I unfortunately went to college. I’ve been bouncing around dead end jobs for almost 20 years. I should have gone to a trade school.
At age 10 I became a 4th generation WATCHMAKER.
Took a couple of business courses in Junior College, went into NAVY. Navy had me repairing Precision Instruments.
Now I’m 2 weeks from age 82, am working 6 days a week, but limited by kids at 50 hours a week. Love the trade and it is FUN for me.
My advice to anyone. Be very good at what you do and do something that you really enjoy and are proud of.
One of the best men I ever knew was a “MERE” house painter. Went to work at age 16 and NEVER retired. Great pride in his work, great husband and father, and respected by all.
That’s what I call success.
Went to a 2 year tech college for 3 years after 4 in the Navy. Business and accounting for two.
I had a year of money left so I took TV production. It got me a job right out of school at a network headquarters. Comical pay but otherwise great. Advanced to TV Engr II then III but not making a whole lot. No future either.
Somewhere in there I remembered some sage advice from a very successful self made man and bit the bullet on learning to fix computers. This was 15 years ago.
I escaped TV land but didn’t have the greatest transition . First real IT job bombed out. I did contract and temp work for a few years to find I was constantly asked for.
All of that experience helped me buy a the best job I ever had that later came with it’s own office. Not mega-bucks but make 55K just being a break/fix and help desk guy.
It’s a small shop but I can’t complain. There has been talk of upping my title to something else higher. There isn’t a middle ground. It’s either tech or supervisor.
I’m willing to stay as long they are willing to pay me.
Not one person has ever asked for my transcripts or sheepskins or what few IT certs I ever had. My only active one is a vintage A+. What few MS I had died years ago since no one cared.