New Beginnings
My son will be starting a new full time job tomorrow. He has left his job at Panera. I will miss all of the free bread, pasties, drinks and food. But it was time for him to go. He had been working there over 2 years.
He started there right after he graduated high school. He was staying home for college and they were willing to work around his school schedule. He decided last winter that college wasn't for him. We gave him until September to figure out what he wanted to do, get a full time job or he needed to go back to school. Well, he got a full time job.
Auto mechanics has always been an interest of his. Hubby has always done most of the work on our cars. My son has helped him for years. We looked into several school programs and work opportunities. He was hired as a mechanic's assist in a year long program and if all goes well he will be a mechanic after the year. He is a hard worker and we know he will do great. We are very proud of him.
College is not for everyone. I know so many teens and 20 somethings that are taking out 10K, 20K, 30K or more to go to college and graduate not knowing what they want to do with their lives and not being able to find a full time job. I know adults in the 40's still paying off their student(stupid) loans.
College was not for our son. That is OK. He knew it and so did we. We made a plan and now it is paying off. There are so many good jobs out there that don't require a college degree. The high schools make you feel like a bad parent if your kid doesn't go. We should have listened to our gut about it but he went for a little over a year debt free.
Our oldest daughter thrived in college. She loved it. Our youngest daughter loves school and learning so college is for them. That is great too. You just have to do what is right for each one individually.
He started there right after he graduated high school. He was staying home for college and they were willing to work around his school schedule. He decided last winter that college wasn't for him. We gave him until September to figure out what he wanted to do, get a full time job or he needed to go back to school. Well, he got a full time job.
Auto mechanics has always been an interest of his. Hubby has always done most of the work on our cars. My son has helped him for years. We looked into several school programs and work opportunities. He was hired as a mechanic's assist in a year long program and if all goes well he will be a mechanic after the year. He is a hard worker and we know he will do great. We are very proud of him.
College is not for everyone. I know so many teens and 20 somethings that are taking out 10K, 20K, 30K or more to go to college and graduate not knowing what they want to do with their lives and not being able to find a full time job. I know adults in the 40's still paying off their student(stupid) loans.
College was not for our son. That is OK. He knew it and so did we. We made a plan and now it is paying off. There are so many good jobs out there that don't require a college degree. The high schools make you feel like a bad parent if your kid doesn't go. We should have listened to our gut about it but he went for a little over a year debt free.
Our oldest daughter thrived in college. She loved it. Our youngest daughter loves school and learning so college is for them. That is great too. You just have to do what is right for each one individually.
My husband is pushing 75 and still has his auto alignment and tire shop. When he was young he did not want to go to college because automobiles were his love. His father wanted him to at least try college. He did - for one year - and said it was a waste of his time and money to go for another 2-4 yrs. After doing 7 yrs. in the marine corps, he came back and worked as an auto mechanic for a family friend. Eventually he wound up buying the business and is still at it. I totally agree that everyone is not destined for college. I would rather see more young people go into trade schools. I had my own business for 14 yrs. and a college education would not have helped me at all! It's nothing for a college tuition to be over $50,000 these days (which is totally ridiculous IMHO!) I totally agree with your philosophy. How many people out there have their "degrees" and still can't find a job that they studied so hard for?
ReplyDeleteThat is a great story. Thank you for sharing it. He has loved cars since he was little. He took his first bike apart at around 8. He has helped with so many projects around the house and cars over the years. Just want him to find something that he enjoys and can make a living doing.
DeleteGlad he has an interest and that he found a way to work in the area. My late husband did the same thing. He spent a year mentored by an older fellow at the city. G then went on to be the chief mechanic for the city until he retired. It was dirty work, but he could fix anything and made a good living. Congrats to your son. Please send my words of encouragement.
ReplyDeleteThank you. He doesn't mind getting dirty at all. Hubby can fix pretty much anything and my son is following in his foot steps.
DeleteYour son is very lucky to know what his passion is this early. Like you said, college is not for everyone, and there’s no point wasting precious time and money by going to college if that’s not what he wants.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to your son’s future! I think he has made a very wise decision.
Thank you.
DeleteWorking in a skilled trade is a VERY honorable profession and in high demand. Congrats to your son for finding something of interest to him :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteMcoia well done to your son as he knows what he wants and studying is not for everyone. Getting boys into a trade is one of the best things you and he could have done as mostly he will always have work.
ReplyDeleteHe does have the opportunity once he has worked there a while and got some money and experience/qualifications behind him to start up his own mechanical repair business too. Something to think about :) for future planning down the track.
Sewingcreations15 (Lorna).
Thank you.
DeleteI agree that college is not for everyone. And the current student loan situation is insane. We have told our kids their inheritance was no college debt.
ReplyDeleteI think I might steal that line. That is great.
DeleteCongratulations to your son. May his future be bright. College is definitely not for everyone.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
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