Where I grew up your post high school decisions were limited.
Inherit the family farm. Lived in town.
Go to college. Didn't have the money, and according to the old man wasn't smart enough, and they wouldn't have me.
Work at the local fillin' station. Again, possible qualification issues, but saw no long term growth.
There did exist however another viable alternative. Enlist in The United States Army.
Met with recruiter dude. "Let me get this straight. I sign up, you train me in one of these 200 some odd careers, for free? You pay me while I do it? I eat, sleep, and live for free? While I'm in, you pay 90% of college tuition if I go in my spare time? Then when I'm done, you give me 17 large to go to college, and or continue what I started?
Hmmmmmmm. What the hell. So I tested out, and contrary to the old man's propaganda, I
was fairly leonard, and could choose almost any job I wanted. After much deliberation, and consultation we decided on 91Papa. Radiologic Technologist. (Thanks, Dad.
)
I'll cut to the chase. 19 years ago I set out on that path. A decorated Gulf War Army Veteran, Nationally registered technologist in all 4 disciplines of medical imaging, and pretty decent career later (advancing through the ranks and different imaging modalities) Here I am.
Still, often I find myself lying back on the cool green grass, caressed by a Summer's breeze, tickled by bronzing drips of sun, in a barely coherent state of intoxication that can only be the result of a Saturday wasted on greens fees and beer in plastic bottles......wondering if pumpin' gas may have been better.
Unless Delusional in Sacramento gets that DeLorean up and running, we will never know.