I'm confused

[Cataholic]

I think Bill Gates is one of the people without an education, and of course, he is quite successful. I just wouldn't want to take that risk. By and large, an education opens more doors for you than not having one. I wouldn't have landed my first job without one, and of course, having a law degree was a neccesity for my current job.

Having a college education does not guararntee you money. I am not sure where people come up with that idea. However, statistically speaking..and I am not a stats major by anyone's imagination, one does stand to earn more with an education than without. Again, sure, it works the other way, but, that is not the normal course of events. And, more education generally opens your mind more, if you are one of those people open to having your mind opened. Frankly, some people aren't into that. Change, even positive change, is difficult for some people. Plus, many don't like the 'little fish in a big pond' environment many colleges foster. Many people were super bright in high school and then, when challenged by higher learning, were quite taken aback. This young lady that I know was one of her high school's top students. That was so far from the situation in college, and sadly, she dropped out of two schools rather than rise to the challenge.

Education is as much about figuring yourself out as it is about figuring out what you want to do with your life.

Kblaix- I don't know your husband's age, nor what he does for a living. BUT, if I had to guess, I would say he is probably younger than many of us that would post more strongly about the importance of an education.

Freedom, you have an LLM in tax? And, you found law school hard? WOW. I remember one thing about tax from law school, and that is that section 61 defines income. He he he...math, tax, biology, I couldn't do second grade level in any of those subjects.

A- do what you think makes you happy. If you also make money at it, it is a bonus.

[slleipnir]

This is really hard...but honestly I don't want to be a vet, I just wanted to make good money. There is a lot to it that I wouldn't like to do, but I imagen some I would. I went to the see what the VT program was about last year and pretty much everything they mentioned I thought "I'd love that!" I'd likely only make like 10-13 dollars and hour which honestly isn't much more then I get now and I definetly can't afford to move to a small house with a yard. I refuse to move out into a small apt because my dogs would hate it. I guess I will try my best to get into the VT program (which isn't easy either!) Maybe later in life if I'm completely miserable I can upgrade to something else and perhaps be more motivated to do it. I really doubt I can get a degree in uni with high average. I tried it before and I did really bad and HATED it.

Thanks everyone for the input it helped a lot

[RedHedd]

Do what you love; the money will follow. Follow your heart and your passion. You don't have to do it all right now. Just take it one class at a time. Trust me, the time will fly!

I spent three years taking night courses to get my paralegal certificate. It was hard - I was working full time too, but now I'm doing what I love.

Stop telling yourself those negative messages like "I can't," "It's too hard," "I'm never good at school," "It will take too long," "I will be too old" (30 isn't old! I went back to school at 42). Your head and heart follow what you tell it. If you want to be a vet, be a vet. It all starts with just taking the first step, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem to you. Do the footwork and leave the results up to a higher power. If it's meant to be, it will happen.

[carole]

You have stated that you really don't want to be a vet, so if it were me i would not pursue that career, it will take a long time, lots of hard work, and if it is not really what's in your heart, i think you would find it not very enjoyable, i do think the vet tech sounds the best bet for you,however only you can make that important decision in your life, and 30 is not too old to be qualified, my girlfriend qualified as a lawyer when she was 35 as a solo parent with two children, so never think you are too old.

I know the money for a vet tech is not as good and you might have to move away,but if you enjoy the work and are happy in it, that is the main thing,of course making money is important, but so is your happiness too.

As for the college degree, personally i would still push for my children to complete a degree, my youngest hopefully is endeavouring to do both a teaching and media arts degree, but she is only 15 and that could all change, my son who will be 26 soon, never stayed on at school,although he was a bright lad, he wasted his time there, he really regrets it now, but having said that he is now earning more than is cousin who has a computer degree, what really makes the difference here is your motivation and determination to get on with life, which is what my son now has, i feel he will still go along way without his college education.