Can I get anywhere in life without going to college?

Question

In the US. I read in 2020 that a college degree will be REQUIRED for ANY job. Also it will be harder to make friends and get a girlfriend, I wouldn't know where to go. I want to be married before 30, but probably after 25. I'm 18 and still never had a girlfriend. Or many friends. I'm willing to meet women through dating sites, but it seems super pathetic to make friends with a friend maker website to me. I'd be fine with just a few friends as long as their good friends and don't stop talking to me after a few days of meeting them. I don't need a super hot woman, I want her to be pretty though, but I care most about personality. I barely have one friend now. When I move it'll be a brand new start, and I've found out the majority of people are really friendly, they even wave to strangers! That's pretty much non existent where I live. Can you even start your own business without a college degree?

Answer 1

Another 'gloom-and-doom' site.

When I was 18, in 1969, there were advertisments telling me "if you don't make it by 30, you will never make it anywhere." Damn, that was tough.



I did make it. And you will too.



As for work and careers; there is jobs, there are trades, and there are careers. Two year degrees, 4 year degrees, 6 year degrees, even 8 year degrees. ALL are employable. Is everyone at McDonalds going to have even a TRADE? Of course not. And a LOT of people start their own business without a college degree.



Absurd article. Ignore it.

Answer 2

There are lots of stories of people who make it without going to college...but will you be the one of those? Who knows. Not everyone can do it, it's like the instant millionaire stories. I know I had a great job that paid awesome and I didn't go to college. Then I got laid off a few years ago after 10 years with the company, and freaking Target and Burger King type places wouldn't hire me because I had "too much experience" (as numerous places told me) and the places I had the experience for wouldn't hire me due to lack of a degree, So back to college I went. My dad makes over 100,000 a year and doesn't have a degree but he had to work really, really hard until he was in his mid 40's to get to that point.

Answer 3

It's hard, but i do it. I actually had the smae issue. My uncle died from alcohol/drug abuse, and i decided a long time ago that I didn't want to do any of that. I go to UNR (univ. Nevada Reno) and i have not had a drink in my life. I'm not an outsider, i'm not a nerd, i just don't drink. I find it's easier not to give nito the peer pressure if you are working towards something, like for me, it's working out. I work out, and i love it. For everytime you drink it takes away 2 days of lifting (dunno if it's true, but it keeps me motivated haha). So instead of having the excuse that my uncle died from it, people are stupid when they do it, or what ever else you can think of, I DO IT FOR ME! I would rather lift weights than drink. So you can either go that route, (get passionate about somehting that forces you not to drink), or you can just decide not to surround yourself with that kind of stuff. I mean i go to parties all the time, it's really honestly the only way to meet people, and I go with a bottle of water, or i go with a juice drink. It's not hard to avoid if you commit beforehand that you won't do it. I decide everything BEFORE i get into a situation, it makes it much easier to say NO if you've already made up your mind. And if you really don't want to get passionate baout something, or you really know you don't want to drink and can't come up with anything use the excuse "I'm on medication" that way everyone doesn't even ask. And if they say what for, just say antibiotics for something (you can make it up) and you'll never get questioned. Drinking isn't everything, i'm happy with my life, i'm happy with my friends, and I don't drink.

Answer 4

There is no real truth to the idea that all jobs will require college, that's just plain ridiculous. College will help you in a couple of ways. If you want a higher level job you will be ahead and some jobs will definitely require the higher education. I don't think you want a doctor who hasn't gone to college. College will also expand your group of friends and make it possible to meet the girl of your dreams. You can get ahead without college, but it is definitely a plus and will make things easier.

Answer 5

It's about who you know, not what you know. Going to college wont insure that you get a job just as not going won't. Many people have been extremely successful and not gone to a college or university, you just have to know the right people and get to the top; Maybe consider setting up your own business? What are you passionate about? Also through doing this you will make many good friends and possibly even a wife. It isn't jusrt at college that you meet friends, you will make many friends from many different places.

Answer 6

Agree with TheTerminatorFan on this. Don't take what you read so literally; there is plenty of that "doom and gloom" material about but make it your choice not to read it. Where there is a will there really is a way if you want to achieve in life. Sure the more qualifications you have the better your chances will be but try to do those that you are interested in, not what others are telling you to go for. Many roads will open up to you but sometimes you have to go and find them yourself; don't expect them to come to you. Be ready for change and take on opportunities as they arise. Nothing much is stable in life. Best advice for making new friends? Be a friend is the easiest way to make a friend (but don't be taken advantage of). You are certainly not alone in wanting new friends so I am sure you would be able to meet some soon if you try.



One of my brothers (almost 58 now) was a tradesman (printer) for most of his life, and actually worked in several countries. He took up further (adult) education and achieved a Diploma so he became qualified to be a trade teacher. Although he didn't need it he also took several physics classes too ... for the fun of it. With the downturn and eventual retrenchment as a printer (and after many years as a smoker, gave up the habit and became hooked on marathon running ... total nutter!) he retrained as a sports/fitness trainer/instructor a few years ago so is qualified in that. Set up a home based fitness gym, training other people. He also runs "boot camp" style sessions for seniors on weekends at a local park.



I guess you can say his determination to give up his addiction to smoking, which although ended up with his addiction to running (ultra marathons) has actually led to him finding a new and interesting source of employment. He enjoyed his studies (of all kinds) but I think he always intended to become a trade teacher. Who knows; perhaps one day that may even eventuate still, but for now he is completely satisfied in running his business.

Answer 7

You can, but your chances at getting a good job are extremely low with nothing higher than a high school education. I'm in college now and it's still hard to get a job though, I will say that.

Answer 8

Sure. I mean make youtube videos and get famous (like hit from around 300 000 to 1 million subscribers, are partnered with youtube and post regularly and collab with other youtubers) you can make a lot of money. It's a lot of hard work though and doesn't happen to everyone, and you should really only pursue it if you like making videos, not for the money.

Answer 9

So u will need a college degree to work at Wendy's? Highly doubt it. I didn't go to college and I sell movie tickets at 56 years old. If I can live the dream so can you

Answer 10

Of course you can! Bill Gates didn't go to college!

Correction: He dropped out of college.

Answer 11

Yea

Answer 12

Just to flip burgers they're gonna require you to have a degree. Somebody shoot me.

Answer 13

you can, but its a lot harder to make money. im a junior and i dont even know if i can get a job.