College Guy looking for advice.

[arctic330i]

I am only in my second year at my college, an expensive one at that, and I am contemplating leaving for a job.

Since 2010 I have worked under a friend who started a company and has been very successful in these tough times. I have worked at the original location every summer/Christmas since. I currently make around 12-15k a year working part time and in school. Also, the company is 2 hours away from my college so working while in school is not an option.

He is opening a few more branches and really wants me to work for him at a new one opening this Christmas. He is always asking me about my future and what I have plans for. I absolutely love working for him and being in the company from the ground up we have a solid team and I have a large voice. He has offered me a managerial position in his company whenever I am ready/finish school.

With a school that costs 56k a year ( not what we are paying) I am always feeing INCREDIBLY bad for putting my parents through that, and it is a struggle to pay currently. Also, I am not some snobby kid who does not mind screwing their parents over. I have given all the money I have to this school...

It leaves me thinking, If he could offer me a 30-40-50k job now, should I move and do it? I have an older long time friend who would move with me and split rent. I just feel that even after sinking into debt with school, I still could come out with the same job. But then what if I am in need of a degree down the road?! So many scary thoughts... Both of my parents did not attend college and are incredibly successful for not attending. Also, my boss did not attend either...


My car is payed off, I pay about $1000 a month now to live.

What do any of you recommend? Stay in school at a rate of $$$ per year or start life now? I would basically end with my AA. Also, what if I did online schooling such as the University of Florida online business school?

I appreciate any help

[wisesoul]

I'm afraid we can't make that decision for you. It's your life and your future at stake. I wouldn't pay attention to strangers online as much as I would yourself. What do YOU really want? Do you want to pursue a career with in your friend's business or forge your own path? The latter requires time/money/patience but potentially has a big payoff depending on how you handle things. Just my opinion, but I say stay in school and get a degree. I think that gives you more leverage in the real world. Looking back, had I left college without a degree, I'd have limited options and risk being complacent. I'd imagine your parents are paying for your school with the expectation of you graduating. But again, just my opinion.

[blackboxing]

I'm a rising junior and in your shoes as well...school is costing around the same as you and I'm an international student so I get no financial aid. Have talked to my parents about it and they are adamant in my finishing through college and earning at least a Bachelor's degree. I think parents play a huge role in our decisions so you should talk to them about your issue if you are serious about dropping out in order to work for your friend.

[MisterSkiMask]

Originally Posted by arctic330i

It leaves me thinking, If he could offer me a 30-40-50k job now, should I move and do it? I have an older long time friend who would move with me and split rent. I just feel that even after sinking into debt with school, I still could come out with the same job. But then what if I am in need of a degree down the road?! So many scary thoughts... Both of my parents did not attend college and are incredibly successful for not attending. Also, my boss did not attend either...


My car is payed off, I pay about $1000 a month now to live.

What do any of you recommend? Stay in school at a rate of $$$ per year or start life now? I would basically end with my AA. Also, what if I did online schooling such as the University of Florida online business school?

I appreciate any help

Generally speaking, finish school. Without a degree many doors will not be opened enough to be slammed in your face.

What is your major? What would a career in your field be expected to pay, realistically? $50k is not bad for right out of school, but if that is the best you can expect to do, it is not worth it.

[Inspired]

Depending on your major and how hard it is to find a job in your area, I would just take the job if it was towards the 40-50k range.

[Comet]

you could always take night class/continuing education to finish your degree while you work for him.

[karliejai]

why are you attending a 50k per year school?
it doesnt seem to me you know the importance of education since you are asking this question.

if you really take this job, i would suggest taking classes around ur local area at night or weekend.

[Simsims]

depends on the industry.

In the IT industry, a new grad starts 70k+

[silvergray545]

Stay in school. I quit an extremely well paying job (for my age) just to finish my degree.

[TeRRoRiFiC35]

When you speak of "branches" this sounds like you are doing sales of some sort. If it's IT, 40k a year isn't a good salary; neither is it for sales. You may want to go into a little more detail as to what you do which can help us see if continuing education would be right for you. Honestly, you should get your degree, it opens more doors. A great example would be my mother. She has her associates degree in the same field I have my bachelors (accounting). I make 2.5 times more than she does after being out of school for 4 years whereas she has been at the same job for 15 years. Also, in order to rise up in careers these days you need a degree.

[upstatedoc]

Bang as many chicks as possible. I hope this helps.

[justinnum1]

Stay in school, if your current job falls through and you dont have a degree...

[Uber V8]

Is it possible that your friend can have the position for you after you get your degree?

What salary are you expecting if you do get your degree?

If the salary your expecting after you get your degree exceeds your current offer then...

[arctic330i]

I am staying in school, attending USF in Florida this fall and making 50k as a assistant manager in an Apple store with a upgrade to 85 in 2 years in my contract.

[Uber V8]

Originally Posted by arctic330i

I am only in my second year at my college, an expensive one at that, and I am contemplating leaving for a job.

Since 2010 I have worked under a friend who started a company and has been very successful in these tough times. I have worked at the original location every summer/Christmas since. I currently make around 12-15k a year working part time and in school. Also, the company is 2 hours away from my college so working while in school is not an option.


It leaves me thinking, If he could offer me a 30-40-50k job now, should I move and do it? I have an older long time friend who would move with me and split rent. I just feel that even after sinking into debt with school, I still could come out with the same job. But then what if I am in need of a degree down the road?! So many scary thoughts... Both of my parents did not attend college and are incredibly successful for not attending. Also, my boss did not attend either...


My car is payed off, I pay about $1000 a month now to live.

What do any of you recommend? Stay in school at a rate of $$$ per year or start life now? I would basically end with my AA. Also, what if I did online schooling such as the University of Florida online business school?

I appreciate any help

Originally Posted by arctic330i

I am staying in school, attending USF in Florida this fall and making 50k as a assistant manager in an Apple store with a upgrade to 85 in 2 years in my contract.

Either I missed something or you literally just got hired at Apple after you started this thread

[fitchesbass]

My sister went to USF and my mother works there. Since when does it cost $50k plus to attend USF?

Also doesn't Florida have some ridiculous deal for in-state students.. e.g. if you do half way decent in high school you get almost free tuition to an in-state school?


Stay in school and get your degree. Too bad you're not getting a technical degree. A good amount of engineering majors are 1) in demand, 2) pretty well paid right out of undergrad, 3) have good opportunity for advancement and increasing your salary in the future.


If school is that pricey sell the E90. Not sure how you have an E90 330i paid off and are in your sophomore year of undergrad. Education is more important than having a nice car in college. Most people I went to college with didn't even have a car... let alone a newer BMW.

[arctic330i]

It's an Apple specialist store, sorry I was short on time so I did not explain. It is, for all intents and purposes, an Apple store. It is virtually the same looking and pull in millions...

I attend Rollins now, USF is where I would transfer to in Tampa to finish my degree. Just so it's clear I WILL be attending school while I am working.

Also, I have worked for a few years now and paid off my first car (mini cooper) which I traded for 13k to get the 330i. With little expenses at home I was able to pay the 4k difference it was to get the 330i. I paid 17k for it.

[arctic330i]

Originally Posted by karliejai

why are you attending a 50k per year school?
it doesnt seem to me you know the importance of education since you are asking this question.

if you really take this job, i would suggest taking classes around ur local area at night or weekend.

We had a alternate source to help pay for schooling. Life changed for this person and it made the funding for the school impossible. Even with my personal contributions it is not feasible. So we looked at different options.

Yes, I will be attending USF and getting my degree while working.

[karliejai]

so what is your question?

[TeRRoRiFiC35]

There is this thing called student loans that let you borrow money to help pay for school. I would have stayed in state for college if not for them. Also any scholorship you can get helps. And seriously, they pay that much to be an assistant manager at a retail store? Maybe I should switch careers cause with a degree based on that scale I'll make $100k a year.

[Rookie83]

I dont know, I am a firm believer that in this day and age it has absolutely nothing to do with what you know and everything to do with who you know. I have several friends that have graduated from universities and can not find a job to save their life. The lucky few that have make maybe 30-40k a year and that is not enough to live a comfortable lifestyle, more like enough to pay the bills and sit at home. On the flipside, i have other friends that started working straight out of highschool (including myself) and now make anywhere from 2-4 times that. Alot of people i know have reached success not by going to a major university that they will be paying off forever, but by networking and building personal relationships in the marketing/sales/oil and gas industries etc... In the end its all up you, but i personally think school is bs. Just my.02 and best of luck to you in whatever you decide to do.

[TeRRoRiFiC35]

Here's the better question, what was their degree in when they graduated? If you say something like communications, obviously it is hard. Even if you get a degree in business, it depends on the major. I have an accounting degree, accountants are always in demand. My sister graduated with a management degree, much harder for her to find jobs.