Do you have any advice for a teen who didn't make it into college and now has to work? I am so confused...

Question

I never wanted to work in the first place, especially not so young in life. I know any answer you give me may not change my situation but please...any advice you can give I'll appreciate.Thank You.

Answer 1

Welcome to real life, I never wanted to work either, then I got hungry one day, and thought it might not be such a bad idea after all.

Answer 2

Think about what you want out of life and what you can offer society. What would you like to be doing? Do you have the necessary skills to do it or would you be able to develop those skills? If the latter, what would you need to do? Are you willing to spend considerable time, even perhaps years, working on the underlying things so that some day in the future you can be doing what you want to do? Is upgrading a possibility? Is college even something you want?

Do think long and hard about what you enjoy that you could do and that would benefit others in some way. There's nothing that provides a sense of fulfillment, no matter what it is that you are doing, than recognizing that we are making life at least just a smidge better for others.

If you really have no idea what you'd like to be doing, look up different things on the internet, see if there are free sessions on career counselling or something else where you live, take out books like "What Color is Your Parachute?" and check out sites like this http://www.careerplanner.com/ . Don't worry too much about not knowing 'for sure'--people change careers a LOT these days. There's no perfect career for most people, no perfect place to be. Just take some steps in the direction you think you'd like to be and know that you've got lots of time ahead of you to figure something out.

If you are a Christian or open to it, see about youth groups in your area. A growing number are for teens and those into their 20s, kids your age who are struggling with things just as you are. They can be a great source of support.

Answer 3

You control your life. "Do what you love and the money will follow." Try to focus on what it is that you are really interested in and look for work in that area.
Many if not most successful people never went to college, or they dropped out. Also consider courses at your community college, in subject areas that really turn you on. You can jumpstart your career and life, and not float uselessly around like too many these days.
Otherwise, and this I recommend extremely highly, get out of town and go back-packing in Europe, Canada, Thailand or wherever. You have to find a smart travel agent to get you cheap flights. You will find some kind of work, and set up a network of friends round the world that will last a lifetime. Stay in hostels, or wherever it's cheapest, just like all the other teens. Remember this: things happen for a reason and not getting into college this year may turn out to be the best thing that ever happened, IF you make a decision to do something like the above.

Answer 4

Most state universities and community colleges will take all students; though, if you had poor grades or low entrance exam scores you may have to take remedial classes. These will not count toward your degree, so you will have to go more years to get the same degree as others. Go to the closest community college and talk to an admissions counsellor. My guess is you will be able to get in next semester or next fall. Be prepared to work your tail off though! It will NOT be less work than a job.

You are becoming an adult now. That means it is time to get serious about supporting yourself then going beyond that and eventually being able to support a family if you get married. It isn't an easy transition, especially if you have not had to work hard before. But it is the reality of adulthood (age 18+ years and up). The competition is high for the good jobs. Many of the decisions you make now will determine whether you will work the next 60 years in a boring, low-pay job or get yourself motivated to prepare for a more rewarding life's work. It will be easier to work on that preparation now than to wait until you are in your 20's or older and out of your parent's home with real bills to pay. It is up to you to see that, truly, the window of time/opportunity is now and childhood is over. :)

Answer 5

DONT WORK IN A DEPARTMENT STORE OR IN A FAST FOOD CHAIN

department stores and fast food chains take advantage of people and give them low pay

Try working for a small business or a office type job
To get those jobs go to a interview dressed cleanly, talk with confidence and look the interviewer in the eye

However it would be best for you to try and apply into a college, even if it is a community or college for adults.
College would let you learn a trade, which well help you find a job

Answer 6

Assuming you're not just a lazy, good for nothing bum, who is a major disappointment to your parents (just kidding!), many teens have anxiety over working in a professional atmosphere. Believe it or not, it is perfectly normal. I realize it may be too late for you, but that's why good parents foster a sense of workmanship in their kids by making them do household chores (assuming they're not just using the kids as personal slaves!), and, in some cases, earning an allowance for it, though many parents skip that part, as they believe household chores shouldn't be treated as a wage-earning device.

Most community colleges will accept kids with low marks (unless your grades were so low that you need remedial education; wish you had mentioned something about that!). Consider taking one or two classes a week; the credits are transferrable, and, if you work hard and get good grades, a college might see that you are earnest in your desire to get into college (which, BTW, you didn't indicate whether you really wanted to do or not!), and might let you "slide" in on those merits.

Worse comes to work, consider volunteer work at your local library, pet shelter, community clean-up or garden, Peace Corps, etc. The relatively little work that you'd do for free, just might be the "kick-in-the-pants" you need to make you realize that you can do a "real" job AND get paid for it!

FWIW, I have had MANY jobs in my life - - some menial, some not; some indoor, some outdoor; some had great wages, some had lousy wages - - but none of them were so tortuous, as long as I kept a good attitude and kept in mind that I'm in someone else's "house", and that I have to respect them and the job.

And, BTW, I currently have a very good job, and volunteer my time for a few different groups, and even have time to place tennis a couple of times a week, and, yes, even watch some sports on TV.

So, work is what you make of it, as is college. You are too young to be despondent about either. Focus to improve your situation and yourself, and your life will be a whole lot better for it (not to mention that it might get you out of the house, sooner, much to your parents' relief!). ;)

Answer 7

You did not get into college and now work. The advice I can give you is apply again apply to a community college that way when you get good grades there you can transfer to a different college. So you can both work part time and are in college full time. This is the only advice I can give you, and keep your head up HIGH!!!

Answer 8

You don't have to give up college completely. If you didn't get into the college of your choice you can still go to a community college near you. When you are done there and have good grades you can transfer to a four year college. Don't give up. You can still go to school and work at the same time that's what I'm doing.

Answer 9

Don't give up on the college thing. Whatever the reason as to why you didn't make it, just keep trying, there is loads of help out there. For now, I guess just get a job for convenience. But really you would me much better of in college, even a two year technical college. Good luck with everything!

Answer 10

Welcome to real life 101. But seriously, do what my son does, he works at night and takes his basics at a community college. He will transfer after that to a regular 4 year college and finish his major and minor. Its a few years of sacrifice and hard work to go where you really want to be for the rest of yor life.

Answer 11

Work, save up money, and try college again and again. In this day in age, you will never get a decent paying job without a college degree.