and your future kids lives. Don't skimp out.

[HondaB18]

I'm searching through forums for simple advice, anything helps. I'm 18 and graduating this month. I had plans to attend post-secondary schooling for computer science. I still can, but I have doubts in what is possible with graduating college in-comparison to what I can do with a jump start to my life in the open world. In hopes of being very successful, I now have thoughts of working up north with a close friend for 2-3 years and building a base in which we can invest into building a business with each other. We're both smart kids, and have vast amounts of aspiration to be successful in life, and not suffer from the dreaded 9-5. If there is anyway you can help in revising my plan to better my future, It would be well appreciated.

this is something you are gonna have to decide for yourself. the reality is, you can make a good amount with or without a degree. if you are smart you can make it, if not then be smarter i guess

you can always start your own business later and you can always go get a degree later, i would suggest whichever makes you happier since even if you fail/drop out (if, not saying you will or will not) you would be happier than failing/dropping out doing something you have no interest in

your biggest issue right now is working for someone, if that is the case. you can use capital to start your business instead of going to college

I have a part time job at Dominos Pizza as a 'delivery expert', and make fairly substantial income.

is that like a fancy delivery driver or something...? all i read was age 18, dominos and delivery

[CRX Toad]

I have my 4 year degree in business and a MBA. Crazy thing is I have blue collar traits (ask my biz coach he sits back and is astonished) as such working hard on the farm, on cars or right now starting an auto recycling business. Going to college isn't all about the degree sometimes as to what you learn outside of class. I've never been drunk, did drugs, smoke...shoot my wife is the only girl I've slept with but life without what a degree would have been hard. I learned a ton from being out on my own both inside and outside of the classroom. And remember you cannot start where our parents are you have to work up the ladder.

Either get a degree or get into a trade like electrician or plumber. I can tell you may have some debt coming out but it is worth it. When I hired people in the past I skipped over anyone without a degree unless they had sometime real impressive on their resume.

If you had more of a plan that "start a biz" at sometime in the future it might be different.

[Herban Lejund]

I can write computer programs as it stands, I don't need a degree for that. I'd can go to school and be much in debt, or be 4 years experienced in something directly relevant to my life. I do not plan to be working my whole life under someone else, and that's all college is going to do for me.

I know everyone is different, but I was saying the same things when I was your age. I skipped college and went into banking where I had a nice career, until the mortgage industry imploded. Im 34 now, and guess what? Back in school...lol - just got my associates degree last week, now off to 4 yr state school.

Get the degree, you're young, and any opportunity you have today, you will most likely have tomorrow. In fact, why not go to school while working on a business? A business degree sounds like it would be helpful to you. Good luck!

[crazymikey]

If you're thinking of moving up north to go work on the rigs and stuff, I would also tell you to consider applying to the railway.

You pretty much have a guaranteed career out of it that pays very well and you have full benefits and pension. Minimum age to start is 18, and if you start now, you have it made for life, and you can retire at 55.

You also don't have to relocate and spend weeks/months away from your real life.

Whatever you choose to do, good luck. You're young enough now that it's easy to jump around between jobs and gain valuable life and work experience.

[Tdub90]

Or you could join the service. I know I'm no where near smart. But I'm joining the army to mahe some bank. Do ur part for your country. Live on barracks. They give u food. Clothes a place to sleep when u do ur 3 to 4 years the help pay rent and medical. They will even pay for some or if do good enough pay for all of your college. I'm. 20 and that's what I'm doing. And if you try to get a job. They see that on your app or resume. They will see that and that ur disiplined and a leader. .... just my opinion and another option.

[leroy457]

Or you could join the service. I know I'm no where near smart. But I'm joining the army to mahe some bank. Do ur part for your country. Live on barracks. They give u food. Clothes a place to sleep when u do ur 3 to 4 years the help pay rent and medical. They will even pay for some or if do good enough pay for all of your college. I'm. 20 and that's what I'm doing. And if you try to get a job. They see that on your app or resume. They will see that and that ur disiplined and a leader. .... just my opinion and another option.

Proof read there brother. I am in the United States Marine Corps and I love it. There is a service out there for everyone. if you dont like alot of hard work, go Air Force. If you want to travel go Navy. If you want to get into the thick of it then the Army or the Marines. The Marines is a whole different beast than the Army. VERY strict and VERY demanding. You can get an associates degree just by completing your training and through PME(primary military education). If you want to go to college the you can. You could go reserve and start a business like I am currently in the process of doing. Anything in life worth doing isnt going to be easy and is also going to take a little bit of time.

[TheNextEpisode]

Stop thinking about money.

Seriously at the end of your working life 45+ years from now, do you think money alone will make you feel fulfilled? As much as money is critical right now, the next 10-ish years will likely affect the rest of your life more than any other decade will.

Its a pretty common mindset, but college should NOT be attended to obtain a higher starting salary. You attend college because you're hungry for more knowledge in a field you're passionate enough about to throw yourself into the clutches of debt, all-nighters, and stressed out finals weeks. You do it because you are driven to better the field, or better yourself through the field of your interest. Money should be no where near the list of reasons for higher education.

So if you don't feel dedicated to any one particular field, screw college. College alone won't open doors. But if you are driven to any one particular field, its your only option.

If you feel that you can be mentally fulfilled by pursuing jobs without a degree, and that is COMPLETELY plausible, then do it. But make sure your decisions are towards a fuller life, and not a richer one.

[DarkHusk11]

Stop thinking about money.

Seriously at the end of your working life 45+ years from now, do you think money alone will make you feel fulfilled? As much as money is critical right now, the next 10-ish years will likely affect the rest of your life more than any other decade will.

Its a pretty common mindset, but college should NOT be attended to obtain a higher starting salary. You attend college because you're hungry for more knowledge in a field you're passionate enough about to throw yourself into the clutches of debt, all-nighters, and stressed out finals weeks. You do it because you are driven to better the field, or better yourself through the field of your interest. Money should be no where near the list of reasons for higher education.

So if you don't feel dedicated to any one particular field, screw college. College alone won't open doors. But if you are driven to any one particular field, its your only option.

If you feel that you can be mentally fulfilled by pursuing jobs without a degree, and that is COMPLETELY plausible, then do it. But make sure your decisions are towards a fuller life, and not a richer one.

Could not agree more with you! I need to get my ass in college and stop slacking