Little background here, before I get to my main question. I am almost 16 (shy of less than 2 weeks), and a sophomore in high school. I have always been in the honors classes, and took an AP US history class this year (first year AP classes are offered). I am on the College Prep curriculum, and my schedule has me set for the DUAL (not exactly sure what that is - basically shows that I took foreign languages, and certain specific career/tech classes) seal on my Diploma. While I don't make the absolute highest grades in the class, I attribute that to actually having common sense, and not merely book smarts, like those in the top percentages. :lol: But, don't get me wrong, my grades are not exactly bad. We are talking mostly low to mid As, with a couple Bs thrown in every now and then. My elective classes always end up with real high As, to perfect scores.
And, while I don't have the longest list of extracurricular activities, I will be an Eagle Scout (currently working on my Eagle Project, and just about the only thing that will stop me from obtaining Eagle is my own death, in which case questions about my future would be a moot point :shock: ), and am on the High School Republican Club, as well as Varsity Academic Team (Not sure how I ended up in that, as I am not exactly the sharpest tack in the box ). Was in the band from 6th until earlier this year (10th grade), when all the drama and other crap going on, and not much actual banding drove me away.
Basically, I am not top of the class perfect honor student, but I am far enough up the chain that most tend to consider it a "waste" for someone like me to choose a different option than college. That is my issue.
I finally decided where it is I want to go in life. I have always known that it would be something to do with my hands, just due to my personality. A desk job absolutely would not work for me. I finally decided that I would like to be a metalworker. Not so much a guy that creates one thing over and over on an assembly line, but one who works in a smaller fab shop. Ultimately, I would like to be a builder of custom aluminum boats, under 35 feet or so. They are especially popular in Australia, and the Pacific Northwest, and not yet all that popular in the Southeast. However, to me location (Southeast - Texas to NC) is more important that what exactly I am creating. I spend a lot of time at my local metals supplier (basically scrapyard, steel materials supplier, and custom fabrication shop all in one sprawling juncture), where I purchase all of my new and recycled material. I always loathe the guys in the fabrication/steel materials section, and would definitely love to work in something like that. Heck, I would do it for free if I had to.
All that being said, now that I know what I want to do in life, I need to look at how to get there. Seems to me, the best option would be to finish high school, and enroll in a technical school, and obtain certifications in welding, and other operations related to metal fabrication. However, my parents refuse to accept anything other than college. I try to bring it up, and it "is not up for discussion." My dad didn't not go to college, instead went directly into the automotive field, and was an ASE certified tech (no tech school or anything) for a long while, and since then, managed a reputable import shop. My mom graduated from Auburn, and before getting married, owned a small business. Since, she has been a stay at home mom, until recently, where she became a substitute teacher, as that is about the only thing she can do, since there are 4 kids (me being the oldest), and she needs something without the daily commitment, so she can still deal with sick kids and such. I keep getting the response of we don't want you to not have opportunities. What? It isn't like I want to drop out of High School - I merely wish to follow an education path that suites the career I want.
I forgot to mention. I am virtually sick of school. Especially this year, having 4 honors classes, and an AP class (just academics) has just about killed me. The actual work isn't what is killing me, and it isn't grade threatening, but I am just about sick of classwork, and the idea of more schooling, that really has little, if any effect on my desired career path does not make me all warm and fuzzy inside.
Am I being unjust here, or would y'all consider it a wise decision to follow the technical college route, or enroll in a University style college, only to then have to take tech school classes after the fact to get to where I want to be.
The armed forces, particularly Navy and Coast Guard are looking like viable options as well (mom is threatening to physically restrain me from EVER joining, but I understand that is normal), but I am not yet sure if that is the route I wish to take. I have every bit of certainty that I would be fully capable of the military, but I doubt I will know until closer to the time as to whether that is the best option or not. I am not really asking anything here, as even if I did go this route, I still have the above issue (college or military training).
Thanks for any pointers y'all can give me.
bassboy1
And, while I don't have the longest list of extracurricular activities, I will be an Eagle Scout (currently working on my Eagle Project, and just about the only thing that will stop me from obtaining Eagle is my own death, in which case questions about my future would be a moot point :shock: ), and am on the High School Republican Club, as well as Varsity Academic Team (Not sure how I ended up in that, as I am not exactly the sharpest tack in the box ). Was in the band from 6th until earlier this year (10th grade), when all the drama and other crap going on, and not much actual banding drove me away.
Basically, I am not top of the class perfect honor student, but I am far enough up the chain that most tend to consider it a "waste" for someone like me to choose a different option than college. That is my issue.
I finally decided where it is I want to go in life. I have always known that it would be something to do with my hands, just due to my personality. A desk job absolutely would not work for me. I finally decided that I would like to be a metalworker. Not so much a guy that creates one thing over and over on an assembly line, but one who works in a smaller fab shop. Ultimately, I would like to be a builder of custom aluminum boats, under 35 feet or so. They are especially popular in Australia, and the Pacific Northwest, and not yet all that popular in the Southeast. However, to me location (Southeast - Texas to NC) is more important that what exactly I am creating. I spend a lot of time at my local metals supplier (basically scrapyard, steel materials supplier, and custom fabrication shop all in one sprawling juncture), where I purchase all of my new and recycled material. I always loathe the guys in the fabrication/steel materials section, and would definitely love to work in something like that. Heck, I would do it for free if I had to.
All that being said, now that I know what I want to do in life, I need to look at how to get there. Seems to me, the best option would be to finish high school, and enroll in a technical school, and obtain certifications in welding, and other operations related to metal fabrication. However, my parents refuse to accept anything other than college. I try to bring it up, and it "is not up for discussion." My dad didn't not go to college, instead went directly into the automotive field, and was an ASE certified tech (no tech school or anything) for a long while, and since then, managed a reputable import shop. My mom graduated from Auburn, and before getting married, owned a small business. Since, she has been a stay at home mom, until recently, where she became a substitute teacher, as that is about the only thing she can do, since there are 4 kids (me being the oldest), and she needs something without the daily commitment, so she can still deal with sick kids and such. I keep getting the response of we don't want you to not have opportunities. What? It isn't like I want to drop out of High School - I merely wish to follow an education path that suites the career I want.
I forgot to mention. I am virtually sick of school. Especially this year, having 4 honors classes, and an AP class (just academics) has just about killed me. The actual work isn't what is killing me, and it isn't grade threatening, but I am just about sick of classwork, and the idea of more schooling, that really has little, if any effect on my desired career path does not make me all warm and fuzzy inside.
Am I being unjust here, or would y'all consider it a wise decision to follow the technical college route, or enroll in a University style college, only to then have to take tech school classes after the fact to get to where I want to be.
The armed forces, particularly Navy and Coast Guard are looking like viable options as well (mom is threatening to physically restrain me from EVER joining, but I understand that is normal), but I am not yet sure if that is the route I wish to take. I have every bit of certainty that I would be fully capable of the military, but I doubt I will know until closer to the time as to whether that is the best option or not. I am not really asking anything here, as even if I did go this route, I still have the above issue (college or military training).
Thanks for any pointers y'all can give me.
bassboy1