Im 18 years old and im in a predicament. My grandfather is an excavation contractor and does very well. I am in the middle of deciding whether to go to college or work for the company. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
school is a good thing, as you can always go into the family business after, if you take Business classes it could help your family company in the future
Hi, FJones, If i were in your shoes, a little college will never hurt, or even a tec. school if you like working on stuff, If grandfather is in good health, go to school. If his health is not good, you may feel like you need to be there for him, you can always work on spring break or other times you are not in school. I myself have a daughter, she is a great girl but wants nothing to do with my company, at 64 i guess i will sell out next year and just fool around with my loader working on my stuff. Your grandfather is a lucky man to have you around to help, almost everything i know came from old guys willing to teach me, good luck, wosama931b.
Do the school thing. If I stayed in college I'd be in Beverly Hills giving rich women boob jobs and ass lifts. Instead I play in the dirt, freeze my ass off and try to pay my bills.
mamaries or wheels =trouble, life is what you make of it, most of the rich guys i know didnt spend a lot of time at school, some of them are not my friends, most of the people i know with college degrees i wouldnt want for friends,
Maybe you can do both? Work for your grandfather on weekends and summer and go to school? Whatever you do is your decision. IF you can do both, that would be good, get two educations.
Speaking from experience, at your age I would suggest getting a degree and then going into the business full time. As others have stated, you can work in the business on the weekends, breaks and summers, that's what I did. I was fortunate enough to learn the "field" and the "book" at the same time. If you don't go to college at this point in your life, you won't have the time later in life - it's just the way it happens. A construction management, civil engineering or business degree will help you out running your own business in the future, in ways you won't fully understand when taking the courses. Are there any colleges close by that offer what you are interested in taking? That would allow flexibility to work weekends and breaks in the family business. I went to a college that was 2 hours away from home so it was easy to come back home to work. My biggest regret is not going to Law School after graduating with my Building Science degree, has anyone paid an Attorney that specializes in construction law?:cool2
Thanks a lot for the advice guys it helps a lot. The problem i have is getting into schools. I have always struggled with school and ALAWYS wanted to skip class and go work on my truck, boat, etc.. Since community college is my only real option i am going to strongly consider that for a business degree..... and i guess you guys are right because my gramps only regret is not having a business degree. Thanks youu! im sure i will have more questions in the future lol
Being a electrician by trade and part time jack of all trades and having a sister that went to school to get a degree I have seen both sides . It really depends on the person and where you want to go with your life . My cousin family owns a plumbing contraction company that he worked at for years but after 10+ years and getting his lic he is now a comercial airline pilot and is happy. so you need to look at what you want not what your being told to do.
This is one of those things that you and only you can decide. There are a number of factors that go into the decision, do you get along well with grandpa? Is there the possibility that you will take over the business one day? Do you like the the work, or actually do you love the work? My advice to people is always, if your heart is not in it, don't do it, you will never be that good at it and won't be happy. I see little point in going to college if you don't really like studying, more than likely you will quit before you finish and will have wasted time that could have been better spend learning from your grandfather. However be aware that running a business is not just about sitting on a machine, it is long hours and involves office time. If you are going to take over the business one day you will have to learn that side of things as well. Plus you have to be reliable, show up to work on time and be prepared to put in long hours to meet schedules. From what I see these days, most 18 year olds are more interested in their smartphone, planning the weekend activities, than doing any work. Basically you have to take a good long hard look at yourself and decide what you want to do, having a family member with a business that you are able to join is an opportunity in itself. Anyway enough rambling from me, go and work for your grandpa for a year and then see where you are at, you're only 18, college will still be there and if after a year you have figured out that contracting is not for you, you will be more likely to put in a bigger effort in college. However before you do, make sure that you and your grandpa sit down and lay out the rules of employment, you are an employee and he is an employer.
Most self made millionares never went to college
Yair . . . FJones . Some very good advise there but I think Hendrik nailed it . . . there is no point in study if you absolutely hate it and don't really want to be there. Twelve months with you Grandfather might give you some idea of what you really like . . . and give you a better idea of (say) earthworks volume calculations and why you need the math. You may find you need (and would enjoy) a basic course in surveying . . . there are all sorts of options and most are enhanced by a bit of further education . . . but if your heart is not in it stick to the college of hard knocks. All the best what ever path you choose. Cheers.
Get a degree in construction management with a minor in civil engineering if you wish to go into the family business. Get a law degree if you don't, a law degree opens more doors of opportunity than most non-scientific degrees. Virtually my entire family is in construction and have done better than most attorneys and doctors AND probably had more fun doing it too....