For those that believe high school or any higher education is a waste of time, I expect the rest of us here will to you as we pass by the Wally World service bay or Burger King drive thru.

 

Well, let's see. I have a high school diploma. That diploma allowed me to get into a good college. I have a college degree. That BA degree allowed me to get into a good graduate school. I have a masters degree. That masters degree allowed me to get a good paying job. That job allows me to support my wife and son and lets us live in a nice house in a good neighborhood. Now that all of that crap is out of the way, either this summer or next fall, I'm going to start taking some auto classes at the local community college. Why? Because I like learning new things. Both of my parents worked at universities, so college was pushed on me and pushed hard. I'm not complaining as I have a great life, and I don't mind working where I do. But it's time for me to start learning some different things that I wasn't exposed to earlier in my life. I hope some of the younger people here have an open enough mind to go the opposite route that I did. Maybe high school was a waste of time. Maybe it wasn't. The important thing to remember is that learning ANYTHING is NEVER a waste of time.

Matt

 

High school, for the most part, is a big waste of time (IMO) Dont frop out tho, thats dumb too. I know I will never need anything I learn in HS Math, english, and science. Like some others here, I do not (still in HS) do well in these classes. I get high 90's in Auto, Wood, etc. These are classes I will use. I just finished up (last day today) of math, wood, and 2 periods of Co-op at the local Chevy Dealership. Coop: 90+ Wood 97+ and math, probably mid fifties. I havent written my math exam yet, so that will determine my final mark. There are others who get 95+ in all math, english, science, etc, but never have seen the inside of a shop (these people will pay my paycheques ) There is a spot for everyone, mine will be a mechanic. Most of my friends will be mechanics, homebuilders, electricians, small engine mechanics, autobody guys, CMC machiners, etc etc. Thats just us. Others in school will be doctors, lawyers, etc. To each their own. Dont drop out of school tho, not a good choice.

I always say the best part of HS is your friends. I would go nuts there if not for them. You meet all sorts of people. I have about 10 or so real close friends. (The Truckers ) We have a good time,no matter what. Thats what makes HS worth being there.

 

let me say this to you that are still in HS
if you think algebra is a waste, its not, it DOES help teach you to think logically, and if you plan to work in a trade, logical thinking is VERY important.

 

For most of us the body gives out long before the mind. It's fine to work with your hands and back when you're a youngster but to have to when in middle age is not always such fun. It's all about options and less education generally means less options now and later.

 

Very well stated Mr. Waxy. Education is the foundation for every step in ones life. I just have a h.s. diploma with a couple years of vo-tech. Just in the last five years of my 31 years of employment I have felt the sting of not having post education. I was bumped out of three good paying jobs by people that had less experience, less knowledge, than myself. I always made it to the top "1 of the 3" candidates to be hired, but the applicant with the 2 yr associates degree or B.S. , or better. nailed the job. Employers just feel more comfortable hiring people with a degree, sometimes even if it is not contributing to the job position being filled. Young people wont listen, and the older ones cant go back and start over. Those people working their bodies hard to make it without a higher education and doing well, great for them. But, the body wont always be what it is today, and time goes by fast. all just my 2 cents,

 

Well, my debt to income ratio might just surprise you. My Bronco has always been paid off. My Ford P71 is also paid off. My 2003 F-350 I paid $48,000 cash for 3 weeks ago.

As for my business, I own the land. I'm making payments on the buliding I built on it. The payments I make on that are near $2950. That payment includes all the lift equipment in the garage.

As for my home, if course I financed that. It makes no sense not to. I pay about $1500 a month. So basically, most everything I own is not on payments.

By the way, I must agree with alot of the posts on here. NOw that I look back, if I did do good in school and all, it probably would have made my life a TON easier. I started working towards where I am at the age of 15. I busted my hump till about the age of 21. Then finally things started to get easier. BUt, like i said, doing good in school would have made it easier!! It just didn;t work for me though!!!

 

One comment regarding math. Math just happens to be THE world's universal language. Most everything in this world can be broken down to a mathematical equation, understandable regardless of spoken language.

You don't need math? What about mixing paints, body filler, fuel/air ratios, understanding oil viscosities, torque on fasteners, etc? These are but a very small number of examples where math skills are used by mechanics. You want to run your own business, best understand the math used for payroll, taxes, investment, inventory, etc. Yup, you can pay someone else to take care of this, and might even get lucky and find someone honest! Best have some experience with computers too, more than playing games, emailing, or downloading your music.

Best be prepared to continue your education as a mechanic as things continue to get more and more complicated, both electronically and mechanically. And guess what, electronics is nothing more than math!

I suggest taking advantage of EVERY opportunity to learn. I have been amazed throughout my employment lifetime by the variety of educational backgrounds in the different jobs I have encountered. Not people with degrees working some menial job to pay bills. Rather chemists working with electrical engineers working with mechanical engineers working with technicians like myself, working with marketing and sales people to conceive, design, build, test, debug, and hopefully bring a product to the market place. Not to mention the packaging people, and product support people, and worst of all, the dreaded bean counters. Each and every one of use had to have an understanding of the others area of expertise to work effectively.

This is getting too long. If you're satisfied with your education and the limits placed upon your and your families potential future, so be it. My final words, I have never met ANYONE that regretted furthering their education, or suffered any permanent ill effects from it.

 

I think its a good idea to be a drop out. I enjoy everyday that I go to work and support people without an education. People who choose not to finish school, are the people some of us support because they cant finish a job. Yea, school is a bad idea if you want to milk the system and help ruin our country a little faster.
My brother n law dropped out in the 6th grade. Owned his own business for years. Not smart enough to keep it. Had lots of money. The IRS took it all away. I tried and tried to keep my nephew in school. He wouldnt even wake up to go to school. Why? Becuase his father told him "a diploma wasnt all that important, look what I acomplished without one." Stupid is as stupid does. My nephew is a drop out, his girlfreind is a drop out. Neither can keep a job, and just got evicted from their apartment.
Yea, tell the kids HS is not important.
You asked for opnions.........heres mine.......

MOST IGNORANT QUESTION I EVER HEARD.

 

 

Nicely said.

When I got out of HS, I tried college for a month. Didn't take, so I dropped out. Went to work for a while, then realized, "hey, this sucks. I could be doing what he's doing." So, off to trade school I went.

Finished trade school, went to work, and realized again, "hey, this sucks too. Time for something different." Back to trade school again.

Well, I finished the second round, and almost 4 years later I find myself thinking "Man, this turning wrenches for a living seriously SUCKS!" What to do now? Well, I'm thinking of doing what my dad did and start taking courses for a university degree part time. He started when he was about 30, working full time, raising 3 kids, and taking other part time courses also. I'm 28, work full time, just married, no kids yet, so I can still get my degree by the time I'm 40 if I start in about 4 years. Ha ha. I just have to pick a major, and take the upgrades for it.

Like you said, rikfish, I've never regretted advancing my education. In fact, it's opened more doors for me than a plain HS diploma.

There's too much riding on my future to not advance my education.

 

Joe,

You are so right about opening doors!

I have lived a similar experience to yours. I decided to take a break after high school. Worked at a gas station during school and several months afterwards. Family moved and I ended up working as a machine operator (wanna be machinist) for a very large machine tool manufacturer. I was lucky to work there because they hired people with NO experience and trained us to use mills, drills, lathes, grinders, etc. This is where I developed the interest in precision type work. After about 3 1/2 years of this I realized I was really going nowhere, enlisted in the Navy for advanced electronics training. Ended up after a time working in the calibration lab. After I got out, I continued with the calibration jobs, but also attended the local community college full time in night classes for a Electrical Engineering Technology AA degree. All throughout my 'career', I have tried to take every opportunity available to get further training, both technical, as well as a wide variety of business and software classes. Many didn't apply directly to my job, yet I have been able to use much of what I have learned since.

The wide variety of work I have experienced over the years has been most enjoyable. Not always, but overall. I won't say everything has been hunky-dorry all the time, but I can only imagine where I would be and what I would be doing had I not continued my education. Everything changes so rapidly these days, it is difficult to keep up with the knowledge required to just stay even! I can imagine what the future holds for those that fall behind........

p.s. I lied in my earlier post about my 'last words'......

 

Math comes in handy when modifiying engines and differentials. English comes in handy if for no other purpose than written communication. High school friends will always be special. Don't always assume that the "apparent geeks" are the ones that do well in math and science. A guy I went to school with had the best grades in math and probably has the fastest street Mustang in East Tennessee in his garage. He is a civil engineer. I had the highest grades in science and I am not scared to tear into a differential and have been working on old Ford trucks for years. I sometimes have typos and mispelled words on here because I may have 3 different web sites going and type too fast . . . but I don't care because people can kiss my redneck with a Ph.D. ****!

Knowledge is something no one can take away from you. They can kill you, rob from you but your mind is yours, so feed it well. You get out of it what you put into it!

 

So Bronco-you are one of the lucky one's. Most people are gifted in one way or another, but can not make a living at what they are really good at. Can you tell me what is wrong with that last sentence, or does it matter to you? Most high school students can barely read or add two numbers. Maybe it doesn't matter in the big scheme of things, but it sure is affecting the way we live now. I truly am glad all is well with you, but owning a big Ford truck does not mean you have hit the big time. And math is not such a bad thing. Maybe we can continue this in the Pig Pen? Are you ready???

 

Oh no, . . . . .not the PIG PEN . . . Here goes the neighborhood