Defennnder said:
That's quite amazing. Where did you live and what did you work as when you left at 17? How did you sponsor your studies?
I started at a private university in the city where I lived. IIRC tuition was about ~$2000/yr (kept increasing about 10%/yr) and living expenses (dorm - I lived on campus - books, supplies) ~$2000 - in 1975. I received a small grant of ~$600, and a loan offer ~$800. I rejected the loan. My parents contributed about $1000, which is what they could afford. I paid the rest.
I had worked during high school and had saved up several $1000's. I also worked part-time during university - first at a grocery store near my parents, where I had worked my senior year of high school - then at a museum near the university. That took care of the first/freshman year at uni.
Then during the during the summer (2 months), I returned home (to save money), take care of my younger siblings, help my father replace the roof on the house, and I took a full time job in the maintenance department at the university and learned plumbing and mechancial maintenance, and some electrical and A/C work. I spent the summer repairing plumbing in all the dormitories, and doing the annual maintenance in many of the equipment rooms of most buildings on campus. I kept that job part-time during second year of university. I also took a second job working in the food services of the university - which paid my room and board. I washed dishes and kitchen ware.
During second summer of uni, I got a job at an oil refinery, which paid very well. One of the men in the university maintenance department had a father who worked at the refinery, and he gave me contacts to get the job at the refinery.
Third year at uni - I got my own apartment - and worked in the food services of university and also worked part-time as a janitor - usually at night.
During this period one of my younger brothers started university, and I actually helped my parents financially - and did so for the next few years, as my sister started university.
I took one semester (2nd) off in my third year of university - to work and think about where I was going in life. I took a construction job.
During my 4th year - I decided to change universities and course work from physics to nuclear engineering. I started a new baccalaureate program (with some transfer of credits) in NucE, which took 3 years. During that time I worked summers and holidays doing iron work. I got onto to some well paying sites and made enough to pay my way through school and occasionally provide additional support to my parents and siblings.
In graduate school, I obtained assistantships in teaching and research, and I landed a full time job in a local municipal water department. I married my wife at the end of my undergrad program. We both worked and we earned enough to pay off her school loans and pay for two Master's programs.
Back in 10th grade, my mom started telling me that I needed to get a job if I expected to go to university. So I did. I got all my jobs because I went looking and gradually built up work experience.
There is nothing amazing about it - it's just life. Some people have huge amounts of wealth - others have to work to pay for basic living - and there is a spectrum in between. One plays the hand one is dealt, and do what one has to do. It is what it is.
I prefer to earn my way, and I don't need, nor do I want, great wealth or luxury. I also do not begrudge those who have great wealth.
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i hate em
