Back in 1984, my father got me a job making $50K+ a year right out of high school. It was pretty much an offer I couldn't refuse. I was a top student in high school too, and my mother was not happy that I chose the job over education. But what could I do? $50K back in 1985 was lot of money, especially to a teenager. 26 years later, I don't regret it. I've moved up the ladder, and make a lot of money despite my lack of a college degree. The days of getting a job like mine without a degree are over though. College is pretty much mandatory now if you want to earn a decent living.