Stepping Into The Real World: A Compilation Guide

[jake616]

Well, after thinking to myself for awhile and wondering what I am going to do after highschool, and when I move out I decided I would have all you guys help me compile a guide on What to do when making the big step.

Please tell your stories, how you got started, where your 4/furniture/clothing came from, how you got around, how tough it was, and any other interesting information! I'd greatly appreciate it!

-jake

 

[TylerDurden]

how bout college my friend? unless you have a top knotch idea/invention, its somewhat tough to find a career without college, there is always construction i guess. i went to college and have a career now, my brother never went to college and he is now 26 and moving back home....

 

[motorhead]

Yeah dude... I am 25 still living at home, working part-time/building a career and attending University full-time.

I don't get a minutes peace for most of the year.

As I understand it things haven't even begun to get difficult yet.

Good luck!

 

[wants a tr]

i graduated in '02 and didnt go to college..didnt think i needed it.
In August I plan to attend a college. I have realize that w/o college life is going to be alot more difficult for you.

You dont have to go right out of highschool, but do plan on it. its a very wise decision. HTH...

 

[machinegun]

I have a little bit different approach. I started late so I would not follow my schedule but none the less was ver rewarding. I joined the Marines for 4 years. Went back for 16 months later but another story. However I got to travel the world see, some very interesting places and get free food education housing and clothing. Free travel even though it may not have been my first choice. Yes it was dangerous sometimes, but I have a better appreciation for life and the liberties which I have helped to protect. You can get into high tech jobs, get an education and have a good life. It however is not easy or free. You will pay with long hours, little pay and long times away from home. The long term dividends though are priceless. You will have many stories to tell your children. You will make friends that the bonds will never die. It is a tough road but one that is very good to you, your country and your family pride. I then went to college got an education and am happy fullfilling my career. Hope this helps.

 

[DCEPTCN]

Get out and travel for a while. In the course of a couple of years I lived in Colorado, Illinois, Nevada, Maine, New York, Minnesota, Washington, New Mexico, etc. and I couldn't be happier that I saw so much before I settled down. Now I'm so bogged down by my glorious 'career' that, even though I'm only 27, I rarely have a moment to my damn self. College is never a bad idea, but are you an artistic person? If so, always pursue that at least part-time. There are many ways to make good money with that. Hell, not a day goes by that I don't think about opening my own tattoo parlor and start making $150 an hour just to draw. It sounds corny, like some Disney moment or something, but the best advice is to really follow your dreams.....you're only on this Earth once.

 

[wiked87gn]

you need money to travel and i doubt he has any , trade school or college, take a yr off from school and start going when you turn 20, i never went to college but i got a life education and do well on my own, college is good but not necessary if your a survivor, truth is you should look at work this way., (work to live and not live to work) once you start living to work your done, life should be fun make the best of it, life is too short one as we know it.

 

[turbot2496]

Think about this ideal

You can get your CDL and go over the road. You can see america like the previous poster said and make some dough at the same time. If you get into the industry and bust your ass you could retire with a million in ten years. ??????? you say. You can easily make 100 grand a year in the trucking industry after expenses. Get a nice condo rig and live in it and you have zero living expenses except the truck and food. Save your money and invest wisely and with a little luck you could retire by the time your 33 if you started out when you were 21. I know a guy who worked for north american van lines that did this. He was pretty happy in retirement till he met a women that took him for a ride and most of his dough. He's back at it. LOL Also, one good thing about trucking is that your job will never get sent overseas. Its a good option for someone who doesn't want to go to school or can't afford it. If you can swing a college education do it, but don't get in a bunch of debt for a frickin psychology degree or something like that. LOL LOL Good luck.

 

[strikeeagle]

Best course of action for a HS graduate is to get to LA and embark on an acting career...

 

[Vector]

Ahh. forget those guys - college and all...
Here is some REAL advice, learn plumbing, some carpentry (dry-wall), and a little electrical stuff.
I can tell you first hand, save yourself the stress and competition of college. I know, I did college and grad school - both successfully. If I had to do it again I would do exactly what I suggest for you to do.
MAYBE, do a stint in the military so you can have some veterans preferences and benefits. (Maybe the military can train you to be a plumber.)
The blue collar thing will be harder work, but more certain and easier overall. The white collar game is never ending office politics, stress, and fighting for advancement that rarely comes.

 

[strikeeagle]

Two words - LETTER CARRIER!!!

One word - TEAMSTER!!!

 

[turbosam6]

I personally feel that college can be a waste of time and money. Both my parents have PhD's, and while they are super intelligent, I still make more than my mom. The trades are badly in need of people, and the pay is good. Sure, you may get dirty, but do you really wanna spend thousands every year on suits? Theres too many people vying for the same jobs after college, screw that. My sister went to college, and did well, but after graduation, a 4 year degree wouldn't net her anything over about $10 an hour. She went back to scooping ice cream at the local place because she was making $12 there! So she had to go to graduate school (cha ching!), and I'm sure she will do well, but I'd be suprised if she makes more than me for the first 5 years or so. Plus, having a trade is nice because you can do side work for cash. I do them every once in awhile, and its nothing to make a grand in 1 day. The "office" type jobs are depressing, same surroundings every day, same people, yuck. You'll pay your dues to become a tradesman, but its better than school, and they pay YOU. Student loans suck!!!

I'll never forget, at my stepdads graduation from college, they had a guest speaker. Some really important guy, I don't know who. Anyway, he was supposed to give these kids encouragement, and hope, and what did he tell them? " I have one thing to say to all of you- Would you like fries with that?"

Kind of a buzzkill, and probably inappropriate, but so fitting. If you are good with tools, and your hands, take advantage of that and make a living out of it. Not everyone can do that. I have to go hang some shelves for my parents, the doctors.

 

[Taffy]

If you want to go to college, check out some of the schools that only do computer stuff. www.mtsierra.edu for example. That is where I am going. After a 6 year stint in the Navy, computers is where I am going to be. Well, that and the cars parts business. Good luck!!

 

[GNandGS]

The longer you wait for college the tougher it is to go.... especially as you acrue debt and responsibilities.

I say at least start at a 2year college. Take classes under the assumption you will transfer but still structured to earn your AA degree if you dont.

DONT GET ANY CREDIT CARDS.

1. Dont take less than 12hrs or more than 18
2. DO get a part time job unless you dont need the money. If not working your grades had better be top notch. On campus jobs are usually schedule friendly, available, and do not require TRANSPORTATION (aka gas money). I worked food service - can you say FREE MEALS? Saved some money that way by negotiating meals instead of a raise.. I was a "student manager".
3. Try not to have kids or get married right away.
4. Send me 5% of your net pay after college for my service fee.
5. Live at home if you can to save money... if working offer to help out if that would help (or just do more around the house!)

Furniture (all you really HAVE to have is a bed) can come from garage sales, goodwill, private sales, graduating college students, or even walmart. Ditto for clothing! lol.

Shawn

 

[NoNos38]

The first thing you have to do is get a (DRIVE) to do what you want to do..


And NO!, You cant just say ( I am going to work hard and do BLAA,BLA,BLA,).. The (DRIVE) is something that some have and others dont.. Example= (Wakeing up at 5:30AM and looking forward for the next 14hours of (WORK) or whatever your doing to better your self that day.. This puts the skidds on parting, but I would much rather be parting in a 50Ft speed boat that I bought because I keept my head in the game and made the cash at a younger age... ((If you work hard Success will come)). TRUE and FALSE.. The truth is for your happiness Nothing is more powerfull than your oun happiness.. The false is for, not everything you do will make you lots of money, So pick a field you like doing and what is here to stay (Something everbody needs), (Example = (Realstate) Everybody needs a house... Some jobs fade out, others dont..

Its a (ZOO) out there.. The job field is very competive, but if you push harder than the next guy you should be fine....

Matt