With permission from Kate, and the fact this will anger all the right people, I’m shamelessly, nay, arrogantly and proudly plugging my new book, “Reconnaissance Man.”
It’s about how forcing kids to go to college immediately after high school is stupid, how going down that path wastes decades of people’s lives, and how people should take a 2 year road trip, regardless of age to find out who you are, where you want to live, and where you belong before investing such time and money into a degree or career.
Like all my other awesome books, it’s available in paperback, kindle AND AUDIO in case you don’t like reading and want to have something to listen to during your commute. But if you want something to listen to during your commute, you can always tune into my equally awesome podcast.
You may now file your complaints below or with Kate.
Our son took a year off to work and save money before starting college, and he worked while going to college, doing all kinds of labour-intensive jobs that paid well. After he graduated, he took the summer off and then hit the pavement, doing interviews with companies in his field. He has a good job, makes decent money, and he has his head screwed on right. He’s always been frugal, yet he’s been able to travel and he recently bought his second property. Most important, he’s a good guy who thinks about issues, rather than jumping on bandwagons. Common sense is becoming increasingly rare.
I wanna complain! Where the hell were you when I graduated in 1976, Clarey? Think of all the wasted life! [sob, sniffle]
I took a “gap” year. Traveled and worked in Europe, Youth hostels, Brit-rail pass and a Eur-rail pass. It was great. Knew what i wanted to do after that and more importantly, knew what I did’t want to do. Starting University at 21 years old didn’t hurt one bit. Highly recommended.
Any one size fits all cure is doomed to failure Bottom line, if you know what you want to do, go do it. If not, grab a job until you figure it out. Travel does little in maturing an individual.
“and the fact this will anger all the right people”
LOL
Why just 2 years when those high school grads can blow more money and lose more of the knowledge they acquired in school with a 3 or 4 years junket when after all, Obama made it possible to be covered for health care until they’re 26?
And why a junket? Couldn’t they get to see the world if they signed up for the Army, Air Force, Marines, or Navy and get some training and get paid too?
“Travel does little in maturing an individual.”
You may be right. However, I spent a winter in Europe, had a great time, met a lot of great people, and learned that beer can come in a 1 litre bottle instead of just a 10oz stubby neck.
Also it gave me a far greater appreciation for my small rural hometown in Sask.
Gee, another self-help book…
Ecc 12:12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
Right on. You are quoting from one of three we could do without.
Took a year off after graduating in ’79. Worked in Alberta during the ‘first’ oil boom. Almost got killed a few times. But it was a great experience and gave me a chance to meet people from other parts of Canada and find out who my real friends were. Returned to my hometown in Ontario and decided to go to school. Not one regret.
Hey, how many curses have you been complaining about on here? And it’s only going to become more so, no matter how much you complain.:-) No matter how many self-help books are written. It’s all in tomorrow’s newspaper…
Jer 17:5 …Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm (strength)…
It’s not a self help book, it’s a user manual from the manufacturer.
Hey Captain ! I am genuinely curious about your more intimate knowledge of our country. Name one place where you’ve been that blew you away. Totally surprised you for its beauty, lifestyle, people, landmarks and whatnot. I am planning my ESCAPE from CALIFORNIA … and need to expand my horizons from the few places I’ve visited. (or do I need to buy the book for such insight ?).
I have a relative (a highly intelligent and $$ successful Stanford Business Grad.) who retired to Jackson Hole WY. He and his wife used to live in Brentwood (OJ’s Brentwood) in a veritable mansion and had everything an upper class Californian could want. But he says of all the places he’s lived and been … CA is the most OVERRATED place to live in America. I must admit … Jackson Hole is a pretty cool place (If I could ever get used to that white stuff in the winter … although Al Gore promises it won’t be there much longer)
Personally, I believe that anyone who does not attend a JUNIOR college, prior to a 4-year institution is an absolute IDIOT. There are few, if any, courses of study that don’t lay a foundation of simple, basic, prerequisites PRIOR to delving into more specialized coursework. PAYING the massive price for a 4-year college to spend the first two years in basic coursework is … well … just DUMB. But in my upper middle class community, attending Jr. College = academic FAILURE. Of course this is rubbish, but the snob-appeal of a BIG NAME 4-year college is considered ESSENTIAL for your child to get-ahead in the world. I could cite numerous examples of how this is utterly ridiculous, but … snob-appeal is a STRONG emotional drive for these types.
The other IDIOTIC thing I see in our community is kids with mediocre HS grades applying to out of state colleges (mostly; Colorado, Oregon, and Arizona). These are the kids who could only get admitted to Cal State Merced … sorry all full at Santa Barbara and San Diego ! So these parents spend the DOUBLE out-of-state tuition to make sure their little darlings get admitted to a “better” college. Most of these kids barely make it and end up transferring to Cal State Hayward in their Junior year. The college treadmill and mythology can be EXTREMELY destructive. The Capt. is 100% right on this one.
By your standards at the start of your comment, I’d have to be included.
I went straight from high school into a transfer program at a junior college and then finished my remaining undergrad years at a full-scale university. My parents chose that approach, not me. Since they paid for most of my education, that decision was theirs.
However, I already knew what I wanted to study when I completed Grade 12 more than 40 years ago. It also helped that my parents were journeymen in their respective trades and I spent my 3 undergrad summers in an oil refinery close to where I grew up. Working there was my choice.
Grad studies, however, was entirely my decision.
I learned how to work as a young teenager and never stopped working until I was over 65. Education was an extra and was taken or done while working.
Sky high suicide rates, but lets continue to block the book that has saved more lives than any other.
Anti-theists give atheists a bad name.
Gee I guess I took a few years off between junior high and university, chuckle
Left junior high in grade 8 worked at a variety of jobs, made my way.
I have met and worked with many degree carrying individuals, some were smart most weren’t.
I am now 67 in my seventh house made money on every one, still working, by choice.
I am entitled to use R.S.E. after my name (red seal enabled) interprovincial welding ticket.
B.C. “A” ticket Alberta “B”
I now fill in when a welding instructor is ill, I mentor aspiring welders, very rewarding to show them how to succeed and gain skills that will make them independent.
Working at a University I rub up against Masters degrees I do not envy them their degrees.
I have been as successful in life as some of them and more successful than most.
A good and competent tradesperson stands on their own feet and takes crap from no one.
My wife and I will celebrate 49 years of marriage and we are still living our story.
Life has been and continues to be an education to us.
A lot of the folks in the education system have never worked anywhere else, their world view is limited.
They are astonished when someone does not think as they do, it is fun to pop their little bubbles.
No complaints here. Should have done this, did not, too late now 🙂