Free Career and Job Search Advice

kdm31091 · Newbie Joined: 24 Nov 2006 Posts: 3 Career Advice: +0/-0

My name is Kevin and I'm 15. I realize I'm young but I'm already thinking of my future, and I hope not to be yelled at, but I am seriously considering not going to college. Here are the reasons:

1) I do not really have a passion for any major I could find in college.
2) Expensive.
3) I want to be succesful on my own, not just because a piece of paper degree says I am.
4) I want to decide my own life - as in, I wanna move where I wanna move, live where I wanna live when I'm older, not based upon colleges and such.

It sounds bogus, lazy, or lame maybe, but it's true. What are good jobs that will stay good for people with just high school diplomas? I have a partner who I am probably planning to be with forever (it's that good Smile

) so we will be sharing income obviously. So what are some good job opportunities that make fairly good money for high school grads?

Katja144 · Expert Joined: 22 Aug 2005 Posts: 176 Career Advice: +2/-0

You know, I could make arguments either way. On one hand, it seems like employers don't care about education so much as experience, so spending those four years actually gaining experience and getting other training might do you good.

On the other hand, the job market is getting so bad that any little edge you can have on the next person will help. Don't forget that when our parents graduated, a high school diploma was enough; then they turned 40 and 50 and now they can't get jobs because people with degrees have become a dime a dozen. I went to college because I didn't want to end up that way (and it is probably also why I will eventually go to graduate school).

The only time where you'll live will be based on colleges is for the four years you're in college, then you can go wherever you want. You realize, though, that where you'll live will also be based on your partner; relationships can really tie one down. If s/he has a job s/he loves and you want to move, you'll have a hard decision about what to do.

And I hate to say this, but relationships end. I'm not just blowing smoke out my @ss, I've learned this the hard way--no matter how much someone says they want to be with you forever, it's amazing how quickly and without remorse they can change their minds. So do be prepared for the possibility of that happening, and make sure you can subsist on your own income by yourself in case you need to.

Personally I'd advise you to go to college and try to get all the grants and scholarships that you can to soften the blow of the tuition. Make sure you go to school in a large enough town, or near enough a large enough town if you have a car, that you can find a job that's hopefully close to what you're going to school for that you can keep for as close to all four years as you can. Major in something that'll hopefully get you a job, even if it's not your favorite thing. For now, see if you can find jobs or volunteer positions also in the field you'll be going into to get more experience (you sense an emphasis on *experience* in all this, yes?). I'm telling you all of this with the mistakes *I* made about college in mind, just so you know I'm not making it up out of nowhere.

kdm31091 · Newbie Joined: 24 Nov 2006 Posts: 3 Career Advice: +0/-0

Oh I fully know they end, and it HAS ended. But we reconnected and such. And maybe it won't last forever, but I like to think so, and our personalities mesh so perfectly on most things. It's almost 100% the ideal person for me (of course, nobody is ever 100% ideal).

Anyway, what's the deal with online courses? Are they bullcrap, or a good idea? I think I'd be more motivated being able to complete the work in the comfort of my home rather then in a classroom.

How good is an associate's degree? What majors is it most effective for? I say this because one area I wish to live in (perhaps for good) has a community college, but not much else.

I really don't know what to do. Here are some careers I am or have considered:

1. Teacher - I rejected this idea because it's not great money, they're not appreciated, and they work more then it appears.

2. Florist - being gay, yes I like flowers haha. But again, very crappy money, although seems like a great job for me.

3. Hairstylist - Yet again horrible money, on your feet constantly.

4. Chef - I would like culinary school. But bad hours, on your feet alot, tends to be bad money.

5. Admin Assistant - this might actually be good. Average payscale but combined with partner could work out. However, may get tedious.

6. Waiter - I could start low, and would, but work up to a nice restaraunt where the benefits and payscales are higher. What are some states in which waiters are paid well? I'm not talking about paid higher to match the living costs, but paid higher in general?

7 - Postal/Mail Clerk or Carrier - Pretty good pay, benefits, hours, etc. No college required...?

Any comments on those 7 ideas?

Best states to live in for these jobs? Lowest costs of living etc?

kdm31091 · Newbie Joined: 24 Nov 2006 Posts: 3 Career Advice: +0/-0

Any other advice or comments?

lilo · Posted: Sat Dec 02, 2006 3:49 pm Post subject:

Pffff....you're a hard nut to crack, aren't you? When it comes to listening and ACCEPTING advice....But it's ok, believe it or not, I have once felt like you do now....well...maybe in a lesser degree Smile

)
Okay. First thing first: how hard can it be to take a college degree? I can see you're a smart guy, it takes a lot to state at your 15s that you don't want to go to college and actually offer an argumentation for this. But are you sure these arguments are solid? They might be solid now, but you'll see later...The uses of a college degree I mean.
I say this: DO WHATEVER YOU LIKE TO DO. Do you like something in particular? C'mon...there must be something...And go to some college in parallel. Listen to this: I have a friend who's 37 now. He lives in Illinois. He has been in Iraq as a soldier and has served there for 2 years until he was injured and had to come back. 3 kids, divorced, only a pension he got from the army. Do you know what he's doin' right now? College. Do you want to know why? Cause no d*** employer would pay him as he deserved because he didn't have a college degree.

You've stated your opinion on some particular jobs...well...you're in "those years" to perceive them like that. Your opinion will probably change later on. I'm not sayin you're not right though Smile

)

What else? I can't quite give you any advice cause I'm not in your shoes and You'll do whatever you choose to anyway. I'm going to tell you that I'm not old, I'm 22, and I have taken school as a means of developping myself in knowledge. I don't consider it a compulsory thing to do, but a helpful thing.
That's it. Hope I made my point.

maximteo · Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 6:16 pm Post subject:

Wanna hear some advice from a Singaporean?

Don't be dumb! If you can afford college, go do it.

Here's why to all your reasons:

1) I do not really have a passion for any major I could find in college.
- Pick a major with a skill or something practical in the job market. Get yourself equipt with at least one asset that can help you bring in the bread and butter if you're in a dead end doing what you are passionate for.

- Maybe you're still young to know what you really wan or have passion for. (i didn't know till i was 21!)

- For all you know, you may build a passion for what you major in.

2) Expensive.
- like i said...if you or your parents can afford it..

3) I want to be succesful on my own, not just because a piece of paper degree says I am.
- A piece of paper doesn't tell you that you are successful. I know people who have masters degree and still know shit and definately not successful.
- A piece of paper in my country gives you an edge or a "ticket" to more opportunities.
- Getting this piece of paper requires you to study, to learn, to gain knowledge. And from a batman movie the riddler said "If knowledge is power than I am God!" So bottom line is, learn learn and learn! The more you know, the more weapons you have for success.

4) I want to decide my own life - as in, I wanna move where I wanna move, live where I wanna live when I'm older, not based upon colleges and such.
- You're only 15! In my country, if a 15 year old say what you just said, and do as he wishes...he usually ends up in getting into bad company, join gangs, commit crime (cos no money, need to steal)..and eventually end up in jail (and get many strokes of caning)

So my dear boy Kevin. Me coming from the busy and super competitive society in Singapore, I probably have a conservative or "careful" kinda mindset. But honestly, i don't think its a bad thing.
Cos to be independent, u need to provide for yourself.
How do you do that? u need money.
How do you get money? u either steal, beg, or earn that money.
How do you earn money, u can either start a business (for which u need money to begin with), or work.
How do you get a job(or specifically a good decent paying job), u need qualification.
How do you get qualification? u need to go to school and get that piece of paper.

So bottom line is.... go to college
Twisted Evil

[/b]

Randy · Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 10:02 pm Post subject: so much wisdom

[quote="Katja144"]

...On one hand, it seems like employers don't care about education so much as experience, so spending those four years actually gaining experience and getting other training might do you good.

That is indeed the "appearance" the thing, but not the reality...at least not in my experience, in my little part of the world here in SW VA.

Don't forget that when our parents graduated, a high school diploma was enough; then they turned 40 and 50 and now they can't get jobs because people with degrees have become a dime a dozen.

Yep. And I must say "Bravo" to you for understanding it so perfectly! I'm part of that baby-boomer generation, born to the WWII/depression era folks who did indeed believe that a high-school education combined with hard-work, honesty, and integrity were pretty much a guarantee to "job security" and therefore "success."

But things did change, didn't they? And somewhere along the way, employers made the fatal mistake of confusing education with intelligence and being of more value than that now antiquated "work ethic."

I found this thread while doing some completely unrelated searching but simply could not pass up the chance to congratulate you for being wise beyond your years!

You're going to do splendidly in life, no doubt about it. But be warned: "Average" employers will indeed feel intimidated by your keen sense of how things really are. Trust me....that's why I'm out looking for job #51.

More than anything else, the one thing an employer wants in any so-called "ideal candidate" is the one who is best at compromise, capitulation, and conformity. Me? Thank God that was never part of a high-school education back in the '60s!

Nothing but the best to you!

em606 · New User Joined: 03 Apr 2007 Posts: 9 Career Advice: +0/-0

Hey kdm31091,

I don't know much about the US education system, but is there anything you can do after your High School Diploma that would not only allow you to continue your studies and qualify you for a professional qualification without going to college?

Here in the UK we have work-based apprenticeship schemes that can then qualify you to do a degree later if you want to. This kind of approach sounds like it might be something to consider if you want to do a practical course like hairdressing - or perhaps you could take your love of flowers and apply it to something like a horticulture degree. Do US colleges offer what we call 'sandwich' courses - where you study for 4 years but spend a year in a related job - perhaps that would interest you? You can get some experience and know what to expect, and at the end of your course, make an informed decision as to whether that's what you want to do with the next chapter of your life.

I think the most important thing to remember, is that our parents and theirs finished their education and got a job for life. In this day and age it is possible to have numerous, unrelated, but successful careers.

Really, the world is your oyster and taking the time to think about it at this stage is only a good thing - just don't close your mind to any opportunities!

You might find, for example, that you go to college, get heavily involved in clubs and societies, and decide to make a career in running some sort of social organisation/ programme - rather than anything to do with your degree!

em

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