| 5) This has little to do with life being fair or not. It | | | | The more they want the information the more you |
| has everything to do with you figuring out how to | | | | can charge because no one else will be providing the |
| make money, whether you have a degree or not. | | | | information they want at a lower cost. |
| Do I think you have been snookered on the | | | | This is America, the land of opportunity. This is a |
| education trip? Yes I do. Why? I have too much | | | | needs-based, on-demand economy. The market you |
| experience and evidence to think otherwise. | | | | want to earn your living in is capitalist based, not |
| Both of us come from educated families that would | | | | education based. If you cannot figure out the |
| naturally stress education. I was appalled when my | | | | economy, become a teacher and settle for whatever |
| son and daughter had zero interest in continuing their | | | | salary and benefits education pays a teacher. |
| education after high school. | | | | 8) Also, stop acting like there is some big secret |
| My daughter is now a loan officer with Washington | | | | about how to make it in your chosen field. Get into |
| Mutual making good money, probably far better than | | | | the field and act like you are the secret. Do not |
| you are, and she has zero student loan debt. | | | | chase people and opportunities, act like you are THE |
| My son did get a 2-year certificate as an automotive | | | | person and THE opportunity is with you. |
| technician; he refused to take the 4 or 5 academic | | | | You are bright, educated and capable. You are the |
| classes with the occupational training so he could get | | | | answer to your own quest to find someone else to |
| an Associate of Technical Arts Degree rather than a | | | | hire you. Start acting like you are a person of total |
| certificate as an auto tech. | | | | substance. |
| He told me, "Dad I do not need any more education." | | | | Make people appreciate and understand instantly that |
| Remember what Mark Twain said: "I never allowed | | | | when they are talking to you, or doing business with |
| schooling to interfere with my education." | | | | you, that they are dealing with a person of |
| My son is 28 years old and already has a $540,000 | | | | substance. Repeat, a person of substance. Let there |
| house, 4 upscale vehicles, a rental property and two | | | | be no mistake. |
| auto repair shops with an income well in excess of | | | | If your thing is hip-hop music, become the authority, |
| $12,000 a month plus the net profits from his | | | | brand yourself and build a reputation so that no one |
| businesses. | | | | thinking hip-hop is doing squat without consulting you |
| Did he need a college education to succeed? You | | | | first because you have the answers, and are worth |
| decide. This is why I say that there is more | | | | whatever you are charging and 20 times more! |
| correlation between people skills, having technical skills | | | | Think about who you need to be, not who you are |
| and being in an activity that is in demand than there | | | | at the moment, then be that person, becoming a |
| is between pure education and income. | | | | magnet that will attract people to you. |
| 6) Do I believe everyone should have a college | | | | Now get out there and make me proud of you. You |
| degree, say at least a bachelor's? Absolutely, because | | | | are an expert. You do not know everything and |
| you will be exposed to multiple areas of knowledge | | | | quickly acknowledge so, but in your area, there is no |
| and get some well-needed breeding and culture. My | | | | one who knows more than you. Period. That is it. |
| son could care less about classical music, plays, | | | | And if you do not agree with me that I am an |
| culture, reading, etc. He is focused on making money | | | | expert in my field, no matter, others do. |
| and when he looks at anything he is only interested | | | | You are not some silly girl with three degrees who |
| in discovering the answers to two questions: Where | | | | cannot find the right job at the right income. Start |
| is the money? and How can I get it? | | | | 2007 as an expert, not as someone looking for a job. |
| This is the clear difference between an entrepreneur | | | | You know I believe in you. Now you need to believe |
| or businessperson and a college graduate who is | | | | in yourself and get out there and let the world know |
| thinking his or her education is going to bring them big | | | | who you are. People will start listening when you |
| bucks. | | | | decide you are a person of substance, know what |
| Nothing will bring you a lot of bucks unless and until | | | | you are talking about, and then continue to get more |
| what you bring provides a service or product that is | | | | knowledgeable and helpful in your area of expertise. |
| in demand, has little competition and you can charge | | | | This is not a mind game. Do not believe with your |
| big bucks for your service. | | | | head, believe with your heart as if your life depended |
| This is why brain surgeons and auto repair technicians | | | | upon it and people will accept you as an expert. |
| who own auto repair shops make money. Cars break | | | | When they offer you less money than you want, |
| down. People have brain cancer. Who cares whether | | | | look them straight in the eye and tell them you |
| you have 3 degrees, or 20 degrees, or whether you | | | | would like to help them but other people are offering |
| know hip-hop from opera? | | | | you more money, and then shut up. |
| 7) Given your circumstances, this is what I | | | | Do not try to justify or explain yourself or your |
| recommend you do: Use your expensive education, | | | | value. If the person you are talking to cannot figure it |
| street smarts and intuition to figure out what people | | | | out, find someone else who can. |
| want to know and then provide the knowledge or | | | | There are two possible outcomes in any situation: |
| information they want and need, and charge for your | | | | results or excuses. I think you know which situation |
| service. | | | | you want to be in. |