Dropping out of HS to get GED? Advice please?

[dtank907]

So I am only a sophomore(10th grade) in high school and I just made the decision to drop out, get my GED, and a job as soon as possible so I can get out of my house, as soon as possible. I have a couple of friends who have done this, but they are all still quite young. Directed towards those who have also gone this path, how is the job world without a diploma? In other words 10 years from now am I going to regret this?
Any words of advice are appreciated.

[JermCool]

Re-decide. Sure, in the short term you can get a minimum wage job full time, blah blah blah - but when it comes time to get a career, employers are going to look long and hard at why you don't even have a HS diploma.

Also, the job market is absolute shit. You're better off waiting the two years, get your diploma, and wait for the market to recover.

[Rorschach]

Don't rush into anything. If life has taught me anything - and it hasn't - it's that it's almost never too late. Schools here really should be instilling this into the adults of tomorrow, rather than 'Oh, you have to choose what you want to be by the end of fifth year. And that's you for life!'.

But I'm with JermCool: at least finish High School. Is your homelife so bad that flipping burgers is preferable?

[dtank907]

Well honestly, my home-life is so bad that every minute away from it is a blessing.
School just doesn't work for me though. I have a bad problem with my stomach that keeps me from going to school 2 days a week, AT LEAST, and when i do go its just all make up work, I'm constantly trying to catch up, and I just dont have the environment to do the work at home. Like, from the outside perspective; i.e my teachers, the counselors I am just some screw up of a kid but my parents fucking suck. And I know I can get a job making $9 an hour at start, and if I save up and all that I could get out of the house within a year and a half. But will the Employers really be that concerned on me not having a Diploma?

[Muspar]

But will the Employers really be that concerned on me not having a Diploma?

Employers will be concerned that all I have is a Bachelor's degree. It's probably best to finish highschool.

[Hirschof]

Finish high school. Try to find someone within the school who'll listen to your situation and offer advice on how to go about school and home life.

But will the Employers really be that concerned on me not having a Diploma?

My wife barely made it out of high school. Since then she has struggled to get back to school (finished a tech school which destroyed her credit history) and maintain a job where she feels like she won't get screwed over (medical asst).

And throughout all of this she has been with me, a college-graduate with a career who helps in any way possible. Its hard for us, in a low-cost of living state, to feel secure and advance in life. How easy do you think its going to be for you? Not saying you can't find success in the path you ask about but... you need to capitalize on all of the opportunities you have.

[thejerseyminx]

Do your parents really suck or are do you feel you know everything already?

You're a sophomore so you're what... 15 years old tops? Many employers won't even look at you yet. Pretty much any job you apply for there will be someone who has more general work experience applying also. What will you have to offer that is more appealing to the interviewer?

Stay in school, and try to go to college. Talk to your counselors and see if there is anything they can do to help you out. Does your school offer anything like a summer school where you may be able to work out a fast track way out? Earn your credits and try to graduate early.

I graduated high in my class in high school, but didn't finish college. I have steady work experience, with managerial experience, and I've been looking for a new job for over two years and I'm still stuck in a job I'm beginning to hate.

[dtank907]

Do I feel like i know everything? Ha nonono, That is very much not the case. And i will be 17 in September. But, everyone here has agreed i fucked up?

[Arres]

The short answer is that if noone is raping, or beating you at home, you are probably better off staying in school. This is not to minimize the impact of more emotional sorts of abuse. If that IS occurring however, I guarantee that someone at school CAN help you work through that. Noone at a job will care. Additionally, if you drop out, you STILL have to live at home unless you also emancipate yourself. THAT is a headache you don't want.

HOWEVER! If you stay in school, buckle down and get good grades, you CAN move out, go to college and live in a dorm. Then you not only have gotten out of "home", but you ALSO have a decent shot at a real job.

[dtank907]

And if they are doing one if the two? I've been talking to people about gettin emancipated but apparently that is like a two year process and by then id already be able to take off.

but you ALSO have a decent shot at a real job.

At this place I'm looking into id start off at $9 and the manager really likes me. Within 2 years I could be making 11.30-12.10. Might not be the funnest job but thats pretty damned good pay for not a lot of experience.

[Arres]

If they are doing one of the two, see your school counselor. Really, MOST people who work in schools are they because at some point in their life they decided they want to HELP children. If you are genuinely being physically or sexually abused, help is available and you don't have to live that way. It's ok to want to not be hurt.

[mikejcpt]

If they are abusing you, contact Child Protective Services (or whatever the agency is called in AK). Based on your age, they may be able to help get you emancipated more quickly rather than paying the costs of foster care. Keep in mind that $18K/yr. is really not a living wage. Also, without the diploma you are really limiting your possibilities for the future for some short-term happiness. See if you can live with a relative while you finish school. I know not finishing college has limited my chances for upward mobility and has basically kept me in a entry-level technical position for years.

Worst comes to worst, in a little over year from now, you will legally be an adult and can move out with no legal reprocussions. Get a part-time job and start saving.

Also, like others have said before, talk to a councilor at school. They can help with both the emotional issues and perhaps some special education assistance to help with the coursework.

[Sir Spankspeople]

If you have a stomach problem(which could be stress-induced? Kinda like mine) that keeps you out of classes at least two days a week you'll probably have trouble holding down a steady job. There's no "catch-up classes" at work.

[thejerseyminx]

I'm fairly certain that in every state in the US teachers are mandated to report child abuse.

Do you need your parents permission to drop out? If you do decide to go that route and they don't approve, where will you live?

[Taramir1]

Dont do it. Its a really bad choice, and it was one that I almost made myself when I was in 11th grade. If you absolutely must get out then honestly your best descision would be to wait till you turn 17 and enlist into the military. You can make a career out of it, get some very good experience, get money for college, and grow quite a bit in the military.