FIRST PERSON | I had always been told that if I don't get a college education, or at the very least my high school diploma, I would go nowhere in life. Family, counselors, school officials and countless others told me this. I would like to think I proved them wrong.
I am 38 and have had, up to this point, what I feel has been a successful life. I received my GED when I was 18, two years after having dropped out of high school in Midland, Mich., in 1993 on a whim. My car privileges had been revoked due to missing too much school, so I decided I'd just stay home with my car.
As I began looking for work, however, it turned out to be quite difficult. Without a diploma, or a GED, I moved from one low-wage job to another. I was a pizza slinger at a few restaurants, a bus boy, and a dishwasher. By the time I turned 18, I was tired of these jobs and found an adult education facility that offered GED testing. I passed the test with flying colors and got my GED.
From that point on, I was able to apply for better paying jobs. For two years, I drove a taxi in my home city, a job I truly loved because I got to talk to so many interesting people. The money, on the other hand, was on par with my other low-paying jobs. I then became a full-time salesman for a national chain store, selling computers and, later, appliances. I went from earning $5.15 an hour to $10 an hour or more, depending on commissions. It was during this job that my wife and I had our daughter, Anna, and, soon, $10 an hour was far from adequate.
Whether by sheer luck or just perfect timing, I was introduced to Michigan Works, an organization that helps workers find jobs. At that time, the state was offering some full scholarships to a truck driving school. The only requirement was a high school diploma or a GED. I was accepted into the program and three weeks later I had my CDL in hand and my resume online on Michigan Works.
My resume was found, somehow, by Nabors Well Services, an oil field company in Texas. They asked me to fly down for an interview and I did. I was hired and began my new career as a vacuum truck driver. My starting wages were $14.85 an hour, and within the first year I had gotten three raises, bringing my wage to $19 per hour. I worked in the oil fields for four years before moving back to Michigan to be with my daughter, now 14, after my marriage ended.
In the oil field, you work long hours, often 90-plus each week, and this allows you to earn well more than $70,000 a year. Personally, I'm quite happy with that figure, especially considering I didn't have to devote four years to college.
I have a job waiting for me, but right now, spending time with my daughter is more important to me. I will always be able to go back later on when she goes to college. Experienced drivers, especially those who are familiar with vacuum tankers are always needed.
It was all possible because I got my GED. I wouldn't change things for the world.
http://twitpic.com/d0a405
http://en.netlog.com/juliettahinson/blog/blogid=25943153
http://ceorizi.livejournal.com/4854.html
http://friendfeed.com/emicsc/8019f600/downloads-love-lies-bleeding-china-bayles
http://blog.yahoo.com/_OU6UJAZKKM6QWOYTNX3VN3CPXE/articles/1272232
http://twitpic.com/d0a403
http://matildeoupv.skyrock.com/3171638581-Download-An-Illustrated-Pocketbook-of-Parkinson-s-Disease-and-Related.html
http://blog.yahoo.com/_UOIOLFAKGTBCNXNZVFVNGJSFHA/articles/1211516
http://blogs.rediff.com/mickeycmio/2013/07/01/a-philanthropist-book-downloads/
http://joobaxi.jimdo.com/2013/07/01/spain-in-the-middle-ages-from-frontier-to-empire-1000-1500-new-studies-in-medieval-history-e-book-downloads/
http://aosyatifli.blogdetik.com/2013/07/02/industrial-motor-control-download/
http://lauaerztc.blogdetik.com/2013/07/02/downloads-microdisplays-spatialight-units-ordered/
http://nokueelrd.blogdetik.com/2013/07/02/download-animorphs-box-set-books-1-4/
http://giocifit.jimdo.com/2013/07/02/download-columbiad-mcclellan-s-master-plan-d-s-freeman-a-life-for-lee-packaging-pic-book/
http://zaerago.jimdo.com/2013/07/01/co-operative-inquiry-research-into-the-human-condition/