If you were just graduating from High School, What would you do differently? (employment, unemployed)

[YaFace]

I would have done nothing different. Sure it would have nice to do this and that, but the reality of it all is that my work ethic would have been exactly the same, so I probably would be exactly where I am now.

[SXMGirl]

I would be a pastry chef. When I graduated from high school a million years ago, I wanted to go to Vegas and be a dancer. My family pressured me to go to college and be a teacher. I love teaching, but I wish that I had a backbone and money back then and at least gave it a try. Of course the downside of being a "showgirl" is that it is a short-lived occupation and I don't know what I would be doing now. My message to my students, though, is to follow their dream. Something else will always come along.

[Bulldog77]

Originally Posted by violent cello

I feel like I didn't really start living it up and having fun as a young person until I was 23. But at least I did it

What do you mean when you say "living it up" and having fun as a young person?

[Ceece]

If I knew then what I know now...when I graduated back in the 70's I would have gone to college immediately after high school. I would also consider a career in the military. But if I were graduating TODAY I would probably look into the medical field. Not as a Dr or nurse but something like radiology.

[CTR36]

I would have majored in Accounting and gotten my CPA instead of majoring in Psychology/pre med. I would not have gotten married so young That way I could have concentrated on my schooling and career. Not that I regret marrying my high school sweetheart, but I know that BOTH of us were too young and he gave up his dream and never finished college b/c now he had a wife to support. I wish we would have had parents that gave a cr@p and advised us to wait!!!

We are advising our daughter just that ! WAIT! Do not get married, get your career going then get married and have kids. Also, don't have kids right after you get married. I am glad we waited 4 years to have her, but we were STILL too young to be parents.

Now my husband is 42, his business has failed and he cannot find a job.
The type of industry he was in is not going to be making a comeback (cleaning out builders models and specs) and he is depressed and does not know what to do with his life.
If I had majored in acct. and gotten my CPA I could be making WAY more $$ in this field that I am now. Not that I am complaining, but more $$ is always nice

[moved]

Join the military.

[Susan815]

I would have gone to college and then obtained a job with a pension instead of going straight to work, going to college at night in my late thirties and working 23 years in a private corporation with no pension and no 401K match. I could have then taken that pension along with early social security and would not be worrying about finding a job after being downsized at age 62. As for marriage and family, I would not change one thing.

[RogueMom]

Go straight to college and realize my full potential, get the stars out of my eyes and drop the "rock-star" boyfriend and marry that responsible one I let get away instead..

Ah, precious hindsight...

[RobinsonCrusoe]

I wish I had matured quicker. 6 years ago when I was 18, I thought I knew it all. College + working in the real world made me realize how life is NOTHING like the movies and how much BS you have to deal with just to make it. I just wanted to get away from my parents and partied/smoked/fornicated my way through college without really thinking about my future.

I was a very idealistic kid growing up. Working/living/dating in the real world shattered all those misconceptions I used to glorify in my youth. The simple truth: It's all about the money.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Ceece

Not as a Dr or nurse but something like radiology.

Radiologists are doctors.