“He would be the first to tell you that on his job he never used the algebra, geometry, chemistry, and biology he excelled at in high school.”
Had he not taken those subjects in high school it would have been difficult, if not impossible, to choose to become a doctor, engineer, pharmacist, chemist, mathematician, scientists, or any other career in the STEM fields later in life. Do you want to narrow your career choices at age 14?
Like me, he grew up on a grain and livestock farm (although a smaller operation), and knew he wasn’t going to be a farmer. Hence his taking all of the college prep classes.
One of my best friend’s parents owned and managed a grocery store. Before he was out of middle school he had learned how cut meat, how to gab with the customers, and by high school graduation knew how manage the place. His sales skills suited him well when he chose two years later to be a motorcycle salesman. He also sold new cars and was excellent at that as well. His calm demeanor, and a dry wit that was second to none, really helped the nervous buyer to relax. But the cigarettes finally got him at 56. :(