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This thread makes me happy, because I already have things sorted out, but at the same time, I worry what else I might do if this doesn't work out, or more importantly, what happens afterwards.

I'm not going to have much to my name besides some money and a few seabags full of uniforms and possessions I amass. The military definitely isn't a permanent solution. Even if you decide to use your post 9/11 bill, you still have a lot to worry about in the time it takes to get that degree.

I'll tackle that mountain when I get there. No matter what I decide to do, it's going to be hard, and I'll have to work hard for it.

There are times I wish I was back in high school

Not having read all the posts, you forgot a really big option and one of the best. Create your own job, aka start your own small business.

But yes generally speaking your generation is screwed and not for all the reasons you see. Mine is too. Things that people take for granted today, "Social Security" etc. Forget it exists, you will never see a dime. Pay what you have to at tax time, and start saving for your future self. By save, I mean invest. Become one of those rich people that people on here like to complain about.

 Samus_aran115 wrote:

Also, from what I've heard, the Peace Corps is really selective and are primarily taking only college people. You'd think they'd accept everyone, but I guess not. Even charity requires education!

The Peace Corps isn't charity.

 Some_Call_Me_Tim? wrote:

1: I can go to community college to get my electives done and then finish my degree at a 4-year university, and risk having the uni. not accepting my com. college credits.

If you aren't notably intellectual*, but still think college is something that would be beneficial to you, I recommend this. I would also throw in part of option 2 and say that you should carry a job, or some kind of professional experience. Don't bother stopping at an AS unless you're looking into certain technical fields.

Most importantly, actually think about what you want to do, what you can do, and how you can approach both. High school graduates aren't terribly bright, but much of the issue regarding poor collegiate choices is related to a set of assumptions made by parents. Do your research, figure out what you would like to do, and don't let adults lead you around by the nose.



*Can't get in to a decently ranked school. Despite what is often claimed, where you BA/BS came from does matter.

I vote ya take option 5 as well.
Or quit whining. Every generation has it bad.
Educated votes can go a long way to fixing it.
You just better go "right" though, they'll make "checking out" legal.

It sucks to come out of highschool during bad economic times. I'm sorry for you, but that's how it is.

All you can really do is pick a field with decent prospects, then work hard to put yourself ahead of the pack. Most times you could be pretty much in the middle of the pack and be confident of doing okay, but that isn't true right now, and might not be true for a while yet.

What do you enjoy doing? Are you good at math, science, technical writing, anything?


Electricians make serious bank. It will depend on what company you work for, but if you become a certified electrician and work that job while you study Process Control, you can then become a process control technician, which is a much more cushy job. Or, you can work on an EE degree at night while you work as an electrician. Get you an associates degree, then work as an electrician, then get your full BS in EE or Industrial Engineering.

Welders are always in demand. As are plumbers.

You have options beyond the ones you listed.

 dogma wrote:
Despite what is often claimed, where you BA/BS came from does matter.

100% this. When interviewing engineering candidates, I don't give a crap where the engineering degree is from, just that they have one.

 Jihadin wrote:
There are times I wish I was back in high school

Not me. I hated high school with the burning white hot passion of a thousand suns.

 Some_Call_Me_Tim? wrote:
4: I could join the military, but I'm a pacifist and don't approve of most of the military actions that the US has engaged in in the past 50-odd years.

_Tim?

One option here that you missed is joining the US Coast Guard. They are part of the Department of Transportation or Homeland Security (not sure which), not the DoD. Find a rating (job) that will translate well in the civilian world, do your 4 years and then move on to civilian life with the skills you've aquired while you served. You'll get paid for learning a trade and have access to the GI Bill for after your time in service.

Things are bad, but it's not that bad.

Here's the thing: You can no longer get a BA in English and expect to get anywhere in the world. A college degree used to represent your being a member of the upper class, and having a degree in English or the Classics didn't matter because you were in the club.

Now that everyone can go to college it doesn't mean anything.

Just get a degree in the sciences or engineering and you will be fine.

I am shocked to see a high school senior have such a dramatic and jaded attitude toward the future. Certainly this kind of thing is unprecedented.

 Ahtman wrote:
I am shocked to see a high school senior have such a dramatic and jaded attitude toward the future. Certainly this kind of thing is unprecedented.

You're good. You're real good.

Well, it could be worse. He could be an old unemployed man who just trolls the internet all day :(

 Ahtman wrote:
I am shocked to see a high school senior have such a dramatic and jaded attitude toward the future. Certainly this kind of thing is unprecedented.

Take a bow, sir.

Though, to be fair to the OP, he's more aware that his choices have consequences than my cohort did. We still could rely on the "got to college, get a job, profit" process. Kids now just can't.

TheHammer wrote:
Well, it could be worse. He could be an old unemployed man who just trolls the internet all day :(

You guys shouldn't be snarky to the person who posted.

Things are really tough for everyone, and those who are entering adulthood have it rough and have lots of reasons to be nervous.

It's better that he overexaggerates how bad it is than simply ignoring reality and spending $100,000 on an English degree.

TheHammer wrote:
You guys shouldn't be snarky to the person who posted.

Then I suppose they shouldn't have posted something so snark-worthy.

TheHammer wrote:
Things are really tough for everyone

Twas ever thus. It isn't like things were sunshine and free cars for the past few decades but now...now things are bad. There are always issues and there are always problems and each graduating high school class thinks theirs are unique.

TheHammer wrote:
and those who are entering adulthood have it rough and have lots of reasons to be nervous.

See above.

TheHammer wrote:
It's better that he overexaggerates

He already said he was in High School, no need to be redundant. Also, I don't think that is a thing. You either exaggerate or you do not, I don't believe you can over exaggerate. Even if you go bigger it is still just exaggerating.

TheHammer wrote:
how bad it is than simply ignoring reality and spending $100,000 on an English degree.

If you spend $100, 000 on an English Degree it better be a PhD. If one is worried about the cost it probably isn't very bright to go to an out-of-state private school to spend $25k a year when in-state it is $6.5k.

When I grow up I want to spend time making teenagers feel bad on the internet. Then I will feel better about myself.

Like someone said, good welders make very good money, especially in the pipeline business (basically oil & gas).
If you have an affinity for investigating stuff and applied physics/engineering type things, NDT (Non-Destructive Testing) is a very good business to get into, and you can get into it without a degree, though you'll have to start as a helper/scannertech and generally do the dirty jobs.
Though verifying welds pays slightly less than actually making them, there are far more opportunities to climb up the ladder.
Like the army, you get to travel the world (generally you´re in the arse-end of nowhere though) and get paid for the privilege. Generally the pay's better, and you don´t get shot at, though.

TheHammer wrote:
When I grow up I want to spend time making teenagers feel bad on the internet. Then I will feel better about myself.

I prefer to make teenagers feel bad in person. The emotions are much more fresh that way, the tears so sweet.

"Depressing teenagers is like shooting fish in a barrel."
-Bart Simpson.

We can't make anyone feel anything, they choose to feel that way or not. Pointing out that teens are prone to hyperbole, exaggerating, and thinking their situation is somehow unique in the world isn't exactly some sort of incredibly calculated insult that will do years of psychological damage.

I imagine you typing that as you flex your huge biceps and drink some Steel Reserve like a manly man who mans all the time.

TheHammer wrote:
I imagine you typing that as you flex your huge biceps and drink some Steel Reserve like a manly man who mans all the time.

You can be a girl and figure out such a pattern. The only requirement to see such a pattern is to have been out of High School for a year, though some of the more enlightened realize it in High School. The trick you seem to be missing is that the humour isn't in pointing at the guy and laughing, but recognizing that we were that guy, just as OP will recognize it when he gets a bit more perspective. Knowing that teens are prone to certain behaviors isn't an insult any more than knowing that humans at any stage are prone to certain behaviors.

TheHammer wrote:
I imagine you typing that as you flex your huge biceps and drink some Steel Reserve like a manly man who mans all the time.

Well Ahtman is a steely eyed manly man who does manly things.

 Frazzled wrote:

TheHammer wrote:
I imagine you typing that as you flex your huge biceps and drink some Steel Reserve like a manly man who mans all the time.

Well Ahtman is a steely eyed manly man who does manly things.

I met him. Just having a beer with him nearly got me pregnant.

Wait, so you can relate to this guy and your response is to be a bully?

COLD AS ICE

There are two major competing theories on self-development right now.

1. What got your here, won't get you there- Understand the skills you need to develop, and doing things that willpurposely develop them and make you better at them.

2. Soar with your Strenghts- Understand what you are really good at or inclined to do, and do that a smuch as you can.

No matter which strategy you choose, they both start with having a complete understanding of yourself and a realistic vision of what you are good at/drawn to do. Self-Awareness is the first step to successful development as a person.

That is where I would start. Don't worry about the future so much, and instead make sure you understand who you are NOW.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

TheHammer wrote:
Wait, so you can relate to this guy and your response is to be a bully?

COLD AS ICE

I don;t know.... seems kind a vanilla.

Easy E speaks the truth.

I would also focus on making sure you have as many doors open to you as possible. You will literally have no idea where life will take you, and keeping as many options available will be huge.

TheHammer wrote:
Wait, so you can relate to this guy and your response is to be a bully?

COLD AS ICE

Coast Guard is DHS.