Dude...become a waiter. Being a busboy, Im surprised you didn't take that route.

 

I'm 24 and I agree with the "fogies" and say keep going with the education if you can, though my feeling about the importance of it will vary depending on your education and intended profession focus. I see people with great educations and no related experience having serious difficulty getting jobs in their field. It's the people who follow the same line of work that have the best success finding great jobs. It's just how most companies view prospective employees, effectively having a check box on their evaluation for the education requirement and a huge descriptive section for related experience details.

If there's any way for you to work in a related job to what your ultimate intention is, then great. It certainly does help as you'll at least have your hand in something you can build on. If you can't stay in your line of work, pick the job that's going to make you the most money without affecting your education.

There are definitely jobs out there that won't interfere with your education. For five years in high school (we went to grade 13 in Ontario up until a few years ago) I worked at a computer training company making $14-16/hour teaching computer courses for kids. They were weekend courses, and full-time weekday during the summer. That was a great start and I picked up extra time working in the IT department in the evenings, other off-hours, etc. That was a great transition to my next job which was independent IT consulting and training for several smaller companies prior to and during college

After college and a year or so working independently I got into engineering and IT recruiting where I've been for the past few years.

I wouldn't recommend the PC building option, as I only saw that business working for me with existing IT clients who had me managing all of their IT services and just wanted to write single checks each month for "technology and services." With the cost of computers as low as they are these days, it's just so hard to compete and give customers a level of confidence in warranty and support that is (at least perceived to be) received when buying from manufacturers.

Best of luck!

 

THe best advice I can give is don't fall into that I want it all and I want it NOW mentality.

Most people (MOST PEOPLE) who are successful and have nice things and seem to have it all (good job, money to spare etc etc) worked hard to get there. they scrificed and planned and worked and it did not happen overnight.

I wish I was making 10 per hour take home whe I was 17. You have an S already? I was 32 when I got mine and it was a repo from a bank.

you seem to have a head on your shoulders and that is good. Use it and plan for your future now. Start a ROTH IRA get into to some kind of 401k ASAP

if you have an idea for a business of any kind, find out how to do a correct business plan (resources are everywhere out there) find someone you know who has a business and interview them so you know what it is really going to take to get it off the ground.

Turn 18 and hit the ground running!!!!

 

When I was in college, one of my side jobs that I created for myself was to go out and find elders and tutor them in using computers. What I found was that they all wanted to learn how to at least send an email or open up emails to view pictures so they can see their grandchildren that are miles and miles away. I used to charge them $40 a hour, off the books. It wasn't much but it helped with grocercies and developing patience.

 

I took a break from college but I plan on getting back in around January and try to finish up so I can start Pharmacy. I just need a new job closer to home because where I currently work at now is way too far and the gas is killing me. Life may be a bitch to you now but you will find your lucky break. Life is being a biggity bitch to me now but I will overcome, hopefully soon.

 

I've been where you are. I made do with old stuff and my video game machine was a Genesis that was broken and repaired by ME. My car was a friggin Daihatsu (it was actually a nice well built car but it won't get you laid...actually the opposite).

What did I do? College, Business School, career.

I can now basically afford just about anything I want (well not a Ferrari or anything...ok maybe but that would wipe me out). My PS3 was an impulse buy that I didn't have to save for as was my 360. I have Blu-Ray and HD-DVD players with probably 75 HD movies. My S2K is flashy but still below my means. I do have major medical problems but have no trouble paying those bills...THAT's security.

That doesn't mean I spend like crazy...I don't. I've already saved enough that if I stop contributing, I'd still have enough to retire on when that time comes say 25-30 years from now.

Would I be where I am without school? Heck no. Unless I could break into the rap game (and I'm the wrong color) I'd have no hope.

It really all comes down to this: Will you sacrifice today for the future?

 

What if your not good at school?

 

Then, unless you can demonstrate some other reimbursible talent, you will have difficulty with earning a living.

 

Hmmm, when I was 18 I worked two jobs during the summer. I worked in the library at a law firm for $10/hr. and also worked as a busboy in the press club for the Philadelphia Phillies. The latter paid roughly $40 a game and was probably one of the best jobs I ever had. I got to meet Vanna White the first summer I was a busboy and damn, even at 40+ she was BANGIN'.

 

um, hmm.


unless you can sing or act I don't know. You can do some "blue collar" jobs and earn good money, but you usually have to do lots and lots of overtime AND be a senior member in a union. Since unions are going the way of the do-do don't count on that.