Along that vein, I’ve started volunteering for an organization that is fighting the construction of a dam on the local river. When things start to thaw out, I will see what else is happening on the river to see what else I can do. This afternoon, I was at a planning meeting for the World Water Day (March 22) event that the local university will be holding.

I’m currently volunteering at the local Habitat for Humanity thrift store, testing donated electronics before they are put out for sale.

I had a computer sales & service business for seven years. Between discovering my passion rather late in my education, and being relatively new to the area, I haven’t yet identified areas relating to water issues where I could start a business relevant to my interest.

I was highly influenced by a mentor of mine who advised me to do i-banking for a couple of years, and then leverage it into something else, like entrepreneurship. He did something similar — i-banking, private equity, biz school, startup, sold it, started another startup, sold it, and has continued to start various businesses. I choose this route.

I had a real tough time of college until I found my focus. Now my GPA is below the admission standards of any of the grad schools in the area. So instead of giving up, I’m volunteering for non-profits, especially in my field, I’m studying extra hard for the GRE, and when I contact a professor for the first time to talk about their research, I always find a homework problem they’ve posted online for one of their classes and answer it as a work sample.

If so, what was your #1 reason for moving on? A lot of people try to stick with finance because by the time they are 30, and have worked for 8 years at so and so investment bank, most all are making $300-600,000 a year, depending on the year. Hence, I would be fascinated in understanding your thoughts on moving on. I think others would too.

Thnx, Sam

Thanks so much for the pump up. Nice to know I’m advancing and doing a decent job of writing. While I agree with you on the degrees, there does have to be an element of talent. I’ve been told I’ve got something, what that is seems to evolve daily.

I think college can be useful to someone, but at an older age after experiencing the world a little. 18 is a bit young to know what you want or who you are. The current system in place doesn’t work, which is what your keying into.

What I suffered from is exactly what you said about “things you were supposed to have done.” For many years I thought a linear approach was the ONLY path. I’m discovering that was bollocks, and am glad for it.

I just took a gander at your site, and am quite impressed. You just found a new reader.

Now, I want to transition to creating a start up and learn about web and graphic design. Currently, I have reached out to several people who I have already created start ups and I have landed two positions where I will gain experience. In addition, I have recently started a blog that will document the process of my transition. So now, I have shared with you my story and hopefully a new chapter will be added very soon!

I think people over value college – too many get out with crippling debt and no skills they can readily turn into a job without some creative selling. And then they turn to graduate degrees because they don’t know what else to do. We fail as a society to give people other options from the traditional paths.

You’ve got the right idea, just do what you want to do, constantly look for the options, and to hell with the things you were supposed to have done.