Being a High School Dropout
Due to a number of circumstances, such as my birthday being right on the cutoff for starting school as a child, and going from kindergarten to “pre-first” instead of first grade, I was a bit older than most of my classmates in high school. Consequently, I turned eighteen just before I would have started eleventh grade. I was never a good student, but I got by. I got good grades in classes that let me get away with just taking tests, but because I lacked discipline, I did poorly in classes that required a lot of homework. My standardized test scores always got me into advanced and “gifted” classes, but my poor work ethic delivered grades that made me look like a dunce, at times.
So, tenth grade ends, and eleventh is soon to start. My mother told me to quit school and get a job or to get out of her house. The logic seemed to be that if I didn’t do well in school, I didn’t deserve to be in school. Since I had nowhere else to go, I quit school and got a job. Shortly thereafter, I was kicked out of my mother’s house, anyway, which is sort of the back-story on how I ended up homeless.
So, I was a homeless teenager with no skills and a tenth-grade education. I don’t think I have to tell you that this is not an ideal situation to be in. My life had ups and downs and the years slipped by and I learned a lot about the effects of being at the very bottom of the hiring desirability ladder.
I can’t say that I feel a lot of regret for the way things happened. As Jim Croce says in One Less Set of Footsteps, “After all it’s what we’ve done, that makes us what we are,” and I like the person I became. I don’t regret the course of my life and I don’t feel sorry for myself, but that doesn’t mean I think the path I took was ideal. Eventually, at the age of almost thirty years, I got my GED and that is a source of internal pride that I am glad I finally found. I’ll leave that for another article, though.
Here, for you to take as you will, are Ten Things I Know About Being a High School Dropout, which are also
Ten Things You Should Know About
Being a High School Dropout
- 10: Without a diploma, you’re not qualified for anything.
Every hiring manager out there is convinced that, if you don’t have a high school diploma, you must be some kind of slavering, illiterate idiot. You could be applying for a job pushing empty boxes around a warehouse with your bare feet and you’re still going to get a skeptical look when you tell the boss you didn’t graduate high school. Thank goodness for #9. - 9: Unless you drool on yourself during the interview, nobody will ask you to prove you graduated high school.
As a high school dropout in the job market, you have two basic choices (not including going back to school, which we will assume is out of the question for now.)- Spend the rest of your life being passed over in favor of graduates, and/or having your menial labor job supervisors treat you like you have extra chromosomes.
- Lie.
So, using comparative analysis, quantum math, and seances to seek the advice of the dead, we can clearly see that option #2 is the way to go. As long as you use vaguely proper grammar and don’t breathe too heavily through your mouth during interviews, you will probably never be asked to produce an actual school transcript. Just act like you have a high school diploma and you’ll be fine in most situation.
- 8: You are going make less money than people with actual diplomas.
Obviously, this is not 100% true. Some people go on to great success despite a lack of formal education. You may get lucky and find a high-paying job, or even become an entrepreneur, but the reality is that, without a high school diploma, you are unlikely to earn the kind of money you want. This is becoming increasingly true with every year that goes by. As companies consolidate and family businesses lose market share, there is less tolerance and less flexibility in the workplace for people without formal education. - 7: People look down on you and sometimes even pity you.
As unfair as it is, people make certain assumptions about a man or woman who did not complete his or her high school education. Often, you will be assumed to be a troublemaker or a criminal. People at large tend to think that only dummies and thugs fail to finish high school. This not only hurts you when you’re looking for a job, but it can also be a detriment when trying to form friendships or other intimate relationships. I’m not even going to try to explain how this can hurt your ability to attract a mate. Although westerners, and certainly Americans, like to think the caste system has been abolished, there is a definite, though indistinct, gulf between you and the rest of society when you are a high school (or earlier) dropout. - 6: The BA is the new high school diploma.
Increasingly, jobs that really have no business requiring a college education are doing so, anyway. Just check your local newspaper and see. There is a widespread perception among employers that anyone with a walnut-sized brain and time to kill can drift through high school and get a diploma. Because of this, the educational requirements that companies insist on are becoming more difficult to meet. By quitting high school, you are shooting yourself in the foot twice with one bullet. You are failing to get a diploma which is basically good only for going on to get the next diploma. You might as well drop out of fifth grade. - 5: Lacking a high school diploma makes it hard to get a high school diploma.
Yes, that says what you think it says. Making less money, working longer hours to survive, makes it that much more difficult to go out and solve the problem. This is just one of the many subtle ways, beyond looking bad on a job application, that not having your high school diploma can trip you up. - 4: You need that high school diploma because you need a college diploma.
Like I said in #6, the high school diploma doesn’t get much respect these days. I was first on the streets and the job market well over a decade ago, and even then this was getting to be a problem. I saw time and again that the jobs I could lie may way into were still pretty terrible. As I mentioned earlier in this article, you can fake your way through the application process in most cases, but the jobs you can fake your way into are getting scarcer and less desirable. It’s hard to make a decent living scooping ice cream. - 3: Temp agencies always have work for you.
Places like Minute Man, Inc. always have work for the disenfranchised. You won’t get rich, but you will be able to eat every day. As long as you’re willing to work, you can earn enough to keep yourself alive while you formulate a plan. Three advantages of temp work are- You can get paid daily, when you need it. Most of the time, you can get cash the same day or the next morning. This can be a real life saver when you’re broke.
- You may learn a skill. I learned how to operate various pieces of heavy machinery by closing down retail outlets, installing/removing shelving, loading trucks, and so on, while working for temp agencies.
- You can work when you want. Unless you accept a long-term assignment, you can work or not work as the urge strikes you. This leaves you free to pursue other things, or to just take time off when you need it.
As long as you’re not picky about what kind of work you’re asked to do, you can work full-time or even more for these temp agencies, especially if there are several in your area.
- 2: Entrepreneurialism may be right for you.
There is a strange sort of freedom that can come with being at the bottom of the heap: there’s nowhere to go but up. If you find yourself without a diploma and without prospects, you might as well chase a dream. I, myself, have been down various highways on the self-employment road map and some of them have worked out quite well. - 1: Don’t be one.
The most important thing to know about being a high school dropout, is to not be a high school dropout. I cannot stress enough that not having your high school diploma is a severe impediment and it’s one that people usually give to themselves. Most of use would not choose to go through life missing a leg if we didn’t have to, so why do so many of use choose to cripple ourselves with a lack of education? Having a high school diploma is vastly superior to not having a high school diploma.
Edit: 4/04/2008
On rereading this article, I see that a lot of it also related to being homeless. Specifically, the parts about temp agencies and entrepreneurialism are influenced by my experiences being homeless. I dropped out of high school right around my eighteenth birthday, and was homeless almost immediately thereafter (which dropping out was supposed to prevent, but I digress.) Being homeless and being a dropout looking for a job were overlapping events in my life, so one tends to influence my views on the other.
April 1st, 2008 at 9:04 am
Wow. I don’t know if I’ve ever even known a high school drop out. It was never anything that occurred to anyone in my family. School was just part of life. It’s sad that your mom forced you out. I have a very hard time comprehending that.
You’re very right that “good” jobs (i.e. better paying) are few and far between without some sort of degree or technical certificate. I don’t agree that *everyone* has to get a particular degree. Folks can be very successful with a GED and moving on to trade school.
It bothers me that there is SO much emphasis put on a college degree. My college degree is meaningless in my current job. Doesn’t do one dang thing for me or to advance my position. But I have that “important” slip of paper. It’s absurd. And expensive. Encouraging everyone to go to college is not what we should be doing as a country. It needs to be the right path for the individual. Some people should become electricians, policemen, plumbers, garbage men, etc. We need those people too.
Thank you so much for sharing your story!
April 1st, 2008 at 4:19 pm
I agree with you that too much emphasis is placed on college degrees, these days, but not so much because we need plumbers and garbage men. There will always be people who prefer those jobs for personal reasons. As I said in the article, and as you said about your own job, the college degree is becoming a requirement in places where it is not in any way necessary. I was approaching thirty years old before I got around to obtaining my GED. I plan to write about that, too.
Having said that college is emphasized too much, I don’t think a basic high-school education can be emphasized enough. I think dropping out of high school is a bad decision for nearly everyone.
Thank you for the thoughtful comment, I’m always glad to know that someone actually read an article instead of just dropping an EntreCard. I recognize your name from my inbox, and I was at your blog earlier, today. You have some very nice looking pieces. Feel free to include a link in the body of your comments.
April 4th, 2008 at 4:50 am
Well said! I work with a number of young people considering dropping out, and I’m going to print this one out for them. I also work with adults who are reconsidering educational options-even over the internet. There are ways out of this trap….
April 4th, 2008 at 9:03 am
I’m glad you found the post worthy, Sandy. My dropout story continues with me getting my GED as I approached thirty years old and earning nine college credits (so far), having attended my first college classes over the summer semester that just passed. I plan to write about both of those experiences, soon, so keep your eyes open if you’re interested.
You had a typo in the URL you entered for this comment, which I’ve fixed for you. I am a voracious reader and support any effort to get people reading, so I will definitely be checking out your site in depth.
April 6th, 2008 at 10:58 pm
Oh…so, this is one among the few articles you were talking about. I’m gonna read this a second time now. I want to learn something from this post.
April 6th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
Oh…so, this is one among the few articles you were talking about. I’m gonna read this a second time now. hopefully i get to learn something out of your experience. Thanks for sharing
April 9th, 2008 at 1:03 am
[…] a high school diploma should go about applying for a job. I touched on this in my article about being a high school dropout, but I’ll elaborate a little bit, here. Keep in mind that this is targeted to high school […]
April 9th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
[…] already addresses this, both in my article on being a high school dropout as well as in another Search Queries Answered post. However, this question seems popular, so I […]
April 10th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
the world wants to keep people dropping out im sorry but ive tried to attain my ged for the past oh 5 years the reason its taking so long is each of the tests are timed tests also that you can only take the ged test 3 times a year after that no more chances it really ts me off because i work hard and i also dropped out for family related reasons. Its a big slap in the face you can only take the test 3 times a year i wish i would have stayed in school if i knew it was this hard to take the ged test they take the paper away from you if you are not done in 45 minutes and say sorry try again next year if its your 3rd time something needs to be done about the way the ged test. The math portion is what a lot of people are failing ive taken classes stayed after school but i just keep failing i cant find a job anywhere without my highschool diploma lack of coming up i hate this. The ged test should be desighned so that every 15 days you can take it not 3 times a year and then sorry charlie nothing. What are highschool drop outs supposed to do but keep studying. I will continue to try i want to write to someone about this who can change because it is ridiculous. Highschool drop outs really get the worst deal and its not always there fault people like you get forced into it. Id write a book on all my complaints chances my complaints may never be changed but if they really wanted you to succeed they would give you more chances than 3 times a year and 45 mintues or they grab your test away from you. The people giving the test almost seem happy about this. They laugh and go that math darn you cant pass it. Im sick of the system. Ive taken this test 15 times someone please change this for.
April 10th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
they have also changed the test constantly so its not as easy as it used to be after the year 1999 they started new tests which were ten times harder ive looked at the old material compared to the new and the math portion is not all multiple choice id say about 40% of the math test is not multiple choice which i beleive is desighned to be harder to keep peole from getting there ged. This is straining on me really bad
April 10th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
it puts a strain on realationships and your self esteem and everything else money is the biggest cause of divorce in this country because of strain on peoples realationships and your selfesteem your right every employer treats you like a half wit if you dont have your highschool diploma or ged. I dont know what else to do i keep getting the same stupid talk stay positive keep trying youll get it well im not getting it and you know what i blame this sytem for me failing know about a little act called the no child left behind act i guess that dosent apply to adults. I have a child i have to take care of but does anyone care no ive tried and tried and tried. I am so fed up with this. This is why people steal and become evil because of the way things are set up everyday i stress about the ged because i know that its going to be a long time till i can pass the test and even then im proabably going to be 80. I feel like i cant take it anymore its not fair. I grew up in a messed up home with a mother who made me feel horrible about myself and my life and what am i supposed now. This hurts test needs to be rethought in everyway because this is way people kill people and steal from people and become bad because they are at the bottom and want to be on top they want more criminals in the world so that they put those criminals in jail. Thats why all the drugs that come in to our country are brought in by us. Whats a person supposed to do when the world wants to put you down and you push yourself up then your seen as evil almost like a crook who steals food for his family i just dont understand whats wrong with the world today its a consitent pattern that keeps going on and nobody notices it ever. If we do notice it we choose to ignore it. Some people just need more help and they say its out there but it isnt.
April 10th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
I’m sorry to hear that you’re having such a tough time with the GED. I can understand how the three times per year limit is hurting you, that’s a shame.
I don’t know if this will help you at all, but you can take the GED in another language right away. So, if you happen to read Spanish, or one of the other languages the GED is available in, you can take the English one, then turn right around and take the Spanish one if you fail the English version.
Also, there are many GED prep courses available. I know they take time and money, but you really should consider them. As you said, not having your diploma puts a strain on your relationships and your self esteem. It was my girlfriend who finally motivated me to get out and take the test.
I don’t know what state you are in, but your local department of education and adult education centers can help you. You may even be able to take a free GED prep course, or find study partners.
I feel your frustration, but it is not true that no help is out there. Sometimes it’s just hard to find. You should definitely try Google for things like “free GED prep courses” and “GED courses in [your state]”
I really do feel bad for you, I wish I could help you somehow. Please don’t give up, whatever you do. If I find any more useful information, I will update this article, or include it in the article I plan to write about how I got my GED. Make sure to check with your local adult education centers, your local parks and recreation departments, and your local community colleges, ALL of those places are potential sources of help for your problem.
April 11th, 2008 at 10:12 am
how long did it take you to get your ged my weakness is math and i also get very nervous before the test trying i know where my weakness are but theres just so much more to remember with math than anything else because history all you have to remember is the question and the answer and also science and reading. But with math every question has 5 or more steps you have to work out a problem . i keep thinking about lying on my application to jobs about have my ged everyone tells me to do it and i know 10 people who have started lieing about it but i just dont because i know that its wrong but its tempting because realistically do they check i mean come on even if they check i will just go to another job and do the samething its they act ridiculous about you not having a ged or highschool diploma its just a peice of paper it dosent signify anything and really in math all you need to know is addition subtraction division and multiplication and you have a caculator with you you should be able to use a caculator on both tests on math because in real life situations you would use a caculator on your cell phone every cell phone has one. I hope they change this one day i keep trying i just got done studying my but off and i hope that this helps im going to register next wednesday it will be my second time this year taking this test i will only have one more chance if i fail this.
April 11th, 2008 at 10:15 am
at the dmv is you fail getting your learners you only have to wait 15 days they should do that with the ged
April 11th, 2008 at 10:16 am
at the dmv is you fail getting your learners you only have to wait 15 days they should do that
April 11th, 2008 at 10:17 am
but i think its money making for the employees who administer the test thats why the system is the way it is
April 11th, 2008 at 10:18 am
but i think its money making for the employees who administer the test
April 11th, 2008 at 10:18 am
they know that the more you fail the more you have to come back
April 11th, 2008 at 10:19 am
which equals denero
April 12th, 2008 at 1:19 am
[…] might help someone prepare for and pass the GED test, please contribute to the comment discussion here. I intend to write a “Ten Things I Know About…” article about my experience […]
April 15th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
I wrote my congress about what i feel 4 days ago and they responded telling me they will contact the education department
April 15th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
I cant find a job because of this
April 16th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
[…] Yes. […]
September 3rd, 2008 at 3:57 pm
I make more money than my boyfriend who has graduated from Temple University and also Hallmark.
I dropped out of High School.
I also owned a very lucrative business at the age of 18 and funded it myself.
I have only 7 college credits.
You’ll do just fine.
Remain determined.