BarbaraOK
Livingston, Texas, USA
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YSE wrote:2chiefsRus wrote:While I agree that getting a college degree is a great idea but it is equally important that you actually apply yourself to the degree program and that it is in an area of study that improves your ability to support yourself. It should also be something that will improve your quality of life - something that you find interesting. Going to college simply to go to college can be an expensive way of killing time.
It took me nearly 10 years of going to night school to obtain my Bachelor's degree while on active duty and I value it even more because of the extra effort. As Aridon said - Knowledge is power.
Well I know I'll probably find the courses relating to my major interesting, but my problem is I'll have a hard time forcing myself to work hard on the courses that, to me, seem unrelated (math, science, etc.). I guess I'll just have to stick with it, though.
The courses that you thing will be unrelated, math and science, are the courses that will teach you the most about how to think critically, how to analyze, how to organize material, in general how to learn. And that is what college is really about, helping you to understand and explore areas and learning how to learn.
Now, living in an RV while going to school would be possible if you are in an area with milder winters. My BIL did that during his last year on his BA degree back in the 70s. And since we can hope that rigs today are built a little better than they were then, this could be doable in places with reasonable winters - - don't think I would try it in Minnesota, etc.
Who knows, you might find you like college and just keep taking classes and getting degrees until they finally end up hiring you - - that's what we did, spent 40+ years on college campuses.
Barb
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YSE
USA
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BarbaraOK wrote:
The courses that you thing will be unrelated, math and science, are the courses that will teach you the most about how to think critically, how to analyze, how to organize material, in general how to learn. And that is what college is really about, helping you to understand and explore areas and learning how to learn.
More so than in high school? Because a lot of the basic classes in high school have done nothing for me. I barely remember a lot of the stuff in even classes I got decent grades in. Most of the valuable things I've learned I learned on my own or by reading books that were not assigned by my school, and that frustrates me. There were a few classes that I can definitely say helped me, but I feel my life and understanding of anything in general would be the same if I only took 50% of the classes I did. If college is really an environment where much of what you learn actually seems useful, I could actually enjoy it.
BarbaraOK wrote:
Now, living in an RV while going to school would be possible if you are in an area with milder winters. My BIL did that during his last year on his BA degree back in the 70s. And since we can hope that rigs today are built a little better than they were then, this could be doable in places with reasonable winters - - don't think I would try it in Minnesota, etc.
I live in NJ, which definitely has cold winters. That was part of why I didn't want to go to school, I could drive it down to the south during colder months. What I didn't mention, though, is that my college is within an hour from both my parents house and the house of an aunt that would probably let me stay with her. I could always live with one of them during the winter and live in the RV the rest of the year. The other thing I was thinking about is possibly getting a old camper van (or another small RV) and spending a year or two fixing it up. I wouldn't live in it all the time, but I could probably spend a few days a week in it. Just kind of something to get away from the house with when I need to...
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YSE
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itsabouttime wrote:I remember how hard it was in highschool trying to decide what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. There are tools available to help with the decision. See your counselor about testing that will help match you with likely career paths. If you don't find the help there, see the counseling office in a local community college. Two tests I have taken are the Kuder and the 16 PF. It might cost a little, maybe $25 or so, but is time and money very well spent.
I was directed towards college all the way through highschool and really getting stressed out by the senior year. We found a technical school, also known as a trade school, and I got enrolled several months before graduation. It felt like the whole world had been lifted off my shoulders. That two year course in electronics got me into several enjoyable jobs and paid our bills for over thirty years. On the other hand, my wife has several degrees and enjoyed teaching college math for a good many years, also at a good wage.
Now we're fulltimers and enjoying what we were too practical to try when we were younger and raising our kids. The kids, by the way, all got college degrees.
Good luck with your decision but don't head into anything without checking out your options first. If you go to college or a trade school, at least know what you are expecting to learn.
Russ
Thanks, I'll have to look into that (the tests). I kind of want to go to a technical school for something like web design or IT, but I'm not sure.
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hitchup
Fulltiming in Mount Airy.
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I met my hubby when I was a Senior in high school. He was 18, in a Navy-CB unit (construction battalion). He didn't know what he wanted to do even after 4 years in military.
But because he was married with a son and had Military benefits with college money, he signed up for Jr College in the first thing that was available. He received an Associates Degree in construction in 2 years.
We've had lots of different lives from Coast to Coast thanks to his education and military experience, the economy, family members and our willingness to try new thing. Even though we waited to RV until all the kids were grown we could have tried it sooner if we didn't decide to have 6 kids.
I'm thankful everyday because he chose an occupation where he moves from job to job. We get paid extra to Fulltime. And for us, it doesn't get much better than that.
2009 DRV Mobile Suite 38TKSB3....our custom home
2008 Ford F450 Lariat CC 4x4......his office
Working Fulltimers since 3/2005
"Shoot for the Moon! Even if you miss it, you will land among the Stars."
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teknomad
Land of Enchantment
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itsabouttime wrote:I remember how hard it was in highschool trying to decide what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. There are tools available to help with the decision. See your counselor about testing that will help match you with likely career paths. If you don't find the help there, see the counseling office in a local community college. Two tests I have taken are the Kuder and the 16 PF. It might cost a little, maybe $25 or so, but is time and money very well spent.
I will never forget those tests because they only reflect one’s interests and not one’s aptitude. Because I showed an interest in Nature, I was told my best choice was to become a forest ranger at a time when women were not even being considered for that job. I could not imagine sitting alone on a mountaintop watching for smoke or directing tourists in National Parks. Being a classic left-brain/right-brain type I ended up working in high-tech/science with an avocation in design, including home, landscape and graphics. Doing many things works well for me. That way, one is never out of a job or hobbies.
The best thing to do may be to expose yourself do different careers. You could go to a Jr. college and do some work study programs. Also volunteer in places that you feel you might want to work: Graphic design offices, architects, IT, etc. BTW, many IT people have learned most of what they know on their own. Actually, that is the way it is with most careers. Those who have a passion for their work and become the “best” only get a base in their training and the rest they learn via self study and being mentored.
While these do slow you down, at least you won’t get stuck on a path that you won’t feel comfortable with in the end. Be sure to put together a résumé and portfolio of the work that you have done.
Remember, most people have at least 3 careers in their lifetime in the U.S. You don’t have to worry that you are stuck in something for a lifetime.
Intrepida
___________
“If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home.” – James Michener
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Galvorien52
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I'm surprised that more people haven't suggested the military! You can get great training for just about any type of work, get money for school, travel, and get paid for working. If you commit to 3 to 4 yrs of your life - the same amount of time you'd use in a college - you get all that as well as many great experiences. The military will give your life structure and your commitment is one that is greatly appreciated these days. For what you're thinking about going into, I'd suggest checking out the Air Force or Navy. And don't sweat things like BCT (basic combat training) - if you're the average high schooler you can do it and have fun at the same time. Admittedly, it's not for everyone, but don't fail to check into it just because you think it's not really for you. Never close an open door before peeking inside!
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DianneOK
Donnelly, ID
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I have been struggling with a response for some time...
Galvorien hit the nail on the head! Both of our sons went into the US Navy right out of HS and it was the best thing the they did. Both got their schooling, a trade and then an education with professional careers in their chosen fields. DH went after 2 years of college. Served 7 years, then went on to 30 years in Law Enforcement.
Trade 4-6 years of your young life for a lifetime of opportunities  We never regretted our military service
Dianne
Donnelly, ID
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skylos
Issaquah, WA
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How many of those 4-6 year 'trades' come home in a bag or to years of pain and illness, instead of to opportunities?
It bears consideration when deciding to give somebody else permission to decide when and where you live, die, and go.
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Philo
San Diego
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Awesome topic and great answers.
I would recommend the RV/College/Part Time Job route. I have managed 1000's of 18-30 year olds in the past 35 years. The ones that are most satisfied/happy/content with their lives have one thing in common. A college education. It's not that you can't achive those things without a FULL college education, it just stacks the deck in your favor. It takes a lot of discipline to complete the entire program.
I'll bet that if you are not sure if it's right for you, you'll never finish if you start.
There a lot of young people who have regretted "joining" the Military, changed their minds and not been able to "get-out" or ended up in a war they never expected and then kept getting re-deployed. Is that for you? War is HELL.
You make think you know most everything you need to know now, but you are just getting started. The journey is more complicated than you think. The more you know the more interesting life becomes. The decision you make now will shape the rest of your years.
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itsabouttime
Midland, TX
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teknomad wrote:itsabouttime wrote:I remember how hard it was in highschool trying to decide what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. There are tools available to help with the decision. See your counselor about testing that will help match you with likely career paths. If you don't find the help there, see the counseling office in a local community college. Two tests I have taken are the Kuder and the 16 PF. It might cost a little, maybe $25 or so, but is time and money very well spent.
I will never forget those tests because they only reflect one’s interests and not one’s aptitude. Because I showed an interest in Nature, I was told my best choice was to become a forest ranger at a time when women were not even being considered for that job. I could not imagine sitting alone on a mountaintop watching for smoke or directing tourists in National Parks. Being a classic left-brain/right-brain type I ended up working in high-tech/science with an avocation in design, including home, landscape and graphics. Doing many things works well for me. That way, one is never out of a job or hobbies.
The best thing to do may be to expose yourself do different careers. You could go to a Jr. college and do some work study programs. Also volunteer in places that you feel you might want to work: Graphic design offices, architects, IT, etc. BTW, many IT people have learned most of what they know on their own. Actually, that is the way it is with most careers. Those who have a passion for their work and become the “best” only get a base in their training and the rest they learn via self study and being mentored.
While these do slow you down, at least you won’t get stuck on a path that you won’t feel comfortable with in the end. Be sure to put together a résumé and portfolio of the work that you have done.
Remember, most people have at least 3 careers in their lifetime in the U.S. You don’t have to worry that you are stuck in something for a lifetime.
Just a point of clarification; there are tests that rely on interest or aptitude but these are neither. They compare your personality factors with people already employed in various jobs. They do not give just one answer but list numerous possibilities in multiple career fields.
I also agree with the suggestions for military service. It gives one an opportunity to look around and get some good training at the same time. I realize this might not be the best time to be in military service but our generation had Vietnam, the previous one had Korea, etc. At least this generation doesn't have the draft.
Russ
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