I attended an ROP (regional occupational program) in high school for electronics lab tech assistant. I performed well and was able to get work experience at a large electronics company, then later hired at 6.35 an hour in 1984, pretty good money then for an 18 year old. I am still in the industry doing well financially. College is NOT the only way. In fact for *some* people in may be wasting valuable time. For others it is the best choice. Everyone is different.