Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post

starbum · 01-27-2004, 05:07 PM

Im in a bind. Im not sure what to do or what to say.

I'm coming to the time where most people would go to college. Im somewhat of an computer science / graphic design kind of person. I've had loads of experience in doing art for commisions over the years and have a nice little portfolio. However, I am at a standstill. I have a brand new job that is perfect for me. It has a high pay, wonderful enviroment, great people, creative encouragement, benefits, and lots of potential. The boss I have is a instructer at a college for computers so I always learn at the job and he teaches me something new every day. When I started the job, I just knew web design, graphics, and some computer repair. Now I know networking, cisco, how to build cat5e, and all the basics of a+, just to name a few things he's shown me through. The company will pay for my certifications and books if it will benefit my job. I love the job and I feel self worth by doing it. Im truly happy with it.

On the other hand, its time for college. I looked at a few schools that I like and thought they would be interesting. However, my family simply doesnt have alot of money and because we own (not by choice) land in europe, we dont qualify for finacial aid. I dont do well in public schools, I've been homeschooled since I was in 5th grade but went back to HS for 9th and 10th grade. I have a math disability that inhibits my ability to calculate easily. I didnt get great ACT scores either. I wont even touch the SAT because of its reliance on so much math. So in essence, college seems like it would be rough on me.

My father, girlfriend, and friends all pressure me and try to convince me to go to college. I personally feel that college is just to enhance your chances to get the job you want. I feel bad about concidering going to college knowing my family cant afford it, im not smart enough, I cant perform as well as other students, and just.... if I go to college; I risk losing this job. If one of the reasons to goto college is to get the chance to get the job of your dreams, why sacrifice the job of your dreams to goto college? I just dont feel college is necissary for me at the moment. I also feel that if I do lose this job, I can always go to college if I need it. But if I dont feel I need it; why do it? And if this job turns out to be the job that will always be with me, and I went to college, it would just waste my parents money and force them to delay their retirement another 5-10 years.

I just dont know what to do. The way I see it, I have 3 options:

1) Goto college with my gf/friends and risk losing this job, but getting a higher paying job and risk not being as happy.
2) Stay with my job and goto college later if needed, but risking my relationship with my gf/friends by doing this.
3) Instead of going to college goto a technical insitute (like ITT) in the area of the same college my gf/friends are going to, try to continue my job from there, and hopefully keeping my job, getting a better understanding of the IT industry, and keeping my relationships and friends.

I want option 3 to happen. However....it just risks my job, just not as much. I dont know if the company can handle me being away from the office. They depend on me to run the servers and all. I just... with option 3, it just adds problems with where to live and such. My parents would have to help pick up the bills, I guess. gah im so confused.

Help?

01-27-2004, 05:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
starbum Tilted	college education vs. career Im in a bind. Im not sure what to do or what to say. I'm coming to the time where most people would go to college. Im somewhat of an computer science / graphic design kind of person. I've had loads of experience in doing art for commisions over the years and have a nice little portfolio. However, I am at a standstill. I have a brand new job that is perfect for me. It has a high pay, wonderful enviroment, great people, creative encouragement, benefits, and lots of potential. The boss I have is a instructer at a college for computers so I always learn at the job and he teaches me something new every day. When I started the job, I just knew web design, graphics, and some computer repair. Now I know networking, cisco, how to build cat5e, and all the basics of a+, just to name a few things he's shown me through. The company will pay for my certifications and books if it will benefit my job. I love the job and I feel self worth by doing it. Im truly happy with it. On the other hand, its time for college. I looked at a few schools that I like and thought they would be interesting. However, my family simply doesnt have alot of money and because we own (not by choice) land in europe, we dont qualify for finacial aid. I dont do well in public schools, I've been homeschooled since I was in 5th grade but went back to HS for 9th and 10th grade. I have a math disability that inhibits my ability to calculate easily. I didnt get great ACT scores either. I wont even touch the SAT because of its reliance on so much math. So in essence, college seems like it would be rough on me. My father, girlfriend, and friends all pressure me and try to convince me to go to college. I personally feel that college is just to enhance your chances to get the job you want. I feel bad about concidering going to college knowing my family cant afford it, im not smart enough, I cant perform as well as other students, and just.... if I go to college; I risk losing this job. If one of the reasons to goto college is to get the chance to get the job of your dreams, why sacrifice the job of your dreams to goto college? I just dont feel college is necissary for me at the moment. I also feel that if I do lose this job, I can always go to college if I need it. But if I dont feel I need it; why do it? And if this job turns out to be the job that will always be with me, and I went to college, it would just waste my parents money and force them to delay their retirement another 5-10 years. I just dont know what to do. The way I see it, I have 3 options: 1) Goto college with my gf/friends and risk losing this job, but getting a higher paying job and risk not being as happy. 2) Stay with my job and goto college later if needed, but risking my relationship with my gf/friends by doing this. 3) Instead of going to college goto a technical insitute (like ITT) in the area of the same college my gf/friends are going to, try to continue my job from there, and hopefully keeping my job, getting a better understanding of the IT industry, and keeping my relationships and friends. I want option 3 to happen. However....it just risks my job, just not as much. I dont know if the company can handle me being away from the office. They depend on me to run the servers and all. I just... with option 3, it just adds problems with where to live and such. My parents would have to help pick up the bills, I guess. gah im so confused. Help?