What advice would you give a breh with a GED?

[DrBanneker]

I know a young guy who is a pretty good guy and a hard worker. Granted he only works lower end service jobs like fast food but he goes to work, works all the hours he can, and has a positive attitude. He also stays away from the wrong crowd, drugs, etc. This may not sound like much but if you knew his family, he is pretty exemplary.

Anyway, he doesn't want to live poor his whole life or stay on welfare but he only has a GED. He is the kind of person that is smart conceptually but didn't do well at all in the school environment, was a loner, and the type of Black kid most teachers write off rather than help. I was suggesting trade school like HVAC but wanted to throw this out to the Coli to see if anyone else knows of a decent path that works.

 

[ball15life]

IMO the military is always a good option.

 

[Jean Jacket]

Look forward and don't look back.

 

[Crimson_Dynamo]

Union apprenticeship. Take two semesters of a trade certificate program of his choice and go apply to the unions in his area.

 

[Diondon]

Learn a trade. Welding, plumbing etc

 

[Treblemaka]

I know a young guy who is a pretty good guy and a hard worker. Granted he only works lower end service jobs like fast food but he goes to work, works all the hours he can, and has a positive attitude. He also stays away from the wrong crowd, drugs, etc. This may not sound like much but if you knew his family, he is pretty exemplary.

Anyway, he doesn't want to live poor his whole life or stay on welfare but he only has a GED. He is the kind of person that is smart conceptually but didn't do well at all in the school environment, was a loner, and the type of Black kid most teachers write off rather than help. I was suggesting trade school like HVAC but wanted to throw this out to the Coli to see if anyone else knows of a decent path that works.

I am the exact guy that teachers turned their back on and ignored. I hated school other than the social aspect, wasnt good at learning impractical knowledge with a test format, and my home life was unstable. I was a smart kid that worked hard when it made sense to tho.

I didnt graduate from HS on time. I had to go to summer school after my senior year to get my diploma. I floated around in retail for 3 or 4 years working up to 3 jobs at the same time before realizing I needed some kind of degree to pull myself up.

I went from working at walmart at 22 to making 115k a year by 27 (im 32 now). I only have an associates degree (2 years) from a technical college.

Figure out what u want to do as a vocation, then get someone to teach it to you. That could come in the form of being an apprentice, an intern, but you may need to bite the bullet and go to school but it is possible breh.

The time it took for me to get to where I am isnt typical but im not special. It can be done by anyone who is willing to work hard, can network half decent, and is half way smart.

As soon as you can also try to attach yourself to some people that are moving in a positive direction and learn from them.

 

[NoMoreWhiteWoman2020]

Offshore workers make around 70-80k with only GED required.

The docks are also good, a good welding job can deliver 30-35 an hour

 

[JamilALAmin]

I got a GED, went to JuCo for a year and a half after and then did the 9-5 shuffle for about 5 years and now I’m doing my own thing. Not rich, but I’m comfortable. It worked for me, I kinda knew by 10th grade I wasn’t getting a HS diploma anyway. I actually recommend it for the young brehs who going down the same path. If you hit 15-16 and you been held back, locked up or you just know you ain’t gonna do right, then just get a GED and go ahead and get on that paper chase.

 

[DrBanneker]

I am the exact guy that teachers turned their back on and ignored. I hated school other than the social aspect, wasnt good at learning impractical knowledge with a test format, and my home life was unstable. I was a smart kid that worked hard when it made sense to tho.

I didnt graduate from HS on time. I had to go to summer school after my senior year to get my diploma. I floated around in retail for 3 or 4 years working up to 3 jobs at the same time before realizing I needed some kind of degree to pull myself up.

I went from working at walmart at 22 to making 115k a year by 27 (im 32 now). I only have an associates degree (2 years) from a technical college.

Figure out what u want to do as a vocation, then get someone to teach it to you. That could come in the form of being an apprentice, an intern, but you may need to bite the bullet and go to school but it is possible breh.

The time it took for me to get to where I am isnt typical but im not special. It can be done by anyone who is willing to work hard, can network half decent, and is half way smart.

As soon as you can also try to attach yourself to some people that are moving in a positive direction and learn from them.

Yeah, I will give him this advice (it isn't me personally). There are some good trade schools in the area. Can I ask what your trade is?

 

[DrBanneker]

I got a GED, went to JuCo for a year and a half after and then did the 9-5 shuffle for about 5 years and now I’m doing my own thing. Not rich, but I’m comfortable. It worked for me, I kinda knew by 10th grade I wasn’t getting a HS diploma anyway. I actually recommend it for the young brehs who going down the same path. If you hit 15-16 and you been held back, locked up or you just know you ain’t gonna do right, then just get a GED and go ahead and get on that paper chase.

Yeah, this is his position. Where did you raise capital for doing your own thing? I told him I would spot him some money if he had a good idea and business plan but getting the right field is crucial.

 

[Treblemaka]

Yeah, I will give him this advice (it isn't me personally). There are some good trade schools in the area. Can I ask what your trade is?

Im a Project Consultant now. My 2 year degree is in Computee Information Systems.
I started on a help desk
Worked my way up to System Specialist
Moved up to Sys Admin
Transitioned from there to Business Analyst Now im a Project Consultant.

 

[DrBanneker]

Im a Project Consultant now. My 2 year degree is in Computee Information Systems.
I started on a help desk
Worked my way up to System Specialist
Moved up to Sys Admin
Transitioned from there to Business Analyst Now im a Project Consultant.

He might like that. A few years ago we built a computer from scratch (I was his mentor) and he really seemed to enjoy it.

 

[El negrito de tejas]

It's a uphill battle but I've seen a few people succeed getting 100k a year.

My cousin had a ged ex military was into computer programming and made 100k by the time he was 28. Nobody cared he had a GED cause of all the crazy experience he had

 

[Raw Lyrics]

What is he passionate about? What does he like?

I'm of the belief that when you seek an occupation that you really enjoy, your vocation becomes a vacation.

If you have to spend a 3rd of your life working it may as well be something you somewhat enjoy. Just my opinion.

 

[NoChillJones]

Go to school, learn a trade, or try to get a change in profession. If school ain't an option healthcare or customer service (call centers) he can make a pretty decent living......he may have to a few years under his belt, but he can increase his hourly pay substantially if he considers going the corporate route.....