Well as some of you know, Im 18 and this is my last year in school. high school anyway. And im at the point where i need to/ or id like to start making decisions about my life! ( oh joy! ):rolleyes: Anyhow, I guess what i wanna do is learn from your experience.

At the moment, i do not have a college id like to go to, no idea actually. I just dont really know what i wanna do. I will be graduating in may and after that its a mystery! I dont even know if i want to go to college, Sure i want a good job and make a good livin and such but i dont wanna be stuck behind a desk all day punchin a keyboard or something. I need to be out doing something. A couple of ideas that i have for a carrer would be things in the Audio Field. Some that came to mine were having a Custom install buisness, or a hifi shop that also does custom stuff like audio racks, maybe speakers. Kina like response audio.

For BrianB and Omer, what does it take to open a shop like that? Do you get investors, a loan, save up.. i have no idea. Surely you need to have mechandise in stock, that can cost alot depending on what product lines you carry, Does a hifi shop really generate alot of income? I know if one opened here ( which is happening ) i dont think it would do that great because i just dont think there are alot of us here. (alot of wealthy folks though!)

I dont know if i should take a year off and sorta figure out what i wanna do. Like i could work at a hifi shop and learn the buisness or maybe go do something else. I have been told a couple times. Noo! dont take a year off! but i dont really know what i wanna do.

What do you guys do to make a living? i know everyone has advice they could give me, what did you do when you graduated high school? I also like photography, do you think that photography is a legitamate profession? lol. Id probbly be kina stupid going to college and majoring in photography, i also thought about doing EE but i really dont have that great of math and i really dont wanna be doing stuff that takes alot of math and stuff like that. I want a career i will ENJOY doing.

I dunno it just seems like every day is going by and i have really no idea what i wanna do and its weird to think that for the first time i wont be going back to school next year. scary. Any advice at all would be great. sorry for being so long. TIA.:)

After high school I got married, had a kid, dropped school and went to work full time. Of course I told myself that I would return to school as soon as I could. Well its 24 years later and I'm just now making good on that promise.

Doesn’t matter what you end up doing; continue your education now - you'll be thankful for both the knowledge and the experience later on. Not meaning to lecture, just my 2 cents.

-Dave

no no no. This is the kina stuff i want. I havent been there, you guys have.

If you want to be out in the field and like photography, ever thought of freelancing for your local newspaper? That could lead to a good job.

Go to school now, I waited and will always regret it ;)

haole boy--

(BTW, i spent the summer of 1970 being called 'haole boy' or 'tex' by the hawaiian guys at hickam AFB where i worked delivering Primo from a flatbed to all the military bases on oahu)--

you have fallen into the trap that we all fall into when standing at the threshold of adult life-- the 'what should i do with my life?' trap-- and with that goes the notion that you must know what you want to do for the rest of your life!

it is my belief that the answers to these questions come by engaging in a search, and they come only slowly to most. it is by doing what we can't go on living without doing that we find it. that is, like joe campbell said, 'follow your bliss'....i.e. what is it you are passionate about, and want to learn more about, that makes you feel engaged and playful and curious and alive?

and while pursuing that, put it together with as much formal education as you can get. stay away from the idea that the education must prepare you for a job or a career--you are engaging your mind, ideally, in the business of learning how to think and to bring a disciplined mind to bear on the problems of life.

if you stay active in the search, without necessarily needing to know the answers or the outcome, you will begin to find what you are looking for. but i also hope that you will come to understand that life is an ongoing act of improvisation and adaptation....you will, i hope, never stop learning, growing, changing, and seeking out what is coming...

shrinkboy

Hmmm...some advice from us :scratch2:


First off...congrats! Doesn't it seem like you've just spent an eternity getting thru highschool? Don't worry...the next 18 years will pass you by in a flash:deal:


What advice do I have for our young Haoleb, just getting out of highschool...and isn't sure of what he wants to do?


First off...you seem to have a good head on your shoulders...keep it that way!
(ok...you aren't sure what you want to do yet...so...Get yourself a nice four year degree in...well, anything! (at least get two years of school under your belt. This way...once you do figure out "just what it may be...that you want to do for the rest of your life;) ...You've already got the basics out of the way. Plus, it's a heck of alot easier to continue with school...rather than to go back to school.
Sure...find yourself a job that you enjoy...but realize that it's still a job (not your life) Sure...it's always nice to appreciate a good job, that you enjoy, but don't live only for your job...but use your job as a means to live your life.
money ain't shit!
enjoy the music! There's music everywhere...even in silence. Take it in, every chance you get.



Take care...have fun...and be safe>>>>>>>>>>

Sure...find yourself a job that you enjoy...but realize that it's still a job (not your life) Sure...it's always nice to appreciate a good job, that you enjoy, but don't live only for your job...but use your job as a means to live your life.


I totally agree!

If it were up to me, id live out in the wilderness hunting and growing my own food taking care of myself just kina living off the land ( while still using modern convinences. )

Unfortunatly in this society its not really possible to do that anymore. Its now money money money money money for some, thats all that matters. Thing is i dont want a "job" i want a purpose. I want to do something that will benifit not only me, but other people. Music and audio is something i have a passion for and i think that if i did something involving it i would be able to wake up in the morning and not dread the day to come ( school comes to mind in this situation )

Thing about continuing school that i dont like the idea of is just that. continuing school.

I have really no idea what college is like, but soo many people say high school is the best years of your life... Well. i hate high school. the stuff we are required to learn seems useless and doesnt matter to me or the 'real world" ie (shakespeare, almost anything we do in literature class, math classes beyong 8th grade pre-algerbre also seemed prettu stupid) I really dont know what i would use the stuff we were forced to learn in algerbra class. I havent used it a day since ive been in the class and i doubt i ever will. I guess what i dont want is more of this in college. I like classes that teach me real usefull skills, something i can actually USE and something that does matter. maybe a vocational school is best for me... I just really dunno what im gonna do. Maybe if we stay here in hawaii another year i was thinking of attending a culinary school here in town for a year or so. giving me time to decide what i wanna do in life ( and more time to pick colleges etc ) Also, whats not good about knowing how to cook, i used to want to be a chef so maybe i will want to go into that field more. I dunno. I just wish i had someone there to guide me along the way so i wouldnt seem soo lost.

Keep the advice comin'!

:thmbsp:

Go to college.

It's about the degree! That's where the similiarities end. H.S. is something you had to do, therefore some people revolt and don't apply themselves. I didn't find H.S. "the best years" of my life either. College on the other hand could conceiveably be something you feel "forced" to do but that's on you. It's your choice to go, it's not mandated. You have freedom to be local or out of state, and then all the schools to apply. Remember H.S. was a freebie, college isn't... that changes things. Just don't believe college will be like H.S.

The issue about "knowing what you want". Well, only you can answer that. Of course if you don't know you'll be unable to identify which programs may best met your needs. But don't feel weird that you don't know. Take your time. Even if you were to not work in the field of study you chose you'll still benefit. College is about making you think and opening unfamiliar doors. How this will affect you is uncertain but everyone I know benefited from higher learning. Of course, learning is not limited to a formal classroom situation, it's just one way to find yourself. Life's a journey, make it fun.

MikE

Dude,
I feel your pain. I think MikE touched on it bit when he said that college is about opening new doors for you.
I am at UHM, but this is my second career. My thoughts are that you should go out into the real world for a year and see what it's like. Get a real job. Interact with others who work for a living. You may find you hate your job. You may think of other things to do.
When you enroll in college, you'll find that you have experiences that others don't.
HB, I went to Windward CC and what got to me the most was kids who really had no clue about what they wanted.
Getting back to MikE's thing, a college is also a good place to find out. You get so much more exposure to things that perhaps you have never thought about.
Math? Dude, I am an art major and I still want to graduate at least having taken calculus. What if you want to make speaker enclosures or something and need to figure out circumference? Volume in the enclosure?
Just being up at Manoa has opened up many doors to me. Way to many as a matter of fact. I am thinking of a double major.
Work if you like, but eventually, get back to school!

Haoleb, you don't need to choose yet!

I've spent my life finding out what I don't want to do, haven't figured out yet what I want to do:p:

Let me say that going to college right after high school is not for everyone. If you're tired of school, you may not last till graduation. On the other hand, it is the easiest time in your life to go- later, something always comes up to delay you, and soon...

If you do go to school, don't be in a hurry to select your major- you should take the 'core' courses required for all degrees and dabble in specialized courses pertaining to a specific major. Select courses that seem to be interesting to you, try ones that you don't know, you may be surprised at how interesting some fields become to you.

Also, please remember that a general degree merely opens opportunities for you, getting hired and promoted depends on your performance.

And to really throw you a zinger, remember that a manager may be fired during hard times, but when your plumbing goes you will get it fixed regardless of the financial market- there are always opportunities for skilled craftsmen.

I hope that, whatever you choose, your life's path is a pleasant one for you.

Valid questions, great responses. I will share my experience.

I went to college a little later in life. I hated high school and was pretty much into things I shouldn't have been at 18.

By the time I started in college, I had calmed down alot. I absolutely loved college most of the time. The learning was much more engaging and stimulating then it was for me in high school. It's virtually impossible to explain, but the whole college atmosphere was wonderful.

I majored in History and currently am running a Transitional Home for men and love my job. The guys that live there could care less about The Gracchi brother and their effect on the Roman Republic but somehow it all melts together. I could not have handled this job without college the way I do now.

Even if I was working at Wendy's, the college time was well worth it.

Haoleb,
I agree with Shrinkboy,you have to have passion for whay you do.On your worst day you have to wake up and say I can make a difference.
I got into optics 25 years ago and the days are better now than they were then.
You keep mentioning your passion for audio,yes,a hobby can be turned into a vocation but the pitfalls are you will need a new hobby.
College offers you choices and it gives you time to grow into adulthood without the pressures of mortgages,marriage and kids.
I have a feeling from talking to you over the year that no matter what you try you'll do well

Alan

I will put my $0.02 in the discussion. I spent a year between high school and college working as a car mechanic - what a tough life!! It was 60 hours a week - very little money and very hard work. It was a good decision for me because I wasn't sure if I even wanted to go to college. I was able to get my thought process about learning because of that year.

I went to college at a liberal arts college - it was a great experience. It broadened my horizons and thought process, so much, by being exposed to different subjects (such as philosophy, etc).

I graduated and it took me a year to find a job as a research technician at a company near Chicago, IL. As I worked there, many of my fellow employees suggested that I go back to school for an advanced degree. After 5 years of working, that is what I did (with support of my wife - bless her soul!!). It was a long hard road to get my Ph.D., but I did exactly that (in microbial physiology/biochemistry). I received my degree when I was 37, anyone can do it, if you have support and if you are stubborn enough.

It wasn't easy finding a job with this degree, either, but eventually I did. I am working for a not-for-profit research company in Michigan. We are looking how to use agricultural crops for weening ourselves from oil. It can be drudgery, but I do enjoy a challenge and this is what this job is - a challenge.

Haoleb - my advice is - enjoy what you do, but don't define yourself by it. This is the MAJOR problem today - people define themselves by what they do and not who they are. DO GO TO COLLEGE!! That is where how you learn to take on life's lessons. Enjoy your job, but do not define yourself by it.

As my signature line says.....

Dave

College is very different from highschool, for the most part you willl be learning things you might actually enjoy learning, especially in the last two years. The college community itself can be a wonderful experience.

I hear people saying money is nothing, well usually these are folks that have money saying it. You will be graduating high school and the biggest you really need to know in the real world is that MONEY IS EVERYTHING.

Yes it is nice to have a job you enjoy and do this and that blah blah blah. But when you get right down to it you need money for everything, housing, transportation, food, clothing, entertainment. Even this audio hobby we all love and enjoy costs money if you haven't noticed yet ;) And take it from someone who grew up with no money and lived a lot of his adult life with no money, I have lived in public housing and lived off food stamps and didn't even have a car for 8 yrs. Believe me when I tell you this, money is very important, yes it's sound all philosophical spiritual to say "money isn't everything" but try not having any, or just enough to always scrape by and you will se just how important it is.

What is important is "how you get the money" you can get money working dead end jobs believe me I worked many and believe me you won't find happiness there, you may be able to support yourself and your family but just scraping by is a really sucky way to live, like I said believe me on this for I am the voice of experience here. Even after college you may not find your "dream" job, but making a good salary doing something even marginally interesting that allows you choices for either advancement or future job oppurtunities doing even more fullfilling work is much better than digging ditches, building things for other people, bussing tables, cooking, cleaning, stacking and unstacking boxes etc. all things I've done one time or another.

The best thing that ever happened to me is getting laid off from the warehouse I worked at for 5 yrs. I decided to try to go to college and get a two year degree. Six years later I had two AS degrees and a BS and while not my "dream" job I got a very good job in Business Management with excellent pay, benefits and oppurtunities for advancement both in my company and outside of it. I am also going to college nights towards my masters degree (paid for by my company ;) )

Though we still struggle for money now and then it is now due to our spending habits (buying too much stuff we don't need ;) audio gear, 51" HDTV's etc. )

Before my GF and went back to school (she is now a licensed Social worker) we lived in a tiny two bedroom subsidized housing apartment in one of the nastiest parts of town, I worked dead end jobs and she was on state support and food stamps, we shared a 12+ yr old hunk of junk car. We lived rather poorly and our self esteem probably suffered more than anything. Now after college we rent a 3 bedrrom house in a nice neighborhood, both have newer cars, depend on no one and nothing but ourselves for what we have and pretty much have whatever we want and our kids lack for nothing.

Now you may never need to struggle as such, we both grew up in poor families and your situation may be different but I just want you to see that is sounds pretty to say money doesn't matter when you really haven't had to worry about it.

Also don't worry about not knowing what to be or do when you "grow up" I am now 35 and still have no idea, I do know I don't want to be poor again tho ;)

The easiest way to tell if you should go to college is to go out and get you the best job you can now. If that job and it's paycheck make you happy than you are all set, if not then you need to consider college. You don't even need to know what you are gonna major in when you go either, just take liberal studies for the first two years, by then you will have figured out what interests you and what degree(s) you want to persue, then since you have taken all your core classes already your final two years will be mostly classes that will really interest you and you'd be surprised at just how much fun school can be ;)

Wow,Thor, Hats off to you,man:bigok: Haoleb, if you ever want inspiration on why not to give up ,read Thor's post.

Alan

Agree, this is a problem. Even if you are successful and have a cool job and all the trappings that allows will you be happy? It's not a sure thing. Living your life the way you want makes you happy, not by seeing how many things you check off on the "to do list of success". Only you can define what that is: Married, having a house in the 'burbs with 2.5 kids and playing soccer taxi may not be your ideal... then again it could grow on you.

Thor's post was refreshing and hit the mark on a number of points as well. MikE

Haloeb,
Education is no: 1 ;)
Without that you probably, get stuck with a low-pay job, living from pay-check to pay-check and struggle every month to make it better.
I started working when I was 15 (stupid) but wantet to make money instead for learning something..
Regret that afterwards many times, 10 years later I finally got my head in the right direction and started study again.
After 2 years of business-education I started my own company with a grant from the state for good business-idea and preparation. This was like a big turnaround in life, being able to have a better quality life and enjoy it more, traveling to different countrys + working with what I wanted to do.
Of course later on in life things change and other interest and hobby's come along.
It's never too late to do something else, but like Thor said, be poor is not fun..
Life is like a puzzle, but try to put each piece slow and do some thinking before those drastic decisions, that usally don't work out right.
First get education for a couple of years, build a foundation for a better job and more options to find the "right" job.
When you have the moneyflow going , that is the right time to
maybe plan and research for your own music-store or soemthing else.
Important is to be open for new challenges and try it when you young Haloeb.
I worked so many different jobs for several years just to pay the bills, Truck-Driver, Painter, Pizza Place, Body Tech, Mover, Car-sales man. Picture Framing.
But later in life I was able to try some fun jobs that I enjoyed, building show-cars, restoring electronics, DJ.
You are still a puppy, but I think you got a smart head on your shoulder from
Just my 2 cents of knowledge Haloeb.

Thanks for all the responses. Alot of good advice here!

I have seen some of those commercials and stuff where the statistic is that college graduates make on average 70% more then people who didnt go. And i know that i guess i want to go now. Now its the hard part of finding one and all that stuff.

I'll throw in my 2 cents....

If you have an natural apptitude for something, persue that road.
If something comes easy for you it will be more pleasurable when that becomes your day to day job.

If your not a real academic type then go to a technical school and focus on a trade, but even then you'll have to take some academics.

But, regardless of what the apptitude is (electrician, plumber, carpenter, whatever) get classically trained, in other words, go to some kind of school for it. It may be a college or a technical school.

If you don't have a natural apptitude towards anything (many people don't) then like others said, go to a college and at least take the required courses and then sometimes you get may find an interest on the way. The reality is that today, a college education is almost a must have. The whole college experience is a great one, where besides the acedemics, you get to meet all kinds of people and broarden your horizons.

And then, sometimes people go to work after high school and sort of fall into a profession that they turn out to love, and then go to school for it later on in life.

Whatever you do , good luck. :thmbsp:

First things first...did you get your wisdom teeth done yet??

Regarding your current career/lifetime decision: my oldest is 17, just starting her senior year in high school, so I've had some practice with this conversation over the past few months!

1. 75% of graduating seniors are really not sure what they want to do for a profession. Of the 25% that are sure, 50% will later change their minds for one reason or another. So, the uncertainty that you're feeling is perfectly normal, and understandable. Here's what you need to do at this point in your life...keep your options open. Don't try to make a decision right now when you haven't been exposed to enough different ideas or experiences.

2. Get exposed to a lot of different ideas and experiences!! The best way to do this is to go to college. Don't commit to a major yet. Start off with your general education requirements so you continue to grow intellectually and continue to meet interesting new people, and then sprinkle in some classes in whatever floats your boat. Try an introductory class in anything that you think might be interesting, exciting, stimulating. Try one in something you never thought you'd ever be interested in. This is your chance! You have the freedom and the time to really explore. Take it!

3. As you work part-time while you're going to school, use this as an opportunity to try something different, too. If all you do is sweep floors and take out the trash in a photography studio, or an audio store, you'll get closer to learning whether or not it's what you want to do. Don't dismiss the possibility of a craft or trade. There's a tremendous sense of satisfaction and accomplishment when you look at something that you just built with your own hands. Especially if the customer that you made it for loves it as much as you do, when they hand you the check!

4. As much as the altruistic truth seekers among us hate to admit, Thor's right about the money. Don't misunderstand me. DO NOT pick your future based on how much money you can make. That would be an ugly life, indeed. However, don't ignore it either. You need to understand whether or not you're going to be able to make a decent living at it. If you will be facing a constant struggle to pay rent and car payments, make your place a nice place to live for your family, handle the unexpected bill for a car repair or a medical problem, well, trust me...life will be a lot less enjoyable, no matter how much you like what you do. While you're deciding how you're going to make a living, don't forget: You need to make a living.

5. A thought for 30 years from now-- 99% of people have at one point or another said this statement: "If only I knew then what I know now!". It is, of course, how we beat ourselves up for what appears to have been the wrong decision that we made back then. A good friend of mine said something to me when I was making the same complaint, and it was one of those moments that changed my life. She said "Clay, your life was perfect for you.". Think about that for a moment. You couldn't possibly "know what you know now" if you hadn't had all of the experiences that you did! Everything that you do, every wrong turn that you might take, will make you the person that you will become. Embrace every experience that you have. Take comfort in knowing that your life will be perfect for you.

Finally, you may be a little suprised to know that there is actually a single word that describes what you're feeling now. You know, that hollow feeling in the pit of your stomach because you don't know what to do. That nagging fear that whatever you start you might not be able to handle it, you might end up moving to a different place and not like it, you might find yourself faced with a completely unexpected situation and not know what to do.

It's called "adventure"!

Have fun!
Clay

Originally posted by THOR


I hear people saying money is nothing, well usually these are folks that have money saying it. You will be graduating high school and the biggest you really need to know in the real world is that MONEY IS EVERYTHING.

Believe me when I tell you this, money is very important, yes it's sound all philosophical spiritual to say "money isn't everything" but try not having any, or just enough to always scrape by and you will se just how important it is.



I just don't give money that much weight :dunno: that was a nice little speech Thor...But, you shouldn't try to describe another persons philosphy on life...it can't be done without error.



When I moved out I had no money...a wife...and a dog...but no money. To boot, I had a job that paid almost nothing...and the wife was going thru school (which we paid for everything) so she added nothing to our annual income.

Sure...today...about 15 years later and three jobs later...I make decent money.

But you know what...I sure am happy now...and I sure was happy then! Even back when I didn't have any money (at all) ...I still had the same philosophy about money...and I still have the same outlook now.

Maybe it's a good thing another philosphy I have is to only buy what I can afford. I'll finance my house and one vehicle...that's it. Sure, I'll use my credit card...but only if I know I can pay it off that month.

Money Still ain't shit!!!!!

Some people just give it more credit than it's worth.

School is good. But, perhaps not for everyone. My experiences may not be typical. I had a great time pretty much in high school (my dad died unexpectedly of a heart attack much too young when I was a sophomore). I was a smart(-aleck) four-eyes AND a better than average jock. Didn't know squat, really, but it was fun.
Because of the demographics, and being able to play football and throw a shotput, I headed off to college. The alternative at that time was enlisting or getting drafted, and my SSS number was 005, so the draft was right there over my shoulder.
Dang, I had fun playing until the last moment out on the field. Then, man I remember that play, it was practice, sheesh, I got scrunched like a cheap beer can. Ouch. That was my fifth knee, and it broke my collar bone, too. Suddenly safely a 4F, I got on with school and the whole deal with the war and stuff.
After graduation, I just didn't really know what to do. Took a couple of years working dead-end jobs, then happened to go back to school to visit a couple of my professors. Was encouraged to get into grad school.
Now, more than 22 years as a librarian, mostly. Still not sure what I want to do with my life. I do enjoy what I do, and I get to be surrounded by books (& computers and databases), and I do like being able to help folks, even if it is just finding a 'new' author that may be similar to their fave.
Community colleges are great for learning a trade. Don't underestimate them, or the trades. It also gives you two years to think about just what it is you would like to do for the rest of your life.
With school, keep in mind that the farther along you go, on into grad school, it does get 'easier.' Well, there is more to do, but by this time it is something you enjoy, and what you enjoy really becomes less 'work.'
Keep your solid, commonsense, Haoleb. Best of luck in your future.

No, i didnt get my wisdom teeth pulled yet. but no doubt i will within the next few months. :stupid:

GF that wasn't a speech it was the hard truth, to say money is not important is foolish, you make it sound like you can go live in hut with no money and still be happy, but for 99.9% of us that is not true. You have a house, car, nice stereo big TV all these things cost money, even the basic nescessities of live cost money. Yes a lot of things in this life can make you happy and are free but food, shelter, clothing and transportation aren't one of them. Like I said it sounds nice to say money doesn't matter but that don't make it true. I don't mean just live for the money or nothing but the fact is that we have to have money to get a lot of what we need and want Perhaps Clay said it better than I did:

"As much as the altruistic truth seekers among us hate to admit, Thor's right about the money. Don't misunderstand me. DO NOT pick your future based on how much money you can make. That would be an ugly life, indeed. However, don't ignore it either. You need to understand whether or not you're going to be able to make a decent living at it. If you will be facing a constant struggle to pay rent and car payments, make your place a nice place to live for your family, handle the unexpected bill for a car repair or a medical problem, well, trust me...life will be a lot less enjoyable, no matter how much you like what you do. While you're deciding how you're going to make a living, don't forget: You need to make a living."

MONEY IS EVERYTHING... :bs:

Yeah we all obviously need to make a living, but without the love, comfort & support of a family the rest basically means very little to the human spirit.

FAMILY IS EVERYTHING.
The rest is what we have to do to survive.
"I don't live to work... I work to live."

Just my 2 cents.
mOOn

BTW... I have also been down & out. Probably more than any of you could ever imagine.

GF that wasn't a speech it was the hard truth, to say money is not important is foolish, you make it sound like you can go live in hut with no money and still be happy, but for 99.9% of us that is not true.


oh brother :rolleyes:


I never said my thinking is right or wrong. I was asked for my advice and gave it.

I wasn't giving advice,speaking for everyone...I was speaking for myself. To have said anything but what my advice was...would have really been foolish. But i do appreciate you saying that my advice is wrong...or...ok...foolish.




later>>>>>>>>

Great post. I especially like your closing remarks. That's the same feeling I get at the starting line before every race. You ask yourself if your preperation was good enough and if so, are you willing to reach beyond that. But once the gun goes off thoughts are replaced by action and you know there is no other place you'd rather be. The unknown is what makes life so humbling, interesting and infinite.

MikE

Haloeb, lot's of good advice here now.
So start with pulling those wisdom teeth out and explore the world !! :D

Go for it :cool:

Yeah Haloeb... I wanted to wish you the best with your journey as well. It's not always easy, but with dreams, an imagination, the proper tools & family to support you, it can be a wonderful wonderful thing.

A keyword I have learned is PASSION. If you're passionate enough about something & you can make a living at it, then life becomes much easier to endure IMHO.

Good luck buddy. I'm sure you'll find your place. ;)
mOOn

Stay in school. LIFE will get in the way down the road, and it will be difficult for you to further your education at that point. Then again... I hear the Marines are looking for a few good men. Stay in school.

Toasted Almond

GF I meant no offense and spoke perhaps harshly in calling your advice foolish. My experiences in life have perhaps made me bitter when it comes to money or the lack of it. When my father abandoned us when I was a child, my mother, brother and I had each other and the love and closeness of a family but that didn't help us much as we lived in a house with no electricity and running water (which means no septic) for almost two years. As I said as someone who grew up quite poor it has always puts a thorn in my craw to hear the old "money isn't important" statements. But I understand where you an Moon are coming from and what you mean, and do not mean to seem to say that it is not important but I am saying that being able to provide for yourself or your family is important as well. Sorry again if I offended.

Thor - I certainly understand your point, but just think what those hard times would have been like without the support of those that truely loved you around.

You can't buy what love can do for the human spirit. ;)

mOOn

Haoleb,

Some people know what they want to do right after high school. Some don't. That is OK. Given that, I would still encourage you to give college a try and see if you like it. It is VERY different from high school. Somebody else mentioned to just go and start all the degree requirements, then declare a major. That is not a bad plan at all. You have some time to decide!

Here is what I did: After high school, I went to college for a year. I decided I did not want to do it right away. I decided to give the military life a try. I joined the Navy. Had a blast. Met my future wife, got married, saved up some college money. I got out after four years and used my GI Bill money to finance a large part of my education. Finished the rest of my degree (decided on computer science) and the rest is history.

Haoleb

Only in this country then you can decide whether to have fun or to study hard. In my old country it was a matter of life and death if you couldn't get to college. Compettition to get to college before 1975 was so intense. Every boy got to compete otherwise he would get drafted and the chance to be alive after 2 years was very slim. Well... that is a different situation so it doesn't apply here.

However, college is a MUST. There is NO exception, so I don't like to hear anything like getting a job that you enjoy or money is not important blah blah... (it is my opinion, folks.) College not only prepares you a better future financially, it also prepares you to be a better individual not just to yourself, your family, .. but also to your society. The support and love from other people are important but that is EXTERNAL. They are important in case of hardship, feeling lonely, etc .. but you can't feel love when your stomach is empty and you are sweeping streets to make ends meet. Being better educated means you statistically have all the advantages to become successful, then you later in your life look back and smile at yourself because you made a good decision.

Do not hesitate! Go to college right after graduation. When you are lazy and try to get a job, say $10 an hour which seems to be a lot for an 18 year old, and get a new car, new toys, a couple girl friends, then you will get more lazy and when you realize something is not right you already waste 10 or 15 years in your life. It is not worth it and many people here already have the courage to tell you with their bitter experience. Look at things in your life statistically. See how many people with college degree are happier than folks with high school diploma. Do not follow exceptional case; like Bill Gate :) who dropped out of college, if you are not that exceptional ...

My kids will have no choice like you but I won't force them. It is a matter of how I can tell my kids how blessed and lucky they are when they happen to live in the most democratic country in the world and it is rather foolish not to take advantage of what it can offer them almost ... FREE .

If y'all out there are anything like me, your wants/needs/desires are constantly changing. I had no clue what I wanted to do after high school but I knew college was a safe bet. I was pressured into choosing a major that would provide a good income rather than one that I enjoyed. After a year I switched to become a music major and my folks disowned me and stopped co-signing on my loans (it's a lot more complicated than that but....). I was forced to drop out temporarily but managed to pay my own way thru working some of the most horrific jobs you could imagine...it took me 11 years to graduate with a B.A. but it was the proudest moment of my life.
Yes, money is important to survive. But I have been in plenty of situations such as above, where I was forced to eat condiment sandwiches and stay true to myself rather than sell out for the bucks. I'm 36 now and I have a good-paying job designing audio systems.

Bottom line....I can sleep well at night knowing that I stuck with something and did it on my own, and no amount of money can buy that.

Good luck!

Haoleb- I can't really say anything that hasn't been already stated here, but I would STRONGLY encourage you to attend at least one year of college. We have an old saying here-"It's better to have something & not need it than it is to need it & not have it."-Sandy G.

First choice:

Go to college, however sometimes one is not really ready to apply onesself to that avenue so a valid.....

Second choice:

Check out the various military options. I know I never regreted that decision as after one year in college I found I was not applying myself. Military offers many useful training skills and comes with college funds. No harm in checking with a recruiter to see what they may have to offer you. Also a great way to ease into an indepentent life....

Lefty

Nah... military aint for me.

shooting m16's and all is cool but i doubt i could make it through the basic training unless i started getting in shape everyday which aint gonna be happenin. And i really havent even felt the urge to go and fight for things i dont agree with. Or a government that i dont fully support.

Thats just me.

brah,
these guys couldn't have offered you better advice. Read this thread again. There's a common theme here.
You are lucky to get advice from guys older and more experienced than you. Heed it.
Or at least try it.
Pau,
Jeff

Such a question. I wish I am in your shoes to face the decision again.

Before the beginning of this year I would say go to college and take up engineering. It will take about 4 years of your life and you will come out making 60k a year beginning (2003 dollars). Now engineering jobs are beginning to go over sea, so that may not be such a great idea. Looking into the future, I think there will be planty of jobs to take care of the aging baby boomers. Pharmacy comes into mind. Paid the 4 years, it really is a very small portion of your life.

You already know college grads make more money. I would look at carreers that get the most bucks with the shortest time in college. Thor is right, life sucks without adequate dollars. Let's face it, you must work to make money. If you look in the dictionary, you won't find fun or joy in the work definition. The key is capable or lucky individuals work themselves into positions they like in any organization. The important thing is what position you are in relation to the others. It really does not matter what the job is. In any organization or product line, there is varying authority and brain vs muscle level of work. If you are at the bottom or the last guy to take the heat, you would not like it no matter what the job is.

Therefore, go for the carreer with the highest pay and shortest time in school. Whether you will enjoy the job, that will depend on how capable and or lucky you are.

Haoleb,

The purpose of college/university is to teach you how to think, too often these days it looks more like a factory for grinding out workers for industry. Industry seems to expect colleges to do their training for them. In my 33 years with Bell Canada they gave me the training I needed and the opportunities to advance. That does not happen much any more.

Fortunately, while giving me a less than perfect body, the good Lord gave me a well functioning brain.

Get an education and in the process you will begin to feel what it is you want to do in life. You will also find that the process of education never stops, mine has not even after 72 years. My aspiration at your age was to emulate my Father - he was a gentle-man (and the hyphen is deliberate). My wife seems to believe that I've gotten there, I am not sure.

Rob

Thats for all the advice guys. i really appreciate it!

Well i just got the scores for my SAT that i took a couple weeks ago. Man. :(

i scored a 980 and i think alot of colleges want around 1200 to get in. Im pretty surprised i did soo poor, and pretty dissapointed. Especially because of the material on the test and the fact that this test is basically determining your future. The material covered seems to me pretty useless in real-life and just because you dont know all this useless math stuff theyve got on their your suddenly an idiot.

Not to brag but i know alot more about real world stuff then the average person, Alot more. Stuff that actually CAN come in handy. This coming saturday im taking the other college entrace test called the ACT which tests on four subjects rather than the SAT's two so i should score better on it because its not based so heavily on math which i admit i suck at. And its not fully my fault.

I guess im just pretty dissapointed in myself and the standards of society. And that a stupid test can change your entire life.

The stuff on these tests is pretty pathetic. So what. I scored low because i didnt work my butt off trying to learn stuff i know is useless! So shoot me!

So what. i cant give you the right awnser to:

DOGGEREL : VERSE ::
(a) Animation:cinema
(b) Scroll:documet
(c) burlesque: Drama
(d) Chisel:sculptor
(e) Suspicion:certainty


So what i dont know the right awnser to-


For all values of a, let <a> be defined as <a> = 4a-4.
Which of the follwing equals <6> - <5> ?

(a) <2>
(b) <3>
(c) <4>
(d) <5>
(e) <6>


AHHHHHHHHH gowd im pretty angry. I feel like blowing somethin up.:uzi: :bash: :bs: :gigglemad

A 980 isn't terrible but I do understand your frustration...some people just don't test well and I've never felt that it was an entirely accurate method for determining intellect...I just don't have the answer to what IS the better way. I know plenty of "book-stupid" people that are doing very well in life. Conversely, I also know plenty of "smart" people that don't have a lick of common sense.
With regards to what you're being tested on, however, you may be suprised at the things you wind up using in life. I remember sitting in classes thinking "when am I ever going to need to know this crap?" only to find that it did come in handy at some point. I'm hardly a wizened, old mentor of any type but I think in most cases it's better to know a little about a lot than the other way around. Unless you're a CIA agent or have a cheating spouse, I don't think it's possible to know TOO much.
As an example, I work in Home Theater Design. On a daily basis I use more science and math than I ever dreamed I would be using...trigonometry, acoustic theory, electrical calculations galore, one job even required me to convert wattage to BTU's.

Some hobby we've gotten ourselves into, huh?

You're clearly not a stupid person and I'm sure you will do just fine...just don't give up.

BTW- a 1200 is a pretty high score. Whatever college requires that for admissions had better have Ivy growing on its walls.

:D

Take it again, if you can. The school I went to made us take it twice, told us not to sweat it the 1st time, most everybody does better the 2nd. What achievement tests are you taking ? I took English & American History & aced them- placed out of college American History & 1st semester English- the one where they have you write the dreaded 10,000 word term-paper. The math SAT I got 380- they give you 200 for writing your name, so I'm hopeless when it comes to cipherin'. But they do ask a lot of useless, nonsensical sh*te in the math part as I remember.-Sandy G.

>i scored a 980 and i think alot of colleges want around 1200 to get in. Im pretty surprised i did soo poor, and pretty dissapointed. Especially because of the material on the test and the fact that this test is basically determining your future.

Not true. The junior college is an excellent route to higher education. The first 2 years of college cources are pretty general. You can take most of the lower level classes in your local junior college and then transfer to a regular university for the junior and senior stuff. At the time of transfer, they will only look at your grade point average. If you got a high GPA, you will get in. It may take you an extra half to a year to graduate. It is a lot cheaper as you are staying at home. If you can put up with being not going to university as "all the other boys and girls". If you want to get into fields requiring math, you can spend a year or 2 at the jc to get up to the college level.

White Boy,
If I am not mistaken, UH only has a 800 minimum SAT.
Solder hit it though. I did my AA at Windward Community College and spent less money per semester.
My community college experience led me to art, and your journey might lead you to your calling.
In the UH system, they DO NOT look at your GPA when you transfer to Manoa. They only transfer credits. Well, you gotta have at least a 2.0....
I'm in my first semester at Manoa. PM me if you have any questions. I'll be glad to help.
Jeff