College degree?

[imsorry]

Am I the only one here who started working straight out of HS and didn't get a degree?

 

[PrincessPatty]

Well not exactly, Ive been going to college since I graduated, (and working the whole time) just taking some classes, it took me a looong time to realize what I wanted to do, most people who are in college as long as I am are getting their Dr. and not their BS!!

 

[Buckalew11]

Nope, I'm with ya! I've been working at my "chosen profession" for the last 22 years. Had a job right out of high school. I turned 40 this year and it does feel like I've been working forever though!!

 

[snappy]

I did one semester of college out of high school, then went to work (1972).
Ended up back in college in 1976, finished with a BS in Accounting in 1979.

I was much more motivated after working for awhile. Also, I only worked part time for one semester after I returned to college. I really was motivated at that point, was willing to forego extras that working partime would provide, instead I concentrated on school. I only made all A's when I went back except for two 1 credit classes. Ended up graduating with honors, which I probably would not have done if I had continued straight through in 1972.

DH went back for his MBA in his 40's, he was 45 when he finished. Wasn't easy but it helped his career. He was stuck in one dead end job after another in New Orleans.

I understand top colleges consider that students taking a year off after high school before college is a good idea. I can see real upside also especially if the time is used to help identify what you really want to accomplish, traveling, doing significant volunteer work, stretching yourself in some way.
Gives you a chance to grow up a little and not be so dependent on mom and dad (hopefully).

 

[Marseeya]

I started college right out of HS, but dropped out and got a job. I didn't get my degree until I was in my 30s.

DH didn't get a degree either, but he's working on that now.

The kinds of jobs we want require degrees.

 

[ckret01]

Nope you're not the only one...glad I'm not either (as sometimes it certainly feels like it). I am 32 and just started taking classes online to earn an A.S. degree. I feel so left out and almost stupid when I am in a discussion with people that everyone has degrees and I don't. I went straight to work just like you after highschool and couldn't afford college on my own and didn't want to take out loans after seeing that my sister is still paying them off till today. Didn't want that burden.
So now I am trying to earn my degree online but will be quite a few years before that happens.

 

[inaminute]

Nope. For a while I thought I wanted to go back to school. I continued to pursue other interests--primarily my husband and children. School became less important as I became more secure with my choices.

 

[jennyl772003]

No. I had my son right out of highschool, so no college for me.

Every once and a while me and DH toss out the idea of me going back to school, but I don't know if it will ever happen this late in the game.

 

[mom23boys]

I do not have a college degree. I have some credits. I really do not enjoy school, I went to school for a few years, but then I got married and moved and relocated with DH. We moved back home three years later.

I have worked as a secretary till my middle one was 1.

I really do not have a problem with me not having a degree, but I do not tell people I am not a college graduate.

My DH got his Masters a few years ago, and I was going to go back to school, but now he travels and my kids are very involved at night time.

My DMIL has a big problem with me not having a degree, but I could care less, she used to say things all the time, but I just ignored her.

Sharon

 

[Crankyshank]

I went to college for a year after high school and left (not by my choice). I then started working f/t and taking classes here and there. I took a few years off because of $$ concerns.

 

[KAMLEM]

I understand top colleges consider that students taking a year off after high school before college is a good idea. I can see real upside also especially if the time is used to help identify what you really want to accomplish, traveling, doing significant volunteer work, stretching yourself in some way.
Gives you a chance to grow up a little and not be so dependent on mom and dad (hopefully).

I have never heard this before. I know it's true for people getting their Masters because schools want them to have some experience working. I'm not questioning it, I had just never heard it before.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I entered college right after high school, actually within a little over a month from graduating high school. I started during the summer semester.

 

[korzmom]

no, i dont have a degree and neither does my dh. he has credits under his belt but never finished , was lucky enough to have computer skills beyond belief and has a very good systems anylist job. but now a days you need that degree to get anywhere, and if your kids decide to take that year off- they lose your insurance coverage..

 

[MUFFYCAT]

I didn't go to college either. I graduated high school on Saturday and started working on Monday.

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

I started working when I was a junior in high school and I'm still in the same profession. Never got a degree. However, I now have the equivalent of a degree.

 

[parrothead365]

No sheepskin for me. Did 8yr in Uncle Sams Canoe Club straight out of High School. Turned the training I got there into a Government Job and I'm do'in just fine

 

[Keli]

I didn't have my BS for many years. I did hate it because it seemed like I could never get the jobs I wanted because I was undereducated. I finally went back to college in my 30's and got my BS.

 

[Chicago526]

I did go to college but did not finish. I would like to go back some day, though, and get a degree.

It was a bit odd to be going to work and earning decent money while all my friends in college were poor students with no money. I still earn as much or more than most of them, they all went in to relativley low paying careers! Only one of my friends makes more than I do, she's an RN. The others are teachers, a frorensic scientist for the state police, and a customer service call center rep for a major telephone company. But in the long run, they have the advantage, because if for some reason they wanted to change careers, they could find work for more money, but I make about as much as you can in my industry unless you own your own businees, which I have no interest in doing.

 

[DVC-Don]

I went right to work out of high school for 11 years. Then I went to college full time and got a couple of degrees.