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I wanted to quit school just about the entire time I was there. Some days, I still think I should have; my economic outlook at this point would be better if I'd

I wanted to quit school just about the entire time I was there. Some days, I still think I should have; my economic outlook at this point would be better if I'd gone to a union plumbing apprenticeship. But to do it almost and not quite? I'm giving you advice based on my own rationale ("Hey, steve, do what I did!"), but you should go back. Finish it. It's 3 months, and it doesn't close any doors to you. It sucks to jump through Java-shaped hoops when clearly Perlythonjureskell would be the best language, but unless you're in greenfield projects your whole life, it's one more harsh reality. You might want to do greenfield projects, but a degree won't close those opportunities to you.

steveklabnik 16y ago
I dunno. I see it in terms of the sunken cost fallacy: yes, it could be three months and a few thousand dollars... but if I don't need it, why throw more money and time down that pit? > but unless you're in greenfield projects your whole life, it's one more harsh reality. I'll go back to making pizza before I take a Java job. I don't need much money to be happy, and I'll hate my life a lot less. I can still enjoy programming in my free time.
- presidentender 16y ago
  Oh no, going back isn't for sunk cost reasons, quite the opposite. I'd advise just about anyone against starting college. But, ignoring the time already spent (which is already wasted), there's a 3 month period between you and the bump to employability that comes with a bachelor's degree. Nobody's making you take a Java job afterwards.
  - steveklabnik 16y ago
    See, I don't think there's an actual bump to employability to any job that I'd want to have. And also forget that we're talking worst-case; Ideally I'll be self-employed for the rest of my life. But if something terrible happens, my GitHub, reputation, and connections will do more than a piece of paper ever could.

steveklabnik 16y ago

I dunno. I see it in terms of the sunken cost fallacy: yes, it could be three months and a few thousand dollars... but if I don't need it, why throw more money and time down that pit? > but unless you're in greenfield projects your whole life, it's one more harsh reality. I'll go back to making pizza before I take a Java job. I don't need much money to be happy, and I'll hate my life a lot less. I can still enjoy programming in my free time.

presidentender 16y ago
Oh no, going back isn't for sunk cost reasons, quite the opposite. I'd advise just about anyone against starting college. But, ignoring the time already spent (which is already wasted), there's a 3 month period between you and the bump to employability that comes with a bachelor's degree. Nobody's making you take a Java job afterwards.
- steveklabnik 16y ago
  See, I don't think there's an actual bump to employability to any job that I'd want to have. And also forget that we're talking worst-case; Ideally I'll be self-employed for the rest of my life. But if something terrible happens, my GitHub, reputation, and connections will do more than a piece of paper ever could.