They say school is important

[smacdown]

All those people making all these big bucks is fine and dandy but I'd rather make less and do what I love to do. That's why I went to school to pursue my dream job. It's not the highest paying but it's my red rubber ball. For those who don't believe in college or degrees I recommend you read Kevin Carroll Katalyst " Rules of the Red Rubber Ball." I turned down a very high paying job to go to college, and I don't regret it at all. So what I'm trying to say school is cool! That's my 2 cents

[rdjustham]

I wanna do something in the law enforcement area because my aunt was a NCIS agent them she passed away my 6th grade year a few years after her retirement we have mentors at school and i had law enforcement last year and this year i chose vet and 8 years isnt for me

DONT DO IT!!! I love what i do but looking back i should have stayed in college and finished my law degree.  If you wanna know some horror stories, how you can barely pay the bills or the divorce rate, PM me. 

[Eric]

Every one is talking about what you have to do to get a job working for some one else. Own your job and you don't have to worry about the requirements.

When is the last time a plumber showed up at your house and you asked if the owner has a degree? When you walk in to a store do you ask if the owner has a degree? When is the last time you checked to see if the owner of the mechanic shop you use has a degree?

I've talked many times about different service oriented contractors raking it in. Making 100-200-300K a year because they are honest and fair. No one askes those people if they have a degree. They are most likely referred and have a reputation for doing good work.

Again, not saying that college is not a good thing, but its not the only route. My brother and I are complete opposites. He wanted the degrees and to work for these large firms. I am more entrepreneurial and could care less about sitting in a classroom. Every one has to choose their own route that works for them. You will be the most successful doing what you like to do.... not what others want you to do.

[7Mhunter]

No doubt about it im going to finish high school id rather be a texas ranger or something like that something in special forces

[sanman]

I kinda had the same feeling as you back when I was in HS, but I hadn't really planned on college. I was just gonna keep riding running horses and shoeing. I was offered a scholarship to rodeo out in Big Spring, so I loaded up and went. Made 1 semester out there, and came back to SETX, hated school. I went straight to work in the plants as a wrench turner. Hated it worse! Got another scholarship to rodeo for a school over her in LA, and never looked back. I let it pay for my school. Finally graduated, and now I have a BS in Wildlife. Went to work in that field and love it. Like the guys said before, lay out a plan and try and follow it. There are jobs out there you will soon hate, but make alot of money, and there are jobs out there you will love, and make decent money. Been at the same job going on 15 years, and have grown to make the most out of the money.

[Beaucephus]

After my second year of college I tried to quit and come home to work the ranch. My father told me that if I wanted to quit, he would have nothing to do with me.   He was a cattle and chicken farmer.  We didn't have much but I think he knew if I came home the chances of me having to work hard everyday of my life would be unavoidable. That would have been the worst mistake of my life.
I went to college to play baseball.  I broke my back on the field my senior year.  If that would have happened and I didn't have a college education i would have been screwed.  I knew the only way I was going to be successful was to work hard.  Early in life I thought that meant work hard phyically.  Now if I work hard physically more than one day in a row I can't move the next day.  Due to my degree I am now able to work the ranch on weekends, race chuckwagons, hog hunt and virtually anything else I want to and return to the office to make real money on monday.
The degree provided more options. I am especially thankful because hardwork took a toll on my body at a young age.  You never know what is going to happen down the road.  Life is not short and you may just need that education someday.  If nothing else, I made some memories in college I will soon not forget.
I would encourage the youth to put the work in early and try to get a scholarship whether it be academic or athletic.