Quote:
Originally Posted by sygazelle
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mosaud1998
I graduated high school in 2016. Since I was young, college was always put on top of my head as super important. I had plans of going to the local community college to get an associate's degree in Marketing.
That went downhill after my dad had a conversation with one of his friends who said no employer would hire an Asian guy with a marketing degree. They'd rather hire a white person (seems racist). So, my pops told me to get a degree in mechanical engineering since I am into cars. Tried that and couldn't pass the higher math courses. Even with help.
That was 2-3 years wasted at the community college. I finally decided to go back into the business and graduated after 5 years with an associates degree. Obviously, an associate's degree to Asian parents isn't enough.
I am 23 almost 24 (in Jan). I am currently a salesman at a local Ford Dealership. Love what I do. Aiming to become a Used car manager or Sales Manager. I've been there for almost 5 months and average 15 cars a month. Keep in mind this is my first sales job. The first month I started, I sold 10 cars made roughly 2k that month. The second month I sold 15 cars made $9k. The third month, I sold 17 cars (I was on vacation for 3 weeks. Only had 1 car out. Came back sold 16 in 3 weeks). Made $8k. The fourth month, I sold 18 cars and was salesman of the month. Made $6k.
My YTD roughly so far is $72k. Obviously, it's the car business. One month you can make $5k. The next, $11k. So YTD can change. My parents keep forcing school on me. Even though I am bringing in close to what my dad does and I am half his age.
They keep telling me to get a bachelor's degree because without it you can't get a good job, nice house, nice car or get married????? WTF? Can they not see I am happy with what I am doing now and I'm successful?. I can't have any kind of conversation with them without college being brought up.
They act like without a degree you can't do anything. I was walking with my mom today and noticed how my neighbor brought a new BMW X3 and she's like, " with a good education and a good-paying job you can buy things like that". I responded with, " a college education doesn't guarantee anything". She responds with, "well I want you to get your bachelor's degree. You've been in school for 6 years." It's not my fault I lost interest. All they talk about is school 24/7. Like school is god.
I honestly believe I can be successful and make money in the car business. The 2-3 years I'll spend in a university that I am paying to go to just to make my parents happy I can spend in the car business and build my way up.
My sisters been in school for 12-13 years.... I mean, she's doing what she wants to (she's getting her Ph.D. in physiology and biophysics) but spend that much time in any industry and you're going to be a manager of some sort making 6 figures a month easily (obviously not fast food). She'll be making roughly 87k/year with that Ph.D. Going to school for that long just to make 87k/year...
Idk how to talk to my parents about letting me do what I want to. Every time I try to bring it up college gets put into the picture.
Sorry about the long post. I had to let it out..
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First, congratulations on clearly outlining your situation. In some ways it sucks because you just want to do what you want to do. But, as I read your post, I learned that you have a bunch of positive things in your life going on:
1) Your parents care about you.
2) They want you to be successful
3) You are 1/2 way to a BS degree
4) The time you have already spent in college is not wasted. You have units toward a BS degree AND, believe it or not, you've learned some things.
5) You have found and industry that you like and also you are gaining some success in your job.
6) You care about your career and want to be successful.
Those are all great things. Now, how do you leverage all of those things for a successful and happy life?
If I were in your shoes, I would find a way to compromise, but where you are in more control. You are young with boundless energy. Anything is possible! I remember bringing this up with you before. You should find a college program and go for a BS in Business or Marketing that you can be a student AND keep your job. If your parents are so insistent that you get a 4-year degree, ask them to pay part or all of the tuition.
Keep your job while you get your degree. Cut back your hours if you have to or don't take a full load at school. Manage your time so you can do both. You can use what you learn in school to advance in your industry over time. If you want to just sell cars and not have a leadership and/or ownership position at some point, the college may or may not be a waste of time other than pleasing your parents. But then, what if you are burned out in sales in your 30s with no other skills?
Your parents may be old fashion and out of touch, but they are doing what they know how to do. Go give them a hug and find a way to make all of this work in your favor. Your 20s is the best time to work your ass off to set yourself up for the rest of your life. Go for it! |
I could go to school but the degree won't go me progress to were I want to be.
I've spoken to the GM at my job, the GM at a Mercedes dealership and the GM at a BMW dealership. All of them said a college degree doesn't matter when it comes time to hire someone for a manager position. What matters is how much experience the client has in the car sales industry.
So, if I do end up going to school and working I'll mostly drop school. I tried it before and stopped going to college... Idk I think I've just lost all interest in college