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I went to college right out of HS and wasn't ready. Managed to get through, barely, but got lucky to get into computers in the late 60's and have made a career of it every since. Love my job, have had a great life and can't complain.

My son didn't know what he wanted to do when he got out of HS, was accepted to college but ended up going into the Army (recruited into the Army band). Spent 8 years as an enlisted man, got out for 2 years to finish college under ROTC and went back in as an officer.

He is now 40, a Major and will retire next year with a fine pension and paid medical. He is also now in computers so will be able to make the transition to civilian life quickly and easily and be making well into the 6 figures.

Who know what he would have ended up doing if he had gone to college right out of HS but I sincerely doubt he would be as well off as he is not.

 

What is your occupation?
Project Manager for a telephone company - [TELUS] managing the installation of internet and TV equipment
Do you enjoy it?
Right now I am looking more forward to retirement than going to work each day, but that is due to the fact that I am at the very end of my career. My job has let me travel all over [truly] the world and been as exciting as any that I know of.
If no, why?
Just plain old fashion getting tired. As well I need to spend more time with the ones that I love before they are gone.
Did you go to college?
Yes - without that, there would have not been the opportunities to travel the world and have an exciting job. [Nor have the Crossfire ]

 

Business owner at 17. Hated it. I felt like the business was running me instead of me running my business.

Professional dancer from 20 to 36. Traveled the world and loved every minute of it. Met all kinds of people from all over. Got too old to dance and resistant to the politics involved.

I didn't go to college. I had my own business and wanted to be a dancer. I knew what I wanted to do and didn't have time to waste. In hind sight, College would have helped immediately and now that I'm retired from what I love, the degree would have helped me get into the production, administration or direction side if thats what I wanted. The lack of a degree will limit your salary and opportunities unless you can go into business for yourself. So I'm in business for myself once again.

But now I run my business and it doesn't run me. Something I imagine you would learn in College in 4 years and not the 20 year way.

Les

 

you are seeing a lot of grt careers here, and although you will choose your path well, I know, 'cause you chose your type of car well...I won't bore you with all the things I have done, but I will tell you this...don't do nothing. Go to school after you graduate HS...doesn't really matter where, and you can take general studies classes to start. Make friends, see what they are doing, hang out with sucessful people in your area, try out some jobs this summer and next summer as an intern, but do something in the way of schooling after HS...'cause that is where we are headed as far as employers are concerned. You can weed out a lot of applicants just by the phase " college degree required " and employers use it. I have worked 2 jobs my whole life when I could have done just one...so, my advice here, is don't spread yourself too thin in life because it goes by very quickly. Working in transportation by day (trucking), and being a cop at night were some very long days, and a lot of wasted weekends, but I enjoyed it for many yrs...owned a few side line businesses, and partnered in a few businesses along the way...there are a lot of ways to make a living, but, the key word is "desire". Where do you want to be 20 yrs from now? Set a goal, and go for it, don't let negative people put you down...good luck...

 

Like oledoc said, do something. I would add that whatever jobs you find to do, do them well. Do them the best way you can, and then improve some more. If you adopt an attitude of high personal standards you will grow and find new opportunities, even if the task at hand is a crappy one. Keep your eyes open and your head up. Learn new things every day. And learn to think logically, critically, and independently. Learn to please others, but don't live to please others. Be respectful and considerate, especially to those who can do nothing for you. A person who is a jerk will never know the opportunities he has lost as he passes through life.

I decorate for special events like corporate meetings and parties as well as weddings and other social events. I have spent the last 20 years building an inventory of props, murals, and scenery that is the core of my business. The rental side of the business allows me to make new money from work I produced years ago. I earned a degree in humanities ( I was not a good student) and chose a job painting billboards for a large company. Freelance signpainting led me to what I am doing today. I love what I do, and I love the things I build and paint. I find it easy to sell my services, but a bit harder in today's economy. Check out www.optricsltd.com and view my warehouse gallery if you are curious.

Good luck. Your inquisitive nature is a good thing.

 

So true. If you are known for doing well ALL THE TIME, even with "crappy" or "unimportant" jobs - you will soon find yourself trusted to do greater and greater things. And do NOT forget that what the boss thinks of you is only part of it - customers and co-workers will provide your references more often than the boss. These people see you when he doesn't. They see your character and work ethic and will later testify to it.

 

Electrical Engineer. I was born to do this. I can be an idiot in most other things but I rock at product developement. Glad I found my niche. Out of High School I worked in a factory, got drafted, got honorably discarged and went back to the factory. Didn't really suit me so I used the GI bill to get my EE degree. 35 years later still learning something new most every day. I think college teaches you how to learn. There are very few people doing today exactly what they did when they started. New stuff just keeps coming at you and you gotta be ready to embrace it or get left behind.

The advice about finding a good woman and sticking with them worked for me. Today is my 42nd wedding aniversary. Get a good one. Take good care of them and they will take good care of you.

 

The main (well, ONLY) reason my little company is not doing well is just that - the boss REFUSES to change; to learn; to grow. He does not even have a computer in his office OR an email account.


So much truth there - but it takes TWO very mature people to stay together these days.
I met the perfect woman for me, (twice) but was too distracted and stupid to realize it.