What happens after graduation if they don't go to college?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD is starting to think like this. Her district has a program with several unions and during her junior and senior year she can apprentice, be paid $30/hour, and still be working towards her HS degree. Upon graduation she will have a journeyman certification. She has stellar grades and extracurriculars but is doubting if she wants to have the kind of career that a traditional, t50 college degree might lead to.

I’m not sure if she would pursue the apprenticeship program, but she would have sufficient salary to live on after graduation if she did. It’s great to know that the program exists.

This is such weird thinking. There are many different kinds of careers a college grad can do - they aren’t all desk jobs. If she’s smart enough to be a plumber she can also be a surgeon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let her work at a retail or food service job PT and see if she changes her tune about college. Just make sure if it's a restaurant, it doesn't serve alcohol.

Yep because that’s what parent do, dictate your every move.

The restaurant business is a career choice for many. It’s a tough one but in high end restaurants salaries are in the six figures.

I think many of you don’t know much beyond your small worlds. You only know STEM, law and maybe a few other careers like a government worker.

An ambitious person will find their way. Entrepreneurship is a big one. My sister had a medical tech job but ended up opening several small businesses. It fit her perfectly. Many tech jobs don’t need a college degree. All the applicant has to do is show what they know. Some of these kids have the type of brain to self teach themselves this stuff.

It’d be a lot easier for everyone if their kids continued their education after high school but it’s not for everyone and there are now more opportunities than ever to work for yourself or work your way up with training on the job.

I mean that’s patently untrue. I’m all in favor of people following their own path but the college wage premium is considerable and still growing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of different plans out there. I know someone who became a flight attendant out of high school. Never did college but is now a pilot making a good living...and flipped some houses on the side which created even more wealth.

Health care is another area where you can start with a short course training (phlebotomy, CNA, EMT etc.) and figure out what's involved with other roles.

Uh, no, flight attendants don't become pilots (without $1MM + in training). And CNAs are living close to the poverty line.

You can read about several flight attendants who have become pilots: here's one who had a college degree https://today.cofc.edu/2022/07/18/alumna-goes-from-flight-attendant-to-pilot/ but the one I know doesn't. The one I know flies for Envoy; at the time, that airline was one of the few that didn't require a college degree or military service and it flows into AA, but program rules are always changing. United has Aviate for airline employees and the person in the article works for Delta, but I don't know the details of their programs.

And it's ok for an 18yo to live close to the poverty line and figure out what she wants to do. Working as a CNA exposes you to a lot of different other jobs. Maybe she'll want to go to college after seeing that, or maybe she won't. Parents can't make their kids go to college. They can choose what they pay for, they can nag a lot, but ultimately once you have an adult they go where they want, do what they want, and decide whether they're going to pick up the phone when you call.

[Anonymous]

I would give her the summer after high school graduation and then begin charging rent if she isn't picking up a trade or joining the military. In my house she must also prove she is saving to live independent from me.

I would allow her to live at home 2 additional years at most.

I don't care if you don't go to college. I do care that my kids are independent and understand the world won't give you anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD is starting to think like this. Her district has a program with several unions and during her junior and senior year she can apprentice, be paid $30/hour, and still be working towards her HS degree. Upon graduation she will have a journeyman certification. She has stellar grades and extracurriculars but is doubting if she wants to have the kind of career that a traditional, t50 college degree might lead to.

I’m not sure if she would pursue the apprenticeship program, but she would have sufficient salary to live on after graduation if she did. It’s great to know that the program exists.

That’s an amazing opportunity. The good thing about college is that it’s always there so kids can try things out and go back later.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of different plans out there. I know someone who became a flight attendant out of high school. Never did college but is now a pilot making a good living...and flipped some houses on the side which created even more wealth.

Health care is another area where you can start with a short course training (phlebotomy, CNA, EMT etc.) and figure out what's involved with other roles.

Uh, no, flight attendants don't become pilots (without $1MM + in training). And CNAs are living close to the poverty line.

You can read about several flight attendants who have become pilots: here's one who had a college degree https://today.cofc.edu/2022/07/18/alumna-goes-from-flight-attendant-to-pilot/ but the one I know doesn't. The one I know flies for Envoy; at the time, that airline was one of the few that didn't require a college degree or military service and it flows into AA, but program rules are always changing. United has Aviate for airline employees and the person in the article works for Delta, but I don't know the details of their programs.

And it's ok for an 18yo to live close to the poverty line and figure out what she wants to do. Working as a CNA exposes you to a lot of different other jobs. Maybe she'll want to go to college after seeing that, or maybe she won't. Parents can't make their kids go to college. They can choose what they pay for, they can nag a lot, but ultimately once you have an adult they go where they want, do what they want, and decide whether they're going to pick up the phone when you call.

Absolutely. If the kid’s plan was to move in with roommates and work as a CNA or EMT, then go for it. But sounds like OP’s child has no such plan.

[Anonymous]

Military for 2-4 years and they will pay for college. Several friends did this. My father did this.

Child will also then qualify for veterans benefits and advantages, especially if pursuing a federal job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know someone who moved out of the parent's home and moved to the town where her parents had a summer home and was basically a caretaker for various people's summer houses. She dated and married a local who was also in the service industry. In addition to the caretaker job, she was also a waitress and eventually part-owner of the town diner. After her kids went to college, she felt the spark of interest in higher ed finally and really made the most of that college education.
I think she probably would have been a really bad college student if she went straight from high school.

'
Similar for my cousin. Top student. no college. Volunteered at a local tv station, after several years he became a producer . Lived a really nice life doing what he loved and retired early to dabble in real estate.

[Anonymous]

A Junior does not know what they want. It would be irresponsible parenting to take "I'm not going to college" seriously, when a high school Junior says that.

Plan on the them going.

[Anonymous]

I knew my boys had no interest in college. Good (B) but not great (A) students. But they loved animals and always volunteered at the shelter. They made good money being dog walkers and pet sitters.

I encouraged them to go to our local community college for veterinary tech. They loved it and excelled. They are qualified to take care of animals who have special needs and complicated medication schedules. They make a lot of money doing this as side work from the veterinary practice where they are both employed.

OP, what is your child's passion? Help them turn it into a career.

I guess this is the same scenario as the PP above who turned his volunteer work at the tv station into a lucrative career.

[Anonymous]

We rented a boat this weekend and talked to a young man who just graduated from high school in June.

He has been working for the resort in the marina since his high school graduation. He graduated from high school in June in Chicago. His cousin got him this job in a western state and he is living with his cousin.

The young man was really happy to be working outside and loving his job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Trade school, military, or job that can support herself. No, I would not support financially absent some underlying issue/condition that would make her unsuccessful at any of those 3 other options. And I’d give through the summer since if she was headed to college I would support her through the summer. She’d likely have to live in a large group home likely with shared bedrooms, but that’s life.

Like...a dorm?

Or like college grads.

[Anonymous]

They can be anything they want
After college

[Anonymous]

We were paying Mom's CNA's $30 per hour. Most were working two jobs. Two bought houses on their $60,000 per year (from the 2 jobs.)

Three attended college concurrently with working as CNA's. One is now an RN. One is a social worker. One graduated in Mortuary.

This is in Maryland in one of Maryland's poorest counties.

[Anonymous]

Plenty of college grads work at Starbucks.