Where is everyone #5

They pushed college hard on us in high school — especially the large state schools UF and FSU. The smaller schools in-state were always viewed as “second choice” schools and then all the kids with wealthier parents were applying to the private schools — I don’t think I had one kid in my graduating class that went on to an Ivy League... we had one go to the Naval Academy and is now a US Marine LT.

I graduated one year early.... basically didn’t have a junior year. I was a junior for two months until they bumped me up to 12th grade due to my exceeding number of credits... mostly in math. I paid far more attention to what I was doing at the vocational school than I was back at high...

I went on to represent Florida for SkillsUSA in drafting. I believe someone was talking about SkillsUSA on here recently?

There’s nothing wrong with trade jobs — unfortunately my age group doesn’t see it that way. It’s scary the number of people I’ve met post high-school who are dumbfounded that this is what I’m doing... I don’t ever mention the money because that’s not really why I got into this... I could’ve gone to college (I got in just didn’t bother?) incurred some substantial debt and maybe made things work as a civil engineer — but I’d be miserable. With that being said, many went to UF/FSU/UM and now have 75-100k in debt and are working minimum wage jobs that have zilch to do with these degree. But hey, at least they went to college? Right.

The trades are booming for what I know. But no one wants to work. They all want comfy desk jobs so they can go home to their beachfront condo and take lavish vacations... that’s the dream they were sold when everyone since middle school has been telling them to go to college and it will all be fine...

 

I was with dad around trucks in diapers. I recall the day I slipped and fell in a drain pan of used oil about 5 or 6. Or in 4th grade knocked out my new two front teeth because a air hose slipped out of my hand on plugging it. Mom was super impressed. Busting down tires and brake jobs at 13. Had to have help putting drum on and lifting tires. Dad would always tell people I was doing that at 13, cam bushing and slacks too. 14 started helping at a great uncles farm. Me and my brothers had a nice list of lawns we mowed too. In the country, no little yards. Worked about 6 months at McDonalds in High School before I knew that wasn't for me. Then a slaughter house before I got a job in a shop working on trucks. Still had to work on dads on the weekends. Down hill from there, thats just the Highlights. I missed some fun with friends once and a while, but I would do it all over bout the same if I had too. I was just glad I got to Thank my Dad for raising me that way.

See @stwik I dont need fast food training BTW.

 

Edited to inject more truth.

 

McDonald’s University will always have an available chair for you!

 

I'm a huge fan of Mike Rowe and his foundation's!! I always pass along info about them to Young folks I run into that might not be sure of what direction they're going. College definitely isn't for everyone! I'd go nuts being indoors all day!

 

Yep, me and my deceased brother use to fix flats on the weekend and grease the old man's trucks. Hated those split ring Dayton wheels ! If Osha was around then the old man would probably been thrown in jail on child labor laws ! LOL

 

I stand corrected.

 

I went to a 2 year vocational school after graduating high school and although I didn't stay with machining I ended up with a good career in the diesel mechanic field. After watching my ex finish out her degree while we were married I'm pretty certain 99% of ALL jobs/careers can be learned with 6 months on-the-job training. Don't get me wrong, a degree is something to be proud of but it's like ASE certification....just because you're good at testing doesn't mean you're proficient in the subject.

 

Didn’t know you had a deceased brother, sorry to hear that.

 

Thank You Sir. We have all done bad jobs. Never know when you might have too again. Just keep moving.

Never forget the first new car I bought after being a Owner Op. Trade in and cash I only financed a little under 1/2. Intrest rate at 2.9% and at that point it was cheap not to blow all your saved cash. Well the guys asked for my weekly income. I asked gross or net? Oh gross. So I wrote down a average/lower number. He looked at it. Said Sir is this monthly, I said no, you asked for weekly. He just looked at me in a flannel #### and faded jeans. And I said that down payment will be in cash too. Never got such great service in my life.