Options besides College?

[disneychickforever]

Okay, I'm a 19 year old college student, and I've been in college since Fall 2006. My problem is, that I'm really starting to think that I'm just throwing my and my parent's money away, because I don't think college is exactly for me.

I don't know what my options are as for work besides college though. I've been having a real hard time trying to find work lately even at a store. How can I make a career in a job where I don't need a college degree but not work in retail? Is that even possible? I don't mind doing office work or anything like that...if that helps.

Everyone in my life; my family and my boyfriend included, even my CP recruiters, is making me feel like I HAVE to go. Is it bad that I'm not really sure if I want to? Or even if I can finish a degree program?

I know in today's world, it's really hard to get by without a degree, but everyday when I sit there and not able to understand whats going on, I get more and more frustrated. I do study, and I do attend every class, so that's not the issue.

Please don't flame me, I just need some guidance. Thanks.

 

[csaribay]

Okay, I'm a 19 year old college student, and I've been in college since Fall 2006. My problem is, that I'm really starting to think that I'm just throwing my and my parent's money away, because I don't think college is exactly for me.

I don't know what my options are as for work besides college though. I've been having a real hard time trying to find work lately even at a store. How can I make a career in a job where I don't need a college degree but not work in retail? Is that even possible? I don't mind doing office work or anything like that...if that helps.

Everyone in my life; my family and my boyfriend included, even my CP recruiters, is making me feel like I HAVE to go. Is it bad that I'm not really sure if I want to? Or even if I can finish a degree program?

I know in today's world, it's really hard to get by without a degree, but everyday when I sit there and not able to understand whats going on, I get more and more frustrated. I do study, and I do attend every class, so that's not the issue.

Please don't flame me, I just need some guidance. Thanks.

Well, I'm of the belief that at some point in everyone's academic life there is a period of burn out where you just don't see the light at the end of the tunnel, or the reason why you're doing what you're doing. Sometimes it pays to take a break and catch your breath.

I've told a lot of people this much advice: college is very important in today's job market. However, don't waste your time, money or energy until you are ready (and happy) to make that commitment. Since your degree appears to be well underway, a break will probably help, but after that you'll want to stay the course. No reason to get half way through, and then back down and not finish what you started.

If you're interested in the College Program, I think that'll be a good way to get a break and still learn tips and tricks from a leader in hospitality. It'll also give you a healthy dose of perspective on life and your education.

 

[deadtoaster2]

I think a lot of people don't really get a whole lot out of their education which is a shame because taught properly people could learn FAR MORE than most ever will. I have only had a VERY small handful of classes, maybe two or three, that I feel I actually learned anything in.

What has kept me going (besides the fact that my parents are gonna kick me out if I stop going LOL) is trying to break up mandatory classes with simi fun classes. I took a photography course where we were able to work in a darkroom and it was one of the best experiences I have ever had. Not sure if your college offers something like that or if that is even your cup of tea, but try to find something that will make it seem like the rest of the required classes are not so bad.

In today's job market you will be hard pressed to find a job you will enjoy and that will pay reasonably without a college education. Even if it is just a piece of paper that says you did it, employers will look at that as a sign of commitment. I can't really say much more on the matter because I have been in the exact same situation many times but hopefully some of this has helped a little.

 

[SanFranciscan]

Your story reminded me of a video I saw recently on You Tube. A man who had spent a great deal of money on his degrees -- I think that he had a Master's Degree -- was saying that he really felt that he could have found a better use for his money and avoided a great deal of debt. He called his video "College Is an Evil Trap!"

I don't know if what I am seeing in San Francisco is typical nationwide. You say that you don't want to work retail. Around here stores are full of employees with degrees. I would imagine most hotel desk clerks and a large percentage of restaurant servers have degrees as well. Yet the skills needed to do these jobs well can't be taught in a university. I do hate to see graduates in jobs they could have gotten without degrees paying back student loans on top of that.

I am not in college and don't have a child in college so this question is all theory to me. I would have to be careful about overstepping my boundaries in advising someone else's child to avoid making some serious enemies. If I felt safe doing so, I would strongly advise any high school student I knew to seriously consider alternatives to college. The Disney programs might be a good fit because I heard that there is a Disney program for high school students as well.

At 19 you are not a child. My mother was married at your age. Speak to your parents as an adult. Tell them that you will never be too old to go to college. Tell them that you just think that college is not the best place for you at this time and that you would rather be doing something much less expensive while you think it over. Whatever money your parents saved for you as a college fund should have been thought of as a fund for your future. Perhaps that money could be used to own some real estate or finance your own business as soon as you get a little work experience as someone's apprentice.

The edu-business is not run for the benefit of students. Just like any store or factory, it is run to make money for the people who run it. It is possible that your degree could open doors for you. Being unable to pay off student debt could close many more doors for you when you subsequently are turned down for the jobs you thought the degree would get for you and are considered a bad risk for car loans or mortgages due to an outstanding student loan.

Your parents and counselors are certainly free to state their opinions on this matter, but I am reminded of a party I attended a couple of years ago for someone turning 18. We were all supposed to give her our piece of advice for adulthood while holding a piece of driftwood in a ritual I found rather silly. What I told her as my piece of elder's wisedom was to never underestimate what she already knew because she would be living with the consequences of our advice long after the rest of us present were dead and gone if she should choose to follow that advice.

 

[Seewhatimesdone]

I understand how you feel. Instead of blowing fifteen grand on something I wasn't that excited about I decided to take some classes at a community college so I can at least get an AA degree. But like csaribay said a lot of people get burnt out with school which is true in my case. I went to three different high schools and at this point I am just plain TIRED with school. So the CP is going to be a great oppurtunity for me to take a break, get some great work experience, and think about what I want to do with my life. I think it might be a good oppurtunity for you too

 

[shastatikipunch]

Well, I'm of the belief that at some point in everyone's academic life there is a period of burn out where you just don't see the light at the end of the tunnel, or the reason why you're doing what you're doing. Sometimes it pays to take a break and catch your breath.

I've told a lot of people this much advice: college is very important in today's job market. However, don't waste your time, money or energy until you are ready (and happy) to make that commitment. Since your degree appears to be well underway, a break will probably help, but after that you'll want to stay the course. No reason to get half way through, and then back down and not finish what you started.

If you're interested in the College Program, I think that'll be a good way to get a break and still learn tips and tricks from a leader in hospitality. It'll also give you a healthy dose of perspective on life and your education.

Very well said Chris. Much like Chris I feel that there is no point in starting something (especially something as expensive as college) if you're not going to finish it. I think taking a break would be an awesome idea, it helps to get you back on track with what you need to do. Take it from me I've been going to college for three years straight with almost no breaks for summer and Christmas. As of right now I'm considering tying the loose ends of my degree credits up when I get back from the CP, so don't sweat it and quit just take some time off to get your head back in the game so to speak.

 

[YouJustBideYourTime!]

Well I don't know-see for me I HAVE to go to college-but I am determined to be an artist for WDI so that's exactly why.

If you have no solid career plans or even dreams then why not get into a career where you simply move up the ladder? If I didn't have this dream of working for WDI as an artist since I was like 6 and still it is strong, I would probably keep working in the parks and move up to management, etc etc.

I have no further comment though those are my only thoughts on the matter. Good luck whatever you choose!

JK I didn't know I had more in me! #._.#
Just remember that although, yes, you *can* go back to school at a later age it gets tougher to do as life goes on. You may get married someday, you may have children some day (whether you plan to or not ), you may move out of your parents' home and you may struggle for money...etc etc etc you never know what the future holds and not to scare you, but there are legitamate reasons that people who wish they could go back to school can't. It is difficult to support yourself (or others too!) and pay for school, have TIME for school, etc. So don't take it as in, I can always do it later... Really think about it. Are you sure you can?

 

[zulemara]

Honestly, I think it just sounds like you need a break, but one that won't jeopardize your financial situation. I have a friend who flunked out after 2 years in college and because of it, he has a LOT of student loans to pay and has no income to pay it. He also owes the university directly. It took him a couple more years to straighten out his life and figure out what he wants and now he is going back to get a certification and then coming to Disney hoping to work at DAK.

Anyway my point is that I was in the same point you're in. I didn't know what I wanted to do and I was VERY burned out on the suitcase college I went to in a small town where the Wal Mart closes at 6 on a Sunday. I did the college program for 9 months and never looked back. I came back home, changed schools, and got a renewed energy to finish my degree and get back down to Orlando. I graduate in December and leave for Disney in January.

so my advice is to take a break to figure out your life. Working at a theme park for 6 months tends to put your priorities in order

 

[disneychickforever]

Thanks for all the help guys. After reading through your advice, I looked through my situation. Here is what I came up with:

I'm still living at home going to a CC, and while economically this is a good fit, I find that my parents and my sister (though not meaning to) make it really hard to study fully. I know, however, any situation will have distractions. I, however, have also been trying for a really LONG time to get out of my city/county.

I've done the CP (well attempted to), and ended up getting injuried and having to leave. So I applied for Spring 09, and am just waiting on my rehire paperwork.

For my birthday this year, I was going to go to Disney with my BF, but I asked him if I could look at a college (St. Leo U) I've been thinking about since I was 14 years old instead. Since I'll be going to Disney the month before anyway he agreed (very happily, since it was cheaper LOL), and the two of us (and possibly my mom) is going to look at this school for possible transfer after my 2nd college program (if I get in that is, lol).

Sound to stupid, or could the fact that I'm not happy at my current school be the reason?

 

[MissRiss89]

Sound to stupid, or could the fact that I'm not happy at my current school be the reason?

I don't think that sounds stupid at all. I'm now in my third semester at a school I do not like at all. I spend the majority of the time upset and thinking that college just isn't for me, like it seems you have too. My parents have finally accepted the idea that this school just isn't right for me, instead of telling me that all the reasons I'm so miserable are MY own fault. I'd say I'm about 90% sure I'm transferring after my program (hopefully Spring '09 as well) and I'm really hoping things will work out for me...

 

[CelebrationNM]

Sound to stupid, or could the fact that I'm not happy at my current school be the reason?

Not stupid at all. Lots of good thoughts here from everybody, but my opinion is that if you find somewhere that you like and you finish, you probably won't regret it.

As Lee Cockerell says: "What should you do today that will not pay off for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, or even 50 years?"

If you ask yourself that, you may have a better idea of how you want to spend your time at the moment.

 

[Boo Bear]

I've been in college since 2004 and I was supposed to graduate last May.... i'll be lucky if I get done with my academics by may of 09. I want to quit so bad because I feel like I won't get anywhere with an art degree anyway. I'm going to suck it up and get it done though. It sucks... I hate school beyond comprehension... it's never been my thing. I barely scraped by in high school. I'm extremely intelligent but hate being told what do to and how to do things. If I don't feel like doing something then I don't do it.... which has gotten me into a world of hurt. My best suggestion to you is to take a break. I honestly believe that it will be hard to find a job without a degree unless it's retail management. It's just true and there's no way I can sugar coat it. I've faced the idea that by being an artist, I'll be stuck selling cameras for my whole life and make art as a hobby... I don't want to do that at all. My hope is to work for Disney someday in art administration and some kind of marketing or advertising.

Chin up! You'll be fine. Try to do what you can to lessen the worry, then think about it logically and come up with a plan. SOmetimes you need to talk it out with a parent or close friend. Good luck!

 

[Joanna71985]

I feel your pain! I was *this* close to leaving school last year. But I decided to stick it out (since my parents are paying). I will be graduating a year late, in May.
Hang in there! You can do it.

 

[SanFranciscan]

Whether or not you stay in school and get a degree, learn to sell. Nobody fires their top sales person, even if that person is illiterate. You can be a coveted employee on Wall Street with no education in economics. When employers say that they are looking for someone with outstanding customer service skills, they are looking for someone who is not bashful about pressuring the customer.

 

[mandilou]

Whether or not you stay in school and get a degree, learn to sell.

I say, you don't have to learn to sell. Just get really good at what you really love doing. Because eventually, you're going to have to wake up every day and head to the same job everyday, and if you don't love it, you're going to get tired real quick.
But if selling is what you're into, more power to ya. I had a lot of fun as a tech specialist at Circuit City back in the day.

Good luck.

 

[graygables]

"What do you do with a B.A. in English? What is my life going to be? 4 years of college and plenty of knowledge have earned me this useless degree!"

Story. Of. My. Life. I started college, hated it, got married to get out, had 2 kids, got divorced and was pressured to go back to school. Finished my B.A. in English, taught school for 2 years, hated it and remarried (for the right reasons this time... ) I've spent the last 15 years rearing 2 more kids (that I wasn't supposed to be able to have) and trying to find work. I have been grossly unsuccessful as I am over-qualified or under-experienced. I returned to grad school to update my degree to something perhaps a bit more meaningful (management) and have decided to pursue a PI at WDW.

My older 2 DDs were not particularly excited about college and attended pretty much to get into the CP. After the CP, they both quit to work for WDW fulltime and are very happy with their decisions. My oldest has returned to college (Univ of Phoenix online) and my 2nd DD has decided to go to cosmetology school while working at WDW. She figures people will always need haircuts and she loves doing it.

I will tell you that, as a mom, I have always told my children they can be whatever they choose to be as long as they enjoy it and give it their best effort (and it's legal... ). I don't care if they are sweeping the floors in McDonald's if that's what makes them happy. I do not believe that a degree is necessarily a ticket to a better paying job and I do not believe that a better paying job is a ticket to happiness.

At 19, you're an adult and if you don't feel that you are moving in the right direction for you, then you need to step up and take ownership of your life. And, if your DBF is giving you a piece of his mind rather than a piece of his heart (Natasha Bedingfield song, in case you haven't heard it...) then he needs a reality check of his own and you might want to re-examine that relationship, too.

 

[dad2t&e]

I believe that at some point in everyone's academic life there is a period of burn out where you just don't see the light at the end of the tunnel, or that you just can’t figure out the reason why you're doing what you're doing. Sometimes it pays to take a break and catch your breath.

I work with the youth program through my church and many of our kids have taken some time off and volunteered at Church Camps, took time off to join a bible college or the many other youth functions like mission trips or just volunteer work. I do not know if you belong to a local church group or college group such as Campus Christians, but you can find all kinds of opportunities through this connection.


I've given this advice to any that have asked: college is very important in today's job market. However, don't waste your time, money or energy until you are really ready to make that commitment. Since you have started on your degree and it appears to be going ok, a break will probably won’t hurt, but after that you'll want to stay the course. No reason to get half way through, and then back down and not finish what you started.

 

[can84]

"What do you do with a B.A. in English? What is my life going to be? 4 years of college and plenty of knowledge have earned me this useless degree!"

Story. Of. My. Life. I started college, hated it, got married to get out, had 2 kids, got divorced and was pressured to go back to school. Finished my B.A. in English, taught school for 2 years, hated it and remarried (for the right reasons this time... ) I've spent the last 15 years rearing 2 more kids (that I wasn't supposed to be able to have) and trying to find work. I have been grossly unsuccessful as I am over-qualified or under-experienced. I returned to grad school to update my degree to something perhaps a bit more meaningful (management) and have decided to pursue a PI at WDW.


At 19, you're an adult and if you don't feel that you are moving in the right direction for you, then you need to step up and take ownership of your life. And, if your DBF is giving you a piece of his mind rather than a piece of his heart (Natasha Bedingfield song, in case you haven't heard it...) then he needs a reality check of his own and you might want to re-examine that relationship, too.

I have to say, some of this sounds familiar. I graduated high school a year early, and went to a local community college, and I was miserable. I took time off, went back to a different college, and was still unhappy. After a few more years, I went back for a completely different major and finished my degree. Now, nearly 10 years later I'm working on my Master's and LOVING it. It may sound a bit lame, but people are kind of like recipes--some people only need 10 minutes to cook, while others of us need to sit for a bit longer. We all mature at our own rate, and there is no right or wrong answer, just what is right or wrong for you. Tough as it is, you CAN always go back.