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Originally Posted by MattUK  This is almost a follow-on post from my previous post on how i quit my job on the first day because i feel i cannot work for anyone else but myself.
But here is my current situation, im 20 years old and a college drop out. I dropped out of college because i wanted to make money and do things i wanted to do rather than struggle in a classroom which i didnt enjoy... which i can see now is probably why i feel i cannot work in a place where i am subserviant to someone else.
Recently my friend told me i have no path or no direction in life, although im qualified as a personal trainer, he says i should go back into education so i can get a degree so i can get a "skilled job" and earn a decent income and fulfill my life instead of sitting at home and failing over and over with affiliate marketting etc.
Any input from you guys would be very much appreciated as i feel quite down about this.
Thanks |
Again, this is a case where its important to not let the "expectations" of others determine the decisions you make in life. I went to college and got a degree, but it has done nothing for me professionally. Of course I really didn't expect it to--I majored in English Literature as it was what I was most interested and passionate about. I loved to write and research, and enjoyed the college environment. It was also a very beneficial experience in figuring out who I was and what I wanted in life.
Of course it isn't for everyone. A lot of the college age people I know face similar concerns and what I usually tell them is that if you're not sure what you want to do in life college is, on balance, not a bad thing to do. It's better to be doing *something* to progress in life than doing nothing. If you've figured out that its not for you, however, don't get down about it.
Again, you can't let people how to tell you how to live your life. As I've mentioned in some of your other threads you've got a good plan developing your interests and talents. Don't let other people's perception of reality--which have nothing to do with your own--take you off the path of your goals.
A friend of mine I went to high school with had a similar situation to yours. He was a very talented athlete, and would eventually become a professional snowboarder for a few years. His dad insisted, however, that he go to college and get a degree so he could get a "respectable job". He was a sharp guy, but just hated the academic environment so he dropped out after a few semesters. He had a bit of conflict with his dad over this, but eventually he also became a personal trainer and built a very lucrative business from it. He also continued to teach and coach snowboarding, which also made him a good deal of money and he eventually worked with the US Olympic Snowboarding team. He's making a good living doing what he loves, and has no shortage of options for other money making ventures in these fields.
Bottom line--college isn't for everyone. If you didn't have any concept of what you wanted to do in life, its not a bad place to get some perspective but in your case its important to just focus on the goals you have.