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I've absolutely hated school all of m life. How doomed am I? I was hoping to go into land surveying since I love the outdoors, but that requires a four year degree in my state.
I was hoping to go into land surveying since I love the outdoors, but that requires a four year degree in my state.
Most jobs that "require" a degree, don't really. My friend is a software engineer at Amazon. If you look at the job listing for his position on the Careers page of Amazon's site, it'll say "B.S. in CS, Math or Physics Required", but really, that's only if you're going through the external application process. He got the job through connections. He is in fact a college dropout.
If this land surveying job is a job for the state government, then they probably do require a degree. Governments are stringent when it comes to qualifications on paper. That's because governments are inept, hire the worst people possible. Real business care about demonstrable skills.
I've absolutely hated school all of m life. How doomed am I? I was hoping to go into land surveying since I love the outdoors, but that requires a four year degree in my state.
Are you assuming that those who do have degrees absolutely loved school?
Would you want to do manual labor? Think about a trade school to learn about equipment repairs if you are handy.
Thing about outdoor jobs, often times you're inside a vehicle getting there. I was a *field* inspector and I spent 75% of my day driving to get to my *field* assignments.
I've absolutely hated school all of m life. How doomed am I? I was hoping to go into land surveying since I love the outdoors, but that requires a four year degree in my state.
Indigo? What do you like to do? Follow your passion and the "money" will follow! Then just work at it!
Indigo? What do you like to do? Follow your passion and the "money" will follow! Then just work at it!
What if his passion is philosophy? collecting vintage post-cards? basket weaving?
People need to stop reinforcing this thoughtless, hallmark "do what you love" advice, as it doesn't work for everyone. If anything keep your passions polished and sharp and maybe one day it will become a second income.
OP, what state do you live in? I saw an ad through a temp agency recently for a "Surveyor's Assistant", went in and applied but unfortunately wasn't given much info. I started cold-calling land surveying companies, until I reached the man who needed help. I'm supposed to meet with him sometime next week. You might want to do the same.
You say you love the outdoors, but what about heights? You could become an Electric Lineman. In my city there was recently some free training being offered for the unemployed. I jumped on some welding training instead, but you could check if there's a similar job program in your neck of the woods.
Beyond that, I would say look for unions in your area that offer apprenticeships. It's double the time you'll be learning at a vo. tech school, but you'll get paid to learn.
House construction, landscaping (own your own company), pest control, tree service (own it), concrete company....anything environmental in nature (park ranger, researcher) will require a degree.
From what I have found, the best money to be made (if money is important to you) without a degree is some sort of sales. If you want to be outdoors, that leaves predominately door to door. But there's a compromise. Advertising and automobile sales will let you be outdoors as often as you're indoors.
My personal experience was that I doubled my courseload junior year of high school, took college courses during the summer between junior and senior year, and graduated in January of my senior year. I knew I was not going to college, as I was born a salesperson. It was just my personality to sell, and no degree in the world was going to further my career in sales. So I got a 4 1/2 year headstart on those who were going to college. I worked retail to get my feet wet, and a year later, when I turned 18, I went into car sales. This was over 20 years ago, and my first year I made $100k plus. I left to join the military (which would be my second recommendation for you), and when I got out, I went back into sales.
Although not in car sales any longer, I was in the industry for 16+ years before burning out due to the hours and mental strain of the job. But you can make good money and spend much of your day on the lot in the sunshine (assuming you live in a sunshiny state). Now I own my own sales company and also work in sales for another company as their National Sales Director. I work until about 2:00p and then go outside and enjoy the sun!
Just my 2 cents.
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