So, I am at a loss for words... or rather I am just drawing a blank right now. Most of my future blogs will be randomly inspired by something I see, hear, or experience. At that time, I will simply feel like blogging and I will share my thoughts with you - the public - regardless of whether you choose to read.
Let's get started with something I feel reasonably close to, which happened to be a FeaturedQuestions "question."
"Can you lead a successful life without attending college? Do you know anyone that has?"
Yes and yes. There. I'm done. Boring, isn't it? Allow me to elaborate. Yes, you can lead a successful life without attending college and yes, I know someone who has.
ME. THIS GUY. *both thumbs pointed at chest*
I was too young for school and I feel that many kids, coming right out of high school, are in the same boat. Now don't get me wrong... I was intelligent, I had street smarts, I knew how things worked for the most part. I wasn't some stupid kid who failed at high school and everyone just "knew" I wouldn't make it in college. As a matter of fact, most people thought I would excel and move on to a successful career. Well, I didn't excel, but I did move on to a successful career.
I started college the fall semester after my high school graduation. I joined a fraternity that emphasized study tables, homework, and test review. They were a smart bunch of guys. But along with a smart bunch of COLLEFE guys comes DRINKING. And also drugs. Drugs of all sorts. Yes, I dabbled and no, I only continued to do one or two consistently. You know, the lighter of the drugs you can get a hold of on any college campus. Additionally, I simply didn't comprehend the importance of learning what to do for myself and for my future. So, after 2 1/2 years of school, my grades had dropped so poorly, I was on the brink of flunking out. I made the decision and left school.
Famous last words from a father to a son? "Well, okay. Go out, get yourself a job, and good luck to you." That was what my father said. And I didn't blame him. It was harsh, but it was true. So I did. And like the same naive kid I was leaving college before flunking out, I struggled at my job. I was now 20 years old, almost 21, but still drinking and partying and staying up until 3 am, thinking I would be fine to be at work by 7:30 and work a full eight-hour day.
I was finally confronted by one of my supervisors about three months after I started. I was doing very well at my job and was impressing most of those around me, but I had a lot of trouble getting in on time and not calling in because I was hungover. I was told that if I was written up one more time - I had already been written up several times - that I would have to be let go. And that was it. The proverbial light bulb went on and I got it. I mean, I REALLY got it. And everything changed.
That first job eventually turned into a layoff as the company was headed belly-up, and I was jobless along with 15 other coworkers on Friday, September 14, 2001. Yes, the Friday of 9-11 - the first time we thought of those numbers as anything other than the number you dial for emergency help. Luckily, a few of my coworkers knew of a new company that was up and coming and they told me I should call them to set up an interview. I wasn't so sure what I wanted to do at that point, so I went home, started working on my resume, and drank like crazy through the weekend.
I got a phone call that following Monday.
I was asked to come in on Wednesday and visit with the Sales Manager to discuss what it might be like to work there. He told me he knew what type of work I had come from (hard nosed, B to B sales) and felt I could mop the floor in this business. I took him up on his offer and started on October 1 along with three of my also-laid-off colleagues.
He was right. I mopped the floor. And I did it from Day One. After 5 1/2 years of being in sales for that company, I was offered a position in the Marketing Department doing Product Development. Yes, that's right.... still no college degree. I took the position because I was honestly starting to get a little burned out from sales. It can get very monotonous. And now, a year and half later, I am about to move into a position that handles all the systems operating the front end of our business, from lead generation to sales, from sales to fulfillment, and everything in between. I am responsible for process. I am responsible for systems setup and testing. I am responsible for email/marketing communications to both potential and current customers. And this promotional move is being back by two Vice Presidents, two Directors, and both Sales Managers. My name is on the CEO's desk and he knows full-well who I am.
I'm not trying to toot my own horn here. I'm trying to explain that not having a college degree takes away nothing more than that piece of paper that says, "I can handle tings over the longhaul." And that's ok, because even without my 'piece of paper', I have stuck it out through the longhaul and have been very successful. I have now been with the company for over 7 1/2 years, having held two positions and I am about to be elevated to another level within the hierarchy and organizational structure.
Do I need to finish school? Absolutely. It's at the top of the list. But has it held me back from being successful? No. Has it caused my fellow employees, customers, or vendors from thinking I am uneducated or unable to perform? Absolutely not.
Get your degree. It IS important. But sometimes... just sometimes... you might not be ready to jump right in and you can always dabble in the real world for a little while before finishing (or getting started).
Maybe, just maybe this will give you a small look into the life that is mine.
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