[DB]

I graduated high school a year and a half early by taking the GED (back in 1978). I was hired as an engineering technician when I started at California Microwave Inc in Sunnyvale at age 19. I did not go to collage. I was promoted to senior design engineer in about two to three years after being hired (there were position steps in between).

I fixed TV's in a small town repair shop before that...

And no, I couldn’t do what they wanted engineering wise when I was first hired.

As a small business owner, I can’t afford to train an engineer for a year or more before he/she is productive. That would be a double whammy for me. Not only would the new engineer not be productive, neither would I.

The point I’m trying to make is, that if you love what you do, you will find a way to do it and be successful.

[oceanview]

yes, its different for a small business like yourself.

but large companies always had mentoring programs for the new college hires, it was the way someone from college get the kind of experience they need to contribute. its all but gone now.