Never went to college and I still have a Rolex thread

[cxgj]

Nice sub, classic. Doesn't really matter go or not go, as long as you are happy with what you are doing.

[Swaggy P]

Originally Posted by Chadridv

I know this stems from a pretty simple place but what's fascinating is how many different subjects this actually draws attention to. The connotation here seems to be based on an assumption that owning a rolex equals having a lot of money, and you can't have a lot of money without college.

Obviously neither of those statements are true.

Owning materials are all about priorities. It's not that difficult to own a rolex. All you need is some decent credit and a job that pays a regular paycheck. It might mean you don't take vacations, or eat dinner out for a while or scale down the cable bill. Or perhaps for some it means you take away from your children and family.

There's not necessarily a right or wrong way to prioritize the things that are important to us. I know a guy who just bought a brand new Audi S6. Nice car! I said to a mutual friend, "oh he must be doing well". My friend replied, "yeah, he's doing really well, he's 35, lives with his parents, pays no rent and has no bills, and he works part time as a waiter".

I'm not judging him, but that's not personally the priority order I would pick for myself.

I think it's good to remember there are all different definitions of success. I for one am proud of the Rolex I bought for myself because of the path I took to purchase it. College or not, I hope the same feeling of pride for all those who reached their goal of owning a Rolex. The important thing is taking pride in how you've reached your achievements!

Congratulations! You've managed to say nothing! Again!

No opinion. No stand. Nothingness.

[geespot]

I did a couple years of college, but eventually did not end up finishing it. But this doesn't mean I'm not "Educated" - to me education comes in many forms. It is up to the individual how they seek their learning.

I did well for myself, but there is not a day that I don't regret not finishing that degree.

BTW: I have a couple of rolexes :)
But they come only second to representing the hard work and achievement in my life. First place belongs to my children.

[Omnibus]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

I would never claim that success is impossible without a formal education, but having a broad education has enriched my life far beyond what the degrees are worth monetarily and that is what I was speaking of earlier.

An education consists of both process and content. The content is unquestionably valuable, but ever changing. The process of acquiring my education, however, gave me confidence and skills that will follow me all the days of my life.

Thanks for sharing. Your view surely has served as an enlightenment in my current situation. I happened to have achieved a degree in manufacturing engineering and another in mba. However my job is not related to my education as I run an English course institution. But atm I can find no more passion in it despite most of my friends said that I am quite successful doing what I do. All this time I was thinking that my education has got no influence at all in getting me to the point where I am now, all I could do was trying to embrace it. True success for me is when I can have my own bottled beverages factory or packaged snacks factory. Well, I guess one's dreams are bound to change from time to time.

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by Swaggy P

Congratulations! You've managed to say nothing! Again!

No opinion. No stand. Nothingness.

If you want to follow me around this whole forum, leaving trolling comments you're free to do so, but it won't make you happy. I hope things will turn around for you man.

[Swaggy P]

Originally Posted by Chadridv

If you want to follow me around this whole forum, leaving trolling comments you're free to do so, but it won't make you happy. I hope things will turn around for you man.

Leave the policing to you, right?

[Swaggy P]

Originally Posted by Chadridv

If you want to follow me around this whole forum, leaving trolling comments you're free to do so, but it won't make you happy. I hope things will turn around for you man.

You go around this forum policing people for their comments, yet you yourself have absolutely nothing to say? No opinion whatsoever? Hypocrite.

[jay1988]

Originally Posted by thewatchguy93

College has no direct correlation with income or success. I know many graduates who still struggle to find work. In fact, most successful entrepreneurs I know never went to college. In fact, dropped out of school early to earn a some £££££

Pretty sure that's wrong. Whilst I'm sure you know lots of successful entrepreneurs and you know some graduates that struggle to find work, that doesn't make them representative of the workforce as a whole. I did extensive research on the subject before going to college.

According to the office for national statistics (ONS) graduates earn on average £12,000 a year more than non-graduates. People you know don't make up a proper sample. For a start, I'm pretty sure successful entrepreneurs don't make up a massive proportion of people without degrees. You have to take into account all the non-graduates and all the graduates. When you do, according to the ONS, graduates make £12k a year more.

Do some graduates make less? Yes and do some non-graduates become vastly wealthy? Yes but every single study I've seen confirms that on average graduates earn more. Pretty sure that's a direct correlation.

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by Swaggy P

You go around this forum policing people for their comments, yet you yourself have absolutely nothing to say? No opinion whatsoever? Hypocrite.

Thanks for the clarification, otherwise I would have no clue as to what you're talking about as your comments have come off completely irrelevant (that's an opinion).

However you still make no sense. I've clearly state plenty of opinions.

If you think I'm policing, you're probably taking it personally. If you have some personal problem with me shoot me a private message to deal with it... Oh wait, is that me policing again? yeah my bad, scratch that advice and continue following me around leaving your comments on my relevant and opinionated posts, in threads that have nothing to do with your personal agenda.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by Chadridv

Thanks for the clarification, otherwise I would have no clue as to what you're talking about as your comments have come off completely irrelevant (that's an opinion).

Swaggy P is trolling.

Why don't you do as I did and just put him on your ignore list where he belongs.

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

Swaggy P is trolling.

Why don't you do as I did and just put him on your ignore list where he belongs.

Ahhh I will! I didn't know I could do that, good advice! Thank you.

Apologies to the OP and subscribers here for my part in deviating from this thread.

[elcompa]

Kind of a fiery topic as there seem to be strong feelings, emotions and opinions involved on both sides. On one hand I feel bad for those who don't understand or respect the value and impact of a good education. Sometimes this is due to "sour grapes". Education comes in many forms, some formal and some not so much.

In high school I flunked many a class, pulled a 1.7 average and was told to work with my hands. I now have a doctorate. So, that evaluation certainly wasn't a solid prediction. Note that I finished my doctorate late in life and had made most of my money earlier on. So, that particular bit of education was not a factor.

Although many have been able to do well without much formal education, this certainly doesn't mean that having one is worthless. The fact of the matter is, the more education you have, the more options and likely higher probability of success you will have. The aforementioned is a general, undeniable trend. Less education generally means that fewer options are available to you. Fewer doors are open to you. This doesn't mean that you won't be successful with fewer options, just that you need to be more focused and quite often need to work harder.

My grandfather had a 3rd grade education, worked as a policemen and a janitor for most of his life. He died with a 1/2 million dollars in the bank 30 years ago. He never figured out how to enjoy it. I'm ambivalent about calling him successful for this reason. Lots of money and never enjoyed it.

My education has enabled me to earn more, have more free time and allows me to do and enjoy more of the things I love. And it enables me to offer the same to my children. I must say that I did learn this from my grandfather. Perhaps the greatest indicator of success is your parents. Your parents can expose you to the culture, values and networks of success and a great education is clearly part of that. A great education lends you immediate credibility and the "speed of trust" in certain affluent circles. To start out with these ready-made connections is an undeniable and distinct advantage. Whether you use them or not is up to you.

Bill Gates, Steve Jobs etc... Although very successful, we know of them as they are a rarity. Because it is generally unusual to do so well while starting out with so little formal education. Be it known that they are not anywhere close to the norm. They are more of a statistical flier, an anomaly. Therefore, it is an erroneous assumption and irresponsible to hold them up as a general example.

Hats off to all who have made it without a formal education. I did (early on) and it is a step hill to climb for most. Then I went to college and expanded my views and horizons and general fund of knowledge. In my view, having more of an education is, on balance, is certainly better than not.

Aside: The watch you have and car your drive are simply not part of the equation. They are personal choices that say more about values than wealth.

[DJ TT 2002]

Originally Posted by elcompa

Kind of a fiery topic as there seem to be strong feelings, emotions and opinions involved on both sides. On one hand I feel bad for those who don't understand or respect the value and impact of a good education. Sometimes this is due to "sour grapes". Education comes in many forms, some formal and some not so much.

In high school I flunked many a class, pulled a 1.7 average and was told to work with my hands. I now have a doctorate. So, that evaluation certainly wasn't a solid prediction. Note that I finished my doctorate late in life and had made most of my money earlier on. So, that particular bit of education was not a factor.

Although many have been able to do well without much formal education, this certainly doesn't mean that having one is worthless. The fact of the matter is, the more education you have, the more options and likely higher probability of success you will have. The aforementioned is a general, undeniable trend. Less education generally means that fewer options are available to you. Fewer doors are open to you. This doesn't mean that you won't be successful with fewer options, just that you need to be more focused and quite often need to work harder.

My grandfather had a 3rd grade education, worked as a policemen and a janitor for most of his life. He died with a 1/2 million dollars in the bank 30 years ago. He never figured out how to enjoy it. I'm ambivalent about calling him successful for this reason. Lots of money and never enjoyed it.

My education has enabled me to earn more, have more free time and allows me to do and enjoy more of the things I love. And it enables me to offer the same to my children. I must say that I did learn this from my grandfather. Perhaps the greatest indicator of success is your parents. Your parents can expose you to the culture, values and networks of success and a great education is clearly part of that. A great education lends you immediate credibility and the "speed of trust" in certain affluent circles. To start out with these ready-made connections is an undeniable and distinct advantage. Whether you use them or not is up to you.

Bill Gates, Steve Jobs etc... Although very successful, we know of them as they are a rarity. Because it is generally unusual to do so well while starting out with so little formal education. Be it known that they are not anywhere close to the norm. They are more of a statistical flier, an anomaly. Therefore, it is an erroneous assumption and irresponsible to hold them up as a general example.

Hats off to all who have made it without a formal education. I did (early on) and it is a step hill to climb for most. Then I went to college and expanded my views and horizons and general fund of knowledge. In my view, having more of an education is, on balance, is certainly better than not.

Aside: The watch you have and car your drive are simply not part of the equation. They are personal choices that say more about values than wealth.

Well said!
Thank you

[MCO1]

I think graduating from University is a great achievement and I had to have it for my first career as an educator but I could be doing what I'm doing now without one. I purchased my first Rolex before I graduated from high school. Not because I came from money but I wanted one and was willing to work for it. My father had one and he didn't have a degree. Of course a Rolex didn't cost then what they cost now. Somebody said earlier it is priorities and I think that is true. If you work hard and are willing to do what others won't very little is out of your reach.

[Rondineli]

Well, then. Good job I guess.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by Rondineli

Well, then. Good job I guess.

Ha. Perfect.

[theturboman]

Being 50 and winding down a successful uneducated life in business, I often ask myself how much better I could have done or how much faster I could have gotten there with an education. The answer is unknown but will always be in the back of my mind.

I certainly like my watches though!!

[WS9D]

I have some college, never graduated. Got lucky in life and landed a pretty good spot. Going to pick up my second Rolex within the month. Well I guess I did go to college... The University of Semper Fi. Wouldn't be anywhere close to where I'm at today if it wasn't for the USMC.

[elcompa]

Originally Posted by Ks6pd

I have some college, never graduated. Got lucky in life and landed a pretty good spot. Going to pick up my second Rolex within the month. Well I guess I did go to college... The University of Semper Fi. Wouldn't be anywhere close to where I'm at today if it wasn't for the USMC.

I agree on this too. I retired from the Army with 20 yrs (10 yrs ago). There is no way possible I would be the man I am today with out that experience, discipline and the ability to finish anything I have ever started. I have truly been blessed in this respect.

[elcompa]

Originally Posted by theturboman

Being 50 and winding down a successful uneducated life in business, I often ask myself how much better I could have done or how much faster I could have gotten there with an education. The answer is unknown but will always be in the back of my mind.

I certainly like my watches though!!

Great insight. Very introspective and honest assessment. Valuable to know your thoughts. Takes a confident man to think and say such things. Know that you are well respected sir.

[Headshrinker]

I earned millions of dollars riding a bicycle. Then I went to Priceton and became a Pychotherapist. Weird, but true.

[DJ TT 2002]

Originally Posted by Headshrinker

I earned millions of dollars riding a bicycle. Then I went to Priceton and became a Pychotherapist. Weird, but true.

Anywhere near Princeton?
We all pursue different paths. Where you end up is the key
No question that an enormous amount of work went into each career!

[Andad]

Originally Posted by v.lats97nsx

I know this is silly. how many guys/gals haven't gone to college but still have a rolex? Nothing wrong with going to college. I didn't and i survived:)

Had you gone to college would you have studied fashion?

[Afghanvet]

College doesn't define us... our deeds, values and actions do!

[RichM]

No college for me. Went to work for a utility company in NY. Started at age 20 and retired after 32 years of service at age 52. I'm coming up to 10 years retirement and currently I own 3 of them.

[V.lats97nsx]

This one to:)

[Jake B]

I went to college for welding......which is completely unrelated to what I do for a living now. College, no college? Either you've got what it takes to make it or you don't.

[Jake B]

Originally Posted by v.lats97nsx

This one to:)

Great pic & chrono BTW

[Headshrinker]

Originally Posted by DJ TT 2002

Anywhere near Princeton?
We all pursue different paths. Where you end up is the key
No question that an enormous amount of work went into each career!

Didn't think you'd notice.....

[Rags]

Anyone can achieve success it's just a matter on how hard you're willing to work at it.
College isn't for everyone but it does open more doors.

I wish I would have went to college but now looking back becoming a cop was the best thing I ever did.

I retired after 20 yrs at 46 yrs old with a nice pension & full medical benefits which afforded me the opportunity to pursue another career.