As an 18 year old and soon-to-be-graduated senior, I am nearly at a loss of words in response to this article. He left high school with little practical knowledge ("HTML/CSS and some Photoshop skills"). To think of jumping into the real world with no experience and no skills? It just doesn't seem wise to me.
I'm going to college next year, and I'm glad. I'm in five AP classes this year, and I've taken four already. To think that I am educated enough to end my formal education here...well, it seems insane. I have much more to learn, and I can learn it in college without worrying about deadlines for jobs that will allow me just barely to make ends meet.
I have guts and determination. And disclaimer: unless you have money or want to split your time working, don't expect to be living in a nice apartment with a nice car your first year or two. It's not that I'm broke, I live decently, it's just in the real world I've realized there are things called bills :o.
I have crazy determination and I've come a long way. I had the guts as a 15 year old to walk into a business with a contract, all dressed up and get my first web design client. I was 17 when I drove to DC by myself to do the internship.
You and I are different sorts of people. You chose to take AP classes and get ahead, which is great by the way, and I chose to spend my time learning real world working skills in preparation for jumping right in.
I'm going to college next year, and I'm glad. I'm in five AP classes this year, and I've taken four already. To think that I am educated enough to end my formal education here...well, it seems insane. I have much more to learn, and I can learn it in college without worrying about deadlines for jobs that will allow me just barely to make ends meet.