Hey guys...I hope this wont be too much to read ;P i really do need some advice or a direction to be pointed towards.


Lately i have been very stressed out...Im 19 I just graduated last year and im trying to find out what i wanna do with my life. I know this is a ford tech forum but i know there is some wisdom in here too and information/opinions never hurt.

Basically i feel like i am in a crossfire between joining the air force(if i can get in) or going to college.

First off..my dad is a HUGE supporter of the military and hands down that is what he supports the most. I like the idea of the military but i really don't think that is whats best for ME...i feel i am being pushed to do it.

My dad is right though...there is a future in the Air Force..

But i keep asking myself..."Is that the only way to be successful in the world we live in today?" Right now that is a question i can not fully answer yet..People are still loosing jobs and it really is rough in the Real World.
So it has me second guessing college...because there really is no guarantee that i will get a good job after i graduate.

For college there is a few ideas that popped up in my head. Like Paramedic school, Autobody(painting and stuff), Electronics(computers, etc)

What i really want to do is what you see on Florida Performance Motorcars
the guys are selling awesome cars...like z06s, cobras, sti's, etc.

Its right near coastal dyno. I know that is crazy but haha that would be something i would do every day when i wake up. sell awesome performance cars.

Sorry again for the long thread! Any advice is better then no advice.
Thank you guys for looking.

 

If you could get into the Air Force, to me, it's a no-brainer.

 

Kill 2 birds with one stone. Military is an excellent option if you get a trade / skill that will cross to civilian life if you dont plan on a military career. Get on a college plan and let them pay for it. When the economy turns again and you dont wanna stay, now you have a degree and experience to go into the civilian workforce

 

Okay, let me respond to you as someone who was in your shoes at that age.

The military is a surefire way to keep your head above water, however if you're worth a shit in life, you can absolutely make more money and have an easier - and depending on what you're into, more satisfying job - in the private sector. The military will pitch you a whole lot of bullshit, but most of it is just that; bullshit. Military personell do not get priority consideration for civillian jobs, the military will not give you the skills you need to succeed in the civillian job market, you will not get hands-on experience with things directly applicable to civillian jobs, and the military will not give you some golden ticket to a cushy life.

Now, onto college. College will not magically give you direction in life. College will not make you a better person. College will not make it easy to land a good job, nor will it guarentee you some high paying awesome job. College is not what people make it out to be; its best thought of as another tool in your toolbag to use towards your future. College is a good idea depending on what you want to do for a job, and definately doesn't hurt. But don't be like most kids our age these days, don't put your faith in college that you can just go and things will fall into place for you. They will not.

And a car salesmen, and sales in general, is not a good way to make a living. Unless you're working towards things like corporate sales & marketing.

And when people tell you, "You're 19, you've got plenty of time to decide what you want to do with your life!" they're wrong. You need to buckle down and get a jump on what you want to do ASAP, because you're already falling behind as far as successful people go.



I know thats sorta more negative than positive, but the truth of success in life isn't as cut and dry as people make it out to be, and is harsh and unforgiving. You want to sell cars? What else do you want to do? Any other interests? List everything you like on paper, then try to draw some parallels that put them into groups, and then see what kind of jobs deal with them. Again, corporate sales & marketing can make you a lot of money, and is something you'd be working towards starting out in ground level sales like car sales.

 

Well said.

 

Very well said ^ and when i meant a sales job im not talking about your everyday used car dealer ship. im talking about top quality performance cars but that is something else. I really would like to go to college. Paramedics and autobody sound good air force is a option...but not on the top of my list.

Thank you for the advice i hope to hear from some more!

 

So true, I'm also 19 and already have a daughter. I didnt get to go to school like I planned and dont have a good job like I was working toward (now currently a waiter at Ruby Tuesday)... ever since I graduated school, everything is going by wayy too fast. Trust me, you/me have little to no time to decide what to do in life.

-Miles.

 

Dang Miles.
I am sure you will get through it man. Just look at your little girl
She should give you the drive to do better for the both of you.

It will be hard for all of us younger people... We just have to find our way.

 

She's my main motivation, she keeps me going everyday man.

 

I agree 100% with this. I have been trying to get my stepson to do it and now he is all F'ed up with the wrong group and has no desire to do anything cuz "I can't find a job". dude, get into the air force and get a career that relates to the real world. In 5-8 years you will be set with a job coming into the real world and college paid for on the backside. Its a win win , no brainer.

good luck if you do go that route.

My wife has 2 degrees. one in business and the other in medical, and she cant find a job anywhere