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Should I forego college and get an internet-based job making millions of dollars?
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Char R.
Registered Nurse
67
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Char’s Answer
Internet-based jobs are great, but your job security depends on the industry you're working in and how skilled you are.
College isn't necessary to be successful, but having a career in which you will be needed for years to come is a smart move and great investment. You can lose a job, and certain industries can fade away overtime. However, if you're really good at what you do and you choose a field that's growing, you can be very successful. The catch is, unless you are an unusually gifted person, you'll need to be trained in order to get really good at something. This is where college comes in. College gets you trained pretty quickly.
I always recommend to young people to choose a career first and become degreed (or atleast certified or licensed in something). You can lose a job, but no one can take away your education/college degree. Once you finish your education, then you can go on to work at a multi-million dollar business. That way, if the business fails, you always have something to fall back on that proves you've been trained in something.
Going to college is your choice, but if you do, I would highly recommend choosing a career in which you will be needed for a long time. Careers in the medical field and STEM are excellent choices. These industries are growing at a fast rate and are in demand.
College isn't necessary to be successful, but having a career in which you will be needed for years to come is a smart move and great investment. You can lose a job, and certain industries can fade away overtime. However, if you're really good at what you do and you choose a field that's growing, you can be very successful. The catch is, unless you are an unusually gifted person, you'll need to be trained in order to get really good at something. This is where college comes in. College gets you trained pretty quickly.
I always recommend to young people to choose a career first and become degreed (or atleast certified or licensed in something). You can lose a job, but no one can take away your education/college degree. Once you finish your education, then you can go on to work at a multi-million dollar business. That way, if the business fails, you always have something to fall back on that proves you've been trained in something.
Going to college is your choice, but if you do, I would highly recommend choosing a career in which you will be needed for a long time. Careers in the medical field and STEM are excellent choices. These industries are growing at a fast rate and are in demand.
david kirk
Retired Computing Manager
480
Answers
Syracuse, New York
Updated
david’s Answer
I know the attractiveness of easy money is beckoning and seems a simple direction that bypasses college or tech school. With much in the news in past year about college expenses and benefits, jobs that advertise high pay with few skills and training look attractive. STOP. That is a road to nowhere. No good career exists where there is no substance required. You wouldn't pay someone a day's pay to wash your clothes, so why would a company pay you a lot for what you know is an easy job? Clearly, they would not. If you want a meaningful career, then you need to prepare yourself to have the skills desired for the job. Whether it is a trade skill, such as plumbing, or an engineering skill to build bridges,
Anthony Ngo
40
Answers
Kirkland, Washington
Updated
Anthony’s Answer
Hello,
Should I forego college and get an internet-based job making millions of dollars?
If I am going to answer this question as written then I would say 'No'. If you think that by getting an internet-based job and I will make millions of dollars, you will more likely be disappointed unless you know with some certainty that it will lead you there. Is it possible? Of course it is possible to make millions on the Internet (as well as off the Internet.) But not 'ALL' internet-based job is high paying. High paying jobs (internet based or not) requires some skills and education at college level.
If I am going to twist your question a little: "Should I forego college and go to work after graduation from high school?" May answer to this is: it's all depending on you. Are you willing to take a different road as described in Robert Frost's poem "The Road not Taken"?
(You can also read this question and response: https://www.careervillage.org/questions/666798/is-college-worth-it-or-stupid)
I normal compare college education to 'gold'. Everyone knows that it is valuable, given a chance majority of us want to own it, but not everyone does. I visited a gold mine in Colorado a few years back. The mine had seized operations for a number of years and was operated as a tourist attraction. According to the tour guide, there are tons and tons of gold still awaiting in the mine. The question was: why the owner (or owners) of the mine did not start the mining again but decide to operate the mine as a tourist attraction? The answer from the guide was: the current gold price does not justify the cost of mining. Something may be as valuable as gold (your college degree) in the gold mine, but getting it (cost of your education) does not yield a profit (your ability to repay your loan and make a good living) then it is better run the mine as a tourist attraction (something does not require getting the gold.)
So, do you want to mine your gold or run a tourist attraction?
Good Luck.
Anthony
Should I forego college and get an internet-based job making millions of dollars?
If I am going to answer this question as written then I would say 'No'. If you think that by getting an internet-based job and I will make millions of dollars, you will more likely be disappointed unless you know with some certainty that it will lead you there. Is it possible? Of course it is possible to make millions on the Internet (as well as off the Internet.) But not 'ALL' internet-based job is high paying. High paying jobs (internet based or not) requires some skills and education at college level.
If I am going to twist your question a little: "Should I forego college and go to work after graduation from high school?" May answer to this is: it's all depending on you. Are you willing to take a different road as described in Robert Frost's poem "The Road not Taken"?
(You can also read this question and response: https://www.careervillage.org/questions/666798/is-college-worth-it-or-stupid)
I normal compare college education to 'gold'. Everyone knows that it is valuable, given a chance majority of us want to own it, but not everyone does. I visited a gold mine in Colorado a few years back. The mine had seized operations for a number of years and was operated as a tourist attraction. According to the tour guide, there are tons and tons of gold still awaiting in the mine. The question was: why the owner (or owners) of the mine did not start the mining again but decide to operate the mine as a tourist attraction? The answer from the guide was: the current gold price does not justify the cost of mining. Something may be as valuable as gold (your college degree) in the gold mine, but getting it (cost of your education) does not yield a profit (your ability to repay your loan and make a good living) then it is better run the mine as a tourist attraction (something does not require getting the gold.)
So, do you want to mine your gold or run a tourist attraction?
Good Luck.
Anthony
Laurie Pritchard, Ed. S., M.A.T.
Executive Trainer, Rocket Mortgage
72
Answers
Wilmington, North Carolina
Updated
Laurie’s Answer
It sure sounds exciting to make millions of dollars with an internet-based job, and it certainly could happen, but please know the chances are extremely rare. As with all things in life, make sure you have a plan and a back up plan. One of the best things about getting your education is that once you have it, no one can take it away from you. Then you can go for the internet-based job, and if things work out, great! If things do not work out, you have your education which will open doors for other work opportunities.
There is a phrase "don't put all your eggs in one basket" which has stood the test of time for a reason. It is important to have options because you never know where life will take you.
There is a phrase "don't put all your eggs in one basket" which has stood the test of time for a reason. It is important to have options because you never know where life will take you.
Mickael Rosenberg
Software Engineer
261
Answers
Bellevue, Washington
Updated
Mickael’s Answer
> get an internet-based job making millions of dollars?
I think we would know if every developer that are writing applications for the web are millionaires.
the answer is no.
Like many others said before me, you may get the idea that will bring these millions but that's not common. I would recommend to get a bachelor degree; many companies are looking for at least Bachelor degree candidates to hire.
so you can forego all studies as you see fit, get experience on your own, develop and publish an idea of your own, but unless you live in someone's else home, remember that food and bills are not free. I believe this is all up to you.
I think we would know if every developer that are writing applications for the web are millionaires.
the answer is no.
Like many others said before me, you may get the idea that will bring these millions but that's not common. I would recommend to get a bachelor degree; many companies are looking for at least Bachelor degree candidates to hire.
so you can forego all studies as you see fit, get experience on your own, develop and publish an idea of your own, but unless you live in someone's else home, remember that food and bills are not free. I believe this is all up to you.
Akram Weusi
Field Network Engineer
1
Answer
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Akram’s Answer
Do both, if you feel that your talents will make you appealing to an audience and you will be able monetize that appeal you should pursue it. I would also go to school and take business/finance classes so that you will know what to do with all the money you will be making.
Jerome Levy
81
Answers
Updated
Jerome’s Answer
Short answer: No.
Long answer: While you can make a good living without a college education, you'll either need a skill (often acquired at a trade school or similar, which is basically a college education without the humanities courses :) ) or a whole lot of luck, hard work, and innate ability at a marketable skill. Unless you're willing to gamble on that, in today's marketplace, the best bet is to get that degree.
There's no free lunch.
Long answer: While you can make a good living without a college education, you'll either need a skill (often acquired at a trade school or similar, which is basically a college education without the humanities courses :) ) or a whole lot of luck, hard work, and innate ability at a marketable skill. Unless you're willing to gamble on that, in today's marketplace, the best bet is to get that degree.
There's no free lunch.