College - Is it worth it?

It's not worth it. We are in similar situations but I have decided to continue highschool because of my mom and dad. After finishing high school, I'll take a break, make more money and do a UG.

One more year left and then I'll be free.

Money problems stressed me out and made me want to quit and do this full time. But I have decided to assume responsibility, accept everything and trust myself to handle any situation that I come across.

I mean it depends on what you are looking to do. It's not all about money, but what you are going to actually enjoy doing. If you want to be something like a DR, ans that is going to be what makes you happy, then maybe you should go to school. If you want to do something like be a casino dealer or something else that does not need a college education, then don't go to college.

You just have to think about what you want to do, and what you would enjoy doing. It's all up to you.

BAD reason for doing anything. I spent many years pursuing a doctorate to please people and wound up burnt out.

I agree college is what you make of it, I have many good friends that know how to do stuff and it was a great experience 19 years and still is a great experience now that I am working on my second degree, its all about what you want to do. Don't go pleasing everyone else do what you need to do to survive.

Do you have local community college you can go to? That's what I would do. It's always good to have a backup plan. Making money online is not always as easy as the gurus lead you to believe.

You seem to have a lot going well for you and i'm genuinely happy for you. But i must say this, if you want my candid advice, please go to college. It doesn't take long and it doesn't hurt. It would expand your horizon instead.
You can still do all you want to do for yourself, college doesn't stop you.
Good luck.

I loved college. I didn't finish it, but the experiences I had I will always treasure. I loved campus life. I would recommend touring some campuses and if possible spend the night, walk around, meet people, and see if it feels right to you.

Education is a valuable thing but college isn't the only place to get it. Your unlikely to succeed at college if your hearts not in it but sound like your heart is already leading you towards IM. 'Gelu Nastic' is right to say that the decisions you make now will effect your life in the future but your young enough to change your mind.

Just go with the flow, do what you want now and if it doesn't pan out you can try college later in life.

I enjoyed the experience of college, and I was able to learn a lot in that 4 year time frame. However, when I was your age about 5 years ago I had absolutely no clue what I wanted to do, and I had never even heard of internet marketing.

I met some lifelong friends in college, so it is hard for me to say that one should not go to college. It really is a decision that only you can make, and if you already know that internet marketing is exactly what you want to do, and that college would not help you get there then you should forgo the college route.

It is a personal choice. Any hey, if a year down the road you decide that you want to go to college it will still be an option!

Don't do it

I'm a proud college dropout.

The only reason I'm glad I went for a short time is that it makes me feel even more confident I'm not missing anything.

All my friends who went to school (many of them at their family's urging) are now out of school working crappy corporate jobs and up to their eyeballs in debt.

Whatever you do...do it for you. If you're only going to please someone else you're going to be unhappy and you're wasting your time/energy and going into debt.

I would say if you are going to college to study something your passionate about, and to get into a career your passionate about, then go.

DON'T go just to please the people around you.

Hi all, this is my first post. I'm a bricks and mortar worker in the field of social science. Yes, I have an advanced degree in my field. I'm pretty new to affiliate marketing, but would like to add my 2 or 3 cents.

All the relevant statistics show that having a college degree is absolutely worth it. Just like internet marketing, are you going to put all your eggs into one basket? I read recently that Amazon decided to release all of its affiliates because their state of residency levied a tax on commissions.

Just think about it. How many acts of an out of control and invasive government will it take to shut down your bedroom online business? One. From local, to county, to state, to federal government, international and domestic rules have the potential to completely shut down small time online business owners in favor of.......

Multi-national corporations. Would you say Google conducts itself in a fair and equitable manner in regard to its treatment of affiliates? They have us all by the balls and can yank at any time. What recourse do we have? Look what happened, even to Google, when China pulled their sack.

Will this wonderful affiliate marketing dream come to an end? I don't know. But, history has shown that doom and gloom prophets who were dismissed as nut jobs were ultimately proven correct in their prophecies, times 10. Ever hear of the Weimar government in Germany? How about the Roman Empire? It could happen, and you ought to realize that fact.

What alternatives to making an online income will you have with an absolutely worthless high school degree? Jiffy Lube comes to mind. Not that there's anything wrong with working at Jiffy Lube, but if you want to earn a decent standard of living, JL won't cut it.

Beyond that, most people seem to erroneously think that a college education amounts to a "hunting license" for certain types of employment. Just because one has a college degree does not mean that the person is entitled to lucrative employment the day after graduation. College provides you with education. What you do with it is up to you.

You should attend college to gain certain skills, like critical thinking, concept analysis, etc. College will develop your mind so that you can take what you learn and transfer it to the marketplace. High school graduates do not possess these skills because they are not taught. And, it is unlikely you will be able to develop these skills on your own, unless you make it a practice to study advanced philosophy, mathematics, science, literature, bio-medical engineering, etc. Even if you are bright, no degree means no job. It's that simple.

I can guarantee you 100% that if you do not get a college degree, you will regret it, no matter how you plan to earn a living or if you become immensely successful. You want to fill up your life with great memories, not regrets.

Learning new things is fun and wonderful exercise for the brain.
Depending what you want to do in life, isn't it?
I sometimes regretted not going to Uni, for the experience of it all.
However, as a mom I at first thought my girl should be in the toughest education of private schools, but over time changed my thinking and realized that creativity, fantasy, imagination, inventions, and other important stuff like MONEY are not a subject of value in state run education systems.
As result my kid is not going to school, but has time for things which do interest her and I teach her many things as best I can.

If you want to make money online or semi-online regular education will not help. learning from masters will.

If you#re interested in work right now I might be able to assist you, depending upon what you know etc. Contact me and we'll talk.
Eileen

Always have a backup -Education

I think you should have a backup plan which should be college.

So if you dont make it big in IM, then at least you have some education or qualifications to fall back on.

Google "college girls" to see a primary motivating factor for going to college.

If you ever go to college abroad, seeing people from around the world with highfalutin' titles (eg MD, PhD) make complete asses of themselves (away from home, after all) is quite enlightening.

If you have a means to do it, then ABSOLUTELY YES !!
It is something that you will ALWAYS have and you will NEVER regret getting it. Remember, people can take away your Money, Home , Car, boat, bank accounts etc..etc.. but they cant take away your College Education and the Degree you obtained from it.

There are people who sacrifice unbelievable things just to have a shot at getting a College Education.

I dont give a sh*t what anyone says it will open up doors that will NOT open if you dont have a College Degree. Thats just a undeniable FACT !!!

When people realize you have a College Degree you are looked at just a little differently than those who did not have one. That sounds harsh but it is the Truth from my own experience and observations !!
Does it make you a better person ?? Not necessarily but to those in the business World IT DOES !!!

Two Reasons to Go to College:

1. A college degree is a common requirement for even the most menial of jobs.
2. It does exercise analytical abilities, and that is useful even in careers unrelated to your degree. My brother has a PhD in biochemistry. He is a multi-millionaire investment banker, originally hired because of his degree. He said analytical skills helped him do well in his new career.

Why not consider doing both on a part-time basis. There's really no reason you can't. In any case, don't rule out college, until you try it. You might be surprised.

Education is NEVER wasted. Let's say your plans don't work out. Then what?

A college degree gives you something to fall back on. And a degree adds credibility to any occupation you're in. Many companies won't hire anyone without a degree.

I walked into a job interview once and was told that they put me at the front of the line because I graduated from the same university the HR director went to! Education can open doors that are otherwise locked to someone without a degree.

Like most people, I've made a lot of mistakes in my life... but getting a marketing degree wasn't one of them.

Regards,

Johnny

P.S. By the way, college can be a LOT of fun, too.

I think if you don't have a plan for yourself and your future, then go to college.
Or if you're planning on having a profession that requires going to school then go for it.

On the other hand, if you're completely committed to making money online or through Internet marketing and are certain you'll make it work out for you knowing that it's going to take some trial and error to make it do so, and if you're already making enough money monthly through web design to cover your expenses, then I would definitely reconsider going to school.

It's funny, you remind me of me. I'm 19 and have made my living completely online for a while now, but I also did web design when I first started out and did direct response graphics for Internet entrepreneurs and Internet marketers for almost 6 years and was recently also in the same predicament about going to college.

Here's what my father proposed I did, maybe it'll help you see things more clearly.

He said "try out college for a semester, if you feel like you want to continue then do so, if not, then don't."

I decided to try it out. I took one class and haven't been able to keep up with the homework due to projects I'm working on for my online business. I also was a little let down, because I guess after getting use to the Internet marketing industry and constantly being on information overload, then finally taking a college course, I felt that they have slowed down the learning curve soooo much.

What could be taught in a weekend or a week is taught over 6 months.

So I doubt I'll be continuing.

Anyways, try out 2 classes or so (nothing overwhelming) and see if you like the atmosphere and then decide whether you think it's worth it.

Also, check out this book called "Conspiracy of the Rich" by Robert Kiyosaki.

In it he makes you look at school and our society from a completely different perspective and how the rich or "the people running our country and banks" have designed our school systems to not focus on our financial intelligence and simply put "keep us stupid about how to make money and about how to become wealthy"

It's really interesting, I think you'll like it.

Cheers,

Ethan

Go because you'll have the time of your life! - you can still do IM.

Sounds like you are a talented dude.

I say you have to make the decision based upon what you think will be right for you. I wouldn't really listen to anyone and take their advice at face value IMHO.

I joined the Army at 18 as a Dental Tchnician. I planned on being an Orthodontist.

Did the dental thing for 4 years in the Army.

Got out and was planning on going to Dental School.

Then decided to pursue my passion of Aviation and learning to fly Helicopters.

I am finishing up a Bachelors now in Aviation Science and am finishing up the last of my helicopter ratings.

I run a website selling Rc Helicopters as well as doing my Internet Marketing. I never went to school for either of those.

I have a lot of school debt to say the least.

Will I ever actually use my Degree per say, probably not. But I have learned a helluva lot from my education and it has given me insights and knowledge into areas I never would have known that have benefited me in one way or another.

I think education is good to have. You certainly will not be worse off by getting an education IMO.

Will you use it in your actual career, who knows.

I say get an education in a field you like. It is certainly a lot of work and at times feels like a waste of time but as I look back on my life and where I am at today I am glad I decided to pursue my education.

Ultimately you have to make the decision. If you don't feel it is right don't do it man. You don't want to be unhappy doing something you hate. Pursue your passions and interest and get paid well for them.

Good luck in your quest.

- Kyle

BTW if you are a praying man which I am, get on your knees and pray about it. That always helps as well. And if you aren't a praying man, try it, you may be surprised

If I were in your shoes, knowing what I know now, I would go to college, but would pursue a line of study I really WANTED to learn, as opposed to doing what I thought I was supposed to do (i.e., making the folks back home happy). You sound like you are on the ball, and can probably do well for yourself without spending the time and money at school, but there are those intangibles about going to college that you can't measure in terms of grades and degrees. For me, it was well worth it, even though I am no longer working in the field I degreed.

I'm did an engineering degree and dont regret it in the slightest. My only regret is that I didn't start internet marketing earlier (during my study) while I still had loads of free time.

You may as well start college and if you are successful online, take a break from study

Wow, a lot of great posts in this thread, thank you everyone.

Ethan, the only thing about trying a few classes out, at my local community college I would have to start out with the basic core classes like English and Math, and taking those all over again will definitely make me lose motivation about continuing with college!

Tell me if I am wrong, but I know when I was looking for local designers to bring along for my web design company, when I posted on Craigslist, I got TONS of responses, but the first thing that I looked at was the Portfolio. If someone can present a great portfolio of designs, and have some experience under there belt, then they were at the top of the list.

If for some reason, plans don't work out, and I have to try to find a design job, because that is definitely what I am meant to do, then wouldn't my experience and portfolio be enough instead of a college degree and a decent / average portfolio?

To me it's not worth it, I would invest that into your business. Then when you make enough money and you still want a degree then go for it.

College is always worth it in my opinion. if things do not work out like you planned you can always fall back on that degree. It simply looks good.

Now, the best thing about this is if you are a bright and talented young individual you are not going to need to worry about paying your school loans off. The reason why? Well, you will be making so much money that it will not matter. You will simply be able to either stroke a check while you're going to school, or stroke a check to pay the student loan off soon after.

Now, if you do not use the education they received in a "job" it does not matter. The real benefit of college is the experience.

But, my answer to your question would be go to college. Go to for the experience. So you can look back and smile on your accomplishments.

You are only young once. Do not waste this opportunity for a great experience

Talk soon,

Shannon Herod

Absolutely agree with this point.

I had a pretty good job in I.T. earning the equivalent of around $70,000.00, in early 2000.

I left because I wanted to do other things.

Part of the requirements for this job was that I had the relevant qualifications, which I had as I'd been to college to get them.

Look, qualifications may not be important if all you're looking to do is get into business for yourself.

But, what if you don't do as well as you hope?

It's always good to have backup.

Don't be a sheep and follow what everyone else is doing or, more to the point, what everyone is saying just because they see others saying it.

Think about what you feel is realistic for yourself.

Hey,

I can totally relate. Im 19 and have been doing online marketing and the such for about the last 3 years.

Last year I was in the same situation- should I go to college or work full time on my business?

I ended up going to college for about 6 months before dropping out. The classes and the work was boring and basic. I have always wanted to be an entrepreneur and I felt that college wasn't going to help get me there.

Since then my business has exploded and I will be a millionaire before all my friends graduate

How cool is that? If i stayed at college that would have never happened.

The key though is that my life is balanced. I hang out with my college friends all the time and I go to college parties etc. So I really do have the best of both worlds. I think this is important.

As for people who say go to college for a backup? That's BS. There comes a time when you have to make a decision. Burn your bridges and go forward. If you want to be a big time business owner then go for it and make it happen.

Best wishes

Your young and seem to be ahead of the game. You have skills people go to school to obtain. Plus your dad can be an asset. Remember communication with your family is always best. Five years should be enough proof to show your committed to doing something you enjoy.

My opinion...

It depends completely on what you want to do and what you want.

Is it the best way to make a bunch of money?

Of course not.

But if you want a job then it is required most places now. At least if you want a decent salary.

Now if you can get one then you might as well... even if you are going to run your own business.

But in many ways I think the days of everyone getting a college degree are passing. Too much money for the benefit. Different if it's required or you need one. But one for no reason is also expensive to many.

Wow dem0x7. I'm 18, about to graduate and totally thinking the same thing.

That is exactly the way I feel, like I have to go just to keep my parents off my back. So here's what I've come up with as pros and cons..

Pros:

• It's college life. Meet new people and form relationships that will last a lifetime. Don't grow up too fast.
• It teaches discipline. By going through college you basically show yourself you can do anything and train your mind to accept difficulties and overcome them.
• You've always got a degree to back up on if the worst happens.

That's about it... but to be honest I'm biased towards not going to college.


Cons:

• Money. If you're considering student loans then don't even bother going to college. Put aside some money now so you can go back if you feel like it later.
• Sometimes school has a way of ruining what I like. I love marketing but I discovered that on my own. I can't imagine school making me love anything... it usually just makes it boring.
• School will never be up to date. You're going to learn whatever the old fogies that write the books feel like teaching. That's why there's no college noted for its major accomplishments in internet marketing.

So here's my plan. I'm going to run my business through college and experience the campus life and classroom experience. It I like it I'll have to opportunity to stay, but I have the feeling I'll probably drop out and work in my own business full time. Since I'll be out of state in college I'll be able to limit myself from the daily pressure of "You have to go to college."

It's just my understanding that my parents and others who grew up being told college was the only way cant comprehend making a livable income without a degree. Everyone in my family has gone through college and is inconceivable to them for me not to do the same.

Rob (ccmusicman),

I'm sorry if you might have misread my post. Perhaps I can clarify. The primary reason a person goes to college is to get an education. To enlighten the mind, if you will. It just so happens that in order to compete in the marketplace, you at least must have a bachelor's degree.

Based on the tone of your response, you seem to be somewhat bitter about leaving college.."good riddance." I wonder if you will feel the same way in 20 years.

But, a few people have become financially successful without a college degree. Bill Gates is the perfect example.

The question is, what ought a person do for a living if small business internet marketing goes the same way as skilled labor? We could wake up tomorrow to find out that the entire internet marketing world has been outsourced to southeast Asia. Imagine Adsense only from Cambodia. Clickbank shut down for everyone except affiliates in Hong Kong. Then what?

A good business plan for Demox7 is to earn that degree in a field that will increase the value of his internet marketing business; and be transferable to other enterprises.

But let's put all that aside. You seem like a hard charger in this business and have many valuable insights to share. I'd be interested in hearing more about your upcoming t.v. commercials, book releases, and the schedule of your speaking engagements.

I'm in the Chicago area. It'd be great to catch one of your ads on a local channel.

Best,
Chas

@Null-11 - Cool, man. It seems like I can relate to a few people on here, and that's awesome.

I'm going to re-post this, I think it got hidden by all of the replies.

Tell me if I am wrong, but I know when I was looking for local designers to bring along for my web design company, when I posted on Craigslist, I got TONS of responses, but the first thing that I looked at was the Portfolio. If someone can present a great portfolio of designs, and have some experience under there belt, then they were at the top of the list.

If for some reason, plans don't work out, and I have to try to find a design job, because that is definitely what I am meant to do, then wouldn't my experience and portfolio be enough instead of a college degree and a decent / average portfolio?

You got big plans, Me too and I am also about to graduate high school and I will be a college freshman in 2010-2011.

I think it's worth it but I am a nerd who likes school so I don't know if that's why I like going to college.

I went to college because it was expected of me. I sent in my application just two days before the cutoff.

My dad, his two sisters, and his parents are all wildly successful entrepreneurs. Each going into separate fields and earning a lot of money doing what they like. From an early age I have had an interest in following in their footsteps. I was not overjoyed about college and wasn't excited about the opportunity.

I am in my fifth and final year and I have loved every second of it. I do not have the typical college career. I didn't make very many friends. I most certainly didn't come to get an education. However, I have learned more in the last 5 years than I ever could have not going to school.

I am an economics major. I am lucky in that I get to hear people in class try to justify their answers. Learning how people think and how to talk to people has been a valuable asset for me.

* You are forced into class discussions in school. Some of my classes really encouraged debates. These debates taught me about persuasion, honed my analytical abilities, and forced me to think creatively.

* I was able to talk my way into a job doing something I had no idea about (programming). From there, I parlayed that university job into an even better job, expanding on my experience, but ultimately my new job was completely foreign to me. Just as with my first job, I had no idea about it, but I got my foot in the door and I quickly gained recognition. Finally, I used my past experience to bs my way into a final job that I have been at for the last 18 months, working full time as an IT Analyst and Application development, already making more than my peers are receiving at their first jobs. I have been using this time to build up a very handsome income and I am probably just going to cruise for a while after I graduate and quit my current job.

* My university has the largest library in the state. I can get any book I want on any topic I want. I have used my downtime to expand my horizons.

* Most importantly ... Virtually everytime after I talk to a freshman, it is very obvious that they simply aren't at my level in terms of maturity and understanding. I am in college and younger people in college have this stigma. Think about being an 18 year old with a bunch of people in their 30s and 40s. Very few will take you seriously.

What area that you think will be the best of you? That you become the most value for every other person and surrounding? Is it related to college?

Become the most value of you, this path is what I believe you should choose. Va' dove ti porta il cuore.

Some industries perhaps gonna lose player related to IM revolution. :rolleyes:

My 2 cent.

Hey. Always go with what you love to do.

I went to University for 7 years and loved it... not so much the study, but the lifestyle of being a student. Then graduated and very much felt like a square peg in a round hole once hitting the work-force. Then it took a massive shift to get out of it and into something I love.

So always go with what you love to do. And it sounds like you love web development and are finding your way into internet marketing. And you already have heaps of skills. Up to you, but look inside and go with what feels right for you... not parents or friends... but what is right for you. Hope that helps?

This is a tougher question than many people give credit for.

Some hard truths to get you head around.

1) Many people struggle to make good money from internet marketing so my advice it to give it a go but be honest with yourself about how successful you are being at it.

2) Many small businesses and entrepreneurial ventures fail. Far more than success.

Having said that you seem to have a great deal going for you and the get up and go needed to succeed. If your already making money freelancing your on the right path.

I have a degree. After three years of study and with the benefit of ten years of work I would estimate that the useful knowledge that I learned from that course could be condensed into a single text book. Pity the book doesn't actually exist.


Education is not about accumulating knowledge as a collection of facts. The internet does that now. A good education teaches you how to interpret data, reach a viewpoint based when there are many opposing arguments, debate, present and those sorts of life skills.

What ever you choose to do make the decision with these points in mind and be true to yourself in what you wish to achieve.

My advice is do both. Go to College and follow your dreams as an internet marketer.

Good luck.

Same situation, I turn 18 and graduate in June... This is killing me ><

Rob --

Those people did at least go to college for a while. I would bet a lot of money that they learned a lot from it. I would even bet that you learned a lot more from college than you think (or would like to admit).

Unrelated: I am also intensely interested in more info on your tv commercials, book releases, and speaking engagements. Hearing of others success is always a huge motivator for me...

Go and see if you like it...there are good social options - meet girls/boys/bots drink beer etc. I believe the social part is important.

Don´t lose focus of yourself and your long term dreams.
If college does not fit - - - make sure you know where you
are going and what you want to accomplish. Change.

If you haven´t met that goal one year later.
Revise where you are in life.... be realistic.

Most folks in college will make around $18K
part time if they do well. Not the best benchmark
but a basic US stat.

Hope that helps XD

Setup your online business and wait till cash flows and then take a bold step and say your parents you'll no more go to college and devote you time in business to worth it...

A year in to school, I hated it. I thought it was a waste. I was ready to leave. I was making a ton of money playing poker.

When I took my first job in the middle of my second year, that helped me enjoy college a little bit more. But it wasnt until my 3rd or 4th year that I really started to realize everything I was getting from college. Everything came together... just sort of clicked.

If I stopped after my freshman year to pursue my other interests, I would have never gained the vast body of knowledge that I now have from my education.

I always find it interesting in these threads that those who didn't go to school or are advocating the possibility of not going are usually agnostic about it. Most of us here are saying, "sure, maybe it's for you. It works great for some people" when it comes to college.

Most of those who are "pro college" are using absolute terms..."you must go!" "you will regret it!" "you'll be broke without it!" "what will happen if..."

It's exactly that type of absolutism and learned helplessness that permeates "learning institutions" that drove me out of them.

It depends on which degree you get and what job you get afterwords.

My advice would be to just pick something such as computer science, math, or physics and just get it done and over with fast as possible so you don't have to worry about it any more and begin your life.

Don't listen to all the IM guru wannabees, that believe they are going to build the next Microsoft or Google. It reminds me of how ALL the American Idol contestants believe they are special and going to be millionaire music artists.

Save being the minority that is successful in business, a college degree will help you in the job world.

The decision shouldn't be if you want to go to College or not. All you have to ask yourself is, what is your career plan? What do you want to do for the next stage in your life or aim to do in 10 years of your life? Research it and find out what you need to make it happen.

If you want your own IM business then find out the best approach for that, ask people who have been there.

If that goal requires a uni education then you go to uni. If it requires an apprenticeship then go and get that.

If you want a break then have a break, but have a plan, a goal, ambition!

I made my career decision when I was only 10 years old. I new what I loved (electronics) back then and set all my decisions in that direction. I had the degree and uni picked out before I finished primary school. Going from high school to uni never phased me. After the holidays I went and found a share house and moved out for school to finish my dream goal. I finished it and got a job in the industry, even though a little left of field. It was easy because I knew what I wanted.

I get frustrated with people in similar situations or those trying to determine if they can do a job. Decide on what you want, research it, make it happen. Same as IM!

It is impossible to make the right decision if you don't know what you want.

You can go to uni/college down the track if you need it then. You life doesn't start or end on the choice.

Go. Go right now. Go!!!

For a variety of reasons....

You learn so much, and gain so many necessary skills in writing, presentations, project management, and self discipline.

Oh yeah...parties...being young and having fun...etc...fun...etc.

Experience. Learn. Grow.

GO.

If you hate College, or it is average College do not go there - it is a waste of time. My brother do not like to study and he did not go to College.

I like the College, student´s life there, so I went to prominent College, but was working during study on college. I have many contacts in high positions, politicians and celebrities from this college.

And now, we have successful company with my brother.

So, I think the college does not matter so much. The hard work matters much more.

demox,

Take it from me man.

Go to college, finish a degree and keep it as a backup plan. Unless you are making a consistent income online enough for you to live comfortably for at least 2 years, go to school.

I should know, im 21 and got my nursing degree just in case.

Afterall, once you get used to IM (which it seems what your trying to go after at the moment) its always there.

There's no such thing as too old for IM.

What will a college degree give you at the end of 4 years?

Debt
The chance to work for someone else ( Great! )
Very little real life experience

Don't go to college to satisfy someone's (family & friends) fears or desires.

Do what you wanna do. Be what you wanna be. Yeah!

All the best to you!

Hey im going 19, and Im pretty much in your same shoes. Im going to uni, but I am going to do both IM and studies.

I am launching my product pretty soon...maybe we can connect and do jvs to gether?

LOL I think a lot of people struggle with this question. College is for one thing (unless you're going to get licensed, i.e. barber, nurse, doctor, lawyer, etc). COLLEGE IS TO SHOW A FUTURE EMPLOYER YOU CAN ACTUALLY COMMIT AND THAT YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO WORK FOR THEM.

I know it sucks, but thats it. Don't get me wrong, you will gain certain things from college. Your reasoning and thinking skills increase and you do a lot of networking (if you so choose to take advantage of the oppurtunity). But it seems you already have plans, and it doesn't look as if college are in them. If you're really unsure (unsure as in not knowing, if you don't wanna go don't waste your time/money), go for a semester.

Take classes that seem interesting to you. Talk to your advisor, talk to upperclasman. If you find that you can gain something from college, even if it has nothing to do with acedemics, I say go for it. If not, proceed with your life and know that collge doesn't mean anything, if you don't use it to YOUR ADVANTAGE. Hope this helps.

P.S. Before going to college (I'm a senior now), I was really considering going into the military. I decided to go to college and take advantage of the ROTC program. I found out that I wasn't military material my first semster, but I did find that I enjoyed the "college lifestyle" plus I met some pretty cool people I still talk to to this day. So even one semester wouldn't be a totally loss, but make sure its your choice!

If you go to college you'll always have that safety net, in case something goes wrong. However going to college for that sole reason isn't a good idea imo.

What I'd probably recommend is just for you to take some years off. You're still young, so doing what YOU want probably isn't a bad idea for now.
Speaking from personal experience, if I had gone straight to college after I graduated HS, I probably would've dropped out.
Instead of going to college I traveled, did some soul searching and so on.
I think the process of committing to something that you will spend a lot of time and money on should not be rushed. So I say take your time, don't worry about college and just do what you want for now. Perhaps you'll have changed your mind in a year or two or three or perhaps you won't have.

Yes it is. Education is never a negative and it does provide an opportunity to broaden your circle of friends, open doors, etc. If your goal is to become successful in internet marketing you should search out all avenues available at the college level that would add to your qualifications and expertise in the field. Good Luck.

Stew

Here is a short story about my dilemma about the same thing...

My parents wanted me to be an Engineer [I wanted to do music back then ]

I never agreed and finally after many debates and discussion we settled that I'm going to apply to an Engineering University [which had the strictest Entry Criteria] and see if I get the admission.

So I applied for Petroleum Engineering [which has good prospects and highly paid jobs] and was pretty sure I wouldn't get it because there were 1200 candidates applying for it and the seats on Merit were only 4 [the other option was to get entry on self finance scheme which was very expensive]

Unfortunately for me, I passed the test and got 2nd position out of 1200 [I didn't even prepare for the test deliberately]

Well the decision was made and I went to Uni. But here is the twist, now that I had the admission and settled to do the degree I never got serious about it and got termed back due to lack of attendance.

Second year during Uni [still first semester] and the same happened. Never got round to attending all classes and got termed back again.

Long story short my parents realized no matter what they did and no matter how hard I tried, Engineering just wasn't the thing for me.

So I did my graduation in Human Resource Management [which I thought would be interesting and creating unlike hardcore technical engineering] and during the final year I discovered Internet Marketing.

I started my MSc in HRM last year and during the first semester I started earning reasonable amount of money. I am the Student Rep of my program and during the first semester was one of the best students in the program but as soon as I started doing IM full time the interest in HRM and the degree faded all together.

Right now I am a full time Internet Marketer and have no interest in the University degree whatsoever. I am continuously missing classes and my tutors in second semester don't even recognize my face.

The entire point of this ramble is since you are already experienced and have got a plan to help your dad and you seem to be on the ball about IM and not exactly lost about what to do. I suggest from experience that college will be a waste of time for you. Mainly because you will have your passion associated with IM.

I wasted 5 years trying to do what others wanted me to do and was never happy. During my IM career I've had days when I didn't have the money to pay my rent or eat more than once a day but I was extremely satisfied because I knew I was headed in the right direction and my business was progressing.

Now I am not abandoning uni all together and have decided to finish it off anyway [its the last 6 months] but its not what I am passionate about and I wish everyday I hadn't started my degree.

Hope you take something from the story and decide whats best for you and the final piece of advice I can only say you can spend a lifetime trying to do what others want you to do and trying to please them but A. You'll never succeed and they'd always want/expect more of you and B. You'll never be content and satisfied with yourself.

Hope it helps.

Maddi

Note: Sorry I didn't read anything but the OP.

Just wanted to chime in and say I felt a lot like you do growing up, though I certainly wasn't doing as much at the same age.

The only reason I went to school is for the family. I'll say that the college experience IS beneficial and depending on your degree you can learn things that may help your business (though that wasn't particularly true in my case). Plus the potential of meeting like-minded people at the same age is really nice.

If you do end up going, remember that you can always work on your business in class. That's what I did if attendance was mandatory.

I had my first $1,000 day while I was literally on campus at school, which I think is kinda cool.

Solomon Huey

Hey dem0x7,
I went to college and haven't used my Civil Engineering degree once. BUT I still learned a lot.

Obviously I learned technical skills through getting my degree, but what has been far more valuable to me was the interpersonal skills and general life skills that I acquired there.

The question you have to ask yourself (honestly) is:

Will I need a fallback in case this internet thing doesn't work so well?

If you are already making a decent living online, then why bother going to college? Especially if you plan to keep making your living online when you finish college.

But you are definitely missing out on some fun times and learning experiences by not going to college

Listen,

I'm going to college and taking 15 hours. I wake up, go to class, come home and work on my Internet Marketing Business. Thursday through Saturday I do the same thing, but go out and have a great time downtown, concerts, and parties with people. I've met all kinds of great people.

Don't regret your decision if you decide not to go to college. There is so much out there you will miss if you decide not to go because you think you can make more money. Money alone won't make you happy, but if you can go to school and have a great time while making money, I think that would be awesome for you.

That's what I'm doing at the moment and it couldn't be going any better!

I went to College and found out later that I learned a lot of thinks that I ended up UN learning...If you can get a scholarship to am Ivy league school the contacts could be valuable but that's it. You are way ahead of most your age!
Richard

I agree that college isn't for everybody. Have you put any thought into what college could give you -- other than a degree? You can take business courses to help steer you in the right direction with your internet marketing business. You can leverage your college network to help get you more job opportunities. If you ever decide to change career paths you may realize that having a college degree will help you be able to do so much easier. Good luck in your decision but definitely try and look at the big picture.

It sure is... College ... graduating to be more exact is the magic ticket to open opportunities to jobs otherwised closed to you. Now you may very well be intelligent enough and talented enough to do many of the jobs that "College Graduates" do... but you will never get the opportunity for some of those jobs without the paper.

Avoid the trade schools and career colleges... they mean nothing.

Get yourself in an accredited University. If you really want to make opportunities for yourself... pick any undergraduate major... fly through it and go to grad school.

There are a handful of CEO's that didn't go to College but it's the exception not the rule.

College makes it easier for you to work in the corporate world.

The only real downside is cost.

SECRET TIP: This is something at your age I wish someone would have told me. College is about building relationships and networking. Get to know and befriend many different people from all walks of life. Get to know your professors. It's those relationships that pay off big time down the road.

I am going to tell you from my own personal experience DO NOT under any circumstances go to college if you are doing so to get people "off your back". This my friend is very bad business and you will end up wasting a ton of time and money. It will quickly turn into a situation much like going to a job you hate, but you have to, because, well you just went to get people "off your back."

I did this and now I owe a crap ton in student loans, dropped out of college and I make more money per hour than any of my friends who have a college degree. Personally I am out to show this world that post-secondary education is highly over-rated and NOT for everyone. This sounds odd, but follow YOUR OWN intuition. That is my advice to you.

I vote yes to college, but only if you decide you want to do it for yourself. It's not something you do for your family or others. At your age it's hard to figure out if it's something good or not. That's true with any new experience or new job, new relationship, etc... No one can tell you what your experience may be like or how it would play out in your life. Anyone who goes to college is taking a chance on things. They hope and wonder if they will learn new things, meet new people they'll like, get more opportunities in life - or not. And, as you read, for some it works out great, for others so-so, for others not well. We can't guess that, and you can only make your best guess at it.

I think it's great that you're exploring opinions with others like this, but remember it's only each person's private experiences with college, and your own experience, if you decide to go, will be different than anybody else's.

It sounds to me like you could also explore college options further to get more ideas about it all. For example, you're talked about your interest and skills with design. You're clearly interested in internet marketing and in being your own boss/having your own business. I would advise you to look at different colleges (state universities to keep the cost down) and the degree programs they offer to see what could strike your interest or support you in your dreams in the design/IM/entrepreneurial industries. For example, you can pursue degrees and more knowledge in graphic design, entrepreneurship, marketing, financial related and business related degrees, computer science, or a combination of those if you get bored easily in school- you could double major! But, if you continue to read descriptions of those programs of study and what they can offer you and your future, and find yourself still with considerable feelings of dread instead of excitement, then it sounds like you're not in a place in your life, at least for now, to go to college.

For design jobs with companies, such as staff jobs, they are likely to want minimum requirements of a college degree as well as a good porfolio. There are many people out job hunting nowadays. Given one prospect with a great portfolio vs another prospect with a great portfolio and a college degree in a related area of study, most employers would choose the latter, I think... On the other hand, there are always exceptions, and if you get past the initial cut and land an interview, that could be your other opportunity to impress and shine without the degree credential.

Good luck with whatever you decide! You sound like you'll be successful either way. Whatever you do, make sure it's on a path of no regrets and make it a decision you feel pretty darn good about.

In my opinion college is pretty much a waste of money unless you know that you'll use your degree in your business.

The people who go to college to figure out what they are going to do with their lives aren't really doing themselves a favor in most cases.

I think college can be good if you know that you want to use your degree in business. For example if you were to get into some type of high tech product business that involves specialized engineering training, it might make sense to get an engineering degree.

Basically, something from the world outside of college should be driving you to get higher education for your field, if that makes sense...

College is also a great and very unique social experience, but I can't say that you won't find that experience in the business/internet marketing world. There are a lot of events and networking meetings that help out with the social aspect.

It's worth it if you will actually be putting the knowledge to use. If you just want a paper - don't bother.

Some suggestions for your concideration:

1) Only go to college if you can get your degree in a field that you are realy, realy 24/7 passionate about! If you are passionate about the field of study you will then be able to put up with the workload and other BS you have to deal with at college.

2) Make sure you schedule at least 3hrs of study/homework time for every hour of class time. Some classes will take less hours others will take more.

3)If you can, go to the college you are interested in during class time and sit in on the classes you are interested in taking. Do this for at least two days, a week if possible, this way you will get a feel for what it will be like for you as a student. Talk to the students and find out what they think about the school, professors, etc..
This is the best way to get past all the rosey, pie in the sky, BS the counselors, school reps, professors will give you.

4) Most importent of all, don't let anyone try to change who you are, or what you passionately want out of life.

James

I am 53 and back in college. At 18 I was fresh out of High School, had a career and my own business. Over the years my business shifted and grew more and more specialized. Then, when I was 51, the government changed 1 regulation (just 1 word actually) and my offline business slowly came to a halt because I lack a college degree. So, now that I'm old enough to appreciate it, I'm back in college.

Any degree in anything is valuable. You have to think of it as a piece of paper that says you know something. A ticket that can (not always, but usually) grant you access to better paying jobs and open doors that might otherwise be closed. It is a passport that will alter the perception that other people have of you.

What would happen if in 5 years the government decided you need a license to design websites and to get the license you need a college degree, (not necessarily one in website design, but a degree in anything?)

Competition in this world is based on having something more than the guy next to you has, whether that is skills, education, strength, youth or whatever. The decision you have to make is if you want to throw away that edge now and then maybe have to try to get it back when you are older.

My advice is to not go if you are going because you feel pressured. If you do decide to go, study something you love and leave your life's career to sort itself out, you can always design webpages, or even sell used cars or scrub dishes if you absolutely had to. College should be about learning something that you care about.

Here's my two cents:

If you believe and value the concept called " having a good job" then, statistics show that an early investment in college tuition, results in having access to higher paying jobs that enables you to justify the cost of investment in tuition ( google the get rich slowly blog).

That being said, if you want to get a larger picture of how to generate money be it by
employment or other, read Robert Kiyosaki's "Cashflow Quadrant", this way you may have a larger point of view and see the forest from the trees.

Rob

College is worth it for the experience, education, and the people you meet. Also it is good to have a backup when you do IM.

I went to college and I must say they were the best years of my life. I would not swap them for anything. Did it help me in doing what I do today Maybe, maybe not but it is not just about education, yes you learn a lot at college but it is the experience in doing it and the social aspects of it. One thing I did take from college is the friends that I made there are now great contacts for me in the IM business. You will be with like minded people if you choose the right course and the experience would be well worth the time spent on it.

Pete

You need the education to add credibility to whatever you do in life, unless you are lucky enough to hit the IM millionaires club. Besides, it is a great niche to promote to.

I think anyone considering college should read this report by Perry Marshall: http://perry.pdfs.s3.amazonaws.com/R...ightjacket.pdf

Mate I suggest you to go to the college. It's fun and is a different experience eventhough you will be workloaded..

But....

In a community, no one considers an uneducated person's opinions or views on a subject. This is what my dad tells me. If you are uneducated, then you've got 0 value in the community. I guess, in the longer run, you'll never regret the education you gained during your college life. It's just a different experience.

But... If you really have an extra ordinary passion for what you're currently doing, and if you think you've got a bright future, then go for it...

As in some movies:- Do what your heart tells you

G'day,
Akhil R

Dude,

College is totally worth it. The ladies are one fire, the friends will last you a lifetime. And more than anything the stories are to die fore.

I joined the Navy after high school. So my "college years" were spent overseas. Not that I am complaining. I have stories, let me tell you...well maybe not in this forum. When I went back to school years later, I was older and went to get a degree so I had a different perspective.

My wife on the other hand, had a million stories about her college years and they are totally funny. She had all of the college experience party things that you just won't get anywhere else. Part of me wishes I had those memories, but then I have Thailand and Hong Kong.

Needless to say, go and have a great time. And if you happen to learn something even better. Best of all you can take IM with you and then not have to worry about living on a shoe string budget. No matter what you do, make sure you live on Top Ramen for about a month or two.

I love that stuff, wife won't let me eat it anymore, says we have real jobs and can afford real food.

There are lots of ways to live life and succeed, as well as many ways to fail. Successful people will swear by their way and will often lock horns with other successful people who have done it another way. Successful people, whatever their methods, are more likely to utilize their failures to figure out better ways of accomplishing things. It's like a great jazz guitarist and an accomplished classical pianist arguing about what way of making music is best. It is an absurd argument, truth be told.

Is the knowledge gained from college going to be useful? Maybe it will be, in that it will present a commonly accepted distortion of reality (something that is nebulous and shifting at the best of times) and call it "knowledge." Will be directly relevant to jobs you're able to get? Probably not, but you will have completed a ritual and will be deemed acceptable. It isn't so much learning something correct or relevant as being trained and properly branded to fit into a commonly accepted paradigm (or matrix, if you prefer).

School district was set up by John D. Rockefeller to produce good employees and soldiers.

Nuff Said

I can pretty much sum it up in few words: If you want to follow the corporate soldier route, go to college. If you want to follow the self-made entrepreneurial route, then there's no need for college.

College is there to forge white-collar workers with comfortable salaries, a semi-detached house and a mid-range BMW. If you want something else, then college won't help you.

YES!

Go to college and get that useless grind over with. You will get a piece of paper and hardly any "in field" experience ... but currently the world works this way: If you have a college degree you have a better stacked deck.

If not, you will always get the ****tier end of the stick.

Just my 2 cents.

Any questions let me know

Nick

Yeah, plus you get to experience life at college.
Staying on your own, studying, working, partying, make great memories.
Since you want to start your web biz, take some marketing course or something just for networking.

Honestly, i would only go if you are not sure what you want to do with life. If you are 100% sure of what you wannna do, I would skip it.

If you got an economics degree and didn't learn anything that you can apply to business, I suggest you ask for a refund.

I (in 6 weeks) have an economics degree and I have learned a ton of info that directly applies to online and offline businesses as well. My dad runs a really successful brick and mortar business. We collaborate and my ideas spawned from what I learned in class have helped increase income by leaps and bounds.

In all honesty... I think you either do not realize how much of what you know you learned while at school or you simply arent admitting it. I learn new things everyday while not in school, and probably 10x more when I am there. I suppose my puny brain just doesn't compare to people that don't learn anything in school so I can't understand their perspective...

Personally I decided to go to college mostly for the experience. I am not positive whether or not I will be doing IM for the rest of my life..but I do know that I will be in marketing as a career for the rest of my life. THat is why I chose to go to college and get a degree in marketing and finance. That way even if I don't learn anything that I can use in my IM life I can always use the knowledge of money that I gained and put it to good use.

You guys are awesome, I tried to use the "Thanks" button for a lot of the posts. I appreciate each reply, I've read them all. It's like half and half, there are so many different opinions and suggestions.

But I guess you guys are right, it is what I want to do, and what will benefit me, not what my family or friends wants me to do. I think maybe taking a year off and working on my own IM projects, and building my web design business, and seeing where that takes me and go from there.

Although, I will have to listen to friends and family complain or look at me like there's something wrong with me, and I'm not good enough. What's a good answer for when they say "WHY?"

Mixed feelings on my part. I think college is worth doing, not for the degree or to learn to make money (learn to work for the man) , but for the social interaction and the fun times you can have there. Girls .. Now how did that word get there?

Once you have a degree you'll always have it. It doesn't matter if your degree is in onion peeling, you have a degree and people look at you differently. If you ever hope to run for office then you'll want a degree ( pedigree ) or two and most likely a law degree.

That said you should read this story:


How I Did It: Omniture's Josh James

There are lots of ways to be successful and they don't necessarily require a college/university degree. But, not having a college degree closes doors and opens none. If you're young and don't think college is what you need, sure go for it and do whatever you want to do. Move to LA and try to be an actor or screenwriter, try to live on Internet marketing full time, try to start your own business, why not. But, be aware that 80% or more of jobs out there will only choose applicants with college degrees (even if the boss, say Bill Gates, doesn't have one). As one poster mentioned, don't even try to go to Japan, Korea, China, or Vietnam to teach English because they require that you at least have a BA.

If we're going to talk about what happens "on average" and claim that those who succeed without a college degree are an aberration- then we should at least acknowledge what happens to many who go to college.

They graduate with mountains of debt. They then take on a job they hate to pay that debt all the while racking up more debt in loans or on credit cards to pay for things like transportation to get to said crappy job as well as living expenses, etc.

They then marry someone in the same situation and plod through life waiting for the weekend or their 1.5 weeks of vacation per year. They have kids that end up growing up in daycare because neither parent can afford to be away from work because of the debt they've incurred.

The reality is as Thoreau said, "The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation."

You'll have no shortage of family and friends telling you that you absolutely MUST go to college and patting you on your back when you graduate but they do not have to live your life.

I suggest you decide exactly what it is you want to do with your life and then ask those who have achieved this what they recommend. If I were to plan a trek across an unfamiliar country I would want to speak to those who had already accomplished it.

Many of the pro-college posters are not running full-time internet businesses and feel the need to defend college much as if it were a sports team they've invested their time and energy in.

I went to school for almost 2 years and was so mind-numbingly bored and frustrated that I dropped out. I don't proclaim that college is bad or good for everyone. It's a choice but most importantly, college is NOT a destination- it's a path. If your ultimate destination does not lie at the end of college then ask yourself if that path is really what you want?

Just follow what your heart desires.

Being 18 (from the uk so its abit different) I have to say asking a internet marketing forum wether or not to go to college or into internet marking is going to be as usefull as asking lawyers if you should hire a lawyer.

Part of business (thats sadly overlooked by online businesses) is contingency(what if), what if my server dies, what if i get a bad reputation what if i get closed down by a government what if i dont succeed.
Someone will tell you not to think about these things but be honest with yourself, are you cut for IM, are you cut out for a job if you do web design you have some creativity so going into a job at a movie theatre probably wouldn't have worked whereas looking at what a web design firm looks for (ie college qualifications or not) could help you decide if going to college would be a contingency.

This is where its abit different because the loan system in the UK means paying off a uni loan is pain free so going to uni picking up some debt, life experience, new friends, new level of learning ability and how to have a few drinks may be worthwhile.

Just think about a plan B is all im saying

I know you don't want to hear it. But you are young. I say go to school. Take some business and marketing classes. They will not hurt you, just keep an open mind. Learn from the good, and ignore the fluff. Don't worry so much about cramming and grades, but more on learning the subject at hand.

That said, in your off time from school, work on internet marketing. If something takes off, go with it. In the meantime, you'll have the backup of school going for you.

School still has some valid things to teach, and some wonderful professors out there can change your life for the better.

Coming from someone who quit college, who felt at the time (and part of me still does) that college was just not for me. I've worked in IT as a programmer/Support person without college, but things change. It's much harder to get a position now adays (you may not need one now), or even getting an interview if you don't have college.

I would say go for computers/marketing for your Associates Degree - 2 year, even if it's part time.

You'll always have that degree for yourself. It can only benefit you.

Good luck with whatever decision you make.

Best,
Liz