So Paulson's thread got me thinking a bit, is there a good alternative to the graduating high school, going to college, etc., route? It seems like a risky investment to spend so much money on college for a chance at getting a good job afterward. So...anyone care to share their experiences? If you skipped out on college, how did it end up for you? Anand would be a hell of an example, except he is going to college.
Early age careers
- Thread starter GoldenBear
- Start date
hopefully i'm going to get some experience with the school's co-op program, plus i'll have my CCNA out of high school(still got 2 years though) so i may take a year to work before i go to university
I never graduated from High School. I popped into college at age 16. The dreadful thing about this is that if you later have to drop out, as I did, even if you have several years of college, you have no degree nor diploma of any kind, and many employers consider you to be a subhuman form of life.
Even many years and several degrees later, the lack of a high school diploma occasionally plagued me. When I wanted to take a course in accounting at a local junior college, they ranked me as a probationary student for the first six weeks because I had no high school diploma. Advanced degrees are apparently no substitute, when you are dealing with small and literal minds. Some day just for jollies I may go for a G.E.D. (of course, it would be really, really embarrassing if I flunked it...)
Even many years and several degrees later, the lack of a high school diploma occasionally plagued me. When I wanted to take a course in accounting at a local junior college, they ranked me as a probationary student for the first six weeks because I had no high school diploma. Advanced degrees are apparently no substitute, when you are dealing with small and literal minds. Some day just for jollies I may go for a G.E.D. (of course, it would be really, really embarrassing if I flunked it...)
I don't have a HS diploma either, started college full time at 14. Nobody has ever harassed me about not having a diploma, though it occasionally raises eyebrows & a few questions.
Right now I work doing tech support while I decide what I want to do next.
Viper GTS
Right now I work doing tech support while I decide what I want to do next.
Viper GTS
WW,
you dropped out of high school, and got into a college?
isnt it hard to get into college? dont you need certain prerequisite high school classes?
you dropped out of high school, and got into a college?
isnt it hard to get into college? dont you need certain prerequisite high school classes?
KB
Diamond Member
- Nov 8, 1999
- 5,406
- 389
- 126
Even if college didn't help you get a job it is still a good idea to go. After a four year degree you are four years smarter, have more friends and have a nice piece of paper to hang on the wall. You will regret not going even if you were rich enough to never have to worry about working ever again.
It's not hard, especially if you're going to a community college.
I actually took my first class when I was 12, but didn't start until I was 14. Getting in was simply a matter of calling & scheduling a time for a placement test, & showing up with a form of ID. They don't ask how old you are, & I looked older than my age. I placed into WR 115, so I started in that class. The only person that ever gave me trouble was one registrar lady who balked when I tried to get the birthdate changed on my account since their little bubble system didn't allow 1982 as a valid birthdate. When I asked her to manually change it, she tried to push my paperwork back across & tell me I was too young. Of course she cooperated once we explained that not only was I already enrolled, I'd already completed a class & received an A.
After the first couple classes, it's easy. You already have the pre-requisites. As long as you place into something, you can take classes.
Viper GTS
I actually took my first class when I was 12, but didn't start until I was 14. Getting in was simply a matter of calling & scheduling a time for a placement test, & showing up with a form of ID. They don't ask how old you are, & I looked older than my age. I placed into WR 115, so I started in that class. The only person that ever gave me trouble was one registrar lady who balked when I tried to get the birthdate changed on my account since their little bubble system didn't allow 1982 as a valid birthdate. When I asked her to manually change it, she tried to push my paperwork back across & tell me I was too young. Of course she cooperated once we explained that not only was I already enrolled, I'd already completed a class & received an A.
After the first couple classes, it's easy. You already have the pre-requisites. As long as you place into something, you can take classes.
Viper GTS
The whole idea about having a chance at a good job was the main reason I looked at job placement rates for differnet colleges before I chose the one I did. I think we have something like a 95% placement rate for Chem Engineers, and the other 5% go onto graduate school. The Co-Op program is great, because most of the time, the companies you've co-oped with want you as a permanent employee
I was in grade 7 when I was 12!!! (18 now btw)
you were taking classes early! you must have been one smart kid. i think i was suspended like 6-7 times in grade 7.
i got better with time though I finished grade 12 on the honour roll.
you were taking classes early! you must have been one smart kid. i think i was suspended like 6-7 times in grade 7.
i got better with time though
I finished grade 12 on the honour roll.Last year I was in 7th Grade and I got A honor roll every quarter but one and that I got B. But I still am upset w/myself because I know I could do better because I dont' even try the way it is. And I guess I don't have enough self disipline.
And I guess I don't have enough self disipline.
That'll kill you, it killed me. When I hit Differential Equations, circuits, & statics. Up until then I managed to skate through. I got good grades, & I knew the material, but I didn't really know how to study.
Learn it while you're still in HS. You WILL need it.
Viper GTS
That'll kill you, it killed me. When I hit Differential Equations, circuits, & statics. Up until then I managed to skate through. I got good grades, & I knew the material, but I didn't really know how to study.
Learn it while you're still in HS. You WILL need it.
Viper GTS
A lot of universities frown on co-op during high school because they know you spent half (or a fourth, depending on what time you got out) of your senior year working instead of learning.
I went the certification route instead of college. I plan on going to college soon, but I needed some *funds* to start with. MCSE+Inet,CCNA, and CCSE (checkpoint firewall) did wonders for me
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