Newbie here...Would like some career advice

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Some anectdotal ramblings…

I know a number of people with no higher education who are happy and reasonably well paid at Wal-Mart. Most are department managers, which is probably the first rung up from the bottom, but they are happy in what they do and really don’t want the responsibility a higher position would bring. To each his own.

I know a young (now 28) high school dropout who played computer games all night instead of studying. He got his GED shortly after he would have graduated had he stayed in school and went through three or four computer related jobs doing mostly grunt work, bored stiff and unhappy. After losing the last job, he was hired by Cisco at $80k. They are extremely happy with him, frequently throwing in large bonuses for his work on special projects. He is happy that they keep him mentally challenged and goes the extra mile for them. He seems to have found his niche and is unlikely to ever go back to a regular school, although he is availing himself of the company’s internal education and certification programs.

As they say, different strokes for different folks. Do what you’ll be happy doing and don’t worry about what other people think.
 
montanaman said:
I’ve always known I’d be a writer–a novelist. Unfortunately, I’m also a slacker who can happily waste days playing video games. (That’s pre-marriage and children, of course). So, I sort of coasted through several schools, finally majoring in something called “Liberal Studies” just to get out quicker, and even then, it took me forever because it seemed like such a huge waste of my time.

I eventually wound up in Washington, D.C. as an editor for a big, although obscure, paper. Other stints included PR work for the government, proposal writing for a non-profit, and then another job doing the same.

I’ve been bored to tears for eight years.

However, I recently started a small moving assistance business. I just help people in the area move heavier/bulkier items that they themselves are unable to transport. I charge a really good fee (for them, most of the time), and with minimal effort, I’ve almost doubled my income. (Which isn’t saying much, considering I work for a non-profit.)

I was shocked to discover that I love, actually LOVE, running my own business. Yes, I even love dealing with the constant headaches of self-employment–there are books to keep, supplies to order, equipment to maintain, and fussy customers to placate. But I love it. Granted, when I’m on the downstairs end of an upstairs-bound sleeper sofa, it ain’t paradise, but I know that when the job is done, I’ll get paid and maybe even make a repeat customer, or referrer.

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Dude. I SOOOOO wish you lived around here. 😉
 
thomfra said:
Yes - A degree from a big university has prestige. As stupid as this may sound, this means something when it comes to applying for jobs in the future.
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When I was in college, then as a teacher, I heard this quite a lot, especially from college counselors, professors, parents, etc. But, never once have I heard it from a hiring manager in my professional career. I surely do not take into consideration the school or university when hiring my managers, staff, etc (but I do work in online/emedia - which is still a bit new to have strong university programs). So this really does depend on the company, program, job, etc.

OP - I’ve known dozens of people who spent 4-10 years at University, and are either unhappy, or still searching for what they want to do. Yet others spend 4 years, graduate, and are doing just what they want. Sounds like you are blessed in that you have found something you love. Do it now, and if/when you begin to yearn for something else - pursue it then. There’s no age limit on college.

Plus, many specialized programs now state a Bachelor’s as a requirement, but a Masters is almost necessary. Yet other positions can be fulfilling, and lucrative, regardless of the letters after your name. I will say though that having a Bachelor’s degree in something may make it easier to change from one career to another without direct formal training (take it from a Classics major who built theatrical scenery, then taught high school, and now oversees online business strategy for media companies)

Honestly, I would probably spend more time and money at Lowes if more employees there seemed to give a darn…
 
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